Leaving Lockdown – A Bit of a Scrape

van_caravan
Big Blue & Caravan Kismet in the car park. Ready to Roll!

If we get there, it will be third time lucky.

Twice before, Mark and I have planned to go to Spain. The first time, temperatures soared above 50°C. People were dying from the heat, so we turned left and went to Romania. Then, last September, two days before our ferry, a tenant gave notice, which forced us to stay and sort out the re-let.

This year, coronavirus has scuppered our planned tour of Poland and the Baltics. Although lockdown has lifted in Italy and across most of Europe, the strict UK quarantine rules persuaded us to take slow road home via Northern Spain and Portugal. When we eventually reach the UK border, perhaps campsites will have re-opened and we won’t be forced into isolation with four dogs; an isolation so strict that unless we were about to starve, we would not even be permitted to leave our acommodation to buy food.Continue reading “Leaving Lockdown – A Bit of a Scrape”

Lockdown Life – Into thin Air: Hiking the Valle di Salza

“The Valle dei Principi (the Valley of the Princes) or the Loo Valley are both really beautiful,” Ezio from the ski shop Ambaradanspitz in Staffal told us.

He pronounced it ‘the Low Valley’, but, since I am childishly drawn to places with slightly rude names, Loo had already been on my radar for a while.

Although lockdown in Italy had lifted, a relentless fortnight of heavy rain put paid to most of our more grandiose hiking plans.Continue reading “Lockdown Life – Into thin Air: Hiking the Valle di Salza”

The Deadly Dozen – 12 Poisonous Plants Which May Be Common In Your Back Yard

Recently, we were contacted by tenants who believed there to be Giant Hogweed in the communal garden of our property. They were worried, because the sap from this plant can cause severe burns and blindness. We consulted with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) at Wisley, who verified that the plant in our grounds was definitely neither Native Hogweed nor Giant Hogweed. However, they identified it as another poisonous plant, Hemlock Water Dropwort.

Continue reading “The Deadly Dozen – 12 Poisonous Plants Which May Be Common In Your Back Yard”

Travel Insurance in Post-Covid Times

image-from-rawpixel-id-401700-jpeg
Travel Insurance is more important than ever, but are you sure that you’re covered?

Note that the Coronavirus Pandemic is a developing situation and information which was correct at the time of writing may change over time.

As borders open and cabin-fever gets the better of us, many are considering booking a trip. However, coronavirus has not gone away and there are risks, which makes having adequate travel insurance more important than ever.

When Should I Take Out Travel Insurance?

Experts agree that the time to take out travel insurance is as soon as you book, so that you are protected from cancellation.

However, the policy is not worth the paper it’s written on if it does not cover you in the event of an emergency.

Continue reading “Travel Insurance in Post-Covid Times”