I have bought a waterproof cover which says the car must be dry before I put it on, which in the English winter is going to be tricky, anyone have any ideas? Cheers

Be a bit difficult won't it. A quick leathering in the middle of the day before the evening dew sets in. A heated spray booth at your local friendly car sprayer.

Joking aside, I decided to buy a Carcoon which has a drying cycle to dry the car. Basically that is a zip opening in the front which allows a greater circulation of air to speed up the drying time.

The Carcoon has a couple of 12V fans to inflate it and keep the air moving. Seems to be doing the job well so far. Looks like this winter will test it well.

Dry the car before fitting? Don't use the car in the wet? Don't use car in winter? As you can see, I'm useless at being helpful, sorry.

.............. or get a garage!

A carcoon is cheaper than a garage, but not as useful. I have a garage as well, but like a lot of folk, mine is filled up with various machine tools, scooter, mobility scooter for elderly relly and the overspill of stuff which might come in useful one day.

looks like I just wasted my money

Not just you. I have been through 2 throwover covers. Granted the first one I was given by a friend. It let water through, so I bought one which was guaranteed waterproof and breathable, but still had condensation occasionally. Also it wasn't cat proof. Our cat started claw sharpening on it. Instead of shooting the cat I went for the carcoon. So far, it's been ace. I'll see how it handles snow, maybe tonight according to the weathermen. (Should that, in these PC times, be weatherpeople?)

Unless you've spent a lot of money on something breathable and are putting it away or covering it up clean and dry for a while ,putting a cover on every day this time of year if it's in daily use with all the wet,salt and filth is not going to do it many favours at all i'm afraid . Cheap covers even damage paint when they flap about in wind.
If a garage isnt an option i reckon those frame tent looking ones could be the next best looking things for dry parking or the carcoons mentioned, bet they aint cheap though

Roll over frame tent type from about £450. Outdoor Carcoon to fit 2CV £455 including delivery. So, yes. Not cheap, but I preferred to spend a bit to slow down the inexorable descent into ferrous oxide to which 2CVs are particularly prone.

I have this squeegee thing. It's like a wiper blade, bit softer. Can dry car in 2 mins