Availability of toilets on long car journey

[raybarrow]

Hi Folks,

This is going to be a bit strange. Asking questions I never envisaged eight weeks ago. We have been at home since lockdown apart from walking the dog and occasional food shop. I may have to make a trip to Abersytwyth, from Birmingham, to collect daughter from Uni around beginning of June. She is trying to find accommodation to tide her over till September when her Masters finishes. Masters do the full 12 months.

Me, being of an age where knowing where toilets are, suddenly thought:
Are motorway services open? e.g.Telford
Are supermarket toilets open? e.g.Tesco at Newtown
Are public toilets in lay byes still open?
Presume McDonald takeaways will be Drive Thru so no toilets there.

For the moment I am ignoring the fact that I may get stopped at the Welsh border by armed police.

If i don't need to do this journey in June, I will have to do it in September.

The pleasures of being a parent,
Ray.

[dealtn]

Are supermarket toilets open? e.g.Tesco at Newtown

Yes (although no knowledge of Tesco at Newtown)

[scrumpyjack]

Thought Amazon drivers take a plastic bottle (and maybe a packet of babywipes?)

[GoSeigen]

Hi Folks,

This is going to be a bit strange.

Yes, humans: the only animals on planet earth that can't find somewhere suitable to excrete....



GS

[sg31]

I'd be very wary of public toilets. It appears that the virus is present in faeces. There is some question if it is viable virus or just some section of virus genetic code that isn't viable.

Best policy is to find some other option for a pee. If it's the other need it's more of a problem but can be overcome with a bit of thought. A bin bag is one option, if you want to be more reined use a bucket lined with a bin bag. Another option is a spade. Obviously don't do this in Tesco's car park but there must be thickets or woods somewhere along the journey.

[staffordian]

Thought Amazon drivers take a plastic bottle (and maybe a packet of babywipes?)

Apparently Oasis drink bottles are the weapons of choice for those needing to "go on the go".

I think it's more to do with the size of the bottle neck than anything to do with the flavour not being any different when new or "refilled"

[jfgw]

For a number 2, you could do it in a bag and tie it to a tree.

Julian F. G. W.

[Lootman]

Boots have adult nappies for the incontinent.

[scrumpyjack]

Boots have adult nappies for the incontinent.

That does remind me of a road sign I saw many decades ago on the London to Dover Road.

The sign said 'Dover for the Continent'

Some wag had written below it - 'Eastbourne for the Incontinent'

[AleisterCrowley]

Thought Amazon drivers take a plastic bottle (and maybe a packet of babywipes?)

Apparently Oasis drink bottles are the weapons of choice for those needing to "go on the go".

I think it's more to do with the size of the bottle neck than anything to do with the flavour not being any different when new or "refilled"

Having done a fair bit of camping, an (empty) fabric conditioner bottle is best for emergency ('I'm warm in my tent') weeing
Size of neck and volume are ideal

[bungeejumper]

I have a free app on my mobile that's called, enigmatically, "Where is Public Toilet?". It includes garages, public lavs and large shops, but not pubs (which are not public, strictly speaking, so fair's fair). Doesn't seem to have very much detailed information on opening hours, but heck, it's better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick when needs must and the devil drives. And it has come to the rescue on several occasions with our little granddaughter.

It was, however, a little unnerving just now to switch it on and to find that it was "Querying Back End Server". Good grief, is nothing personal any more?

BJ

[bungeejumper]

George Michael had the same app.

Ah yes, in the pithy wisdom of the Sun: "Zip me up before you Go Go". One of their best ever.

BJ

[didds]

I may have to make a trip to Abersytwyth, from Birmingham, to collect daughter from Uni around beginning of June.
Ray.

I cant comment on the availability of topilets, other than to say presuming its number ones, and you own feelings of what is acceptable behaviour, weeing against a bush/the car door is arguably the safest method than having to handle door handles and taps etc.

Other than that Aber is my alma mater - 1981-84. Geeat times. My god-daughter is there having just started this academic year (her dad was at Aber also which is where we met )

didds

[AleisterCrowley]

An old friend of mine is a Professor at Aber - he's done a bit better than me academically

[raybarrow]

Hi Folks,

Thanks all the replies. It is only having a wee (men of a certain age) that could be necessary. I'm happy with a nearby bush having hiked for many years. It's these sudden thoughts that the Lockdown isn't really affecting me until the prospect of a long car journey suddenly looms over the horizon and focuses the mind. Daughter may sort her move it locally, who knows.

Cheers,
Ray.