The broad sunlit uplands of next March. Yeah, really. .

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Anyway it's probably all over Europe anyway.

It appears to have started in kent, no doubt brought across the channel originally

[Peter Mallett]

It is possible, probably logical.

[Gerard C]

I'm not sure neither Boris nor Macron are really responsible for the mess seen at Dover. Last time we had such a situation here, it was some custom officers' fault they took the initiative of a "test grandeur nature" with apparently no official order to do so.
Who's right who's wrong, hard to say. Sure the truckers are responsible for nothing imo.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

I'm not sure neither Boris nor Macron are really responsible for the mess seen at Dover. Last time we had such a situation here, it was some custom officers' fault they took the initiative of a "test grandeur nature" with apparently no official order to do so.
Who's right who's wrong, hard to say. Sure the truckers are responsible for nothing imo.

There's absolutely no doubt Macron was at fault by banning travel for no obvious reason - the new variant is already circulating within Europe. However, because he is flexing his muscles in relation to Brexit he took advantage of the Asian shipping brouhaha to cause maximum impact. It may well backfire on him as truckers speaking on TV were in no doubt who was to blame. I get the impression too that Brussels has given him a bit of a slap. And as an aside it is interesting to note that Barnier's influence also seems to be on the wane..

Leaving all that aside, it is rather appalling the way the drivers have been left to fend for themselves with no facilities & little or no food - one cereal bar each is hardly generous!

Most of all, I just felt sorry for the poor lady from Tours stuck in the middle of it all, trying to get back for her mother's funeral today. I doubt she made it.

[Peter Mallett]

Yes, think the food and comfort situation was bad but at least they got their arses in gear and did something. Not sure the French would do it if the boot was juxtaposed. Always feel for the vulnerable, I hope the lady gets home swiftly and with style.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Leaving all that aside, it is rather appalling the way the drivers have been left to fend for themselves with no facilities & little or no food - one cereal bar each is hardly generous!

Yes this is a pure shame. One day or another one will have to remember what trucker job is, driving a truck to deliver goods we need or want. Christmas time or not.

No comment about la dame française. Since the first lockdown many people around the world had to face the same situation.

[midgetman]

It would appear that this is just one of ongoing "mutations" that happen to the virus. There's a South African one now too. I'd heard elsewhere that viruses mutate to stop killing the host otherwise there's a risk of wiping out the virus itself. But who knows, there are so many keyboard virologists and so little real information.

Most of Europe has been in Christmas Lockdown for some time hasn't it? I think one of the criticisms of the PM is that he tries to avoid taking drastic actions then does them anyway, a step behind. I'm no fan.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I'm no fan.

As already said, the virus has no border and knows no exception. At least something neither racist nor xenophobe few days before Christmas…*Strange if not funny, Boris and Macron are even, they got the same gift few days before the date! Pour une fois, les Français ne sont pas en retard!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Leaving all that aside, it is rather appalling the way the drivers have been left to fend for themselves with no facilities & little or no food - one cereal bar each is hardly generous!

Most of all, I just felt sorry for the poor lady from Tours stuck in the middle of it all, trying to get back for her mother's funeral today. I doubt she made it.

I wouldn't worry about the truckers too much, when I was driving to Europe I'd take enough food to last me a couple of weeks and I was only going as far as Italy. I was speaking to a driver today and he said most of the trucks are kitted out with stoves, fridges and even showers, all I had was a single burner camping stove and a bucket to wash in.
There was also a Sikh charity that drove over 80 miles to deliver 800 meals to some of the drivers, good on them, and all the local council seems to have done is issued parking tickets for those stuck in lay-byes.

Originally Posted by Gerard C

As already said, the virus has no border and knows no exception. At least something neither racist nor xenophobe few days before Christmas…*Strange if not funny, Boris and Macron are even, they got the same gift few days before the date! Pour une fois, les Français ne sont pas en retard!

Haha, the UK press has branded covid 19 racist because they says it affects ethnic minorities more than whites, nothing to do with the fact BAMES (as they like to call them) don't want to follow any of the social guidelines.

[Colin McKay]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

I was speaking to a driver today and he said most of the trucks are kitted out with stoves, fridges and even showers, all I had was a single burner camping stove and a bucket to wash in.

Most of the large hauliers are either from Eastern Europe or employ drivers from there because they work for next to nothing (in UK terms), and the trucks are pretty basic spec even if luxurious compared to our day Tim! But it's true they will be pretty self sufficient, because they can't afford to pay Western Euro prices for food, when they come here they spend as little as they can.


When you see them on the news footage it looks a miserable existence, but no different to how British truckers lived when in Europe or beyond 40 years ago like many ex-pat workers of the time. Auf Wiedersen Pet, all over again!

[john ruston]

So a brexit deal about to be signed.
Not a surprise.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by john ruston

So a brexit deal about to be signed.
Not a surprise.

First, John, they have to negotiate whose pen, and what colour ink will be used, and how many letters per signature can be used, Don't worry, there is a long way to go yet.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by john ruston

So a brexit deal about to be signed.
Not a surprise.

Such theatre.


Somewhat like a whodunnit?

[Gerard C]

John, seems the situation at Dover is slightly but surely improving. As an example of the general stupidity, truckers have to satisfy a virus test buuuut because of the giant truck jam, the truck carrying the tests could barely reach the airport where trucks are parked. Remember Ubu Roi?
Cela se confirme, la terre est surpeuplée par des cons Ã* certains endroits. Certains ne sont armé que d'un stylo, néanmoins ils sont dangereux…

[Peter Mallett]

Well, a deal has been done. Have to make it work now.

[Gerard C]

Seems many things are on the right track, fairy tales are for next Xmas now.

[MGDavid]

Kudos and respect to the team of French firefighters who have come over to Dover to help with the provision of vaccines to the truckers. Also to the group of volunteers from Poland who should have arrived today to do the same.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

Kudos and respect to the team of French firefighters who have come over to Dover to help with the provision of vaccines to the truckers. Also to the group of volunteers from Poland who should have arrived today to do the same.

I saw a headline earlier that suggested that after 10,000 tests just 24 positive results have been returned.

Given a 5% potential false positive rate one can only assume that most truckers shun as much social interaction as they possibly can. (Other than on ferries?)

Given the nature of the job should we be surprised?

[john ruston]

Having employed many truck drivers I think that many enjoy social interaction but the taco’s are not working at the time.

[Colin McKay]

Apart from specialist stuff most international work is now done by Eastern European hauliers, often double-manned and under pressure to get onto the next job. On trip money. No bars open and even if they were they couldn't afford them, camion stew dish of the day! A lonely life.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

Apart from specialist stuff most international work is now done by Eastern European hauliers, often double-manned and under pressure to get onto the next job. On trip money. No bars open and even if they were they couldn't afford them, camion stew dish of the day! A lonely life.

Even in my job driving round North and east London I'm unlucky if I get anywhere nearer than a metre away from more than 2 people a day

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Having employed many truck drivers I think that many enjoy social interaction

I'm not convinced that the kind of social interaction at Manston airfield many truckers experienced was really appreciated as should. May be during the night when they went to the "toilets", meaning half naked in the fields…

[Peter Mallett]

Just for info. it seems the travel requirements for tourists to the EU may not be much different from current requirements. It appears from the attached, that we don't need to apply for a visa. We will need health insurance, return tickets and a wadge of cash. https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

[Colin McKay]

It was reported on the Beeb (and who would argue with them?) that EHIC cards will remain valid until their expiry date whereupon they will be exchanged for a new version.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Just for info. it seems the travel requirements for tourists to the EU may not be much different from current requirements. It appears from the attached, that we don't need to apply for a visa. We will need health insurance, return tickets and a wadge of cash. https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

It would seem that you don,t even need an International Driving Permit for a lot of countries .
https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/in...driving-permit