Lockdown - was I in the wrong?

[JigsawGirl11]

So today me and DH went out for a bike ride (I will admit straight away that we didn't ride at all before lockdown and bought bikes so we can take advantage of the daily exercise a little better)

We took a bottle of water and a little packet of 6 mini sausage rolls we had in the fridge. After around 45 mins we sat down at a bench had a drink and ate the sausage rolls, police drove past once, went about 200 yards to the next roundabout and came back and told us off.

The policeman was pretty polite and apologetic, he said that we need to move on as if his Sargent saw he would fine us on the spot.

Obviously we moved on, there's no point trying to push the boundaries and I know health and the general stay at home advice is important. Personally I am a bit put out by such an infringement of what's usually a basic human right and the common sense that it we didn't have sausage rolls we prob would have been able to have a break/drink of water whilst on the bike ride.

I hope no-one is going to jump on about scold me like a child, obviously I thought what we did was okay or we wouldn't have done it but I'm interested to hear other people's opinions.

[4forkssake]

🙄

[chicken2015]

I think they moved u on because picnics r not allowed and u could have contaminated the bench or the bench could have been contaminated and will pass it on,

[notsureneversure]

No scolding from me, but as the rules stand at the moment it’s not allowed. Sounds like the police officer agreed with you, he needs to enforce the law but it doesn’t mean he agrees with it.

I’m not in the UK and it seems really extreme to me (we’re allowed to sit in parks here, subject to following all other rules), but it is what it is.

[GreyishDays]

I don’t think you’re even meant to sit on the bench.

[cocomelon23]

Why did you think this was ok? Genuine question.

[10storeylovesong]

Which one of the reasons that are accepted for leaving the house do you think having a picnic falls under?

[justgivemewine]

You already know the answer

[buscuit]

[Tatty101]

If you have the virus and are asymptomatic, you could be leaving the virus on that bench - he was right to move you on

[CoughKeepsOnComing]

I was wondering something similar too OP.

My DH, DCs and I went for a long walk last weekend. We took bottles of water teacher and I also packed some sandwiches for DCs as they get hungry all the time and I thought they might need them. About an hour into our walk, we stopped for water and I gave my boys their sandwiches. No-one saw or told us off, but I think we were in the wrong..

As far as I can tell, you are allowed to exercise, but should not stop until you are home. You can drink on the move, but should t stop to it.

It's harder said than done though isn't it.

[justgivemewine]

[Choice4567]

Which bit of the guidelines did you think said this was ok?

[lubeybooby]

yes you were wrong. stick to exercise only or they will have to toughen rules even further

[CoughKeepsOnComing]

*each not teacher!

[RedskyAtnight]

It's the sitting on the bench that's the problem. it looks like you are out for a picnic rather than exercise.

if you'd stopped and stood over/next to your bikes while you had a quick snack, that would probably be fine.
Although it's perfectly possible to eat/drink while cycling!

[Thesearmsofmine]

It has been pretty well advertised that you shouldn’t be sitting on benches and eating.

[user1635896324685367]

Eating sausage rolls isn't a form of exercise. Why did you think it was ok? Which basic human right are you referring to?

[JigsawGirl11]

@4forkssake - great contribution there!

Would it have been the same if I was eating a twix or a Mars bar? The kind of thing I'd often walk around eating. If I'd stood still but not sat down would that be okay? I have ended up pushing the bike and finishing the sausage roll - maybe that was okay as there was no bench involved . Maybe I'm not allow d to use the bench at all, even without food - just stop and stand up and have a rest...

I was willing to move on once prompted but feel like it's an odd use of police time to focus on a couple sat on a bench with no-one else around when there was groups of kids together and lots of people walking very close to each other on paths all over the estate

[OhLook]

Why can't grown adults to an hour without a snack?

[justanotherneighinparadise]

So everyone who goes out sits down. Then you have thousands of people sitting down whilst out and about and lockdown is basically over. If you can’t cope with not snacking in a 45 minute window then either exercise for a shorter time or shove something in your pocket that you can sniff as you go.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

*scoff

[OhLook]

Benches here are all taped off. Of course you're not meant to be sitting on them. The virus is transferrable on surfaces.

[CtrlU]

I don’t see the problem honestly. But he was doing his job so can’t complain.

Don’t beat yourself up about it OP

[NagaisAce]

You should carry on OP. Obviously certain sections of society will be more at risk due to their insistence that they are 'special'.
Which group are you OP? Those that are doing their best for themselves, their family , friends and work colleagues as well as everyone else or the others?

[whitedaisies]

I think it's an honest mistake OP. I went on a 14 mile ride yesterday (I'm unfit so this was pushing myself) to make a drop off of some food to a family I'm helping shield halfway through the ride. I could have gone there and back in about 8 miles but took the chance to exercise. Other than the food drop off I stopped once to drink but didn't get off my bike

[JigsawGirl11]

I'm afraid that I need to eat at least every 30 mins at the minute due to morning (haha) sickness

I did it because I would never have thought twice about taking a snack when we go out for a walk ( and indeed before we starting riding I usually took a snack during walks) so it didn't cross my mind not to.

Are people suggesting that you can't sit on a bench without food? I've seen loads of people do that, but will admit that doesn't mean it's right but then is leaning against the wall when waiting in the Tesco queue a no-no as well? The playgrounds all have little do not enter/use signs I'm surprised the benches don't if that's the case.

We saw lots of ground (stood on opposite sides of the path/) stopping and having a conversation, in fact someone we know rode past use earlier in the ride and we stopped asked how they were getting on (talked for a minute or 2, again at a distance) and then carried on - that'd not technically exercising for those 120 seconds.

Suppose it's all down to the bench...