COVID-19 AND THE UK MEETUP SCENE BY SKYCAPTAIN Britain went into lockdown. All meetups had to be cancelled, whether days, afternoons, even a hiking weekend. For three months we had nothing, just AVEN, for a lucky few WhatsApp, phone, etc. So how did we restart? Travel was, and still is, an issue. Reduced train service, masks everywhere, cafés, pubs and restaurants shut, social distancing--so what do we do? We had to think outside the box. Our first tentative attempt was a simple picnic and hike. It was a success, and so it set the template for the rest of the summer. It actually proved a great success, as everyone driving (or sharing a car), meant we could visit places we haven’t been before. Places like New Alresford or Old Winchester Hill. Further north the hiking meet was trialed at Ilkley, also a success. There’ve been a couple of off-forum meets as well. We even became more adventurous and had a mountain bike meet in the New Forest. Luckily the weather has been kind, so we have only had one shower during a meet. Unfortunately, with the best will in the world, these meets have been not ideal for those who don’t like, or aren’t capable of long walks, but picnics can only last so long. Sorry to those who’ve been discouraged.
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