Cloudy and cool start to the day.
Kathleen away to church, CoronaVirus will not keep her away!
Another mass exodus today, but, it was a large group, travelling together, so, maybe it was planned anyway. There has been no official word that travel is restricted.
We decided to go for a stroll, along the promenade, only to be stopped by a Guadia Civil, on a motorcycle, and told to return to the camp site, that we were not allowed to stroll around.
On return to the site, we checked with Reception, apparently, we are only allowed "out" to go to shop(s), cash machine etc. If you have a dog, apparently one person is allowed out to walk it. Kathleen is all for borrowing someone's dog.
This is going to be difficult for Kathleen, who likes to be about and about, she is going to be like a caged lion, I think I am probably in more danger from her, than from CoronaVirus! I have hidden all sharp implements.
Perhaps, we will have to organise an "Escape Committee" and dig a tunnel?
Monday, 16th March 2020
Just to add to the CoronaVirus lockdown, it is raining!, it is 15C, which, I suppose is a small bonus.
We walk to the shop, to buy wine, milk etc.
They are restricting how many people are allowed in at once (security guard, or, "bouncer" on the door). So, there is a queue of people, in the rain, waiting to get in. Once in, most stuff appears to available, only thing we wanted to buy, but, could not was dried pasta. Plenty of evidence of people hoarding toilet rolls, which, is, I am told, happening in UK too. Why?
Tuesday, 17th March 2020
Raining all night, and, all day, and 15C.
According to the news and the local rumour machine, France has closed borders.
Speaking to a fellow Brit, this morning, who was packing up to leave. He has checked-out of site, and was already to go, heading for a booked ferry at Dieppe. Got a text to say, his ferry has been cancelled. Plus, it would now appear that Spanish/French Border closed. Hopefully, they will allow him to re-checkin on site and stay. At least we have essentials here.
Late afternoon, and, we were issued with more official advice/rules by site staff.
It is now no longer to leave the site in a group, or, even, a couple, only one person may go to the shops, walk dog etc.
We are being "encouraged" not to use the "facilities", it may be coincidence, but, I had noticed that the hot water for showers, dish washing etc was not longer actually hot, but, more sort of like warm.
It is now no longer permitted to entertain other people (or be entertained) on your pitch, one couple, one pitch!
This is all becoming too much.
I trawl the internet, in an attempt to get accurate information on our options. The Chausson Owners Group on Facebook, proves useful, they have set up a separate message group to share information. Predictably, there is lots of dross, but, there is some useful information from people who have actually done the things they are talking about, rather than just knowing a friend, who knows someone who said....
From this, I deduce, we can can gain entry to France, for the purpose of transit to Calais (or wherever) for ferry/tunnel. In typical French Bureaucratic style, we need to have a "form", or "Attestation" duly completed. These forms are available to download, but, we have no printer, so, I am required to hand write two copies (one for me, one for Kathleen).
Fully prepared, we decide to "bite the bullet", we arrange to check out of the site, tomorrow morning, and head for Calais.
We pack everything away, ready for an early start.
Wednesday, 18th March 2020
We head for the Somport Tunnel, and Oloron-Sainte Marie (N43 11'2" W0 36'30"), taking the most direct route, (approximately 300 miles), although, in fairness, it probably was not the quickest, given some of the steep climbs and twisting roads.
We leave before having our breakfast, a very rare thing for me, breakfast is sacred! The plan is to stop for breakfast after about two hours. So, as we approach Morella, we spot a lay-by, with Motorhome Service area. As we turn in, we notice, Guardia Civil car parked. We are told to move on, no stopping, not even for a rest.
So, breakfast does not happen until about 10:30, by which time we are in really rural section.
The roads are amazingly empty of traffic, virtually no cars, predominantly HGV's. We see only one other Motorhome.
A small scare, as we approach the Somport Tunnel, after a lunch stop, a Guardia Civil car comes up behind us, blue lights and sirens on. For a moment, I think he may be after us, since there are no other vehicles around, but, when I move over slightly, to give him the opportunity to pass, he goes streaking off down the road. Only to return about five minutes later, minus siren, but, blue lights still going. Perhaps his carry out order was ready?
Kathleen has worked herself up into a state of high anxiety, dreaming up all of the worst case scenarios, but, when we arrive at the Somport Tunnel, there are a group of Police chatting and smoking, they totally ignore us. As we emerge, in France, there is absolutely no sign of officialdom, we simply emerge, and drive on.
We arrive at Oloron-Sainte Marie Aire (N43 11'2" W0 36'30")at about 15:30. There are (official) spaces for five vans, and, there are two Brits "in residence" when we arrive. Soon, another two Brits arrive, a Belgian, and four Dutch. So, no fewer than ten vans squeezed in.
Even more arrive as the evening wears on.
Tomorrow morning is going to be interesting, when we all come to leave!
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