El Gordo
Active member
Escape from Schengen
WE visited PP in January 2020 for our usual winter visit and returned home to Newcastl UK well before the start of the Covid Pandemic.
Like lots of people we had several visits cancelled by EJet, Jet2 and Ryanair with the usual difficulties of getting refunds!
We took the chance of a travel window in the UK lockdown rules and changed a Ryanair flight to September for our usual Autumn visit, intending to stay about 5 weeks. As we approached our home date, our flight was moved to an unacceptable date so we rejected it, intending to find another later in the year.
After several bookings being cancelled before Christmas we decided to stay. We usually visit in January anyway!!
We absolutely loved the port with the quietness and the locals reclaiming their town and beaches, but were very sad and aware of the difficulties the bars, restaurants and those on benefits were going through. We supported where we could!
The weeks turned into months... We considered becoming residents, but we were not ready for, or did not want that step.
2021 came and we started our 90 days allowed under Schengen rules.
Several flights were booked and cancelled as lockdowns took its toll.
We wanted to fly direct to UK if we could as did not want the complication of going to the mainland or other Schengen State on the way and have us stranded if connecting flights were cancelled or that we were caught in a lockdown, or catch the dreaded virus in places with a high incidence of CV.
When the UK introduced the 10 days isolation for those returning, we looked at going home via a stay in the Canaries for two weeks, to get around it. Those options soon disappeared. Don't get me wrong I would have waited out the Pandemic in PP if we could have!
The need to have negative pre-flight covid tests within 72 hours of arriving in UK, and the need to complete Passenger Locator forms with evidence of prepaid covid tests for day2 and 8 of isolation complicated the planning.
After 3 cancelled flights in as many days we finally decided that via Madrid was the only option.
Our BA flights from PMI to LHR to Newcastle in one day became, after 2 cancellations, from PMI to Madrid to LHR to Newcastle in two days.
We had to isolate in a hotel for the stopover at LHR.
Covid planning started on the Thursday, 48 hours before our trip.
We went to Muro Hospital. No appointment needed, we got there at 9am for the clinic at 9:30. The queue was out the door already! We paid our 115euros each (I see its now 90) and waited to be called, nasal swab over in seconds. WE would be sent the results via email by the next day. Made it back to PP by 10:30.
We had trouble on the Friday with the PCR Test results as we couldn't unzip the attachments, no matter what unzip app I tried!! So back to Muro. I managed to bypass the long queue out of the door and down the road!! and convinced someone to help me. They took me to the Lab!! Where a technician printed them out for me, I just hoped that they satisfied the criteria!!
I was then on the net via my phone most of the day from trying to fill in the Passenger Locator Forms (PLF), and trying to purchase our day 2 and day 8 tests from the Gov approved list. The sites were busy and I was getting timed out, very frustrating.
Finally got there with the first site recommended by Gov called 001Doctor.uk. initially they were sold out but by the time I had unsuccessfully searched other sites they came up available and they were cheap £170 each where some were £240! After several attempts Finally got ref numbers to put on our Gov Passenger Location forms.
The trip was fairly uneventful, the Boarding staff checked our Covid results and PLF forms on our phones etc and we made it to Madrid, T4. Our Passports stamped at border!! on way to T4S
I was told at Palma that I wouldn't have to show Covid results or PLF again because now on system! Oh yes we did, Madrid said that Palma had not stamped my onward ticket!!
Anyway, made it to LHR T5, made it through border control but only after showing Covid Test papers, PLF form and email receipts on phone to them.
Not been to Heathrow before so unsure of how to get to the hotel.
Made it out of airport, looked for bus stop to hotel, no timetable, freezing, we headed for taxis, several refused our fare, as not lucrative enough!! One offered but for an inflated fixed price!! Is this legal I thought!! Any way we got to Hotel, lovely room, had nice supper with a pint of lager in our rooms (we collected from the lobby). Phew, slept well but up at 6:30 Remembered the clocks went forward!!
Bus to LHR T5 the next day and safely on to Newcastle.
Now, isolating at home and subject to two PCR Tests, day 2 and day 8 of isolation. We are still Waiting for day 2 test result! That's a story in itself with the test provider and Royal Mail delivering our tests late and to the wrong address!! I was on the phone for hours, to Test supplier, Royal Mail, NHS119 etc now waiting for Day8 test to arrive!!
Today we have been told to isolate by NHS Track and Trace as we must have been sitting on the plane with someone who ha come down with Covid!!
Fortunately the isolation coincides with the isolation we are already forced to do. I get a call every day to check we are self isolating and told of the consequences of not obeying the order! I'm surprised they didn't tag us!
Today we've had another call from test and trace because of this contact!! That's 2 a day!!
Will be glad when this is all over!!
Although we would have chosen to stay in Mallorca till end of June if we could have, we are happy to have managed to finally get home.
I am not keen to go back until the testing requirements are ended. I just don't know how the Test Labs and Borders will cope if testing is not ended for the busy season.
I am pleased ee made it home last Sunday. We had to be out of EU by the 31st as that was 90 days limit (In a moving 180 day period) else face penalties, including possibly being deported, fined and stopped from returning for a period. Recent articles in Spanish press suggested the are taking no prisoners!! With all the "illegals" on the mainland going into hiding!!!
Sorry its long winded ..
Take Care, Stay Safe out there... Mr & Mrs El Gordo
WE visited PP in January 2020 for our usual winter visit and returned home to Newcastl UK well before the start of the Covid Pandemic.
Like lots of people we had several visits cancelled by EJet, Jet2 and Ryanair with the usual difficulties of getting refunds!
We took the chance of a travel window in the UK lockdown rules and changed a Ryanair flight to September for our usual Autumn visit, intending to stay about 5 weeks. As we approached our home date, our flight was moved to an unacceptable date so we rejected it, intending to find another later in the year.
After several bookings being cancelled before Christmas we decided to stay. We usually visit in January anyway!!
We absolutely loved the port with the quietness and the locals reclaiming their town and beaches, but were very sad and aware of the difficulties the bars, restaurants and those on benefits were going through. We supported where we could!
The weeks turned into months... We considered becoming residents, but we were not ready for, or did not want that step.
2021 came and we started our 90 days allowed under Schengen rules.
Several flights were booked and cancelled as lockdowns took its toll.
We wanted to fly direct to UK if we could as did not want the complication of going to the mainland or other Schengen State on the way and have us stranded if connecting flights were cancelled or that we were caught in a lockdown, or catch the dreaded virus in places with a high incidence of CV.
When the UK introduced the 10 days isolation for those returning, we looked at going home via a stay in the Canaries for two weeks, to get around it. Those options soon disappeared. Don't get me wrong I would have waited out the Pandemic in PP if we could have!
The need to have negative pre-flight covid tests within 72 hours of arriving in UK, and the need to complete Passenger Locator forms with evidence of prepaid covid tests for day2 and 8 of isolation complicated the planning.
After 3 cancelled flights in as many days we finally decided that via Madrid was the only option.
Our BA flights from PMI to LHR to Newcastle in one day became, after 2 cancellations, from PMI to Madrid to LHR to Newcastle in two days.
We had to isolate in a hotel for the stopover at LHR.
Covid planning started on the Thursday, 48 hours before our trip.
We went to Muro Hospital. No appointment needed, we got there at 9am for the clinic at 9:30. The queue was out the door already! We paid our 115euros each (I see its now 90) and waited to be called, nasal swab over in seconds. WE would be sent the results via email by the next day. Made it back to PP by 10:30.
We had trouble on the Friday with the PCR Test results as we couldn't unzip the attachments, no matter what unzip app I tried!! So back to Muro. I managed to bypass the long queue out of the door and down the road!! and convinced someone to help me. They took me to the Lab!! Where a technician printed them out for me, I just hoped that they satisfied the criteria!!
I was then on the net via my phone most of the day from trying to fill in the Passenger Locator Forms (PLF), and trying to purchase our day 2 and day 8 tests from the Gov approved list. The sites were busy and I was getting timed out, very frustrating.
Finally got there with the first site recommended by Gov called 001Doctor.uk. initially they were sold out but by the time I had unsuccessfully searched other sites they came up available and they were cheap £170 each where some were £240! After several attempts Finally got ref numbers to put on our Gov Passenger Location forms.
The trip was fairly uneventful, the Boarding staff checked our Covid results and PLF forms on our phones etc and we made it to Madrid, T4. Our Passports stamped at border!! on way to T4S
I was told at Palma that I wouldn't have to show Covid results or PLF again because now on system! Oh yes we did, Madrid said that Palma had not stamped my onward ticket!!
Anyway, made it to LHR T5, made it through border control but only after showing Covid Test papers, PLF form and email receipts on phone to them.
Not been to Heathrow before so unsure of how to get to the hotel.
Made it out of airport, looked for bus stop to hotel, no timetable, freezing, we headed for taxis, several refused our fare, as not lucrative enough!! One offered but for an inflated fixed price!! Is this legal I thought!! Any way we got to Hotel, lovely room, had nice supper with a pint of lager in our rooms (we collected from the lobby). Phew, slept well but up at 6:30 Remembered the clocks went forward!!
Bus to LHR T5 the next day and safely on to Newcastle.
Now, isolating at home and subject to two PCR Tests, day 2 and day 8 of isolation. We are still Waiting for day 2 test result! That's a story in itself with the test provider and Royal Mail delivering our tests late and to the wrong address!! I was on the phone for hours, to Test supplier, Royal Mail, NHS119 etc now waiting for Day8 test to arrive!!
Today we have been told to isolate by NHS Track and Trace as we must have been sitting on the plane with someone who ha come down with Covid!!
Fortunately the isolation coincides with the isolation we are already forced to do. I get a call every day to check we are self isolating and told of the consequences of not obeying the order! I'm surprised they didn't tag us!
Today we've had another call from test and trace because of this contact!! That's 2 a day!!
Will be glad when this is all over!!
Although we would have chosen to stay in Mallorca till end of June if we could have, we are happy to have managed to finally get home.
I am not keen to go back until the testing requirements are ended. I just don't know how the Test Labs and Borders will cope if testing is not ended for the busy season.
I am pleased ee made it home last Sunday. We had to be out of EU by the 31st as that was 90 days limit (In a moving 180 day period) else face penalties, including possibly being deported, fined and stopped from returning for a period. Recent articles in Spanish press suggested the are taking no prisoners!! With all the "illegals" on the mainland going into hiding!!!
Sorry its long winded ..
Take Care, Stay Safe out there... Mr & Mrs El Gordo
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I just cannot imagine trying to go through this in the height of the season - not that we will be doing so as have cancelled our June trip already - losing our accommodation deposit. ( this for health reasons).
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