@Cuttlefish hey mate, sounds like a good plan you have there. I saw a sit in Tanzania today on THS, what a dream. Yes the joys of living so far away but I guess life could be worse than living in Oz 
Safe travels to you and one day that meet up WILL happen! 
I totally understand your reasoning @ziggy
It’s going to be difficult to fill sits now, I think. Even locally gas prices are up so much that driving to a sit would require a second thought. Also generally many companies are now requiring some amount of in-office time each week for workers leaving them less mobile for sitting.
I was going to post a sit in May for 8-9 days in September. I have a feeling we won’t get any good applicants so will maybe have to go with a paid sitter. Fortunately it’s not that long if a trip so it should be fine either way, but for us it will likely be a bellweather posting - if we don’t fill the sit we will likely not renew for next year.
I’m sorry for all the challenges and cancellations; so frustrating. But I’m impressed & encouraged by everyone’s resilience — the mark of true road warriors. 
For myself, I’ll still be heading to Europe/UK as planned as I have logistical tasks I need to handle while we work toward relocating this year. (In fact, sat at the gate on the first leg of my journey as I write this.) Fortunately for me, my travels should be relatively low-risk. I think my worst-case scenario is being unable to get a flight home & having to float some last-minute sits while we wait for visas to arrive and/or the political situation to stabilize somewhat. (
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Best of luck to all, and please stay safe. 
This is a great story & example of making lemonade from lemons — so glad for you having had that experience (and a little envious!)
I feel badly for all those negatively impacted in so many ways by the pandemic, particularly because we had things relatively easier than most as we’d coincidentally retired just before things shut down/had no young ones in school, etc.
We did have one travel perk on a trip to Hawaii, after shut-down was over but before full-blown travel started up again: our already- great hotel upgraded us to an amazing ocean-view 3BR condo unit, because they also had so many vacancies. Not quite a “Raffles-level” win like yours, but we were delighted. (Although of course now we’re spoiled rotten whenever we return!)
This is in crete?!
Oh no- My brother and his fam are meant to be visiting from Aus this summer, and niw i am worrying this might scupper their plans. I havent met my nephew yet and he is nearly 2, and barely know my neice. Selfish,considering what is going on in the world,but upsetting on a personal level… unless they get stuck over here, of course!
I didnt realise things were so bad out there fuel wise.
@catscatscats24 people are worried, some are panicking, some are oblivious and not aware. All depends on your news intake and what you pay attention to. The big issue will be who your family are flying with.
I know how disappointed you are @ziggy to have made this decision which you have not taken lightly. You have thought long and hard and trusted your instincts for the final decision. Your hosts, I’m sure, have been very understanding and I do hope you will sit for them another time.
With Australia dependent on importing 90% of our fuel from the Middle East (incorrect, based on @Cathie’s comment) we have been caught badly. As already mentioned, prices have soared for petrol but the impact is far wider where so much of our day-to-day requirements e.g food are transported long distances by road. When that fuel runs out, so does our food supply in this example.
I can see both hosts and sitters being impacted here as travelling further afield within our own country may be reduced. My plan, once I return from the UK, was to travel north to Queensland to escape Victoria’s cold weather, but this will now be dependent on what access we have to fuel in the coming months. I may just have to bunker down in my own home, all rugged up to keep warm!
Thinking of everyone whose travel plans have been affected by the Middle East crisis, not to mention those poor souls living in the conflict zone.
Not sure about that stat @temba , I saw an article this morning that said most of our fuel comes in fact from Asia, 33 tankers currently enroute. Have not fact checked anything myself but I guess in this day and age we need to fact check everything.
I think you’re right @Cathie. We import about 90% total, with Asia being our main supplier. However, it looks like the Asian refineries supplying Australia rely heavily on Middle East crude which impacts us indirectly. Sounds like our Energy Minister is optimistic but then he has to be!
@Cathie @temba our situation here is a minefield of information to absorb. I don’t get my information from news reports so much as from official sites which obviously will be more accurate. My personal reasoning is far too long to write up here and I certainly don’t want to bore members from other countries with it. But concerned I am, because Australia exports crude oil but have to import a lot of refined petrol from crude oil, from Asia. Some Asian countries have already stated they have told their refineries to halt export so as to retain supply for their own domestic use. Another issue we have is fertiliser believe it or not, an absolute necessity for our crops that keeps us going. This comes largely through the Strait of Hormuz. It can all become a financial burden eventually.
I am not “overly concerned” about everything, I am simply erring on the side of caution because we are dealing with leaders from two countries that won’t throw in the towel anytime soon and I honestly don’t want to be caught in the midst of their egotistical, erratic war games. It’s also a financial reason for me, our stock market has wiped $AUD50billion this morning. Australian mining and resources stocks have taken the brunt of these losses due to escalating warfare in the Middle East. My money is all invested in the stock market. I can’t afford to spend what little I have.
@catscatscats24 don’t worry, I’m sure your family will do what is right. That’s all any of us can do at present. Do what is right for ourselves and hope for the best positive outcome. Who knows what the future holds, I’d be rich if I did
Yeah, I landed in manzanillo, Mexico and ate everyday at a beach palapa restaurant cuz it woulda gone under, I think, otherwise…I was pretty much their only customer….i had a place with a kitchen, which I never used. Beer on the beach…..endless clear water and empty white golden sand beach, small rays in the perfect waves to surf with… Covid dreams, now. Crete for two years? Wow! It’s all like a fairytale.
@sandydandy sounds like a little slice of heaven. We don’t want a covid situation ever again but gee some days were simply magical weren’t they 
Ill have to ask….
I mean, it looks absolutely beautiful and reinforces why crete is not the place for our family beach holiday… Far too much other beautiful stuff to see, i would not be able to relax on the beach!
Sorry to hear you have cancelled your travel to the UK @ziggy . I completely understand why. I’m sure there will be another chance to meet up.
I do hope so @Debbie I was very much looking forward to meeting you. Next time x
I always recheck airfares on booked tickets weekly - about 30% of the time they’ve come down and Delta issues me a credit for the difference. But I booked a trip on Monday, went back to check on Wednesday and the price had gone from US$340 to $450 for the same fare code. Some of it is real, some the airlines takiing advantage of the situation, I think. So far, at least where I live Uber doesn’t seem to be making changes. I can book my airport-home ride in advance and lock in the price. My trip this Sat is booked at about what I’ve paid for late-night rides from RDU-home for the last 5 trips.