Missing Relatives

[Deleted User]

My wifes elderly parents live 150 miles away from us - we haven't been able to see them for 18 months due to Covid

I was thinking of inviting them to come to stay for a week or so

But do we drive to pick them up -stay in a hotel overnight and drive them back here the next day

or do we pay for a "long distance" taxi to drive them door to door ?

Cost is pretty irrelevant

Any suggestion as to other alternatives ?

They used to come down by coach - but they are both 90+ and the journey would be too much for them nowadays

comeandgo

Why can’t you drive to them and pick them up and return on the same day?  

[Deleted User]

comeandgo said:

Why can’t you drive to them and pick them up and return on the same day?  

Too far and neither of us like driving on motorways 

comeandgo

Well, it’s the same distance if you do it on one day or two and as you are not happy driving I suggest you get a taxi to collect them and take them home.  

wannabe_a_saver

Deleted_User said:

comeandgo said:

Why can’t you drive to them and pick them up and return on the same day?  

Too far and neither of us like driving on motorways 

Then pay for the taxi, it'll be safer, and get some motorway driving lessons to build your confidence before next time. 

Motorway are actually the easiest and safest roads to drive on. 

150 miles is definitely not too far to do in a single day. especially if you build in a break in the middle for a nice long lunch!

68ComebackSpecial

I would go for an "executive airport transfer" type company to get a large, quality saloon with lots of legroom and comfortable seats. Spending possibly three hours in a car you definitely don't want to be cramped and uncomfortable.

sheramber

When are you proposing to do this?

12 April: What’s changed

Some of the rules on what you can and cannot changed on 12 April. However, many restrictions remain in place. You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies

[Deleted User]

It depends on the rules changing

[Deleted User]

68ComebackSpecial said:

I would go for an "executive airport transfer" type company to get a large, quality saloon with lots of legroom and comfortable seats. Spending possibly three hours in a car you definitely don't want to be cramped and uncomfortable.

That's what we thought - limousine travel 

Savvy_Sue

Just wondering, is bringing them to you the best thing? I'd consider going to them and planning some nice days out - I think you COULD argue for doing it before the rules actually change (providing care and support) but technically I think it's a while before you can be indoors. If you are concerned that they'll go into overdrive tidying up, or accommodation is not suitable, book into a hotel - that's a possibility from mid-May. 

I think if they are in a taxi or your car then you should all be masked with the window open. Obviously check that with the company you're planning to use, but if they are not used to wearing a mask they may find it quite unpleasant for 3 hours. 

MalMonroe

wannabe_a_saver said:

Deleted_User said:

comeandgo said:

Why can’t you drive to them and pick them up and return on the same day?  

Too far and neither of us like driving on motorways 

Then pay for the taxi, it'll be safer, and get some motorway driving lessons to build your confidence before next time. 

Motorway are actually the easiest and safest roads to drive on. 

150 miles is definitely not too far to do in a single day. especially if you build in a break in the middle for a nice long lunch!

I'm not too sure about motorways being that safe anymore, with the advent of smart motorways. I'm loathe to use them now. 

https://www.businesscar.co.uk/analysis/2021/government-under-fire-as-smart-motorway-death-rates-rise?acceptpolicy=1

Two more people died last weekend on the motorway  outside my own city. They didn't do anything wrong. They broke down and followed the advice given by the government. They didn't make it.