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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

help solve my mundane mystery

34 replies

notfornothing · 29/06/2016 09:46

There is an older lady walking past my house i think almost every morning. Nothing strange about that but she goes one way, then back after a while (maybe popping to the shops?) then after a little while she does another return trip, and then possibly another.
I've got kids and a life so I'm not glued to the window but i keep noticing her. Today she changed her coat between trips.
Where is she going?
She has a small shopping/carrier bag, but there doesn't seem to be much in it. It's as if she does her shopping one item at a time?

OP posts:
londonrach · 29/06/2016 09:51

Maybe shes caring for someone further down your street.

Duckyneedsaclean · 29/06/2016 09:52

Maybe she buys veg in one shop, takes it home, then meat in another, etc.

MargaretCavendish · 29/06/2016 09:52

When my granddad (who is no longer with us) had a heart attack he was told to go for three 15 min walks a day during the recovery. He probably looked like he was just going back and forth to any one casually observing.

ImperialBlether · 29/06/2016 09:53

My mum has a friend who can only carry one thing at a time back from the shops - she's got a mobility problem. Could it be something like that?

She could be visiting a relative or a friend.

And how old is older? Be careful what you answer!

spaghettithrower · 29/06/2016 09:56

I also think it might be something to do with exercise after an illness.

Furiosa · 29/06/2016 09:56

There is an old lady where I live who walks around all day. I spoken to her and she said she just loves walking, in all weather. She'll nip home for a cup of tea or lunch but has to get out again as she hates sitting on her bum Grin and does her best thinking when walking.

She also detests TV and often stops to chat to DS to make sure he's not watching too much TV either.

Maybe your lady just loves wandering around too?

BalloonSlayer · 29/06/2016 09:57

I reckon she's popping in on someone. She could have an elderly relative that she prepares breakfast for (or gets on to the loo) leaves them for a while to get on with it and then pops back later.

pippinandtog · 29/06/2016 10:02

Perhaps you could contrive to be around at the front of your house, cleaning a window or somesuch, and make conversation with her.
It's the coat-changing that intrigues me.

NoPlanYet · 29/06/2016 10:05

I like the sound of the coal changing. Maybe she has 2 coats she likes and wants to give them both an airing to stop herself feeling bored?

Dogolphin · 29/06/2016 10:05

Its actually twins!

Skittlesss · 29/06/2016 10:08

Maybe she has nothing to do, or likes walking, or just goes to pop in on different people.

FranKubelik · 29/06/2016 10:10

You are in the Truman Show and she is an extra?

MrsJayy · 29/06/2016 10:10

There is an elderly woman in my street who does this i think its just to get out of the house she is always in and out she is in her
Late 80s just likes to be out and about

pippinandtog · 29/06/2016 10:15

She's a MNHQ plant: they have a bet going on how long it will be before someone starts a thread about her.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/06/2016 10:17

If it's not the case that she just likes going out, she might have early dementia.
One of the first signs in my FIL was umpteen packets of sausages in the fridge - he would forget that he had any and keep going back to the shop for more.
But being new to it we didn't twig until a bit later, when there were other signs - like when I turned up and he had not only forgotten that I was coming, but was unshaven and wearing a dirty jumper - both unheard of before.

LemonScentedStickyBat · 29/06/2016 10:18

She's nipping home to use the loo. That'll be me in a few years.

Original poster
notfornothing · 29/06/2016 10:18

pippinandtog Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
notfornothing · 29/06/2016 10:18

i didn't think it could be twins! But they're never together?

OP posts:
Original poster
notfornothing · 29/06/2016 10:23

i can't post from my phone anymore. getting the same error...

Anyway to answer
There is only 2 houses after us (she's not going in neither of them) then there is a main road 9no houses there) and then retail park.
So i always thought she goes to the shops.
I thought maybe she is lonely and going back and forth between shops and home gives her a purpose?
What made me post today was that she changed her coat in between

OP posts:
DailyMailEthicalFail · 29/06/2016 10:23

I live in a small Scottish village.
Lots of elderly folk.
They trot around all day long. Sit on a bench. Wander a bit more. Sit. Wander.
All day.
Some of them have dogs.
I must say hello about 50 times a day (they insist!).

At least they are keeping healthy and not 'hanging around the streets' :)

EarthboundMisfit · 29/06/2016 10:23

It's a glitch in the Matrix.

MrsJayy · 29/06/2016 10:27

Maybe she was chilly or picked d up the other jacket by mistake but a pp could be right it could be early dementia

Lurkedforever1 · 29/06/2016 10:28

Have you considered it might be a social thing too? There are quite a number of elderly people local to me who seem to be walking to the shops/ post box etc several times a day. And all will chat away to anyone they encounter. And for many it comes down to having a purpose for their day, and the chance to interact with other people.

Birdsgottafly · 29/06/2016 10:30

I'm 'only' 48, but I'm recovering from a serious illness and I'm doing small walks to our local shops.

Sometimes it's for exercise, in one shop, I know they'd get me a chair if I needed to sit down. Sometimes it's because I'm limited on what I can carry and I forget things.

Ive changed coats, because I've been too cold etc.

Some people have nowhere in particular to go, don't want to go far, so go the local shops, were they'll get a conversation.

chunkymum1 · 29/06/2016 10:30

My DM was very ill a while ago and didn't really leave the house/get any exercise for months. To get her back to being able to walk further she was advised to go on several short walks each day. She walked to the end of the road and back 3 times a day for weeks and carried a small bag with her phone/emergency medication/bottle of water. Maybe your neighbour is doing similar. I like pp's idea of having a chat with her- my DM loved it when people said hello or waved when she went on her 'wanderings'.