Chaos at Dover again

[mel b3]

2 hours ago, Rim Fire said:

Simple you are British vacate in your own country support your own country 

Is the correct answer sir 👍.

I've never left the UK,  and I'm happy to have every holiday for the rest of my life in the UK.  I'd rather have no holiday at all , than have to deal with arrogant French people. 

[JohnfromUK]

3 hours ago, London Best said:

1066

I suspect in 55BC they assisted Julius Caesar (an immigrant from Italy as it happens), turning a blind eye as he launched his boat heading to cross the channel.

[JohnfromUK]

15 minutes ago, mel b3 said:

I've never left the UK,  and I'm happy to have every holiday for the rest of my life in the UK.

I have left the UK many times, mainly business, rarely holiday.  Last holiday was 1988 I think - shooting and fishing in Costa Rica.  Otherwise, Scotland for me, in the past walked up grouse and more recently a gentler small partridge day, and a bit of rather laid back fishing.  Decent weather usually (none of this ghastly heat) and contrary to reputation I have (in over 30 years visiting) seldom had many midge bites, though it can happen.  Also enjoyed many short holidays in various parts of England and Wales.

Life is too short for me to spend my holidays sat in queues in airports or ferry terminals.

[mel b3]

6 minutes ago, JohnfromUK said:

I have left the UK many times, mainly business, rarely holiday.  Last holiday was 1988 I think - shooting and fishing in Costa Rica.  Otherwise, Scotland for me, in the past walked up grouse and more recently a gentler small partridge day, and a bit of rather laid back fishing.  Decent weather usually (none of this ghastly heat) and contrary to reputation I have (in over 30 years visiting) seldom had many midge bites, though it can happen.  Also enjoyed many short holidays in various parts of England and Wales.

Life is too short for me to spend my holidays sat in queues in airports or ferry terminals.

Going abroad has just never interested me .  The thought of sharing a scorching hot beach with thousands of strangers , just doesn't float my boat , and the thought of sitting around a hotel pool for two weeks with a bunch of sunburnt and drunk strangers , is horrific. 

I've covered most of the UK,  and I love it . I've still got a few little nooks and crannies to explore , and that should last me until I shuffle off.

I have a very good mate in Australia.  He keeps asking me to go over for a month , with promises of fishing on his boat , and hunting every day. I might just get myself a passport one day.

[Mice!]

3 minutes ago, mel b3 said:

The thought of sharing a scorching hot beach with thousands of strangers , just doesn't float my boat

Definitely worth getting away from the main tourist beaches, we often walk a good way to smaller coves, well worth it.

I hope you've been to Jersey,  it was like going back in time I thought 😁

[mel b3]

4 minutes ago, Mice! said:

Definitely worth getting away from the main tourist beaches, we often walk a good way to smaller coves, well worth it.

I hope you've been to Jersey,  it was like going back in time I thought 😁

The furthest I've been from the UK mainland , is the Isle of Wight 😄.

Thinking about it , I've probably been farther out to sea on my kayak and boat 😄.

Edited July 22, 2022 by mel b3

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Just now, mel b3 said:

The furthest I've been from the UK mainland , is the Isle of Wight 😄.

Delivering Ditchmans ginger to Old Farrier?   

[mel b3]

1 minute ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

Delivering Ditchmans ginger to Old Farrier?   

Ditchman always sends it over in a submarine,  because he likes to sneak it in the back door 😁.

[discobob]

17 minutes ago, mel b3 said:

I've still got a few little nooks and crannies to explore

who with? @ditchman??

Edited July 22, 2022 by discobob

[mel b3]

4 minutes ago, discobob said:

who with? @ditchman??

Ditchman has nothing left that hasn't already been thoroughly explored 😊.

[Walker570]

It does appear the good days are over, when you arrived at the airport booked in, even with firearms, sat for half and hours and maybe had breakfast then climbed aboard and got whisked to your planned destination.  I have had some absolutely fantatsic trips and remember coning back from new Zealand and checking through in Hawaii Airport as we planned coming back via Texas. The young lass on the check in asked why we had booked through San Fransico when there was a direct flight to Houston 30 minutes before, we said done by travel agent. She played on the keyboard for a few seconds gave us boarding cards for upgraded seats on the Hosuton flight  and wished us a safe trip to Texas. I also had a firearm on this trip and she didn't blink an eye, just said it would be safer direct than through San Fran. I could list another half dozen such splendid service at airports including our own EasyJet...... what has gone wrong.   Blame covid again ?????

[Mice!]

24 minutes ago, mel b3 said:

The furthest I've been from the UK mainland , is the Isle of Wight 😄.

Thinking about it , I've probably been farther out to sea on my kayak and boat 😄.

Have a look out of the main holidays,  we did three nights a few years back around October I think, got a good deal and I'd go back tomorrow,  plus they don't like the French 😅😅

Next time we'll try and do another Island as well.

[mel b3]

59 minutes ago, Mice! said:

Have a look out of the main holidays,  we did three nights a few years back around October I think, got a good deal and I'd go back tomorrow,  plus they don't like the French 😅😅

Next time we'll try and do another Island as well.

I had a good friend ( long since passed), that used to visit Jersey several times every year,  and would bring back white owl cigars for me.

I've been fancying the Scottish Islands over the last few years . One day I'll find the time , and get myself up there.

[ditchman]

1 hour ago, mel b3 said:

Ditchman always sends it over in a submarine,  because he likes to sneak it in the back door 😁.

lock & load.....

[London Best]

27 minutes ago, mel b3 said:

 

I've been fancying the Scottish Islands over the last few years . One day I'll find the time , and get myself up there.

Trust me. DO IT.

[Dave-G]

2 hours ago, Walker570 said:

It does appear the good days are over, when you arrived at the airport booked in, even with firearms, sat for half and hours and maybe had breakfast then climbed aboard and got whisked to your planned destination.  I have had some absolutely fantatsic trips and remember coning back from new Zealand and checking through in Hawaii Airport as we planned coming back via Texas. The young lass on the check in asked why we had booked through San Fransico when there was a direct flight to Houston 30 minutes before, we said done by travel agent. She played on the keyboard for a few seconds gave us boarding cards for upgraded seats on the Hosuton flight  and wished us a safe trip to Texas. I also had a firearm on this trip and she didn't blink an eye, just said it would be safer direct than through San Fran. I could list another half dozen such splendid service at airports including our own EasyJet...... what has gone wrong.   Blame covid again ?????

In my admittedly centre right opinion: its the EU engaging in Brexit payback. I think they adopted their tactics from trade unions.

 

[Scully]

11 hours ago, Vince Green said:

It appears that the French are causing chaos at Dover by deliberately slowing down to a snails pace all the passport and customs checks. People are having to queue for hours just to get on their ferries

It's obvious what they are doing and why they are doing it.

It's all so petty minded. It's targeted because this is the busiest week of the summer after the schools broke up this week

Yes, very cynical and planned. Like Tommy said in 1914….’the **** start at Calais’. It would appear he was right. 

[Newbie to this]

11 hours ago, Bobba said:

Had our forebears not done their bit (Twice) the frogs would today be speaking German. Ingrates.

I wouldn't mind betting they still hold that against us.

[Wymondley]

Is there not a large number of small boats left abandoned on the south coast?

Could we fill them with those intent on holidaying abroad and escort them across the channel to arrive on French beaches with no customs check and an all expenses paid hotel?

Just like happens here!

[oowee]

Looks like the ques are also on the UK side. Is that because all the boats are running late. 

[Dave-G]

I'm gobsmacked how so many foolish people think Covid 19 has gone away and how big the rise in cases will be when those thousands taking themselves and their children to mingle with thousands at airports, on planes and trains and in bars and restaurants etc get back home to spread it around again.

Whilst I wouldn't wish illness on anyone I do hope that if anyone gets it, it is those who naively thought it OK to ingest the same air as large crowds of people from gawd knows where again. AND if they have to take time off work, I hope the taxpayer don't have to pay their furlough!

[Vince Green]

5 hours ago, oowee said:

Looks like the ques are also on the UK side. Is that because all the boats are running late. 

No its because the French do all their checks at Dover before you get on the ferry

That way when you get on the boat you have already been cleared  and you can drive off the other side and just go

 

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, the Dover port authorities are blaming the French workers,  the French Dover port authorities are blaming the UK workers, it's like children at play school, I see now problems in the tunnel, I understand our lorry drivers need to get over to pick up goods and return but why is every one going on holiday desperate to go the minute the schools close, how far do you have to travel to call it a holiday, ???, 

[Boybrit]

Now post Brexit you have to get your passport stamped every time you cross from Dover to enter France so the normal passport will fill up with useless stamps. There used to be non landing booze cruises so how that could work only him upstairs knows. I live 1.5 mile from Eastern Docks so it causes chaos with smart alecs with big 40 tooners trying to wriggle through Dovers small residential streets then getting stuck and bottlenecking all the local SUVs school runs.

[JohnfromUK]

11 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

but why is every one going on holiday desperate to go the minute the schools close, how far do you have to travel to call it a holiday

I agree - but these days there is an obsession with holidays.  It has become an essential rather than a luxury, and for many, it happens several times a year. 

When I was a boy, my parents (who were considered adequately off, though not wealthy) took us kids on a holiday to the seaside (Wales or Cornwall) for a week.  Foreign holidays were then quite a lot more expensive and there were currency restrictions as well I think.  In addition my parents had their 'grown ups' holiday about once every 5 or more years when they went overseas, often to visit overseas relatives.  I as a child only went overseas once with my parents - and that was camping in Ireland.  I didn't have my first flight until I was in my 20s - and that was for work!  We did however go and stay with friends/relatives in the UK fairly regularly (maybe 2 or 3 times a year).

Many people now go on holiday several times, short breaks for half term 'weekends', a main summer holiday to somewhere hot and sunny, a skiing trip in the winter.