Fit to Fly

Yesterday morning I was tested for Covid-19 and received a 'fit to fly' certificate last night. España mañana!

The above could be a method of escaping border control, but it is not recommended.

The above is part of the certificate that must be shown at airports leaving for Spain. The Spanish government recently brought in entry requirements which state:

... from 23rd November, all passengers (including children of all ages) travelling to Spanish airports and ports from ‘risk’ countries (as determined by the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control) will be required to present a negative PCR (swab) test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, in order to enter the country. The UK is currently on the ‘risk’ countries list and passengers arriving from the UK are therefore subject to this requirement. source

Personally, I don't think this is too unreasonable, but I do have an issue with private clinics being able to charge what they want. My 'same day result' test cost 280 pounds, plus another 20 or so in taxi fares. There was an option for a 48 hour turnaround on the result, but that would have meant I'd have an almost guaranteed result come through 5 hours or so before the flight. I booked this originally and then decided I was stressing me out too much.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to take a Covid-19 test for free via the NHS unless you have symptoms:

COVID-19 testing for the purposes of international travel is not available on the NHS. Pre-travel COVID-19 tests may be available in the private sector, however, private testing processes and accuracy of results may vary. source

However, the clinic I visited or at least where the throat and nose sample was tested, is an NHS approved laboratory. And so I'm guessing the 'free' National Health Service have found a nice little side earner, thanks to government policy in other countries - I wonder if Spain will get a thank you %, probably not.

Anyway, after a 15 second appointment which took place before the scheduled time (when does that ever happen... oh, when you spend a shitload of money), I have what I need to fly to Spain. And that flight is tomorrow!

Last weekend I saw my daughter for the first time in a couple of months, and likely for the last time in 6 months or so. She's a year or so off 16 and it's unlikely a holiday over to the Balearics will be taken prior to that. I'd mentioned previously that working overseas again was a possibility, and so confirming this was happening wasn't a big surprise to her. Last time she was 9, and it was a tough day...

I also got to meet her boyfriend, who seems pleasant enough. Her mother isn't a big fan, but I don't think it's him personally - just boys. Personally, as long as she's safe and gets through school, fulfilling most of the potential she has shown in earlier years, I'm ok with her dating. Anyway, other than locking your kids up, there's not really much to stop it happening, is there?

She asked me to put in a good word to her mum regarding her boyfriend. I might do this, but mentioned that showing her school work is unaffected, and perhaps can even improve is the best way to get on-side. I think it was noted, but we shall see.

My last post, hopefully for a long time, on English soil - feels good!

A thank you to my employers and @tamiapt6 for housing me this past week, much appreciated 😁

Have a nice weekend, hasta luego,

Asher