to tell people that you can go for walks in the countryside which is lovely

[chomalungma]

But the pubs will be shut so you can't get a lovely lunch whilst out

So it's going to be pack lunches again.

At least this time there won't be people complaining about people exercising in the Peak District like last time!

Funny how their daily exercise stopped when lockdown stopped

Not that funny really. When not in lockdown I imagine they are too busy with commutes/work/hobbies etc to go for a daily walk. And probably got their exercise at the gym/classes etc.
I’ve got a dog so walk in our local area a lot and yes, there were far more people out walking during lockdown. I don’t begrudge them a walk though, for a lot of people there was fuck all else to do and their normal exercise methods weren’t available to them.

I also think common sense needs to be used. 10 minutes in a car to get a good walk in the country I'd say is ok. Any longer and it begins to become less sensible.

Public transport to be avoided. Day trips to the Lake District or Peak District etc is not essential.

Picnics can be had in cars and take hot drinks and homebakes with you. Lovely

So bored of country walks. It was fine for a while but no substitute for all the freedoms that are about to be taken away again.

God people already trying to put their own laws onto gov guidelines.

A short journey does not need to be 10 mins as decreed by some posters on MN. For some that wouldn’t even get people past busy roads.

10 mins is a ridiculous amount of time. I think people can be left to decide for themselves. The gov for very good reason clearly want people outside in the gloomy winter months during these tricky times. Some already trying to discourage and limit access to much needed green spaces 2 days in is pretty shit.

@Mudlark1ng

God people already trying to put their own laws onto gov guidelines.

A short journey does not need to be 10 mins as decreed by some posters on MN. For some that wouldn’t even get people past busy roads.

10 mins is a ridiculous amount of time. I think people can be left to decide for themselves. The gov for very good reason clearly want people outside in the gloomy winter months during these tricky times. Some already trying to discourage and limit access to much needed green spaces 2 days in is pretty shit.

All of this - all of the above. This megalomaniacal reflex of "local land for local people" is simple wish fulfillment - it's not the law.

The guidance says a short distance. Last time that was taken to mean (disabilities aside) exercising for longer than you are driving. For those who have conditions where a need for routine is vital doing their normal routine is fine. No limits like 10 minutes.

"They could do a distance limit in law for exercise. So if people were travelling for exercise, it could only be up to say 10 miles from their address."

Ds's routine walk (that we have been doing every weekend for 10 years) is 13 miles away by road so limits like that don't work for everyone. I am not about to change something that could lead to him needing residential care. That would be stupid.

@Unsure33

It’s not all about exercise though is it.

Less cars on the road
Less journeys
Less accidents
Less pressure in the emergency services

Just use a bit of common sense .

We get more freedom here than many other countries in lockdown but everyone wants to push the boundaries .

Fewer... Fewer... Fewer...

👆YES!! Thank you

The title of this thread reminds me of that sketch on "The Fast Show" where the guy is doing something in this house and describing an incredibly mundane event, finishing with "... Which was nice"
I suppose it was the patronising use of "lovely".

@TrainspottingWelsh

It's probably a rural thing Orcus Whether we own the land or not, we all watch out for our neighbours, and in some cases have permission to be on each other's property. Also in the absence of concrete amenities, we can also see land beyond our own properties or public rights of way.

Eg a neighbour that lost the one advantage of being elderly, disabled and shielded in an isolated area when deserted footpaths became like high streets over lockdown. I wasn't the only person to offer him private land so he and his dog could exercise safely. Oddly enough the same type of person whom is completely forgotten about when people are keen to promote what a lovely idea it is for people to swarm the countryside.

It's not a rural thing to watch out for your neighbours, no. That's a community spirit place. My lot do the same.

I quite understand people being more concerned about their own friends and family than anyone else, that's the normal human mentality. But certainly your vulnerable neighbour is no more important nor deserving of access to public amenities like the countryside than my equally vulnerable neighbours in the city are. He's just luckier, at the moment. In the same way that my vulnerable neighbours don't have a greater right of access to urban amenities than yours simply because they live nearer to them.

It's important everyone understands this, as the alternative is to be all the way in the wrong.

In the same way that my vulnerable neighbours don't have a greater right of access to urban amenities than yours simply because they live nearer to them.

Indeed. I don’t see thousands of pissed off “townies” telling “rural folk” to “stay out of their” hospitals or supermarkets.

I walk a lot. I do admit it was a bit irritating in the last lockdown to encounter far more people. I’m not a “professional walker” (ie wearing all the pricey gear) but I was surprised to see people going down a footpath wearing flip flops, or in one case stilettos! And the ones who went to Mountain Warehouse or wherever and bought everything so for a ten-minute walk round a recreation ground they have lace-up boots, thermodynamic tops, plastic-coated walk cover hanging round neck and, of course, the very large water bottle for hydration. Plonkers.

I do admit it was a bit irritating in the last lockdown to encounter far more people

But did you really expect those whose workplaces/gyms/hobbies etc were closed to sit in their houses for months, just so they didn’t intrude on those who normally walk in those areas?

You're perfectly entitled to be irritated of course, even if it is hypocritical to be annoyed at people for doing the same thing as you are. There's nothing wrong in having feelings. As long as you understand they have the same right to use public spaces as you and don't try and guilt or whine them out of it, you're perfectly within your rights to be as miffed as you like.

Walking in the countryside isn't that much fun when it's pishing down every day.

I also think common sense needs to be used. 10 minutes in a car to get a good walk in the country I'd say is ok. Any longer and it begins to become less sensible.

10 minutes is very arbitrary. In some towns a 10 minute drive would not get you into the countryside.

We live rurally but in an area of heavy clay which gets impossible to walk on when its wet. I drove our dog 10 miles away yesterday to walk on greensand so that he could have a proper run. I'll continue to do that in lockdown if needed. I dont have to stop anywhere or interact with anyone.

I didn’t say I was reasonable being irritated! But if masses of people suddenly adopt something you liked, it is annoying. Imagine if the only places allowed to open were gyms. I can see that real gym aficionados would be a bit pissed off at lots of people like me hogging their favourite machine at their favourite time, pedalling at 2 miles per hour whilst watching the overhead tv.

Ah, the sun’s come out. You know what... I might go for a walk!!

I am an experienced hill walker but will not be driving to where I really like walking as it’s just over an hour away and seems not right. I will walk in local woodland. In my can’t count as so many walks up hill and down dale, I have maybe on about 2% of all those walks gone to a pub en route. The whole point was to commune with nature and get away from other humans as much as possible which meant an os map and a compass required.

It's really sad to see so many people think the novelty of walking through the countryside has worn off. It's gorgeous this time of year!
(Misses point of thread)

I also think common sense needs to be used. 10 minutes in a car to get a good walk in the country I'd say is ok. Any longer and it begins to become less sensible.

A 10 minute drive would get me into town!

Does anyone know if National Trust gardens are staying open this time?

@flaviaritt

In the same way that my vulnerable neighbours don't have a greater right of access to urban amenities than yours simply because they live nearer to them.

Indeed. I don’t see thousands of pissed off “townies” telling “rural folk” to “stay out of their” hospitals or supermarkets.

I don’t think it’s about right of access, certainly here in a national park we encourage responsible visitors. We help keep our villages looking good and our regular walking helps maintain rights of way.

What we don’t do when we visit a supermarket (most of us don’t, but that’s another issue) is take twenty others with us, break the doors, defecate on the floor or leave a dozen plastic bags, nineteen beer cans and a still hot disposable barbecue. Those are the people who are not welcomed.

What we don’t do when we visit a supermarket (most of us don’t, but that’s another issue) is take twenty others with us, break the doors, defecate on the floor or leave a dozen plastic bags, nineteen beer cans and a still hot disposable barbecue. Those are the people who are not welcomed.

Then why am I having to answer people telling me to fuck off? I haven’t defecated on the floor.

The thing is, there have been lots of comments on this thread telling non-locals to stay away full stop. It clearly isn't the case that this is only about visitors being twats, which is not acceptable wherever they are.

Why is everyone being such cunts to the OP?