Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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:
MargosKaftan · 17/01/2021 09:10

We would occasionally go for a walk in our local area, but our usual weekend activities would be:

Taking dcs to dance or swimming classes
Dcs having parties to attend
Wall climbing or trampolining Park
Visiting national trust locations to do a walk/explore
Meeting friends/family for lunch
Dh taking part in cycling races (if it was somewhere interesting, we'd all go to watch)
Us all go swimming
Play dates with dcs friends
Go to the cinema

There is nothing to do. No routine. Those of us who usually have a lot of exercise in their day (commuting) suddenly dont.

You can walk or run. That's it. So yes, im getting my dcs out everyday to do something.

Dont worry, everything will restart soon and MNers will be moaning about how much nicer it was when there was nothing to do and how dare people invite them out for dinner at a time that doesn't suit to a restaurant they don't like...

CaptainMyCaptain · 17/01/2021 09:12

I'm a regular walker too and, yes, there are more people out that usual for all the reasons people have already mentioned. In my area which is semi-rural with some pavement walking, though, people are very good at stepping out of the way or crossing the road. It's a mutual thing I don't just expect them to move because I'm the more regular walker.

Unlike you, I hope more people continue to walk because it's good for their health.

sunsetorange · 17/01/2021 09:13

Because there is absolutely nothing else to do.

Fizbosshoes · 17/01/2021 09:14

I notice that some people (runners, walkers, dog walkers) almost seem a bit possessive of the area that they always walk (I was here first, type thing) and are annoyed that it's more crowded and now other people are there.
Theres literally nothing else to do! Even lazy people who dont like walking will probably force themselves out for a walk because they dont want to be indoors all the time!
I run regularly and I know lots of routes away from the more "obvious" parks and footpaths which tend to be busier. But me and DH walked a 5 mile route the other day in country lanes , I've run it multiple times and I never see anyone. Last week we saw probably 12 sets of people walking/cycling. I think it's nice, it means people are exploring their local areas more.

Russellbrandshair · 17/01/2021 09:14

wow- this is such a mystery isnt it?
It really is a riddle.

If only there was some worldwide event that could explain why people are at home more and are more bored than usual......

Nope- just cant think of anything! this will have to stay a mystery, just like lord lucan!

HazeyJaneII · 17/01/2021 09:18

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

Could it be because there is fuck all else to do?

It doesn't surprise me in the least that this has infuriated all the arseholes people who....'I've walked every day here for years, how dare these people invade my hallowed turf, stumbling around breathing and not understanding how to walk single file...'

Godimabitch · 17/01/2021 09:20

There used to be a million things they could be doing, including walking elsewhere. Now all you can do outside your home is walk in your local area, so lots of people are doing that instead.

AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 09:20

@Russellbrandshair

wow- this is such a mystery isnt it? It really is a riddle.

If only there was some worldwide event that could explain why people are at home more and are more bored than usual......

Nope- just cant think of anything! this will have to stay a mystery, just like lord lucan!

Maybe one day someone will write a research paper entitled something along the lines of ‘The Great Mystery of 2020/21... research into why, in the pandemic which led to a shutdown of all non essential shops, gyms, grass roots sports, indoor leisure facilities, cafes, bars and restaurants, and in which it was illegal for people to visit their friends and family, did more people go for a walk in their local area’. Until then, I guess we just don’t know.
Rainb0wDrops · 17/01/2021 09:21

@MrsExpo

I could have written this post, as we are in an identical situation. Do you live hear me OP?

However, I’m looking at it from a different perspective. Yes, the folks who are now walking in “my” countryside area are people who normally would be working or doing other things. But, through meeting them out walking, often with dogs but not always, I have discovered that my neighbours are a friendly, interesting and generous group of folks. I’ve make lots of new friends - people I’ve lived within 200 yards of for 20 years but not met until this last year, got to know them as people and feel happy to have as neighbours. Many are people who are WFH or been furloughed, so are around when they would otherwise have been commuting to work somewhere.

So, why not try chatting to them next time you go out OP. You never know who you might meet, what you can do to get involved in your community and what friendships you might develop. Something extremely positive that has come about as a result of the pandemic.

No you probably don't live near each other, it's like that across the whole bloody country - if not the whole world!

It's really not rocket science to think of a few other activities people would be doing instead of traipsing around for yet another walk.

NotGenerationAlpha · 17/01/2021 09:25

Walking is the only thing left to do.

Nonamesavail · 17/01/2021 09:26

I think you are massively BU. Why are people not allowed to walk? Some people (many) are at home working so unless they go for a walk, cause there is nothing else to do, then they won't go outside. Shopping is meant to be essential so nothing else to do but walk. People need daylight!

Bookworming · 17/01/2021 09:26

@CaptainMyCaptain you see you're a nice reasonable person that understands that people are walking locally as they're stuck at home. You don't find that people walk in your way or to close to you, you also make sure you step out of the way.

It's strange that the miserable, self centred, entitled "I own the road and I was here first" people, seem to have an issue with people walking into them? Some might think they're the problem, walking in a way "I used to walk this way, when you lot were all in your offices and I'm not changing you anyone?"

UntamedWisteria · 17/01/2021 09:27

Similar situation to you OP.

As one of my neighbours said to me, when the outlet malls reopen they will disappear again.

Russellbrandshair · 17/01/2021 09:28

Until then, I guess we just don’t know

Yes- maybe one day we will have some answers.

Until then, all the mysterious walkers will probably end up on some "unexplained mysteries" TV programme - hosted by william shatner!

AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 09:28

@UntamedWisteria

Similar situation to you OP.

As one of my neighbours said to me, when the outlet malls reopen they will disappear again.

Yeah, because shopping and walking are literally the only two activities that exist.
goteam · 17/01/2021 09:29

We live in London not really but have regularly gone for a Sunday walk as we have lots of nature reserves etc nearby. They have become noticeably busier during lockdown but I don't resent anyone for it.

Like everyone else has pointed out, there is nothing else to do. I used to go swimming every day but can't now. I guess all the walkers would usually be in the pub, at soft play, at theme parks, clothes shopping, at spas, at galleries and museums, at the cinema or doing a million and one things that they can't at the moment leaving....going for a walk.

curtaincalll · 17/01/2021 09:29

I've noticed the same but the answer is obvious. A lot more runners as well who I assume would usually be in the gym.

We usually go outdoors all year round and find it fairly empty in autumn/winter. This year it's heaving. We also go to restaurants, holiday regularly, see shows and gigs, kids do activities, have days out etc etc. So presumably all of these people prefer these types of activities to walking hence why they're not normally there. Most people I know prefer walking around the shops to walking around a forest too so I would imagine that's where a lot of them would prefer to be!

HazeyJaneII · 17/01/2021 09:31

@UntamedWisteria

Similar situation to you OP.

As one of my neighbours said to me, when the outlet malls reopen they will disappear again.

Fucking hell, is the air thin up there in your lofty eyrie?!
Ifyoulikepinacoladaa · 17/01/2021 09:31

Is it really that hard to imagine what else people might have been doing normally on a Saturday?
Yabu. People can take up walking when they want to.

Benjispruce2 · 17/01/2021 09:32

It’s obvious OP. I’m a year round walker as I have a dog but I don’t begrudge anyone in this awful time. Very selfish attitude.

usedandabusedx1000 · 17/01/2021 09:32

I can’t believe you’ve posed the question “have they only just discovered walking”

It’s literally all we’re allowed to do. Check the news. Hope that helps.

bigbluebus · 17/01/2021 09:32

Even walkers are walking more and due to lockdown they are walking in their local area instead of going further afield.
DH runs our local village walking group. As a group we usually walk once a month. DH and I usually check the planned route out beforehand. We might do a walk or two at weekends on top of that in normal times. Since restrictions were put in place we have done a lot more walking from our front door. Our walking friends have too and DH has provided planned routes to members of the walking group to use so we know many more of them are walking too. Add to that all those (of all ages) who are walking the village lanes on a circular route just because it's their only opportunity to get out and exercise and it's bound to be busy.
As others have said, in normal times these people would be in gyms, shops, pubs, friends houses, at tourist attractions, standing on the touchline watching their child play sport at the weekends. Walking really is the only thing left to do.

AmoElCafe · 17/01/2021 09:33

What witty repartee your neighbour has, @UntamedWisteria.

LuckyJaney · 17/01/2021 09:33

@justanotherneighinparadise Why do you need to use such a word against women? Seriously, it's not clever or whatever, it's just horrible.

redcandlelight · 17/01/2021 09:34

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??

everything, really.
shopping
swimming
trampoline park
zoo
gym
bridge club
social club
pub
restaurant
choir
brass band