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Getting back to the UK

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 1:35pm
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Posts: 7

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Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 27 Jan 2019

We have just returned from Spain via the Euro tunnel after too many ferries had been cancelled by Brittany Ferries and thought detailing our experience may help others,

We confirmed and booked our hotels and the Euro tunnel the day before we set off.

We left Roquetas de Mar early on Sunday 17th May heading for a hotel (K10) close to San Sebastián. We found this hotel on a list published by the Spanish Gov, see link below, which was very helpful, no such joy finding a similar list for France!

https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2020/03/25/pdfs/BOE-A-2020-4027.pdf

We did email the hotel and confirm they were open before booking, the reason we chose this hotel was because it is close to the French boarder and after all the dire warnings about having the correct paperwork we thought if there were any problems getting into France we would have time to return back to Roquetas!

We crossed into France with no problems what so ever, no inquisition as to why we were travelling, a quick look at the passports and a cursory glance at the attestation and we were off.

We had some difficulty finding accommodation for a night in France and ended up using Booking.Com to find somewhere and then calling/emailing direct to ensure they were open and booked direct. After a long drive on the Sunday we decided on a shorter 'hop' to near Le Mans and found a Campanile (Le Mans sud - Arnage) who confirmed they were open (there was another hotel close by which when we got there looked nicer and seemed to be open called the Brit Hotel- Le Cottage)

We had no problems driving through France, no extra checks at any major towns and all the fuel stations appeared open and the ones we stopped at had facilities available and it seemed similar at the parking areas we passed.

Getting to the tunnel terminal was well sign posted and upon arrival there appeared no extra checks although with the reduction in traffic every vehicle was getting a look over.

Thirty five minutes after getting on the train we were back on the 19th May, yes, the driving was a bit tiring and you may wish to make more stops but the fundamentals of the process were painless.

Hope our account sets some minds at rest and have a safe trip.

Pauline & Martyn

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 1:57pm

Posts: 16

star21 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 25 Jul 2018

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 1:57pm

Many thanks for informing us of your recent experience in getting back to the UK, I'm very pleased for you both and keep safe.

Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 2:26pm

Posts: 43

star23 helpful points

Location: Almanzora

Joined: 9 Jan 2020

Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 2:26pm

Thanks for your post Pauline that's really helpful.  

We also have to return to the UK shortly due to a sudden bereavement but will be going in our motorhome with our dog.  Has anyone done the trip since lockdown and found places open to overnight in a van / the most convenient route?  

Thanks in advance :)

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Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 7:50pm

psy1967

Helpful member

Posts: 200

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Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 29 Jun 2016

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 7:50pm

Thank you - very interesting post, especially as we have now been pre-warned that quarantine will begin on June 8th.

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 3:16pm

L181SKY

Very helpful member

Posts: 999

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Location: Mojacar

Joined: 24 Jan 2017

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 3:16pm

Rach2772 wrote on Thu May 21, 2020 2:26pm:

Thanks for your post Pauline that's really helpful.  

We also have to return to the UK shortly due to a sudden bereavement but will be going in our motorhome with our dog.  Has anyone done the trip since lockdown and found places open to overnight in a van / the most convenient route?  
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Thanks in advance :)

I would go to Brits in Spain.  It’s a site by the consulate in Madrid.  . Send them a message explains your position and they will get back to you.  Good luck.   I had a message from Brittany Ferries yesterday saying they are repatriating people whose ferries have been cancelled by putting us in the freight runs from Santander Saturdays and wednesdays.  If you go to the U.K.govt  site and find travelling to U.K. Corona advice you will eventually find a form to fill in with your ticket number and they forward it for you. That’s if you were going by ferry of course.   But they will have a list of official stops for you I’m sure.  Good luck and I’m sorry for your loss.    

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 3:51pm

Posts: 43

star23 helpful points

Location: Almanzora

Joined: 9 Jan 2020

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 3:51pm

L181SKY wrote on Sat May 23, 2020 3:16pm:

I would go to Brits in Spain.  It’s a site by the consulate in Madrid.  . Send them a message explains your position and they will get back to you.  Good luck.   I had a message from Brittany Ferries yesterday saying they are repatriating people whose ferries have been cance...

 

Read more...

...lled by putting us in the freight runs from Santander Saturdays and wednesdays.  If you go to the U.K.govt  site and find travelling to U.K. Corona advice you will eventually find a form to fill in with your ticket number and they forward it for you. That’s if you were going by ferry of course.   But they will have a list of official stops for you I’m sure.  Good luck and I’m sorry for your loss.    

thank you that is so so helpful - we were booked on Santander to Portsmouth on 30th April so have a ticket x stay safe x 

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