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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to Whitby beach tomorrow

662 replies

BubblyBarbara · 12/05/2020 18:31

I’ve gone to Whitby every year for the past decade or so and I’m missing it dearly. I’ve read Boris’s PDF and it says you are allowed to drive any distance to “open space” from tomorrow so my plan is to go to Whitby and spend the day on the beach - social distancing of course.

But I did a search on Facebook about car parks etc (it’s ok the parking inspectors are furloughed so I can park anywhere I like) and found lots of angry posts on local groups about how the people of Whitby don’t want people coming into their town yet Confused

It’s legal for me to go tomorrow but the locals don’t want us to go.. who is BU here? I say the law is more important than what the locals say.

OP posts:
RyanBergarasTeeth · 12/05/2020 19:42

Ive noticed this disgusting priveledged attitude from some people lately that because they live in areas where they have beaches/woods/fields they think they own nature and can stop anyone else using the outside. So people who live in cities and have no outside space but concrete should like it or lump it but people with pretty outdoor spaces can go out in nature as much as they want. The outside is good for your health and its everyones right to access acceptable outdoor space. That includes beaches so unless the beach is rammed (possible) theres no reason for op not to go.

PineappleDanish · 12/05/2020 19:42

Go. And have a lovely time. But pack a jacket as it's forecast to be chilly and windy.

MarieQueenofScots · 12/05/2020 19:42

Tourism probably plays a massive part in your local economy

Nothing is open. During a normal summer I’m quite happy to live with the steady stream of visitors.

Lockdown had created unnatural numbers of people, leaving detritus behind and spending nothing because nothing is open.

MH1111 · 12/05/2020 19:43

Liberty is the most important thing we have, many have died for the privilege we enjoy

user1471453601 · 12/05/2020 19:43

In a "normal year" I would be just getting of a plane, ready to go to the island I've been visiting for 20 years. If course I'm at home. Hey ho.

The saying "just because you can, doesn't mean you should ' appears to apply here

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 12/05/2020 19:43

I especially enjoy moody grey British seasides in poor weather so I feel desperate to go.

I once saw two huge waterspouts off the coast in Whitby. They looked white against the slate grey sky and sea, so were plainly visible. It was the first sight that greeted us on arrival for a (snowy) winter stay.

Spectacular sight.

vanillandhoney · 12/05/2020 19:44

Struggle with everyone who lives on a beach / at a natural beauty spot saying they don’t want visitors. Of course you do. Tourism probably plays a massive part in your local economy.

Of course they do in normal times, but nothing is open at the moment, though, so they're not going to benefitting the local economy in any way, are they?

Public toilets - shut.
Tourist attractions - shut.
Cafes - shut.
Restaurants - shut.
Pubs - shut.
Takeaways - shut except for deliveries, so can only used by locals.

So what benefit are they bringing to our areas, exactly?

Saladmakesmesad · 12/05/2020 19:45

Exercise is permitted, days out are not.

Sorry but this isn’t accurate. It explicitly says in the guidelines that you can drive as far as you like and picnic/sunbathe. You just can’t stay overnight.

I think it’s fine, OP.

Plus in 2.5 weeks all the 4/5/6 year olds and 11 year olds of Whitby - and everywhere else - are considered safe to mix with each other and all the local school staff so if that’s not considered risky, you going to Whitby and interacting with no one is surely fine.

Booboodisney · 12/05/2020 19:46

I live in a bit of a local beauty spot, people are driving to walk around it (think body of water, cafes, trails) - cafes and car parks are shut but there’s plenty of parking down lanes and on residential streets. When I walk round it, I don’t know who is a ‘local’ and who isn’t, how could I tell? Accents don’t count, anyone can live anywhere and have any accent ! So I don’t get this ‘it’s not fair on the locals’ thing? People aren’t just going to be dropping dead on the walking trails for us to clean up, are they! As long as they take their rubbish and dog poo, socially distance on walks and park well, who cares ? Maybe they’ll come back later in the year and spend a fortune on drinks and ice creams !

JaceLancs · 12/05/2020 19:46

I’m planning on going to my nearest coastal resort (20 minute drive) this weekend - will take a flask and picnic
The marshy end has free parking and in full tourist season only attracts bird watchers so am not expecting social distancing to be a problem - I just fancy a change and want to feel like it’s a weekend after a long hard week working from home

Nubbled · 12/05/2020 19:47

An hour’s drive or maybe less if there’s no traffic due to lockdown

What lockdown? If you can travel so can everyone else in England.

PickUpAPickUpAPenguin · 12/05/2020 19:48

I understand both sides of the argument.

Tourists will raise the R but you are entitled to drive whether within England as long as you can get back on the same day. It's a bonkers rule imo

I expect it will be heaving tomorrow as people will get excited about the novelty of being able to go out and have a place to entertain their kids. I'd personally wait for a while before going and go on a weekday (less busy)

As someone said earlier "you could but it doesn't mea you should"

heartsonacake · 12/05/2020 19:48

YABU. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

You know how the people there feel about visitors and don’t give a shit, so go at your own risk but don’t come back whining if it doesn’t go as planned.

usernotknown · 12/05/2020 19:49

I would imagine the fish and chip shops would be grateful for the extra trade.

OP, go, I would if I lived that near to a beach.

monkeysox · 12/05/2020 19:49

Don't be a dick. What if you need a shit.

NameChange7383 · 12/05/2020 19:50

*Tourism probably plays a massive part in your local economy

Nothing is open. During a normal summer I’m quite happy to live with the steady stream of visitors.

Nothing is open? A few fish and chip shops serving and delivering to locals*

I do go on to say that a current visit isn’t contributing financially. I just meant that the tone of some posters appeared to be of passionate hate for anyone that dared go anywhere near Whitby!

TinRoofRusty · 12/05/2020 19:50

Same here, Booboo. I live in a similar area. Takeaways are open and they don't question if you're a local, they want the money, and we're much smaller than Whitby.

ThanosSavedMe · 12/05/2020 19:50

Can you be any goadier? Local riff raff? Nice

MH1111 · 12/05/2020 19:51

OP try and disguise yourself as a local. From the sounds of things you need to purse your lips, narrow your eyes and stare quizzically at people.
Make sure you regularly sigh loudly and shake your head.

usernotknown · 12/05/2020 19:51

You know how the people there feel about visitors and don’t give a shit, so go at your own risk but don’t come back whining if it doesn’t go as planned.

If the OPs car was damaged or she was threatened by a thug of a local I'd advise her to whine to the police.

LemonyCupcake · 12/05/2020 19:51

The regulations have been changed specifically to drive as far as you want for a day out. Why wouldn’t you do it if you want to escape a city for eg? And why would the Gov have said it’s ok if it’s not ?

Thefaceofboe · 12/05/2020 19:52

@ThanosSavedMe this post is on one of the local sites which everyone is having a laugh at, especially the ‘riff raff’ comment😄

ScubaSteven · 12/05/2020 19:53

@Saladmakesmesad you can drive as far as you like as long as you can adhere to social distancing, which is why driving is permitted for exercise - you can stop and sunbathe for a bit and even have a picnic- but not for a day out.

At no point have the government said you can drive as far as you want for a day out in a dense area which would struggle to allow for social distancing at the best of times with just the locals. The government are relying on people to use their common sense and to be respectful to those people who live in areas which are popular.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. The government have been very clear - travel is for essential journeys and for exercise, if you happen to do a bit of sunbathing or stop for a picnic along the way then fine as long as you are socially distancing yourself. Not sure if you're familiar with Whitby but I'm assuming you're not.

DishingOutDone · 12/05/2020 19:54

You are entitled OP. Very entitled.

MarieQueenofScots · 12/05/2020 19:54

I just meant that the tone of some posters appeared to be of passionate hate for anyone that dared go anywhere near Whitby!

I don’t live in Whitby. We too visit several times a year to stay over. I won’t be going for a good while yet because I’m very sympathetic to the plight of the locals and yes, I believe people who live there have precedence over tourists.