Costa Blanca to Costa East Sussex
- John Price
- Mar 25, 2020
- 6 min read
The Corona virus seemed a long way away from us in Benidorm a couple of weeks ago. We'd had an interview at the Policia General in the city centre to gain our NIE (Spanish National Insurance) status on Thursday 12 March. We were approved and had to collect our certificates the next day Friday 13th! Perhaps that was an omen! Our appointment was for one pm. All the guidance was to arrive early so we did - to be greeted by a police officer in face mask and gloves telling to come back at one pm. The town seemed a little quiet but a walk and a coffee later we returned at one pm. There was a queue waiting outside the building and no one was being allowed in. The officer responsible for NIE came to the door in face mask and blue disposable gloves and asked for our stamped application forms. These were handed over at arms length and we were then told to stand on the other side of the road looking across to the police building. About five minutes later the officer returned with our certificates. They called out our names and we collected our certificates again at arms length. Unfortunately Raff's certificate had the incorrect date of birth, we returned to the station they took it off him and told him to return on Monday at one pm again. Sadly we weren't able to keep that appointment.
Over the weekend the Spanish government announced the lock down. Very quickly life in Benidorm changed. On the Saturday the shops had been stripped by locusts and on Sunday night the onsite bar restaurant had happy hour until it closed at midnight as did all other bars, clubs and restaurants in Spain. From the Monday (16th) no one was allowed away from their home except for good reason - food shopping, medication etc. Only one person could travel in a car at a time and police were patrolling the streets and significant fines could be levied up to €1000 for being out with no good reason, €30,000 for any bar owners opening their bars/restaurants, and up to €100,000 for other significant breaches. I went shopping on the Monday morning - the supermarket was stocked, there were markings on the floor to keep people one metre apart at the tills and on the steps up from the car park.
On the Tuesday we decided that we would return to the UK and looked at the options:
- Ferry from Bilboa - no dates available in the foreseeable future and by the Friday they had all been cancelled
- Given the proximity issues with the virus we decided to see if we could get a ticket on the Eurotunnel - the first we could achieve was 30 March - at a reasonable cost. We went with that option and decided to depart Villasol on the 24th.
Wednesday 18th March dawned and our friends Debbie & Steve had let Raff know they would be departing the following day. It was all becoming rather real and we'd seen neighbours departing the site from the Sunday - others saying they were there for the long run. I went on the Eurotunnel website and brought our ticket forwards to the 23rd. We packed up and set off. Villasol were very good - they refunded our remaining pitch fees and provided us with copies of the Eurotunnel booking and the French form which has to be completed daily whilst travelling outside of your home. By lunchtime we'd departed with the aim of reaching the Spanish/French border by the evening. Nearly 10 hours and 425 miles later we'd crossed over the border; passing through a police roadblock where we showed our completed 'forms' and passports and were bid on our way with advice to stay in the motorhome.
We arrived at the Camping Car Parks (CCP) site at Elne just over the border. We didn't have much time to appreciate the site arriving around 10:00 pm and leaving 12 hours later after a good nights sleep. Our next destination was CCP Auzon, a 253 mile journey we arrived just after 3:00 pm. There was also a French couple on the site and they seemed to be set up for a long stay - BBQ, dart board, table and chairs for eating out and motorbike. The site itself was situated by a small river and was bordered by Almond trees in flower - very pretty and a very pleasant place to stay the night.
By 9:30 am on Friday we were on the road again - destination Lailly-en-Val. A 215 mile drive on very quiet roads, we hardly saw any cars and not that many lorries. Lailly-en-Val is a delightful CCP aire - situated by the church, a patisserie 400 yards away, a lake to walk around - in happier times we'd like to visit again.
We'd decided to spend the weekend at Merlimont on the north coast of France, in the Pays de Calais, and take the train on Monday 23rd. We did a shop at Carrefour on the way to Merlimont and arrived mid afternoon. The shelves were stocked and there were very few people in the store. It was a bit like the Stepford Wives! Again the roads were very very quiet making driving easy and stressless.
It was a nice bright day and we took a walk along the seafront. A big difference to Benidorm - bracing and 8c - a temperature drop of 14c and cold winds. Our friends Debbie and Steve had arrived at Merlimont whilst we were having our walk. We were the only two motor homes on the aire but we parked at a distance and had a chat in the middle creating the four corners of a two metre square.
Debbie and Steve had decided, notwithstanding their Tuesday booking on the Eurotunnel, to see if they could check in on Sunday. They set off Sunday morning around 9:30 with the promise to call when they arrived at Coquelles. The good news was they were able to check in and had been placed on the 1:00 pm train. Given the opportunity to be back in the UK earlier prompted us to pack up and set off to the get the train.
We arrived at 1:00 pm and took Audrey through the pet centre where they checked Audrey's passport and made sure her microchip corresponded. At the auto check-in we were offered a train at 8:00 pm or 7:00 am on Monday morning. We opted for the 8:00 pm train prepared to wait if necessary. The whole terminal was very quiet, we passed through customs and were directed to a lane being told that we would be placed on the next available train - at least we were at the front of that lane! We sat for a while and watched the lanes either side of us depart, fully expecting a long wait. Suddenly the barrier went up and we were on the 2:00 pm train - result! By 2:35 pm we were back in the UK. What was the first thing we noticed? (Apart from driving on the left.) The deplorable state of British roads - the roads in Spain and France are so much smoother.
Raff had organised for us to stay at the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CMC) site at Battle - one we are very familiar with - as the farm where we keep the van were unhappy for us to park up given we had come through Spain and France. Unfortunately on Sunday morning one of the wardens phoned to advise that the CMC were closing all their sites and our booking was cancelled. We were sort of expecting this but it was still a shock. Raff phoned a camp site in Pevensey, just outside Eastbourne and booked us in with them. At least we had somewhere to stay until Thursday and then the offer from our lovely friends for the opportunity to park on their drives.
Mr. Johnson's announcement on Monday night, of a lock down in the UK, meant that the campsite had to close and they knocked our door Tuesday morning to let us know we would have to leave. When we'd checked in on Sunday the receptionist was telling us about the lovely walks nearby and I explained that we actually lived on Sovereign Harbour but had let out our home whilst we spent a year away. A little later in the morning whilst we were considering our plans they knocked the door again and advised that given our circumstances we could remain on the site. The toilet/shower facilities are closed but we have access to water, electricity and drainage. At a dark time we are so appreciative of the kindness of the owner in supporting us.
We feel so fortunate to have had a wonderful nine months in Europe, enjoying everyday. We have our blogs to remind us of our adventures and of course Raff's stunning photographic record. Thanks goodness his photos are digital if they were on Kodachrome we'd be keeping Truprint going for the next few years!!
In these uncertain times, look after yourselves, stay safe and remain positive - it won't be forever - Raff and John.
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