Vocal Voices

One alarming thing to have emerged this week is that there has been a surge in covid cases in North Somerset - that includes the costal resorts of Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead - and Weston Hospital's A&E admissions has been closed.

Whilst it's probably a bit premature to blame the Bank Holiday influx of tourists to those towns - after all, the things got to incubate before symptoms show - you do wonder what has gone on there and what it means for other parts of the country which are holiday destinations.

It has, and will continue to be, a disaster for the long and short stay holiday industry, no doubt about that. Seaside towns, especially, were well in decline long before Covid and this might well be the end of some of them.

A few of them with flatter terrain might well become Care Home-on-Sea in order to survive. On the other hand a lot of camping and caravanning sites, those who take in overnighters, are said to be looking at an upturn in demand due to there being a lot more 'staycationers' in the coming years.

Some Go Outdoors outlets have reported a 400%+ increase in sales of camping equipment and accessories in the last few weeks. The UK might not have the bestest of weather but it does have some spectacular places to visit. A few weeks touring the countryside could well become the new 'holiday of a lifetime' instead of an Ibiza weekender.

As someone who has done a lot of camping I don't mind so long as they stay away from MY spots. NIMBY moi? you bet!

The West Country has been a few weeks behind London and the SE all along. I think it's that simple I expect the number of cases to drop soon, as they have there.

I've got quite used to pottering about in the garden now and I am in no hurry to venture out. If the local garden centre is not too busy that will probably be my first port of call.

I am looking forward to a few long weekends in the Dales. I'll drive up and camp then go for local walks from that central spot. Or I might do similar from further afield such as the New Forest, The Peaks, Chilterns.

The weather! If you get wet you get wet. You can dry out .... pubs are your best bet.

That’s if they are open......

Shell, some camping sites say that they will / can open and follow distancing rules. Rural pubs, with outside seating and open areas, will also be able to cope with distancing.

It then becomes up to us as individuals to be careful and choose when and where we go.

Some pubs are "open" here in that they have outside seating and selling "at the door" only

Little steps, Vic, that's how we will get back. They are allowed.

Pubs reopening is my big fear, not shopping malls and the like just pubs. Alcohol and social distancing do not fit in the same sentence