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Aye, I think there will be some form of relaxations in terms of self catering sector, I certainly hope so. Best be quick though, cottages will move faster than flour coated bogroll!.
I'm looking to getting away in the motorhome however I cannot imagine what the carnage is going to be like when that's allowed again.
Maybe we should set up some kind of Intra-Scotland house swap system? I live somewhere very touristy - would happily swap with somebody as long as they like cats!
We've tried with a few pals, seems Dunblane isn't the tourist hotspot Killin was, we never had to rent houses in Scotland when we lived there...
managed to get a nice big cottage in Aviemore from 17th July for a week, small deposit and balance to pay 26th June, so fingers crossed...
Forestry Commission confirming off piste unofficial stuff is ok to ride but still subject to the distance of travel guidelines
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/covid-19/frequently-asked-questions
I could be up for doing a wee holiday swap with my central Edinburgh flat...
managed to get a nice big cottage in Aviemore from 17th July for a week, small deposit
PM me the address Iain and I'll leave a big deposit...
^^^^ don’t worry Colin, I’ll be round on my ebike to go for some rides 😜
If that spesh motor lasts til July.... 😂
Aye....
Been in at school today, class set up for 9 pupils.
It’s taken me 6 weeks to write a blended learning earth sciences topic
One of the things I did today was gather, count and number all our textbooks. I think the simplest and most efficient thing to do for senior classes when they're working at home is go old school and set them work from textbooks.
Spin - are you letting them take the text books home and bring them back whenever they are in? Message here seems to be that there may be no school bags etc, and even pencils and PE kit may not be allowed to travel to and from school (I've not heard a logical explanation why the living, breathing germ factory is permitted but the inanimate objects are not).
are you letting them take the text books home and bring them back whenever they are in?
Yes. Hard to see an issue with it if they keep the book.
Message here seems to be that there may be no school bags etc, and even pencils and PE kit may not be allowed to travel to and from school (I’ve not heard a logical explanation why the living, breathing germ factory is permitted but the inanimate objects are not).
Some of the ideas I've heard bandied about on this are totally disproportionate like asking pupils to come in in freshly laundered clothes every day or PE depts issuing kit that's then laundered each night. This is going to be tough enough without introducing unnecessary barriers to attendance/learning.
Anyway, all this discussion may soon be much less relevant:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53078358
Got my room sorted today for 10 pupils and me. Binned a whole load of stuff. And every surface is clear of stuff.
Now I'm to go back in this pm to do..... something.
Some of the ideas I’ve heard bandied about on this are totally disproportionate like asking pupils to come in in freshly laundered clothes every day or PE depts issuing kit that’s then laundered each night. This is going to be tough enough without introducing unnecessary barriers to attendance/learning.
Replying to myself now...
You need to ask why this happens and the answer is that local authorities have had to interpret for themselves what measures to take so naturally you get a wide range of responses. I'm not generally a fan of top down directives but this looks like a case for that to help ensure equality of provision.
Waiting to be told tomorrow foe sure if we can get a wee week in a cottage somewhere, fingers crossed.
The Mrs spotted on facebook the other day a post from a hotel we used to go to before the kids came along saying theyll be open from the 15th July.
🤞🏻
Waiting to be told tomorrow foe sure if we can get a wee week in a cottage somewhere, fingers crossed.
Plenty of free cancellation options on AirBnB. If it's announced tomorrow, bookings may go mental. Get in early.
Hadn't looked at cancellation costs OTS, cheers, I'll look now. You get sorted with DFDS?.
You get sorted with DFDS?
Yes thanks, got a voucher and then they've said that if the service is cancelled I can cash my voucher in. Hard to argue with that level of customer service (all done on chat) for a non-refundable ticket.
Oh and on AirBnB if the place you fancy doesn't have the cancellation options you want, just message the owner and ask them to change them to free cancellation. It's easy for them to do and all the ones I asked (3 on Isla) did it without any hassle.
Brilliant, cheers fella.
Glencoe and Nevis Range both saying uplift opening on 15th July!
The Mrs spotted on facebook the other day a post from a hotel we used to go to before the kids came along saying theyll be open from the 15th July.
The tourism sector opening has shitshow written all over it.
This all seems to stem from a comment in parliament last week that tourism could reopen on 15th, but tentative and subject to change, presumably it's based on us moving to next stage this week, then the following stage in 3 weeks time (which is the minimum period each stage can last)
Despite all the caveats I saw various MPs and press declaring tourism back for business on this date, now places are committing to opening and taking bookings. If we don't move to stage 3 in 3 weeks time, which is entirely possible, there's going to be a hell of a lot of cancelled bookings and/or illegally opened tourist facilities. Personally I'd not be committing to any booking until reopening is confirmed by government.
I've just put my campervan into storage - even though we're moving next week, there's no way I'm driving my precious camper north of the border as I expect there will be roving mobs armed with pitchforks! 😉
I believe that the announcement vis-a-vis accommodation opening on 15th July would be made on 9th (3 weeks from tomorrow). As long as providers are prepared to fully refund then it makes sense for them to plan ahead, not have a sudden panic flurry of bookings on 10th July and make sure they can get some folk through the doors while it is still the school holidays.
He said the government "needs to be far more creative" in its plans and be open to radical proposals such as bringing in extra teachers to boost staffing numbers, and to fund councils to turn other buildings into temporary classrooms.
Aye, I suppose teachers are one of those things you can just pull out your arse when it suits. Oh no, that's wee nuggets like this one, my mistake.
Anyway, may take a look for somewhere, saw the Nevis Range post earlier. No doubt half of Scotland has had the same idea though. Just need to make sure cancellation is available.
I think the schools should just open normally in August but the government has to plan for today not for what might happen in August.
Apparently up Thurso/JoG way, the police are sending strangers straight back down the road.
This all seems to stem from a comment in parliament last week that tourism could reopen on 15th, but tentative and subject to change, presumably it’s based on us moving to next stage this week, then the following stage in 3 weeks time (which is the minimum period each stage can last)
Actually the 3 weeks is the maximum in the legislation for review not a minimum - they can decide no change, but a max of every 21 days they must consider change. There is nothing in principle to stop them making a change after 7 days (or even 1 day), but past trends and things like this "in principle" date seem to suggest your rationale is correct. All the statistics are moving in the right direction for the next decision tomorrow, and if the number of cases new cases daily is single figures 21 days later its difficult to see how she could resist another relaxation. The harder issue would be radical changes like allowing schools back without 2m social distancing or CalMac to operate at even 1m rather than 2m distances.
the police are sending strangers straight back down the road
If the police don't know you, you're sent packing? seems a bizarre situation if yer nae a pal o the polis
^^^ as mentioned earlier, we took a gamble yesterday on booking a house in Aviemore for a week from 17th July. It can only happen if we go to Phase 3 on the 9th or very shortly thereafter. Small deposit but balance due end of June..
It was either that or a week at home, which with 2 teenage boys who have been at home for 3 months would be fairly shite.
Quite happy if we can get away and happy to be careful with food shopping and eating out. Cannae imagine how La Taverna buffet will cope with the likely hordes...
Ebike and Feshie beckons 😁
I'll just leave this here...
Not exactly renowned for his intelligence, to be fair.
It's going to be carnage when it opens up, some folks treat it like a theme park around here already during tourist season, it's going to be fully worse in a few weeks. Although lockdown seems to be over for some folks anyway, more and more are starting to carry on as normal. Think I may just go camping somewhere in the hills this weekend.
If the police don’t know you, you’re sent packing?
Or maybe they have this database of car registrations an can tell your home is South of Perth, so check if you've a good reason to be so far north on the NC500...
I'm concerned about the opening up for tourism - and I'm part of the problem having made a booking... Then again, blurred lines and all, we've managed to book self catering, away from the world and intend to keep away from people for a week in canoes and on bikes...
Yup, self catering house booked in Aviemore, not particularly bothered if we don't get out for a meal, priority will be biking, hills and running.
Most of us are trying to do the right thing whilst also maintain our sanity. I drove twenty miles to sit in my parents garden two weeks ago. We've decided to allow my MIL go to the Co-Op occasionally because her mental health is deteriorating and yesterday I sat down and had a coffee with a friend who's been caring for her dad since the start of lockdown until he passed away on Monday. Try and do the right thing and try and be compassionate to others is my aim at the moment.
Nobeerinthefridge
MemberYup, self catering house booked in Aviemore, not particularly bothered if we don’t get out for a meal, priority will be biking, hills and running.
Posted 50 minutes ago
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Please tell me not the same week as me 😜. Can’t be seen with our matching shorts on....
Please tell me not the same week as me 😜. Can’t be seen with our matching shorts on….
It'll be easy to tell you apart. One of you will have skint knees.
😂
It’ll be easy to tell you apart. One of you will have a skint face
knees.
Hahaha, hope it’s not me.... gentle ebike rides for now 👍
Rubbish, we'll get up Burnside! 🙂
Try and do the right thing and try and be compassionate to others is my aim at the moment.
I think this is becoming my view of things. People's mental and social health is really low, mine included.
In reply to original title - they're not really. Smaller moves than hoped.
Yep, I was really hoping a beer garden might get the green light. A nice cold pint at the Fiddichside in the sun after a dusty descent off Ben Aigen is hard to beat 🙂
Doesn't look like @yourguitarhero will be posting for a while. He'll be too shagged out.
The Old Bridge Inn is going to be selling beer in sealed, takeaway containers for consumption off premises.
I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with the long, drawn out lifting of restrictions, but then I look at the current death rates. Today, Scotland 2, England 128.
I agree with Scotroutes on the sentiment re deaths. That said I really think she needs to throw us a bone re the 5 mile rule.I really thought today she might have increased that distance , Its actually more restrictive than a month ago when It was deemed a reasonable distance . I'd consider a reasonable distance to take me from east lothian to the tweed valley which on a good day can be 35 to 45 minutes and about 27 miles. I genuinly cant see many people abiding by the current rules for long tbh.
Yep, I was expecting some revised guidance too. Maybe around the 25 mile mark. For many rural communities, it's going to be of little use having more shops open if they're not reachable.
The 5 mile thing is daft when you can now travel an unspecified distance to meet family or friends and use their loo. So I can actively travel by bike a long way to see a friend, as long as its travel not exercise?
... And it would seem that here I can travel on interisland ferries to visit friends or family, but not the northlink ferry to do the same on the mainland.
It seems the variations are actually now making the message more complex, difficult to get across simply, easy to confuse and, as above, somewhat illogical. Maybe that was inevitable.
The 5 mile thing is daft
Not just that but in my mothers street of 30 houses (kirkcudbright) there are now 3 families up from england in holiday homes (9 of the 30 houses are holiday homes but thats for another argument)
The 5 mile thing is daft when you can now travel an unspecified distance to meet family or friends and use their loo.
Don't know to what extent this has changed after today's announcement but the guidance for travel is now consistent for travel for any purpose, it's 5 miles guidance for all.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-2-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/staying-safe/
Travelling to meet others outdoors
It is acceptable to travel outside your local area to meet members of another household in an outdoor space such as a private garden.
I’m becoming increasingly frustrated with the long, drawn out lifting of restrictions, but then I look at the current death rates. Today, Scotland 2, England 128.
Aye, spot on.
She's obviously determined that we're not going to suffer the same massively long tail out of this that England look like they're experiencing.
I hope where we're headed is being clear enough of this soon, to get schools etc back going full time, due to the work that's been put in.
Travelling to meet others outdoors
It is acceptable to travel outside your local area to meet members of another household in an outdoor space such as a private garden.
Hmmm ignore me then, not sure if that's changed since earlier, I read it and shared it elsewhere and just came back to it and copied link without reading it again.
I hope where we’re headed is being clear enough of this soon, to get schools etc back going full time, due to the work that’s been put in.
I think that's a major driver in this.
I’d consider a reasonable distance to take me from east lothian to the tweed valley which on a good day can be 35 to 45 minutes and about 27 miles
The problem is that's exactly what every mountain biker in the Lothians wants. The minute it goes up to 25 miles everyone will flock there, even if FLS say the trails are shut. I can see why it's in place, maybe the next phase we'll get a bit more leeway. At least you can ride with your pals now.
Hopefully the plan is what's posted above - if Scotland grits its teeth and keeps the death rate that low then we'll be back to actual normality sooner than England.
Wonder what the situation will be for travel from 4th July which seems to be the date that many holiday cottages and self catering accommodation are taking bookings from...
Hopefully the plan is what’s posted above – if Scotland grits its teeth and keeps the death rate that low then we’ll be back to actual normality sooner than England.
Suppose a tighter lockdown in Scotland gets us to "near" normal in August, at which time there's a spike in England. Do you think any controls of any sort will be placed on cross-border travel?
I hope so, a wee practice run....
One can but hope...
Suppose a tighter lockdown in Scotland gets us to “near” normal in August, at which time there’s a spike in England. Do you think any controls of any sort will be placed on cross-border travel?
I think that would be really tricky for her to present without getting lambasted in the media for being anti-english EVEN IF IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. In fact, the only way I think she could pull it off would be to imply she wouldn't do it, let the media get in a 'tiz about letting English holiday makers bring it back in just as we are about to get back to school etc - and then flip it round to respond to public opinion!
Wonder what the situation will be for travel from 4th July which seems to be the date that many holiday cottages and self catering accommodation are taking bookings from…
We've decided Northumberland cottage booked for 4th July is a no go even if cottage is open due to Scottish travel restrictions. Can't travel incognito due car being covered with boats and bikes!
Am confused. Wife is visiting her parents 45 minutes away with our wee one. Seems to think that's OK as only 2 households sitting in the garden etc.
Am I allowed to ride there to meet them?? If we're allowed to drive then why not cycle? It's no honeypot and I'll not be doing anything gnarly...
I'm about three iterations of the guidance behind, I only thought the 5 miles applied to max distance you were allowed to travel before STARTING your exercise...
^^^^^ we had that week in mind for Northumberland too but felt a few weeks back it was too risky. Now have an Aviemore week booked from 17th July instead, which I am hopeful of, but not convinced...
Sleepy and ygh, I reckon both of those scenarios are cool.
****ing yassss!
@LD - that's a shame. We should have been on Canada flight next week. ☹️
I think the Scottish government is pulling a good move here. Firstly its a subtle Scotland for Scottish holidays message - don't you cross the border now...
Secondly, it pushes everything out to the end of the summer holidays. This *may* both avoid a second wave and allow a faster return to (nearer to) normality, particularly for schools and childcare. The cost of a slow unlock is lower than a second wave and may repay us well at the end of the summer.
Am I allowed to ride there to meet them??
No.
Just how busy are the Highlands going to be from the 15th onwards with everything opening and only 3 weeks of Scottish school holidays left? Seems likely to create a tsunami of people from central belt to try and salvage some summer holidays in a very short time. Needs more gradual release from now or not at all till schools back.
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As long as we shut the border, things should be fine...
I’m about three iterations of the guidance behind, I only thought the 5 miles applied to max distance you were allowed to travel before STARTING your exercise…
It did until they published revised rules on 8th June, which recommended staying within 5 miles of home for exercising.
However, that didn't really make a lot of sense, because it was effectively tightening the restriction on exercise as other rules were loosened, so I think it was just poorly worded guidance.
The updated guidance published today says:
For this reason, our advice is that you should stay within your local area when you go outside for exercise or other activities. We encourage active travel, for example by walking or cycling, but you may also drive.
As a guide, rather than a fixed limit, our advice is that 5 miles from your home would be within your local area.
(my emphasis)
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-2-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/meeting-others/
Also published on the Sport Scotland Website today:
Going for a solo cycle ride from your front door that is more than 5 miles from home does not raise the transmission risk for yourself or for others, and going by the guidance above, it is not prohibited. It's clearly not the same as people driving long distances to congregate in popular spots, and potentially mingling at filling stations on the way. If you use your common sense and keep yourself and other people safe, I can't see any problem here.
To be honest, I'm OK with the stricter rules up here. My spidey sense suggests a second wave coming along as UK government seem to be playing politics over science now - we're just about at the bit where Boris Johnson wipes it off on the curtains and borrows £20 off of you to "go out and get some Greggs" and never comes back.