After days of lockdown on the Spanish island of Tenerife it was time to leave. With the world slowly shutting down all around and tourists being implored to return home as soon as possible we were relieved to be leaving sooner rather than later.
Our original return flight was still scheduled to leave on time and we had checked and double-checked that the local 343 bus was still running to the airport so everything looked as though it would go pretty smoothly.
Not the greatest flight we’ve ever had to be honest but we weren’t complaining as we were just anxious to get back to the UK. The plane was absolutely full and we seemed to be in the middle of the badly-behaved-children section! Lots of seat-kicking, crying and messing about for the whole four and a half hour flight but I suppose they were just as keen to get away as we were.
Landed at London Stansted on time and in minutes we had got the shuttle bus to the Premier Inn where we could collapse …..
If we thought that was the end of the drama then we were in for a massive shock. Our original plan of visiting friends and family over the next week or so was in tatters due to the worldwide pandemic …….
18/03/2020
JWalking 
I’m relieved to hear you’ve got back to the UK safely… although I’m guessing that won’t be the end of your troubles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleased to be back after a hectic time but you’re right it hasn’t been the end of the drama.
LikeLike
Looks like it was a nice place but really pleased to have you both back in the UK even if we can’t meet up. Stay safe guys, hopefully see you soon xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a lovely place but unfortunately events changed everything didn’t they? Looking forward to seeing you too Lydia, not long hopefully.
LikeLike
It’s an awful time for everyone at the moment, but I suspect that awful time is being magnified for the two of you. There have been several times in the past three years when I’ve thought that perhaps we gave away our nomadic lifestyle to soon. This isn’t one of them.I’m currently really, really pleased to be inside our own bricks and mortar building, and able to lock the world out. I really am feeling for you two. It’s no doubt comforting though to be on your own soil. I hope you can hanker down somewhere for a good while and settle in. Best of luck, keep well, and keep safe. This too shall pass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been a traumatic time for everyone and we’re so thankful that we have kept healthy so far. Pleased to hear that you are safe and settled away from the drama. All of our plans have completely collapsed but we’re working hard to try and find somewhere to base ourselves.
LikeLike
Glad you made it back to the motherland! Hope you sort out some accommodation soon. We started our 4 week lockdown in NZ last night. Essential workers only go to work so hi ho its off to work I go while Steveo slums it at home during the day. Looking forward to some great meals! On a serious note however, stay safe, stay well and keep us updated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s affecting the whole world isn’t it? Hopefully the lockdowns will help us to get over this pandemic. Keep safe.
LikeLike
So pleased to learn that you made it safely back to the U.K. Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, we were so pleased to get back. Worrying times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you made it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By the skin of our teeth as Spain was plunging into real trouble the day we left. Pleased to be back but needed to find a base to stay next.
LikeLike
If you landed in New Zealand you would be in quarantine for 14 days straight away then you would need a base till end of April with no travel allowed
LikeLiked by 2 people
Same all over Europe. We potentially should have been in quarantine but of course have no home or anywhere to go. So had no choice.
LikeLike
Oh, been thinking of you guys…so relieved to hear you’ve begun re-entry home during COVID.
Our son and his girlfriend are finally able to get back home from Chile…they’d been on an extended stay hiking the Chilean and Argentinian wilderness since January…slated to return to the States mid-May. Very big sigh of relief as they’ll get in Denver by Monday.
We’ll get through this, guys!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must have been stressful worrying about your son, Chile is so far away isn’t it? Glad he’s on his way very soon. As long as everyone does as they’re told then the world will recover from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you are back in the UK, good luck with the next few weeks, hope you get somewhere to stay that is not going to cost the earth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been a real challenge as all of our previous plans fell apart and we’ve had to plan almost day to day. It’s all going to cost a bit but haven’t got much choice currently. At least we’re healthy currently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds ominous but at least you got back to the UK. I hope you’re safely isolating somewhere nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleased we got back in good time but had lots to organise to sort out places to stay.
LikeLike
Crazy times and I think more craziness to follow. So glad you got back to the UK. Take care!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sam, you too. Are you on the boat for the duration or elsewhere?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Jonno, we’re home on our boat. Strange times. Did you manage to get to where you needed to be?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we got all the way but it wasn’t all plain sailing. Settled in somewhere now though for a few days. Hope your nautical isolation is going okay?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah we’ll it’s home, but this whole thing is horrible. Hope you’re ok
LikeLiked by 1 person
A friend’s daughter was trapped in Barcelona in lock down. No bars or restaurants. Not what she planned, at all! Home safe, finally. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the end, the actual journey sounds to have been more straightforward to what came before – and afterwards. Hope you are sorting something out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The actual journey was fairly straightforward, it was just the stress and potential of things going wrong that were hard. Both doing okay now and safe and sound, hope you are well.
LikeLike
Glad to hear it! We are fine thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, I am not caught up on your posts, but I hope things have sorted themselves out for you both. I do love the photos of JUST YOU all. LOL. Things will be back to ‘norma’ soon I hope. At least this is what I keep telling myself! The seat kickers need a swift kick in the pants!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pam, we’re both doing well at the moment. It was a tough day getting back to England but we were relieved to be back. Hope you are both keeping safe and well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait for the next episode…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s like a crazily written low-budget drama isn’t it?
LikeLike
But it is a page turner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know the whole situation must have been a worry, but I love how positive and calm you both seem. I did think of you as the situation unfolded as the last post I read, you were preparing to go on the road. We were supposed to be off to Austria and beyond but cancelled before departure. And my eldest daughter was in India, luckily managed to get home just before the toughest restrictions set in. Take care and stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been so tough for anyone travelling or on holiday hasn’t it? We were pretty laid back about it all as it’s not worth worrying. Pleased to have made it back safe and sound though, just needed to get sorted out with somewhere to live next. Austria would have been lovely. Hopefully not cancelled just postponed.
LikeLike
Result. Just getting home is a result
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite an adventurous day but made it safely.
LikeLike
Glad you made it “home” – I’d seen your Insta posts and wondered if you were able to get out or would be stuck there. Keep safe, trusting that things go well for you both over the next few wekks/months!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, we’re doing okay now we are safely down here in Devon. Moving on to our long-term accommodation today so hopefully that’ll be alright. Hope you are both keeping safe and healthy.
LikeLike
I’m reading this all in the wrong order, but I am glad you made it back to the UK safely. Phew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We luckily made it back fairly smoothly in the end after a slightly stressful journey. I think we got back before the real trouble started.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what a tale! So glad you made it home safely to the U.K. This pandemic has been quite a shock for those of us who live to travel, hasn’t it? But it looks like you have a lovely place there in Devon for hunkering down. Wishing you both a lovely Easter and a great day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, you too. Hope you’re comfortable and healthy still in this difficult time. We’ve been so lucky to find somewhere this nice and easy to live.
LikeLiked by 1 person