Sorry, I need to vent. Second home owners!

[Querlouse]

I live in a small village in a quiet farming area. One of the old cottages was bought by a family from London about 18 months ago, they spent a long time getting planning permission but have now started works.

They are coming down and meeting mates there every weekend. Yesterday I walked past (footpath runs alongside house) and there were two massive flashy Landrovers not really relevant cars outside and three blokes, at least two women and four kids all hanging out in the big garden. The house is currently uninhabitable so they aren't staying there permanently.

Dh says just forget about it but its really annoying me! Our village is generally really old and we've had no cases of cv so far.

It's not OK to drive 3 hours from London to a village then meet mates is it??

[BubblesBuddy]

Well no. But.... they are not mixing with you. Or anyone. The local builders might be but they can adopt safe working practices.

I’m aware my neighbours with a large family keep disappearing. And have had a family visit for a bbq. Not everyone is doing what they should be.

[Querlouse]

No they aren't mixing at all, although I presume they are buying food down here for their bbq, maybe not? It's just so fucking arrogant!

[Bluntness100]

As long as they don’t mix with anyone there and they clearly aren’t staying I’m failing to see the issue or how they would pass it on.

[Bluntness100]

Why’s it arrogant, I’d assume they brought the food with them?

[Querlouse]

Well, there's clearly an issue as it's totally against lockdown rules (and I'm happy for those to be bent a bit as I'm not a complete nazi about them), but I agree they are unlikely to pass it on, unless they are visiting supermarkets, petrol stations etc. They aren't even doing any work as far as i can see, just coming down for a jolly.

[Querlouse]

Dh agrees with you! He's not doing shopping for all the lonely old people too frightened to leave their houses though.

[LudaMusser]

A lot of double standards from the replies so far. A few weeks ago there was a lot of crying because people were walking on public footpaths which go through farmer's fields as well as villagers bleating about cyclists riding through their village

I guess people's views depend on which way the wind is blowing

[Livedandlearned]

They are breaking the rules, it's an unnecessary journey.

[Bluntness100]

Sorry still not getting your issue other than it breaks the rules. Even though you yourself admit there is likely no risk.

Are you envious of them? Is this why you’re annoyed? It’s likely lock down will be eased by next week so you will see more of them. I think you need to get used to it.

[InfiniteSheldon]

They are behaving appallingly and putting your whole village at risk can't believe anyone thinks otherwise selfish fuckwits

[Querlouse]

Sorry still not getting your issue other than it breaks the rules

Yes, it breaks the rules. They come from a highly populated area of the country which has had lots of cases. They are driving for hours to a rural area with few cases. I think that's an issue!

Envious?! Why on earth would I be envious? I live here already!

I am seeing the effect of lockdown on the older people in the area though, so it is upestting when you see people not giving a fuck when some of the local residents are so frightened (rightly or wrongly).

[Bluntness100]

They are behaving appallingly and putting your whole village at risk

Lol, how?

[Bluntness100]

They come from a highly populated area of the country which has had lots of cases. They are driving for hours to a rural area with few cases. I think that's an issue

How, can you explain it? They aren’t mixing, and you can’t catch it from a passing car? How is it an issue?

[Querlouse]

You are being silly now bluntness, unless you are one of them!

[Querlouse]

Who knows if they are mixing? They are clearly mixing with another household from somewhere, unless they are two or three families who normally live together in London 🙄

[Bluntness100]

Eh ok,,,🤣

[SudokuBook]

I thought going to second homes wasn’t allowed regardless of whether you were “mixing” or not. This is why the Scottish CMO had to resign. Doubt she was “mixing” with many people but it’s still against the rules, non essential travel etc.

[Querlouse]

Yes it's totally against the rules. And arguably one of the biggest causes of the spread of cv in Italy. It's not as though I'm pissed off with someone walking their dog twice a day

[InfiniteSheldon]

The virus cannot travel it can however be transported. This is the whole basis of Lockdown and these fuckwits are breaching it.

[KonTikki]

Put them in the Stocks on the village green and chuck buttered crumpets at them
..
Swine !!

[Alsohuman]

So Bluntness is being silly because she’s applying some logic and critical thinking? This virus has really addled some people’s brains.

[InfiniteSheldon]

I think you nailed it earlier OP.
Are you doing this is that's why you're so determined that it's ok when it obviously and really isn't and I say this as someone who's interpreted lockdown reasonably loosely and would like it liftef as soon as possible. My parents live in a village and one of the things that reassures me is that they have no known cases anywhere near them and the reason for that is they got no selfish second homes wankers doing this.

[SansaSnark]

The police have been actively turning people back who have been trying to do this in the SW.

IMO, there is a risk unless they are not leaving the property at all- and although they may be bringing their food with them, if they are coming to a second home during lockdown, I doubt they are being that sensible.

In rural areas, there tends to be less infrastructure and capacity in hospitals, so if they get ill whilst at their second home, they will contribute to hospitals being over stretched as well- obviously one family will not cause a problem, but if everyone does it, then this will quickly become an issue.

If they are mixing with other households, then they're potentially putting several communities at risk.

I think this is actually far worse than someone going for a second walk in the day, or doing a bit of non-essential shopping, or even driving for a day out at a beauty spot.

[mouldygrapes]

No, they shouldn’t be doing this.

The Chief medical officer of Scotland had to step down after breaking the rules and twice travelling to her second home. It has been discussed widely. Clearly this family think the rules don’t apply to them.

And a rule saying “don’t do X” means don’t do it, not “make your own risk assessment and do it if you feel it’s ok”.

Honestly this lockdown has been light touch compared with other countries. I know the vast majority are sticking to it but our new infection rate per day is still not low

[catdoctor]

What do you reckon to me and my family, OP?
We are in the process of moving from a rural area to a very rural area.
We have locked down in our current home until now; now we need to start moving, we can’t wait any longer. House needs sorting, jobs, schools etc.
DH made first trip yesterday - I’m feeling guilty. Took his own food. The neighbours are fine but I don’t want us getting a reputation locally as trouble.
I guess there is a difference between us and second hone owners ‘morally’ but actually is there, practically, in our ability to spread disease?