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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:
SaltyTootsieToes · 18/01/2021 19:37

We used to go on extended walks twice a week at least. Bought various books on pub walks in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. We liked to explore various places with an idea to moving in the future. We also walked nearby daily. Often we were the only ones

We can’t find anywhere that’s not crowded now and don’t date go on any of our further regular walks

We also used to go to the gym. Our gym was very busy so I imagine all those gym goers are walking too

Those who used to go swimming, to play groups - all sorts, are now out walking as really it’s their only option without outlay say for bikes etc.

I can understand you’re annoyed your usually solitary walks are no longer but surely it’s a small price to pay to ensure ther would van get their much needed exercise, fresh air etc. As long as people don’t park inconsiderate my or leave rubbish behind that is

We’ve found going very early or just before it gets dark we are less likely to have crowds on our walks

CountessFrog · 18/01/2021 20:13

They discard masks, I find. Other than that, no litter but the paths are absolutely ruined

LadyCatStark · 18/01/2021 20:24

People walk because there’s nothing else to do, surely that’s obvious??

We walk at the weekend a a family because there’s nothing else to do together. We can’t ride our bikes because all the dedicated trails are closed, all the roads leading from out house are 60mph and we have a child and if we ride along the coastal path we get dirty looks from dog walkers. We can’t run because we get dirty looks from dog walkers... so we join in the trudging. I do HIIT videos on YouTube by myself but that’s not a family activity and only kills half an hour.

A “normal” Saturday, if I can remember what one of those was, involved taking DS to BMXing from 11-12:30 then lunch and visiting friends who live near the track. A normal Sunday would involve visiting family or going snowboarding at ChillFactor. None of those things are possible anymore.

SAJmum · 18/01/2021 20:27

some people go for a solo walk to think without distraction, away from their home environment, maybe a family member is dying from COVID, surely you would not deny someone that opportunity...

CountessFrog · 18/01/2021 20:35

It’s pretty hard to go on a solo, reflective walk at the moment

Ohcomeallyechristmas · 18/01/2021 20:40

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??

This is probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever read on here. And this is Mumsnet - there's a lot to choose from.

Changemaname1 · 18/01/2021 20:47

Just checking in to say I went for a walk today . Again. Around my local area. Again. I would normally have been at work but am having to use up all the annual leave I haven’t taken due to being busy as hell with it being a pandemic and all.

There’s fuck all else to do and I can’t walk in the usual places I’d be off to so here we are

MargosKaftan · 18/01/2021 20:47

I thought about this thread earlier. Dc2 is studying the Egyptians this term. When dc1 was doing this topic, we got the train up to London, went to the British museum to see their display of various stolen ancient Egyptian things, met their godmother for lunch, had an exciting and tiring day out. I planned to do that again for dc2 but obviously not going to happen. Dc1's topic this term is WWII, in normal times, we'd have done a trip up to visit the Imperial War museum or perhaps the war rooms.

We didn't take the kids into London every weekend, but would go in regularly, meet family and friends who live in London or who live similar distance out but in a different direction. Usually would end up in a museum or art gallery for a bit. (DH and DC1 would play their favourite game of "if I was an art thief/ cat burglar, what would I steal?")

I would love to have hoped on a train and taken the dcs out for a fun day out that's also educational this weekend. Instead we went for a walk round the local woods in the rain. again. We've lost so much, dont bitch about use doing the only thing left to us.

conjourbonjour · 18/01/2021 21:07

Oh perhaps you’ve been living under a rock....the worldwide pandemic means every other recreational pastime is out of bounds therefore people are now walking more. What a ridiculous post.

winniestone37 · 18/01/2021 21:07

Women fails to understand lockdown and thinks she owns her village. Brilliant!

Plussizejumpsuit · 18/01/2021 21:33

@Ohcomeallyechristmas

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??

This is probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever read on here. And this is Mumsnet - there's a lot to choose from.

It's amazing Grin
Plussizejumpsuit · 18/01/2021 21:39

There are some really smug and entitled people on mumsnet with huge superiority complexes but the ops attitude as surpassed the normal level of this shit.

Claims not to think she is superior yet make jibes about not being an active nation.

What I see on here is op doing doe eyed faux naive shit and people calling them out on it. If you want to say I move to the countryside to get away from people and they're everywhere and it's driving me mad just say it. Don't pretend to not know why.

Thats why people are responding like this.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 18/01/2021 21:51

I've been walking. Its something to do. I cannot wait for places to be open. I don't understand the appeal of walking just to walk. Its a place marker until the normal things are available

Nigglenaggle · 18/01/2021 22:04

Everyone's just trying to stay sane. STFU.

MrsBennettsSecretSon · 18/01/2021 22:09

Just trying to stay sane. In a normal world I’d walk the dog 45 mins, then go to the gym (David Lloyd amazingness) then to work.

In the evening I’d be at home or go out.

Now J work from home. DH works from home. The kids are at home 24/7. We are only allowed out of the house to walk

I’d rather play tennis or squash, or swim!

But walking will do

Thegoldplace · 18/01/2021 22:13

What time do you walk OP? I go out at first light to avoid the crowds, most people don’t walk until mid morning or in the afternoon

AmoElCafe · 18/01/2021 22:15

I’ve just been for an hour long walk in the dark and pissing rain and there was no one around... you should try that OP.

NamechangedHelpPlease · 18/01/2021 22:30

Perplexed - really! Oh my. Easy baffled but such an obvious thing.

Petlover9 · 19/01/2021 03:30

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion. Agree with what you have written, it is so obvious I don't know why OP asked

Pigwig10 · 19/01/2021 10:14

They would have been:
Working
Visiting family
Visiting friends
Socialising
Cinema
Theatre
Indoor family attractions/museums etc.
Outdoor family attractions
Swimming
Gym
Playing sports - football/rugby/tennis/anything
Taking part in sporting events
Taking part in leisure events
On holiday
In restaurants/pubs
OP did you really not know that people want to do all the things they did before but can’t, so all they have left is to go for a walk. Suck it up buttercup.

Susan1961 · 19/01/2021 11:43

I get you, people who I never see usually, mostly elderly, all out walking cos BoJo says so.

Fembot123 · 19/01/2021 11:44

@Susan1961

I get you, people who I never see usually, mostly elderly, all out walking cos BoJo says so.
Are you thick 😂
redsquirrelfan · 19/01/2021 11:51

if we ride along the coastal path we get dirty looks from dog walkers. We can’t run because we get dirty looks from dog walkers

Despite their attitudes, they don't have priority. Go out running and cycling and ignore their stupid looks.

Fembot123 · 19/01/2021 11:54

Omg so many dog walkers have been a nightmare through this, DC need walking too.

redsquirrelfan · 19/01/2021 11:58

@Campervan69

What I think is causing a big problem locally to me is that we are only allowed to exercise locally. I think it would be safer if we were allowed to drive to a less populated area to walk but we can't. Its like rush hour down our canal all the time.
I simply ignore the "stay local" nonsense when a 15 or even 30 minute drive takes you to somewhere much less crowded.

However, I'm not in Derbyshire with their overzealous police trying to intimidate you even if they can't fine you.