To wonder what all the walkers would usually be doing

[CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS]

I live in a small village near a lovely green open space for walks. I walk every single day and have done since I moved here many years ago. It's always been very quiet - many, many times I've been the only person out and have walked for an hour+ and not seen a soul.

Since Covid - and particularly since the summer - it's been mobbed! I'm dodging people constantly when out walking and although the size of the space means I can keep 2 metres away, I now often have groups of people behind, in front and to the sides of me which makes me a bit uncomfortable. Most are considerate but some are arseholes that want to brush past you so you have to be aware and it's a lot less relaxing. I'm pretty sure that they are local people as it's not a 'day out' place or anywhere people would know about let alone go to, and it's nice that more local people are out walking but... why have they all just discovered walking? It's not like it was a closely guarded secret before and we are quite rural. What would they normally be doing (for example today on a Saturday afternoon) that they now can't do that leaves walking as their only option??

(Yes I do kind of wish they'd bugger off and yes IABU for that as I don't own this piece of land! But mostly I'm just really perplexed as to why so many people are now out walking!)

I just don’t get why this perplexes you 😂

And many have heeded the government's advice (as demonstrated by the PM, including cycling at a big park 7 miles from home, as we are all legally allowed to do, not just the PM) to lose some weight and get fitter.

The incentive of having a fighting chance of Covid-19 is the motivation that many didn't have before.

Gyms in January ate usually chocabliock in January for the same reason. It annoys the he'll out of the regular gym bunnies.

At my gym we smile, welcome them and help them use the machines. By end Jan / early Feb, 99% of them you'll never see again. It happens every year.

Never attribute to malice what can easily be explained by incompetence (or lighthearted ignorance). I'm giving OP benefit of doubt.

My local walking places are not busy. I mean, they are busier but not what should be remotely called "busy". I understand central London/city places now become 'busy', but not villages. Maybe folk in OP's village always were walking fans, but used to drive half an hour or further to get to lovelier walking places. Now stuck with village environs for walking, to avoid police fines.

How dare anyone walk in the public space near your home. Assholes 🙄

@LuckyJaney

I agree OP and could have written your post!

I've walked regularly in my small village for the last 15 years, do a 3 -mile hike and many days saw no one.

Now, it's crowded sometimes with families, straggling the paths, many of whom don't have the sense to make their kids get into a crocodile line on narrow paths, or duck out and give way (it's always me that has to do that.)

I too wonder why they never walked before because I love it and it's my normal exercise.

Are they usually all shopping?

Then we have two morons

It doesn’t make any difference whether you walked regularly before this shit show it truly doesn’t give you a greater right to be out. One poster even suggested people are using their exercise time to be contrary, wtf 😂 A lot of kids would be at sports clubs or with their friends but yes of course the only thing everyone else does is shop 🙄

Now, it's crowded sometimes with families, straggling the paths, many of whom don't have the sense to make their kids get into a crocodile line on narrow paths, or duck out and give way (it's always me that has to do that.) Good job you know how to do things properly - you're like a regular superhero!😁

Normally my ds and I would walk to the gym and train then walk home. Now we just walk instead. I still train at home but like to get out and about. I would also be visiting friends, going for coffee, doing a Pilates class, shopping etc and as this is not possible I am going on a lot more walks for both my physical and mental health. I'm sure it's obvious why everyone is out walking when there's literally nothing else to do 🤷‍♀️

Soft play with the kids, cinema, shopping lunch with friends, restaurants, swimming, at a farm or any other kid friendly day out, visiting relatives, having a haircut or getting my nails done, going for a coffee.
Brings a tear to my eye and seems like a distant memory now, those were the days.

Just to add I've always walked my dog every day in addition to these things but there was so much more to life!

Now, it's crowded sometimes with families, straggling the paths, many of whom don't have the sense to make their kids get into a crocodile line on narrow paths, or duck out and give way (it's always me that has to do that.)

Is this you @Fembot123

Oh and by the way I think you meant straddling not straggling the paths? Pity your SPAG is not as top notch as your walking ability!

I just relayed this thread to my teenage DS to which he said "Who the hell is gatekeeping walking?", which I thought pretty much summed the OP up

@Bookworming

Now, it's crowded sometimes with families, straggling the paths, many of whom don't have the sense to make their kids get into a crocodile line on narrow paths, or duck out and give way (it's always me that has to do that.)

Is this you @Fembot123

Oh and by the way I think you meant straddling not straggling the paths? Pity your SPAG is not as top notch as your walking ability!

Cheeky mare, that’s not something I said!!!

That was a quote from @LuckyJaney so please redirect your comments 😂

Apologies @Fembot123 I tagged the wrong person!

We clearly both think alike if that poster at least!

I think we should all sit at home eating and watching TV instead. Then people can complain about how we are burdening the NHS with our high blood pressure and weight problems instead.

Personally, I think it's wonderful that people love walking and getting about in the fresh air. I can literally not think of a more utterly harmless way to spend one's time.

@Bookworming

Apologies *@Fembot123* I tagged the wrong person!

We clearly both think alike if that poster at least!

Oh yes, that’s why I was so appalled to be confused with him/her 😜

Um...I wonder if it’s because of lockdown 🤔

YABU to go outside when there are people out there. You could give them Covid. Stay inside -save lives!!!!!!!!

I'm going to add "going to church" to the things that people now can't do on Sundays.

Bloody lockdowns.

I fucking loathe both walking and the countryside but a walk is the only way I can see pals just now so while I'd MUCH rather be out having lunch with them, sometimes a walk has to be done so I get out and get some company. I live alone so this is great for my mental health. I

I run anyway and normally go the gym and do a lot of classes which I'm really missing. I find walking exceptionally dull but what else can we do right now.

I don't know why some people are so getting so defensive? Of course it is annoying when something you do all of the time suddenly gets really busy. Nobody is saying people shouldn't go out for a walk if they want to but walking around my local area is like queuing at the moment it is so busy(we are only allowed to stay within 5km). Yes I don't own the park but yes it also annoys me when families take up the whole path and seem shocked by the fact that people actually walk their dogs there.. It annoys me when kids on scooters ram into said dogs or try to stroke them while the parents are 100m behind them seemingly unable to remember that they have kids with them.

I really don't care that you find walking boring and am glad you will be fucking off at the first sign of things opening again but until then if you could keep your kids under control and let people pass you by every once in a while that would be great.

I don't know why some people are so getting so defensive?

This is so funny when taken with the rest of your post where you get very defensive about why you are annoyed, 😂

Because normally people stay in and relax at the weekend as they have been out at work all week. Now they are in all week come weekend it’s the only thing to do as everything is shut.