Any Recent Visitors to GA

[kevinb]

Has anyone been out to GA between lockdowns ? Be interesting to know how they felt, whether at ease or not. I think probably a lot of house owners might be anxious re their houses having not visited for many months, going by our place don't think there will be any cause for alarm, ours did smell musty but a few hours airing freshened the house, I had increased ventilation in January by cracking open windows behind the shutters, there was more dust than usual but no mould. Years ago I fitted a ventilator in the bottom panel of the solarium door and it seems to create a chimney effect between it and the ventilator in the galleria door off the kitchen. I took John H's tip this time and stretched cling film across the WC bowls to stop water evaporating, a very good idea. P.S. We had the best two weeks of 2020 in GA, good luck for 2021.

[Spurs]

I went out for 9 days between lockdowns it was fine but very quiet , didn’t like wearing a mask all the time when out walking etc but soon got used to it. The bars and restaurants were all ok social distancing in place , used the community pool a few times no problems weather was hot in August , l don’t normally go that time of year but a neighbour told me my garden tap was leaking so went to repair that luckily he turned it off at stopcock so I didn’t get a huge bill.

Worst bit was wearing the mask for 6 hours solid from end to end at the airports on the plane etc such a relief to get that off .

I’m going again after the restrictions here on travel are lifted probably early jan

[masmu]

We came back to the UK last Monday after 11 days in GA and felt quite safe there.

Hadn't been in our house for 12 months but when we had left at the end of October 2019, as usual, we had left the solarium window open slightly, same with the basement window, and all internal doors open.  Also all wardrobe doors and all drawers left open.  We always we leave plugs in the sinks/bath and shower as well and put corks in the overflow outlets to stop the beasties invading.  No problem at all and just a fine film of dust on the furniture. 

Of course the terrace was filthy and it had rained during the day when we arrived at night so it was like mud.  That was the first job the next morning.  The solarium was the same.

We did go out for coffee in GA (up by the banks) and were impressed with the precautions the owners were taking.  Also had a trip to Urbanova and to the Marina on Santa Pola.  It was good to see the bars/cafe had some customers, all safely distanced.  Don't think we saw anyone out and about without a mask.

We didn't find wearing a mask as bad as we feared when we were out or on the aircraft.  However wearing one in the airports at either end wasn't comfortable - probably because my glasses were constantly steaming up.

Now half way through our 14 quarantine and looking forward to moving from there to lockdown - can't believe how much I am looking forward to going to the supermarket  next Tuesday

[puddy-woo]

We also went for 9 days and finished quarantine on Sunday. We had a great time.  Masks didn't really bother us as we spent most of the days in the beach.  We felt safer there than here and really didnt want to come home.    Have flights booked for boxing day so not sure what to do about them. Dont fancy another 2 week quarantine stretch.

[chris and jackie]

We had flights booked for 28 December which easyJet changed 3 weeks ago and then cancelled yesterday, no suitable alternatives so taking refunds as can’t use any more vouchers.
In addition not sure what will be open at NewYear and if any entertainment will be allowed so may not be too much going on .

Next flights booked end February which I am more optimistic about

[kevinb]

I clean the galleria and solarium drains whenever I remember, one year when we were out the neighbors galleria drain was blocked and after a lot of rain the water was about to go under his back door, no one was occupying the house so couldn't do anything about it. Be handy if the solarium had water discharge points set at the floor level as the single drain on ours is inadequate, I have visions of it blocking and water cascading down the stairs.

[John H]

We had a friend who put some artificial grass down on his solarium, he didn't do a lot of research, ordered it and had a local DIY man put it down.
In all fairness it looked well and was comfortable to walk on.
When we had a particular heavy thunderstorm one night our friends heard the sound of water running down the stairs.....the artificial grass had restricted the flow of water down the drain on the solarium roof, the next lowest point was the threshold of the door to the stairs!!
He had it removed and went with a specialist company to have the correct stuff installed.

Regards all

John

[masmu]

Many years ago an elderly neighbour of ours had her galleria floor re-tiled.  Would you believe that the company that did the job hadn't connected the down pipe to the drain correctly?

She didn't realise this until one particularly heavy rain storm which went on for a couple of days.  The water flooded the galleria and poured into her kitchen/living room and caused tremendous damage.

[kevinb]

Having been out in GA September 2019  when the floods hit I'm now confident that our house can survive anything the weather throws at it. Touch wood.

[chris and jackie]

Latest news about COVID tests prior to arriving in Spain will no doubt reduce visitors even more!
https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-11-11/spain-will-require-negative-pcr-test-from-travelers-coming-from-high-risk-countries.html

[Derek]

There must be a cross over point where the economy meets the need to protect people. I think this move will see the end of Brits visiting Spain for some time. I just wonder how the many businesses that cater for holiday makers can survive this. If it is anything like the UK any financial help is based on previous trading accounts. Those that ran on a cash only basis straight into the back pocket must really be in trouble.

Derek

 

[BeachLife]

The Canary islands who were upfront with this from today insist on this:

“Tourist accommodation providers have the responsibility under this new regulation to verify the test certificates provided by tourist accommodation users. They also have the obligation to provide information to tourists regarding the locations in which diagnostic tests can be performed in the event that a particular tourist arrives without sufficient documentation. Under this law, tourist accommodation providers must deny access to any tourist who arrives at their establishment without a negative test for Covid-19"

When we left Lanzarote at the weekend they (the hotel) had signs up to say you would need to present valid negative test results at reception before you were checked in.

However - talking to one of the very few ex-pats that we met out there. This is only checked at the receptions of hotels or SC accommodation. Home-owners were not going to be checked (apparently)

This may of course change in light of this new legislation as they might introduce the check on arrival. It seemed to me that it was aimed at "touristic" accomodation

[John H]

We were supposed to visit Cyprus a few weeks ago, the Covid test result had to be produced at border control, if it wasn't or if it wasn't in the correct format entry would be refused.
I assume the same rule will be applied in Spain from what I have read, I quote "The health ministry in Madrid said: “Travel agencies, tour operators and air or maritime transport companies and any other agent that markets tickets must inform passengers of the obligation to have a PCR with a negative result in order to travel.”
Looks like Tenerife in January will be another cancellation.

Regards all

John

[BeachLife]

I dont know what the cost is up your way John but our nearest place is at Solihull and its £130. 

I think that will put an end to casual travel to spain or canaries even if you dont have to quarantiine when coming back from the Canary islands.

Interestingly the COVID tests in Lanzarote were available at any number of international doctors for €40

[Blue and white stripes]

Two tests @£130 + flights is a lot cheaper for Xmas than we paid for a hotel in Whitby last year.
At the moment the travel for a fortnight in Spain would cost (including test) £150. When we first bought in GA if we got return flights for under £200 each we thought we were doing well.