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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:
GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom · 17/01/2021 08:08

It's ok to wish you had your quiet walks back. Everyone wants their pre-pandemic life back in whatever form it took, including all those people who would normally be doing something else.

There's no need to try to disguise it as absolute incomprehension as to where they came from.

GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom · 17/01/2021 08:10

When this is over, I'm never going for another fucking walk again anyway. Used to love it but I'm planning the ceremonial bonfire of my boots, thermal layer and fleece. I've even started to hate the very word "walk" itself. It can piss off too.

Covidasaurus · 17/01/2021 08:12

I used to cycle to work, or walk to work, and walk the coast paths at weekends. Now I can’t do any of that so I’m trudging local areas.

Kokeshi123 · 17/01/2021 08:12

I can't help but feel that in this weather most of the people so determined to be out and about walking would have normally been quite happy to stop at home for a cosy day in.

In normal circs people would spend much of the working/school day out of the house. Now they are stuck at home Mon-Fri nagging each other, tripping over each other and getting on each other's nerves. Of course people want to get out of the house once work/school hours are over.

Piccalino3 · 17/01/2021 08:12

Well @CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS you got your wish, schools closed and everything else that makes like enjoyable has also shut as well. So, in answer to your question, we traipse around in the freezing cold and mud because my children need fresh air and exercise. I personally can't wait to get out of your walking space but until schools and life open up again you'll just have to put up with us I'm afraid. Surely you didn't need that explaining did you??

AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 08:12

@GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom

When this is over, I'm never going for another fucking walk again anyway. Used to love it but I'm planning the ceremonial bonfire of my boots, thermal layer and fleece. I've even started to hate the very word "walk" itself. It can piss off too.
Ditto. My DC’s eyes glaze over when I mention the word ‘walk’ too. But there’s no other way to get them fresh air and exercise, so walks it is for the foreseeable. I can’t wait to not have to go for a fucking walk again.
AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 08:14

That’s a very good point... having people intrude on your walks is a natural consequence of schools being closed @CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS. You got your wish!

Chicchicchicchiclana · 17/01/2021 08:14

Think Mumsnet has solved your riddle OP!

TwoleftUggs · 17/01/2021 08:16

Such a stupid question op. I would normally just scroll on by but your faux ignorance has really irritated me.

PaigeMatthews · 17/01/2021 08:16

@Sorka

Going to the pub. Seeing friends. Being on holiday. Any of the many activities that make life enjoyable that are prohibited right now, meaning that walking is all that’s left.

Also gyms are shut. I mention this separately because it’s not enjoyable.

Grin That made me laugh.

Shopping, visiting relatives, visiting places that are now closed mainly, going to the pub. We have a dog so we would have been out walking anyway, but since everyone has been out walking we have discovered new places to walk to by looking at their pictures. Today we are going on a walk to somewhere we havent been before.

Phineyj · 17/01/2021 08:16

I was brought up that you went for a walk if you hadn't had any other exercise (one of the weird things about the pandemic is the way it feels Iike a series of Sundays in the 70s but with better tech). I think some people have inadvertently become my parents!!

2020-1 has made me really appreciate the swimming pool's existence. I am going to practically live at David Lloyd once all this is over.

LuckyJaney · 17/01/2021 08:17

I think the OP has a point and posters are pretending not to notice.

I agree with the OP.

As a family who love walking and always have, it's quite surprising to me that so many people don't walk usually, and only do so when everything else is shut.

I think that is the point of her post.

And I also get cross when 'new' walkers are ignorant of the countryside code, leave farm gates open even ones with 'sheep - please close gate' - wander off the waymarked paths onto private farm land, and trespass over fields planted with crops.

So there.

Mousehole10 · 17/01/2021 08:18

What do you do when you’re not walking? During the week I’d be at work, at the weekend seeing friends and family, going to restaurants, cafes, shopping, day trips. Now I’m on mat leave, there’s nothing to do, I go walking.

Iggly · 17/01/2021 08:19

@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!)

You’ve answered your own question OP.

“Since covid”.

I think what you really meant to do was moan about all the extra people in your way even though you know the risks of catching it when walking past someone outside are minimal and you know you don’t own the land.

The people outside I can’t stand are the ones who glare even though you’ve given them as much space as possible without putting your life in danger 🤨

ChessIsASport · 17/01/2021 08:20

@AmoElCafe I would never tut and anyone. You must not have read my post, which you quoted from, carefully. I said that I know feeling this way is unreasonable. So obviously I would never ‘tut’ at other walkers. I smile and say ‘good morning’. Obviously we will all be happy when things become more normal again. Have a lovely walk if you go out today. Grin

AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 08:20

As a family who love walking and always have, it's quite surprising to me that so many people don't walk usually, and only do so when everything else is shut

I don’t walk usually because I prefer to get my exercise in different ways. Why is that surprising?
I usually teach dance classes most of the day on a Saturday. Swim on a Sunday. I go to 2 early morning Pilates class. I walk my children to school and back most days (a mile each way) but I don’t ‘go for a walk’.

LuckyJaney · 17/01/2021 08:23

@AmoElCafe

As a family who love walking and always have, it's quite surprising to me that so many people don't walk usually, and only do so when everything else is shut

I don’t walk usually because I prefer to get my exercise in different ways. Why is that surprising?
I usually teach dance classes most of the day on a Saturday. Swim on a Sunday. I go to 2 early morning Pilates class. I walk my children to school and back most days (a mile each way) but I don’t ‘go for a walk’.

It's surprising because country walks are very educational for kids, free and good for the health, being in green spaces.

It's sad that whole generations of kids are not being exposed to the pleasure of walking and the countryside when it's free.

KatherineJaneway · 17/01/2021 08:25

The gym! I don't particularly like going for walks but with no gyms open I need exercise.

AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 08:25

It's sad that whole generations of kids are not being exposed to the pleasure of walking and the countryside when it's free

Well no need to be sad, my children get plenty of exercise and education in ways that they enjoy. Including occasionally walks in the countryside. Just not every fucking day, like they are at the moment.

redsquirrelfan · 17/01/2021 08:25

Not sure gyms being shut is a reason (and I agree they are not enjoyable) as there are so many online classes. I work with my PT online. It's not ideal though, it has to be said.

To be fair the weather has been dull and grey for much of January and yesterday there were blue skies where I am and you could actually see the sun! So I am not surprised people wrapped up and went out. I went out for a run yesterday afternoon and it was very busy.

Iggly · 17/01/2021 08:27

The country side isn’t accessible to everyone? That’s a very well known issue. Plus some people don’t feel comfortable navigating their way around even if it seems easy to some.

tinierclanger · 17/01/2021 08:28

@LuckyJaney

I think the OP has a point and posters are pretending not to notice.

I agree with the OP.

As a family who love walking and always have, it's quite surprising to me that so many people don't walk usually, and only do so when everything else is shut.

I think that is the point of her post.

And I also get cross when 'new' walkers are ignorant of the countryside code, leave farm gates open even ones with 'sheep - please close gate' - wander off the waymarked paths onto private farm land, and trespass over fields planted with crops.

So there.

Ah, so the actual point is that everyone should love walking and do it every weekend? Or that some people are just "better" for walking?

Like most of the other people posting, here's the other things we might be doing if we could

  • swimming
  • going to a shopping centre
  • cinema
  • hanging out with other people
  • climbing wall
  • trampolining
  • zoo
  • going for a walk

Also, we might be doing things separately as my older one might be off with his friends in town.

Now we go for a family walk. Partly because there's nothing else to do but also because

  • the kids aren't getting their normal exercise level from being at and walking to school
  • I'm not getting my normal exercise from walking to get to work
  • we are in the house all the time otherwise

Pre pandemic, we would either have done other stuff OR yes we might have stayed in all weekend being lazy sometimes because we had other things going on in our lives.

To the poster who is sad that otherwise children would not be getting delightful country walks, you do realise that people probably did them before, don't you? Just not EVERY weekend, so the walking traffic that the OP was moaning about, would be more spread out and less noticeable.

Blackdog19 · 17/01/2021 08:28

@TwoleftUggs

Such a stupid question op. I would normally just scroll on by but your faux ignorance has really irritated me.
Same, what a stupid question OP. Normally I’d ignore, but am feeling fed up. So bored. Apologies for spoiling “proper walkers’ walking”. Would you rather we all stayed inside 24/7 because you’re clearly more deserving of time spent walking than we are.
Phineyj · 17/01/2021 08:29

Online classes are rubbish! I just can't see what they're doing or follow on a tiny screen. And I'm on a screen all day now. Rather go for a walk...

BoKatan · 17/01/2021 08:30

Seriously? Is this some weird "reverse" post where you try to make a point about judgemental people... Or are you genuinely this dense?