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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what all the walkers would usually be doing

557 replies

CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS · 17/01/2021 02:13

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!)

OP posts:
Sugarandteaandmum · 17/01/2021 17:17

I'm very socially anxious. The whole dodge and weave every time you leave the house starts to grate massively.

The rest of us love it, of course. I don't get the impression you are taking your children out for essential exercise, so you don't actually have to go out between say 9am and 4pm. So do as I do and get up 6am before work to run, or please go out later when we're all wrangling our bored, hyper toddlers into bed. That should sort both your terrible anxiety and leave things a bit clearer for others.

LadyOfTheImprovisedBath · 17/01/2021 17:19

(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!)

We're working from home and the kids are being schooled at home at minute - we are in the house 24/7. Nothing is open here - bar grocery shopping where we're supposed to go by ourselves. If we don't go for a local walk - we don't leave the house.

Normal times - cinerma, occasionally theater going around shops in town having walked into town, jump on bus or train and gone some where historical or beauty stop to walk round - weekend visit to family in different parts of UK - traveled to hobby meet ups gone for a local walk and stop at a cafe or gone to nearby city to shop or do something else.

DobbinsBobbins · 17/01/2021 17:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IDKNABYBIF22 · 17/01/2021 17:21

I actually feel a little bit sorry for you OP. Your Sundays must be very dull if the pandemic and lockdown hasn't impacted your usual plans at all.

IndiaMay · 17/01/2021 17:26

We would normally be lying in hungover after a night at the pub or round friends, maybe up for lunch or dinner out, at my dance class whilst Partner cycles, mooch round the shops for new clothes, on holiday abroad enjoying the sun, pub crawl all day with friends, popping over parents for Sunday roast.

Fembot123 · 17/01/2021 17:32

@sofiaaaaaa

Well pre-lockdown I was an attractive 22 year old that had a good grad job, a surplus of money and an active social life as a result - I was NEVER at home. I was doing anything but staying at home all day.

It’s certainly a culture shock; I feel like I have to leave the house once per day as to not go stir crazy and lose my self of identity further and further. I’m not at that age where I have a stable home situation, I’m currently renting with loud, shitty neighbours so lockdown hasn’t been great for me as staying at home can be uncomfortable with them around. I prefer to go out in the early hours/late night though as to avoid people.

What does being attractive have to do with anything?? 😂😂
Ariela · 17/01/2021 17:33

I think OP has a point.

My advice is just go walking when it is raining. No people, it's brilliant!

MillieMooBee · 17/01/2021 17:38

What a strange post!! 🤔. People are stuck indoors, nowhere to go so head out walking. You don't own the outdoor space 😂.

FranklyTruly · 17/01/2021 17:39

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

Aloethere · 17/01/2021 17:41

@IDKNABYBIF22

I actually feel a little bit sorry for you OP. Your Sundays must be very dull if the pandemic and lockdown hasn't impacted your usual plans at all.
It's funny because I was thinking lately about how I feel sorry for the people that don't seem to be able to be content in their own company and need constant outside stimulation to be happy. The pandemic has for sure been harder on that type of person than the type of person who can always find something to do and is content within themselves like I suspect the OP is. There is nothing at all wrong or pitiful about someone who gets pleasure from the simple things in life just like there is nothing wrong with someone who has to constantly be around other people or going to the pub/cinema/bowling whatever. It just happens that the people who are into the second type of thing can't do that anymore.
LadyOfTheImprovisedBath · 17/01/2021 17:44

We do go when it's raining and round here it's often still busy.

I've never in my life been on so many walks and yet overall walked so little as a none car driver my life used to have loads of incidental walking built in which helped kept my weight down.

Fembot123 · 17/01/2021 17:44

@FranklyTruly

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

Thank fuck you’re not in charge then.
LivingInAPrettyWorld · 17/01/2021 18:05
  • Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.*

You do realise obesity is a bigger problem than covid?

And obesity increases your risk of dying from covid?

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 17/01/2021 18:11

@LivingInAPrettyWorld

* Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.*

You do realise obesity is a bigger problem than covid?

And obesity increases your risk of dying from covid?

Its weird isnt it

Government advice tells us that covid is more of a danger if you are fat and/or unfit

People decide to get a bit fitter and /or less fat

And posters have a problem with people attempting to save their own lives by becoming slimmer and /or fitter and complain about them

JustWatchMe · 17/01/2021 18:12

@FranklyTruly

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

Are you ok?
AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 18:12

@FranklyTruly

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

Ah yes, that wonderful policy that saved so many lives and didn’t cause any mental health issues at all. Do you have kids? I have a 7, 5 and 2 year old. My 7 and 5 year olds have already been isolated from their peers for months and missed vital education. My 2 year old has spent almost half his life in some sort of lockdown and has never once socialised with another child his age. At his 2 year check the HV said some of the social issues they’re seeing are devastating and they don’t know what the long term impacts will be. And you want kids to not be able to leave their houses at all? In my opinion, you are sadistic and abusive.
IrmaFayLear · 17/01/2021 18:15

I wouldn’t worry about teens infesting the countryside... as far as I can see they never leave the house Sad

Sparklesocks · 17/01/2021 18:17

@FranklyTruly

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

Hmm I wonder what’s changed exactly that means people are relying more on walking for exercise/fresh air/well-being than ever before, despite not being too bothered previously? Racking my brains but just can’t quite figure it out Hmm
RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 17/01/2021 18:17

@IrmaFayLear

I wouldn’t worry about teens infesting the countryside... as far as I can see they never leave the house Sad
No, one of mine doesn’t either

Not left the house since Christmas

MadameBlobby · 17/01/2021 18:19

@FranklyTruly

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

You have an irrational fear of Covid and are using that to justify ridiculous measures. You barricade yourself and your kids in your house if you’re that terrified. I won’t be. Alternatively, it might be an idea to seek some help for your serious mental health issues.
Unicant · 17/01/2021 18:25

We are hikers but we used to go to various places to walk not all in the local area... now we are confined to the local area I suppose we are walking some of the same routes over and over.. I suppose people who see us passing might think we've suddenly started walking or we are from out of town.
Its a bit judgemental to assume the people you see out walking never cared for walking before just because you haven't seen them out near you previously... and even if they have only just got into walking whats actually wrong with that? Iactually think its great so many new people have got into hiking as a result of these lockdowns... its healthy for people and maybe its going to bring more money into maintaining trails and the countryside in general from local councils if people have now developed this love of the natural world?
I live in a rural area and I see lots more people out walking that I used to but they look like they are taking it seriously, they have proper kit etc.. im pleased for them
I think you are being quite unreasonable

kowari · 17/01/2021 18:30

@FranklyTruly

Personally I would stop the exercise excuse for leaving home. The basis message is we should all be at home at all times- this is being undermined by people out multiple times per day for 'exercise'.

Walking is not essential- there are millions of people who coped perfectly fine without prior to last March yet now 'absolutely must' go for daily walks.

In particular, I'd implement the Spanish policy of under 14s not being allowed to leave home at all. I'd extend this to all under 18- too many teenagers are socialising under the pretext of exercise and are not socially distancing.

Exercise is essential. Banning people from leaving the home for exercise discriminates against the poor who live in small homes and can't afford expensive exercise equipment. I don't know where to start with your last paragraph. I think there would be an increase in secondary students sent into school if that was the only way they could leave the house.
BiteyShark · 17/01/2021 18:32

I used to walk the dog really early in the morning so I could get back and do 'other stuff'. Now I walk him later to fill up the day as it's so boring and I am just trying to pass time. If you saw me you would think I am not local (untrue) and didn't bother walking my dog pre covid (also not true).

We are all being pushed into smaller spaces at different times because our routines have changed. And if yours haven't OP then think yourself lucky and stop moaning.

5foot5 · 17/01/2021 18:34

Maybe these walkers you are seeing would normally be walking somewhere else.

We are keen walkers and live on the edge of the Peak District so in normal times our usual Sunday activity would be to drive out in to somewhere in the Peaks for a walk. However in the first lockdown and now this one we have been doing walks we can access on foot from our own town, either from the door or by just driving a couple of miles to the other side of town and walking from there. Certainly with Derbyshire police being so keen we are not going to attempt any of our normal walks!

Anyway the result is we have found some lovely local places we wouldn't normally have walked through. But it is the same activity just different location.

Original poster
CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS · 17/01/2021 18:44

Wow! Posted this last night and never expected it to run to 16 pages (though must admit I haven’t read beyond page 4 as the same themes started to emerge of some agreement (thank you), some people shouting at me for pretending not to know about the pandemic I mentioned in my OP Hmm and some just generally shouting at everyone and specifically about hating walks.

A note on my username - yes I got my ‘wish’ if you’d want to call it that, and people are dead who would be alive today if they’d done it sooner. Anyone with a brain can see it’s the right thing, looking at the situation in our hospitals and the confession from our government about schools being vectors for community spread. But anyway...

My question was really about what walking is an alternative to and I still don’t totally get it. If you’d usually be in the pub or having lunch with family or shopping then how is walking an alternative? I do take some of your points about lack of exercise for kids, boredom with being at home etc though. I genuinely didn’t think people would rather do something they don’t enjoy than do nothing.

I guess I just approach it from the point of view of liking walking and seeing people walking as a sign that they now do too but maybe they’re all hating it as much as some on this thread. I’m wondering why some people live in a rural area if they don’t normally take advantage of it.

There are still other forms of exercise you can do (running, cycling, workout videos, dance etc) and if I hated walking as much as the ‘trudge/another fucking walk, can’t wait to burn my boots’ crowd on here I would find another way to exercise.

OP posts: