Reminds me of the polio epidemic, in the 40s & 50s, when we could not visit relatives who had, or had lost a member with polio.

My trip too is tentative.

We (in Melbourne) had a very hard time being locked down for 124 days. But it was oh! so worth it. There has not been a case in the community for months now, nor a death. As far as I know there is no one in hospital.... but I could be wrong. The cases which still come up are all in quarantine, or off ships. Western Australia looks after most the maritime virus victims. Our biggest issue at the moment is that there is limited space in the quarantine facilities, which is limiting the numbers coming home. I believe there are still some 30.000 Aussies who want to come home, stuck overseas - mostly in countries without regular flights. Though I believe there are still thousands stuck in the UK.

I'm planning my trip for July 2021, and possibly stay till end Oct or early Nov. Our vaccinations are just starting this week, and the over 80s are not due to get it till mid March, and the 2nd in April. Then there is my visa to get. Then my exit permit - that's the most difficult of all, and a negative swab within 72 hours of boarding. Somewhere along the way I will also have to purchase my ticket, the prices of which are now double they were for the ticket I had for earlier last year.. They are available now, for July, but I am a little worried about committing. It is so much hassle to change dates and all that.

Am hoping I will not have to quarantine when I get home. If I have to I hope I can do it in my own home, since I live alone.

Can't even guess what state my van will be in by the time I get there, especially after the huge storms of the last two weeks. Whatever, I'll have to have it all checked out and made safe.

Once I know what I am doing, and when, I will start to make an outline of my plan. But not before, it is too depressing.

I too have a conflict with local and international travel. Between May and August is the best time to see much of this country's outback. I have seen very little of it.

Lifey