Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Abraxan · 17/01/2021 19:20

But mostly I'm just really perplexed as to why so many people are now out walking!

No you're not OP.
Nobody could be perplexed at why more people are out walking, during a pandemic lockdown, where there is little,else to do.

I am somewhat perplexed, however, why there are certain (mainly the judgemental ones) posters who think that the only alternative to walking is shopping, and state that as if it makes them somewhat better than somebody who may like to shop.

If they really can't think of any other activities other than walking and shopping I'd be very surprised.

redcarbluecar · 17/01/2021 19:21

OP, walking is literally the only thing you can do outside your home at the moment. It's the only thing you can do if you want to socialise with a friend. Almost all of the alternatives are illegal. What is it you're not getting?

Original poster
CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS · 17/01/2021 19:22

I’m assuming the angry/unpleasant responses are all people who are fed up with the pandemic which is understandable, and why I’m generally not responding to it. I’m also pretty thick skinned to internet jibes - it’s on them not on me. I wouldn’t start a thread just to be a dick and thank you to the people who ‘get it’. It’s a weird time and for me part of that weirdness is seeing loads of people packed into a once deserted green space.

OP posts:
Chicchicchicchiclana · 17/01/2021 19:24

[quote Bookworming]@CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS I'd tell you to your face, you're a massive twat! I'd also tell you to your face you're a stupid cunt! But that's maybe for another thread. [/quote]
Hopefully you'll be banned for this.

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 17/01/2021 19:25

Accept that you are coming across as a bit of a dick though by refusing to understand the numbers part of it.

If thousands of people are suddenly only allowed out of the house to walk, of course there will be more people walking.

Did you also wonder why the roads went quiet? Or why people started wearing masks?

pinbinpin · 17/01/2021 19:25

Don't be such a faux idiot OP. You're not the only one who enjoys being outdoors and walking in the countryside. I've always done so, but probably once a month or so, because I have other interests in life and friends and family and also enjoy socialising, sports and, occasionally, shopping. Currently the only one of those I can do is walking/cycling so that when I am now spending any time not glued to a screen doing.

You sound like such an entitled misery.

SomersetHamlyn · 17/01/2021 19:25

Gym. Exhibition. Pub. Gallery. Holiday. Seeing friends.

Original poster
CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS · 17/01/2021 19:25

I’m surprised people are using walks to socialise too but that would actually be a plausible explanation. Given the transmission for the variant, I wouldn’t meet someone to walk together but I’m very risk averse as have a vulnerable family member. Thanks, I genuinely hadn’t considered that! (Cue accusations of pretending or just insults about being thick! Wink )

OP posts:
MacDuffsMuff · 17/01/2021 19:27

@Bookworming Calm the fuck down, you're being ridiculous.

I thought the OPs question was a silly one tbh but you're just showing yourself up by being so hysterical.

madmarchmare · 17/01/2021 19:27

OP stop digging. Just admit it was a stupid question to ask and you have quite rightly had your arse handed to you here.

Bookworming · 17/01/2021 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

LolaSmiles · 17/01/2021 19:27

I’m assuming the angry/unpleasant responses are all people who are fed up with the pandemic which is understandable, and why I’m generally not responding to it.
I don't think it has anything to do with them being fed up with the pandemic.
I think it has everything to do with the fact it's fairly obvious that when life has been locked down for months people might choose to do one of the few things that's allowed.
The faux naivety of 'not understanding' why there are more people out is a bit bizarre.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 17/01/2021 19:28

430 messages on this thread. I have a question for the last 300 posters - do you think you have said anything new/of interest?

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 17/01/2021 19:28

So OP do you accept the reasons people are out walking? Or are you still holier than thou about it all.

Bookworming · 17/01/2021 19:28

@MacDuffsMuff not interested in what you think! So stop being so hysterical and tagging me!

Abraxan · 17/01/2021 19:29

Going for a walk right now isn't just about exercise. For many people the exercise aspect is a side element to it. It's a case of getting out of the house for a bit.

Think of any normal pre-covid activities which took place out of the home. Most of these are not possible right now. For many, not even going out of the house to work is possible right now. So going for a walk is replace ALL of those activities, not just the exercise or active based activities.

I am quite happy at home most of the time. I can entertain myself quite happily, plus work right now means I have enough to do to be working all hours should I choose.

But like most people, I don't necessarily want to spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in my house. I want to get out of the building occasionally.

In normal times there'd be dozens of things I could do during the day, of an evening, at a weekend, during a holiday week off. Right now going for a walk and doing a weekly shop is pretty much all there is, unless I count attending a medical appointment or two as a nice outing.

whiskybysidedoor · 17/01/2021 19:29

You sound like Victor Meldrew OP. Grin

I don’t think this thread is good reflection of you. Perhaps mill over why you feel like that rather than kindness and empathy to others.

Bitbusyattheminute · 17/01/2021 19:29

I like people walking again. As a lone female runner, it makes me feel safer.

Leonardo29 · 17/01/2021 19:31

Yes but don’t you see a lot of people do like walking just not EVERY day. I love walking- but, although we have a dog, it would often be early before the days events or squeezed in to other activities with maybe one or 2 longer walks a week. Now the walk is the event of the day. Many of the people you see are walkers, just not long walks every day walkers

Original poster
CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS · 17/01/2021 19:32

I get that it was obvious to some people. It wasn’t obvious to me and I’m glad I asked. I’m not bothered by any stranger’s opinion of me or the post I chose to make (which could easily have been ignored if you really thought it was that silly!)

OP posts:
Fembot123 · 17/01/2021 19:32

@CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS

I’m assuming the angry/unpleasant responses are all people who are fed up with the pandemic which is understandable, and why I’m generally not responding to it. I’m also pretty thick skinned to internet jibes - it’s on them not on me. I wouldn’t start a thread just to be a dick and thank you to the people who ‘get it’. It’s a weird time and for me part of that weirdness is seeing loads of people packed into a once deserted green space.
They were pretty few and far between 😂 maybe next time you feel like starting a thread about nonsense you go for a walk instead. I hope when this ever ends you feel ashamed of your uncharitable small minded position on all this.
Bookworming · 17/01/2021 19:33

@MacDuffsMuff do make sure you berate everything other poster saying OP was wrong!

Oh sorry am being hysterical for posting that

🤔

Original poster
CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS · 17/01/2021 19:33

Honestly there are some really lovely helpful posts on this thread amongst the abuse. Thank you.

OP posts:
Fembot123 · 17/01/2021 19:33

@Chicchicchicchiclana

430 messages on this thread. I have a question for the last 300 posters - do you think you have said anything new/of interest?
Do you think you have?
Fembot123 · 17/01/2021 19:34

@CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS

Honestly there are some really lovely helpful posts on this thread amongst the abuse. Thank you.
The abuse is few and far between too, disagreeing with you and saying you are disingenuous is not abuse.
Swipe left for the next trending thread