After our dramatic return from Tenerife and the relief to be back in England we started to have a think about what we were going to do next. Our original plan had been to travel around East Sussex and Kent visiting friends and family but obviously we had to cancel every single meet due to the Coronavirus pandemic situation.
With lots of well meaning advice to self-isolate and sit tight for weeks we began searching for somewhere to stay long-term as all of our housesits and pre-arranged backpacking travels had also been cancelled. With everyone being told to ‘Stay at Home‘ and with us not having a home we were struggling. Hotels and BnB’s were an option of course but we couldn’t possibly afford 8, 9 or 10 weeks in one of those.
Surprising Offer
Then on the day of returning from Tenerife we were surprised to be contacted by a fellow traveller and blog follower, Anne from Cheltenham, who very kindly offered us her Airbnb for 2 weeks at a ridiculously reduced rate. We were so touched by her kindness and provisionally decided to go there as soon as we had completed our movements around the South East of England. We did get a bit of ‘advice’ from family about still getting trains and moving from East Grinstead to Bromley to Maidstone but the bookings were non-refundable and we really needed that time to organise ourselves.
After spending 4 days in lockdown in the Canary Islands where everyone was ultra-careful about social distancing and cleanliness we actually felt that we were more switched-on to the situation that a lot of people back here where the situation was still a week or so behind.
Whilst we were in Bromley Jo spoke to her brother Jon down in Devon and he mentioned that a good friend had an apartment that we could rent for 2 months if we were interested. Were we? Of course. Their incredibly kind offer meant that we graciously let Anne know that we wouldn’t be taking up her thoughtful offer but we would never forget her kindness and hopefully once this is over we may be able to meet up and treat her to a glass of wine or two.
Cross Country Dash
So after five days hiding in different hotel rooms and existing on snacks and cold food from Lidl we decided to cut and run and just get to Devon before the trains were cancelled and we got stuck. Repacking of our backpacks in the storage depot before a six hour, multiple train journey down to Barnstaple on the North Devon coast. Amazingly it was one of the smoothest journeys we have ever taken, empty carriages of course but dead on time.
Jo had booked us three nights at the Travelodge in Barnstaple which would take us up to when we could stay in the apartment, and our two mile uphill hike with full packs from the station was just about possible as we knew the end was in sight.
Not the reception we expected
Finding the entrance wasn’t easy and we had to climb through hedges and over muddy paths but we were ready to drop as we walked in the door and up to reception. Our normal cheery hellos were met with smiles from the two friendly ladies behind the desk and as we prepared to check in they casually and quietly said;
Sorry, we’re actually closing in an hour so your booking has been cancelled!
Shocked? Slightly. No emails or text messages or anything from Travelodge. Plus we’d been travelling for over seven hours and were knackered! Existing residents were being kicked out of the hotel as we waited.
Calling local hotels and Airbnbs was a complete disaster as everywhere was closing or not picking up the phone. Jo managed to add a couple of nights to our booking at The Granary but were completely stuck for anything that evening. As we searched online the Travelodge lady started to get interested in our predicament and threw up a whole host of ‘helpful‘ suggestions.
- Why don’t you buy a tent?
- Have you called the Salvation Army? They might have beds.
- Couldn’t you just sleep in the car? Oh you don’t have a car. Could you hire one and sleep in it?
- Go to the police station and make them find you somewhere.
- Why don’t you go to Exeter? It might be better there.
- What about the Town Hall?
I think the constant chatter was starting to get to us a little as we packed up and headed off into the fading light with Mrs Travelodge shouting even more useful suggestions in our ears.
Camping in Braunton
As we trudged downhill back towards Barnstaple Station Jo decided to call her brother Jon to see if he knew of anyone who might be able to help. We really didn’t want to call but were completely out of options. By complete chance they were speaking to the friends that we would be staying with the following week, Rose and Jim, and they very kindly offered us a bed for the night in their comfy campervan on their driveway in nearby Braunton.
Sitting just outside the house it felt luxurious after the worries we had been feeling just minutes earlier. Warm, cosy, and safe. Just what we needed and we couldn’t thank Rose and Jim enough.
Coffee and snacks, a bit of TV, and then a good nights sleep were exactly what was needed.
Next morning we cleaned the van and said au revoir from a distance before heading off to our next stay. Ironically the place that Jo had found was a short walk up the footpath near Rose and Jim’s house so not far to trek at all.
The Granary
Our accommodation for the next five nights was an outbuilding on the Buckland Manor estate, an old granary store converted into a self-catering apartment. The owner had been more than helpful allowing us to add extra days to our stay and the reasonably remote location made it a perfect place to rest up.
It’s actually like the Tardis in Dr Who as from the outside it looks tiny but inside it has shower, toilet, kitchen area, table and chairs, settee, tv, and a double bed up on the mezzanine. Everything.
So here we are for a few more nights, safe and sound until we move down to the apartment next week.
Keep safe and healthy everyone, and keep in touch in these traumatic times.
24/03/2020
JWalking 
“Why don’t you buy a tent?” Gimme a break – no clue at all these people.
Sorry, flippant suggestions like that in the face of serious issues really get my ire up.
So glad you had a trail of good buddies able to help as best they could. That apartment is a goldmine of a gift!
Once you’re hunkered down there, you’ll have plenty of time to rest up – COVID isn’t letting up any time soon.
😦
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Some people are just full of crazy ideas and run off at the mouth thinking that they know best. We just had to leave that lady and go in the end.
We were so lucky to be offered help by some very generous people and although it’s not going to be cheap the apartment is exactly what we need over the coming weeks. This crisis is only going to get worse isn’t it?
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Unfortunately, yes…but you’re safer than you were before – whew!
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Much safer and more relaxed thank goodness. Hope everything is okay with you Laura?
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We’re fine…son & girlfriend are in the thick of constant flight changes and spontaneous closures (still in Chile) – so we’re on the edge of our seats until they safely land on USA soil. Thanks for asking.
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Let’s hope your son gets that flight and can get to the USA very soon. Must be really worrying for you.
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ps-they just landed in Miami!!!!!!Now to navigate the new normal home landscape
😉
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Great news. You must be so relieved.
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Well done for soldiering on, cant believe you had the energy left to write the post!
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It was quite a long day and a little stressful towards the end but we kept fairly relaxed and had faith that we would find something eventually. It’s all part of the adventure isn’t it?
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You do live life on the edge but so pleased you’ve found somewhere to stay put for awhile. Take care.
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It was touch and go for a while but with the help of some very kind people we seem to be well sorted out now. Comfy little place and decent weather for a few days, seems quite nice at the moment.
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The apartment is adorable!!!
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The outbuilding that is!
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It really is a tiny little outbuilding. Just hope we don’t wander into the wrong one and find ourselves living with sheep and cows!
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😂😂😂
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It’s very small but absolutely perfect for us. Nice weather too for a change so feels very restful.
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The camper van looked so cosy. All these airlines and places like travel lodge aren’t doing themselves any favours as things will eventually go back to normal and you won’t be using these business again. Enjoy Devon 😎
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The van was exactly what we needed and the Granary we’re now in very comfortable. Hopefully everyone will remember how bad these companies have treated people and not use them when the world returns to normality.
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I almost cried reading this post, firstly, at just how awful the unknown must be at this time for adventurous vagabonds such as yourselves. And secondly I almost cried tears of gratitude on your behalf, for the camper van, the granary, and the apartment. There is always kindness to be found somewhere. Caravan parks and camp grounds here in Australia are starting to close down, so I’m fearful for all of our Grey Nomads who have passed up their homes so as to travel the countryside. I hope they all manage to meet people as kind as the ones you’ve met up with. In these circumstances I’m so pleased circumstances took us away from that direction. Keep safe.
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It really does make you appreciate how kind and thoughtful people can be. Times are hard for everyone and I fear they will get seriously worse, and it’s heart-warming to see communities and people helping each other. Not sure what we would have done without these kind offers of assistance. Probably Anne from Cheltenham was the kindest offer as she approached us.
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It’s great you managed to find somewhere, a few grey hairs maybe or just loving the challenge!
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A few more grey hairs! It was a little stressful but with the kindness of a few people we’ve got ourselves sorted for the duration hopefully. Hope you’re doing ok and keeping healthy?
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That’s good news! All ok here thank goodness, hopefully this will all pass very soon and we can all get back to
Normal.
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Not convinced how quickly it will all be over, I feel it will be longer rather than shorter. Hopefully not.
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What a hair raising trip that was😱!! Fair play to you both for not giving up. Travel lodge are a disgrace to the hospitality business. And that’s all you needed was that lady coming out with those ridiculous ideas. Some people just don’t have a clue!! I’m glad you have sorted out accommodation for the next few weeks, it must be a weight of your mind. This post also highlights people’s kindness in these worrying and uncertain times. Keep safe both😊😘
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Travelodge have treated people unbelievably badly, the numbers they just kicked out with no notice. Just hope people don’t forget once this crisis is over. We’re both safely ensconced in our little Granary now and to make it even better the weather has turned lovely over the past few days. Lots of long healthy walks and social distancing from absolutely everyone. Hope you are looking after yourself and keeping well.
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You’ve faced a few challenges that’s for sure. The Tardis sounds like a unique form of accommodation 😂 but seriously, I hope you’re well and coping with life in these strange uncertain times. Thank goodness for the generosity of some people. Take care and stay safe. xx
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Thanks Miriam. Our current place is small but perfect for just the two of us. We just needed somewhere safe and quiet away from others. Hope you’re keeping healthy.
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Thanks Jonno, I am.
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It all sounds very stressful Jonno, but I’m so glad to know you’re OK. What generous people there are in the world and I hope you enjoy the next few weeks/months. Love the Tardis reference! Take care.
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Phew, that was close. At least you can now add RV to your list. Enjoy some peace and clean air.
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Yet another place we’ve spent a night! It was an experience, we were just so thankful to get somewhere after the Travelodge issues. Lovely down here in Devon too.
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I can’t believe that lady thought she was being helpful. I was relieved to read that everything worked out for you. This situation has brought out the kindness in many people.
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She really thought she had all the answers and was starting to seriously wind us up. Everything has worked out fairly well thank goodness, we’re moving into our long-term apartment tomorrow so looking forward to just chilling out and locking down. How’s everything with you?
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All good here, staying home and doing lots of little jobs, enjoying the garden, watching TV and keeping in touch with people online and on the phone. The restrictions are getting tighter every day but the numbers of new cases are decreasing so that is great news.
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Sounds like you are doing exactly the right thing in keeping busy and filling your time. Restrictions seem to be tightening every day but hopefully that will contain the spread and prevent more people from getting infected. Unfortunately I think it’s going to get far worse before it gets better, hope I’m wrong.
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The hope here is that it will improve. Yesterday the Chief Health Officer used the words “There’s a decrease in the increase”. I thought that was encouraging. I guess time will tell.
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It’s the complete unknown that is so difficult to comprehend isn’t it? Staying inside under lockdown is fine but not knowing how many weeks or months it will last is much tougher to handle. I don’t really think we’ll know how the long term looks for quite a few weeks unfortunately.
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Hi, thanks for the kind mention your post. I can’t believe the way Travelodge treated you, that was ridiculous. Thank goodness you are now sorted and can take a breath. We would love to catch up for a glass of wine or two at some stage in the future when everything gets back to ’normal’, whenever that may be.
Stay safe and look after yourselves.
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Travelodge was a complete disaster and they still haven’t been in touch, not confident about getting a refund at all. We’re moving on to our ‘permanent’ accommodation tomorrow so will just keep our heads down and try to see it out. A few drinks and a chat sound perfect once this is all over.
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Top work from Travelodge. Is it run by that idiot that owns Wetherspoons. Can’t begin to imagine how stressful this lock-down must be for the both of you. So easy by comparison for me with my permanent address to stay home. So glad its worked out for you.
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Travelodge didn’t cover themselves with glory at all and we still haven’t heard a word about a refund. Not holding out much hope to be honest.
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Glad you got lucky! It must have been extremely worrying! (Yes, I can state the bleedin’ obvious)
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We were so lucky to get help from some wonderful people, it restores your faith in human nature. Hope you’re doing okay Mick?
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We’re doing fine thanks, Jonno. My wife is working from home – not ideal, as she has to arrange and minute child protection conferences for Social Services and it’s all being done by Skype. She says it’s an absolute nightmare to minute, but at least she can do it. And at least we can get out to walk in the woods nearby.
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Difficult times for so many people aren’t they? Glad that you can get out for a walk and the weathers okay at the moment isn’t it? We’re moving to our long-term accommodation tomorrow where we’ll hopefully be able to lay low and see out the crisis.
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Sounds like a decent place for it. Hope you have a reasonably stress-free time.
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Things are still pretty quiet down here in Corpus Christi TX. If you had been in the states, I would have invited you to come stay with us! Glad it all worked out! We have a 30 foot RV and it is quite comfortable and love to travel in it – what do you think? Have you thought about traveling that way?
You two take care of each other and hope to see you again someday!
Chris and Ray
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Glad things are still quiet in Texas, the whole world is completely locked-down here. Everything in the country is shut virtually and the majority of people inside their homes. We’ve looked into RV living but it’s not really practical in the UK with our small roads and villages. Look after yourselves.
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Hey Jon and Jo,
really glad that you could find accommodation after this “adventure” 🙂 Puts your faith back in human nature.
Reminds me of when we were doing Lands End to John O Groats on the bike (1979). Couldn’t find any accommodation in Plymouth and finally a very generous land lady put us up in rooms that we still being refurbished. I dont think she charged us a penny (breakfast included).
Stay safe and look forward to your next blog!!
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It does give you faith in human nature for sure. There are lovely people all around and we’ve been so lucky with our new accommodation. Hope you guys are all okay too?
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OMG! That gave me the heebie-jeebies just reading it, I can’t begin to imagine how you felt. Glad it got sorted in the end, and if my calculations are right you should be in your longer term place by now.
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You’re right, we moved down to our self contained apartment this morning. Just settling in and getting our heads down now. Hope everything is okay with you?
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Good! All fine here so far, thanks.
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Glad to hear it. Just need to fill your days with constructive tasks to try and make the time go past more easily.
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Strangely, it seems to fly past! So far anyway.
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Unreal that people are chucked out of a hotel like that! You must have wished you’d gone with the Airbnb offer. Most people are kind, aren’t they? But not all! I had to giggle at the lead photo because I thought Jo was standing in a public toilet block! Glad it turned out to be palatial in the end. Happy landings, you two! 🙂 🙂
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It does look like a public loo doesn’t it? Have to admit I was slightly concerned when we turned up until we opened the door and saw how nice it was inside (thank goodness). Hope you are doing okay in these tough times Jo?
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Fine sweetheart! We can still have a cuddle in private, can’t we? 🙂 🙂 Take care!
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You can never have too many cuddles at any time can you?
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Oh my goodness how stressful! I am so glad you found a perfect place to live a for a few months in the end! At least if you are social distancing, it’ll be in a beautiful area!
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We were so lucky to have found someone who had somewhere to rent at the same time we needed it. Beautiful location too so we really can’t complain. Hope everything is good with you?
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Just tried to reply to your comment on your blog and it keeps failing, no idea why.
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Oh strange! I am sorry about that! I’ll check if I need any updates.
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Dunno why it happened, thought you would want to know.
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Sounds like another adventure, and definitely not in a good way! I was imagining something like that was going to happen when you mentioned staying in hotels, and that lady sounds especially irritating! I know my local Travelodge is being used to provide accommodation for homeless people at the moment, so at least it is being put to good use for now. I’m happy to hear you have managed to sort out somewhere to stay for at least a couple of months!
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She was unbelievably irritating although I do think she was trying to help in her own annoying way. We’re all settled now and just getting into a bit of a routine for the long lockdown.
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Wow what a crazy adventure, I really feel for you guys though! This situation is definitely not one I would think of when packing up and traveling. I’m glad you’ve found some accommodations.
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Thanks Rosie, we’re safely settled into a lovely little apartment and keeping safe and well. Hope everything is good with you?
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Yes just a little stir crazy 🙂
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Wow, what an experience Jonno. I love the heart-warming stories of people stepping up to help, and I am impressed by your ability to take it all in stride. Take care and stay safe. I found your blog through a comment you left on Deb’s World. So glad I did.
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Thanks so much for coming by Christie, really appreciate the kind comment. We’re settled into our little self contained apartment now so getting comfy and ready for a long stay. We are both pretty relaxed about travelling I suppose and try to take it all in our stride. Hope you’re doing okay?
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Really enjoyed reading your experience regarding lockdown and your time in Tenerife! Interesting to hear it from your perspective rather than the other side (I’m the one organising getting passengers on flights home haha). I hope everything goes back to normal soon but glad to hear you are safe for the moment and have some accommodation to settle in.
I will definitely need to start watching this program that you’ve been talking about! I’ve been recommended it a few times 🙂 Stay safe and keep smiling x
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We’ve been so lucky in getting this lovely self contained apartment down in Devon, it’s worked out so well. You should give Race across the World a go, it’s interesting to see how people travel under pressure. Great series. Do the first series first though, much better.
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This blog makes me appreciate that a worldwide epidemic, is probably not the easiest time when you don’t have a fixed address! At least you didn’t have to buy a tent!
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A few people suggested the tent option. Not very helpful.
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