How to travel abroad from the UK in January 2022

 Finally, I am hoping it's time for us to begin to open up the travel pathways once again.

I have truly missed being on those beaches, feeling the warmth on the skin, the little tickles on the ankles from paddling in the warm sea. The wellbeing we feel from such happiness can't be matched. Have you missed it?

The advice can seem a little daunting if you haven't travelled since before Covid times and I would love to help make some sense of that - so I created this video:

And all of the advice which I mention can be accessed here: (Do let me know if it helps you) and please take note that my Youtube channel will be centred around travel more this year than it was last year. Let me know if you have requests or questions! 

Requirements to travel from the UK:

 

See the Gov website here and enter your country of travel:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 

And this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19 takes you to all of this information:

 

1. Check foreign travel advice for the countries you want to go to

This will tell you if:

·       the country will allow people to enter from the UK

·       you will need to show proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test

·       you will need to quarantine on arrival

Foreign travel advice will also tell you if the UK government advises against all but essential travel to the country.

Check foreign travel advice for all countries you will visit or travel through.

2. Arrange any COVID-19 tests you will need to enter the countries that you will travel to

You cannot use an NHS test for this. You must use a private test provider.

Many providers of day 2 and day 8 travel tests also provide these tests.

Find a travel test provider.

https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider

3. Find out how you can use the NHS COVID Pass to prove your vaccination status abroad

Some countries require proof of vaccination status before you can enter.

Read about how you can use the NHS COVID Pass to prove your vaccination status.

You should do this before you travel.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass

4. Check what you will need to do when you return to England

What you will need to do when you return to England depends on:

·       your vaccination status

·       where you have been

Find out about taking COVID-19 tests and quarantine rules when you return to England.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

 

Travelling with children

The England testing and quarantine rules for children depend on their age.

Read more about testing and quarantine for children.

You should also check the rules in the country you are travelling from as they may require children to take a test at the start of your journey to England.

Ireland, the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Check the rules on travel from England if you’re:

·       travelling to Ireland

·       travelling to Northern Ireland

·       travelling to Scotland

·       travelling to Wales

·       travelling to the Isle of Man

·       travelling to Jersey

·       travelling to Guernsey

Exemptions for work, medical or compassionate reasons

There are medical exemptions from:

·       testing before travel to England

·       quarantine for people having medical treatment

Some people are exempt from some or all of the requirements because of the job they do.

 

Tui Travel advice:

Tui contacted me- as we are going to Tunisia later in the year. This is what they said: 

We hope you’re looking forward to your TUI holiday and we are delighted that travel is now even easier, thanks to the government simplifying UK re-entry requirements. And at TUI, we’re here to support you every step of the way.  If you’re fully vaccinated or under 18, you no longer need to complete a pre-departure test before your return flight to the UK, or self-isolate on your arrival. And, from the 9th January, the day 2 PCR test on entry to the UK can be replaced with the cheaper antigen (rapid flow) test – available through TUI’s testing partner, Chronomics, from just £15.  Plus, our TUI Holiday Promise is designed to give you total peace of mind.   Our Holiday Promise

Flexible changes*  If you change your mind, we promise you the flexibility to make fee-free changes to your holiday including date, duration, hotel, flight or destination.      • If you’re due to travel on or before 31 January 2022, you can make fee-free changes up until 14 days before departure      • If you’re due to travel between 1 February and 30 April 2022, you can make fee-free changes up until 28 days before departure  And, for all our customers, whenever you’re due to travel, if your situation changes and you’re unable to travel due to the following reasons – you can make a fee-free change right up until your day of departure (subject to conditions below*):      • If you or someone in your party tests positive for COVID-19      • If you’re officially required to self-isolate*      • If there’s a local lockdown in the area you live in and you’re unable to travel*       • If vaccination, testing or quarantine requirements have changed since you booked and you are therefore no longer able to travel*       • If we let you know of restrictions in your destination that have been introduced after you booked that will significantly impact your holiday enjoyment*   Easy and affordable testing Whether you’re heading off on a package holiday, or you’ve booked just your flights or hotel stay with us, testing is now easier and more affordable than ever. We’ve teamed up with government-authorised suppliers Chronomics, Klarity, Randox, Screen 4 and ExpressTest to offer a range of testing options from as little as £15.   MORE INFORMATION Package holiday refund guarantee If you’ve booked a package holiday, flight or hotel stay, you’re entitled to your money back within a guaranteed 14 days in the unlikely event that we have to cancel it. But you’ll also have other options, including changing your package booking to another holiday, fee-free.    Red list pledge     We won’t take you to a destination that’s on the red list or where the government advises against all but essential travel. If your destination is moved to the red list before you go, you can change your holiday to a different destination, or to a later date. Or, if your destination is still on the red list at the time of your departure, we’ll let you know that your holiday’s been cancelled, and you can request a refund in full within 14 days. If your destination is moved to the red list while you’re on holiday, we’ll do our best to bring you back before the quarantine requirement begins. Plus, you’ll get a refund for any holiday nights lost.  TUI standards secured Before you go, we’ll let you know if there are any restrictions in your destination that we believe could significantly impact your holiday enjoyment, and we’ll give you the chance to change your booking. Plus, you’ll be supported 24/7 during your holiday, thanks to the TUI app. It’s super-easy to use, and it’ll mean we can keep in touch with you every step of the way. You can chat to us via the app, or – if you prefer – you can contact our resort team 24/7 by phone or SMS.  From the whole of the TUI team,  we’re looking forward to welcoming you on holiday.  JUST SO YOU KNOW…Most holiday insurance policies now include cover for medical expenses and other costs due to contracting COVID-19 – please ensure you check your policy for details. We recommend AXA  *IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON OUR TUI HOLIDAY PROMISE *Just so you know, you’ll need to make a change to your booking within 48 hours of these requirements being introduced.  • For bookings that include a non-TUI Airways flight – if you notify us of a fee-free COVID-19 related change within 72 hours of your planned departure, you’ll need to change your holiday to one that includes a TUI Airways flight.  • Our standard booking terms & conditions apply for amendments made within 14 or 28 days of departure – depending on which policy applies to your booking – and for departures from 1 May 22 with the exception of those changes that arise as a result of COVID-19.  Let's hope we all get on a plane soon and enjoy a lovely, safe time  Love, as always Louise xoxo

2021 – Very likely the saddest year.

 2021 – Very likely the saddest year.

 

We all want to mean something to someone. Even if that’s a stranger. 

 

We thought we were going to struggle in 2020 but looking back, it felt fluffy and warm. 2021 came storming in to create a proper shit show for so many of us. Me included. This has been the worst year for my health, my heartache, my confusion about the future, and my fears.

 

But look now, it’s almost over. 

 

And I got to celebrate another birthday. Not everyone had that blessing. 

My wings felt clipped and it’s time to fly again. Look what I have planned for next year – and just look at how excited I feel. 

 

I’m not a huge fan of ‘new year/new me’ as I do feel we can treasure that thought at any time of year. But you know when we say ‘sleep on it’ and things feel better? Well, sometimes it can be the same with January the 1^st. 

 

Do I believe we can change things for the better?  Yes, I do.  If you question that, have a little listen to Jack Canfield. He will get the better feeling thoughts flowing through your head, for sure. It isn’t always easy, and I say that over and over on my YouTube channel. Some people say, 

     ‘ohh it all comes from within,’ as if we should be immune to our outer world. It takes time to change the outer world, to be at peace with what is inside.  I have spent a lot of time in November and December unwell. Which gives way to thinking time. Coupled with looking at analytics on my channel, and asking my tribe what they want from me, I have some exciting ideas. 

 

Watch this video. And the next one. And I will be back to tell you all about it in the early part of 2022. 

 

 

Doing the things you love - Vlogmas in Whitstable.

 This is a time of year when some people find the darker days quite hard.

By 3pm it is beginning to get dark and the sun only starts to show itself at 7am in the morning. Frequently, it is somewhat dark all day. And some people can feel quite low at this time. Some of us may have lost someone dear, had our heartbroken or had health challenges and the festive season seems to highlight these feelings. My wish for you is to be kind to yourself. Carve out time in your day to do what you love. Something which can give you a better feeling thought will make a difference, I promise. Aiming to look for the beauty around us is helpful, but sometimes it isn’t as easy as it sounds. And that is when you need to listen to your needs and take good care of yourself, whatever that looks like for you. I like to watch relaxing cinematic videos, overlaid by sweet music. If you need to reach out, please do.

In this video, I spent some time doing things I love. Making coffee. Writing. Going out to walk by the sea. Taking Jasmine for hot chocolate. I loved my day. Yes, it was very cold. But we loved it nonetheless.

How to feel less sad this Christmas

 Sometimes, things happen and you feel sad about it.

No doubt you know this is a part of life and that it's 'just one of those things' but how can you stop yourself from feeling so sad about it?

This Christmas, I am going through some 'empty nest' upsets. This year has changed so much this year, and I feel as though I don't even recognize myself right now. It's a very confusing time. My son won't be around the table this year for Christmas lunch and I can't help but think of it as the end of an era. Although, when he and his twin sister were little, I would lay in bed at night, with palpitations, grown from panic. What if something happened to me? How long would it be before someone knew? Would they starve? Would they be ok in dirty nappies? I used to panic so badly, that I ended up being tested for heart issues on three occasions in the emergency room. It was worry. So, I used to pray. "Please let me see them grow up." To be sad now, that he has grown up and flown the nest, seems contradictory. Instead, I will be glad of the times I do see him this Christmas, and be glad that my prayers were answered. I wish you a season of as little sadness as possible and I hope for some moments of joy for you too. 

Much love

Louise xoxo Reach out: lusherlifenutrition@gmail.com IG: www.instagram.com/lusher.life

How to do nothing.

 

Yesterday, work had been challenging. And then Mum’s ‘stuff’ became a challenge too. 

She has heart failure. The nurse came out to see her. They had asked me to be present as Mum needed another ECG. Getting her metal off was a challenge. So much jewellery. 

     “Is your bra underwired?” the nurse asked.

     “Don’t ask me, wouldn’t have a clue,” Mum replied. And she wouldn’t. She never seemed to know the features and benefits of a good bra. And it seems to not matter now. She’s 82. It matters if it has metal, which affects the ECG. It doesn’t really matter what her boobs look like, in the scheme of things. 

     The nurse was stressed. She was thirty minutes late. I was thankful she came at all. She was in my diary. But I can’t be sure of many things these days. My memory isn’t what it used to be. So, here we were, late, rushing and fumbling about in a house that felt like a sauna. 

     Nooks and cranny’s, a broken ECG machine, no internet, no phone signal, a sweaty nurse, an unhelpful Mum, and a daughter who was listing the symptoms, lack of symptoms and current sleeping pattern,

     “yes, that’s all fine. But I will ask symptoms in a little while,” she told me. 

 

     The armchair wasn’t squishy, like mine, but it was good enough to support my slump backwards, as I surrendered to the day. Sigh. What a day. My fringe covered the back of my hand as I rubbed my forehead.  Headache. Again.

     After an hour, and lots of handwriting, the nurse left. 

51 BPM. Slow again. 

90 spo2. Low again. 

     She blames the nail varnish, like most of them. But it’s been the same for 5 years, nail varnish or not. And, no, apparently, she doesn’t have COPD, despite her smoking history. 

     I refrain from mentioning that I’m taking my Doctorate in Health Sciences. They don’t like that. They would far rather I just randomly tapped into Dr Google and was a busy body know-it-all. 

     Okay. 

     Can’t be bothered to protest. Mum is happy enough. And apparently ready to go see Dad and my brother.  So, I have given up the fight, just a little.

     “I’ll just check your fridge Mum, then I’ll pop to see Harley.” Mum was happy with all of that. Her cup of ‘fuss’ was full.

 

Harley was so vocal. Going round in circles as if he had a couple of vodka and tonics. Twelve and a half now. Bless him. My heart melted as he asked me to stroke him, first in line, despite him being alone all morning. There and then, I decided we were going out. We both needed it. 

     I could work from Starbucks, and he could sit in the floor-to-ceiling window and watch the world, and other dogs, go by. Both of us were as excited as each other. 

     Americano. Water. He had first dibs on the water. That was so cute. An Instagram moment was my initial thought. Then I decided I would sit and hold him. Like a toddler, sitting on my lap. Since he couldn’t walk so well, his feet were dusty and black. I touched his paw. It flipped backwards and forwards in my hand as the joint acted as a hinge. I got lost in this moment, and flipped his paws about some more, smiling to myself and chatting quietly to him. My left hand reached into my bag and pulled out my Metaphysical book. I should read. I hadn’t worked enough. I set the book on the table and adjusted Harley’s position on my lap. His paws, somehow, ended up in the palm of my hand again. 

     This was most unusual, but I had an urge to sit with him, drink my coffee and flip his paws about. I could have squeezed him with my love. A happy moment. My dog, me, the coffee, doing nothing.