Great Western Coffee Shop

Planned for "Frequent Posters" ... but I am going to set a lead and go public ...

We have had a brief conversation - Lisa and myself, off on a coastal cruise at the end of next month. Bearing in mind the dropping of masks on public transport from government-mandated to (probably) requested rather than required on buses and trains, and a lack of certainty into the outcome.  I expect there will be lots of other conversations ongoing.

We are going ahead with the cruise; we are both double vaccinated, everyone will be given a quick test before boarding, we are not stopping at any ports along the way, and we understand that the ship is only booked to half normal passenger capacity.  The cruise operator has kept us informed on considerable steps to ensure onboard cleanliness too, not withstanding criticisms of the sector's record from some including members here.

Plans are to take a taxi to Melksham Station, and then the train to Southampton.  Those plans also remain in place, but we have some options should we feel that things are going seriously pear-shaped.  And I'm sure on past form we will take a train many hours early so if we don't like the look of an ongoing train at Westbury, we'll be able to wait for the next one.  Double jeopardy - if there are many / most cancellations that day for any reason - we should be able to cope.

Travel around prior to the booked (2020!) holiday ... keeping an eye on things. Back to the nervous feeling in the few days leading up to the March 2020 lockdown, where I trimmed back and ended early travel on my South West Rover.

That all sounds very responsible and in the spirit of the new guidance Graham, enjoy your holiday - and don't forget your masks!

You may find that the cruise operator will require the wearing of masks, at least in enclosed public parts of the ship.

Even if mask wearing is not a legal requirement, they can make it a requirement for boarding their vessel, or if already aboard make it a requirement for use of certain facilities.