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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

To go to a local garden centre?

339 replies

Thetimehascomethewalrussaid · 19/01/2021 09:58

I feel like I might get flamed for this. I'm on maternity leave and obviously we're in full lockdown. Where I live is also currently in the throes of Storm Christoph and the rain outside is literally like the wrath of god - so no chance of a walk. My baby is teething and really grumpy and I'm going out of my mind being stuck in the same four walls all day every day. All baby classes have been cancelled, can't even go somewhere for a quick coffee to break up the day. My husband is at work (he's a teacher and over half of the school are in because the government have massively expanded the list of what constitutes a 'key worker' - so it's not really a lockdown, but that's another thread!) We have a support bubble because we have a child under 1 but they're also at work in the week (also teachers). Our local garden centre (2 min drive away) is open - would I be unreasonable to pack the baby in the car and go and have a look round there for an hour? Just to break up the day and regain a bit of sanity? Not an essential journey, but arguably important for mental health! My husband now has weekly COVID tests - he had one yesterday and it was negative so it's highly unlikely we have it! Feel like I'm going mad!

OP posts:
TheQueef · 19/01/2021 10:00

Yes yabu.

Summersun2020 · 19/01/2021 10:01

You will get flamed here but no I don’t think YABU. Social distance and wear a mask.

DareIask · 19/01/2021 10:01

I'm afraid very unreasonable.

I'm also bored senseless (haven't needed to go out so I haven't).

Stay at home

12frogsincoats · 19/01/2021 10:02

They're open, aren't they? May as well go.

Thetimehascomethewalrussaid · 19/01/2021 10:02

@12frogsincoats

They're open, aren't they? May as well go.
That's my thinking!
OP posts:
GirlCrush · 19/01/2021 10:02

What about the staff?? Don’t THEY matter?

They are at high risk of covid and mental health watching non essential shoppers....browsers in your case.... are making staff anxious!

Xmasgrump · 19/01/2021 10:02

FFS

PawPawNoodle · 19/01/2021 10:02

Not an essential journey, but arguably important for mental health

Only the first bit of your sentence applies at the moment if you're planning on going to a retail establishment.

Aren't most gardening centres mainly outdoors anyway? You might as well just put some waterproofs on and walk around the park.

GirlCrush · 19/01/2021 10:03

They are open?? Yes for ESSENTIALS!!

Staff won’t want you in otherwise

VinylDetective · 19/01/2021 10:03

Of course you can go. It’s open for business. Would there be all this angst about going to a supermarket? Of course not. Just go.

PawPawNoodle · 19/01/2021 10:04

@VinylDetective

Of course you can go. It’s open for business. Would there be all this angst about going to a supermarket? Of course not. Just go.
Yes, there would be if someone was proposing to just go and wander round it aimlessly.
GirlCrush · 19/01/2021 10:04

Arguably for mental health??

What does that even mean?

Unanananana · 19/01/2021 10:04

YABU. Its not essential. Sorry you feel that way but you are not the only one and boredom is not reason enough to potentially spread or catch covid.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 19/01/2021 10:06

We are ALL bored. Garden centre isn't alton towers

VinylDetective · 19/01/2021 10:10

Yes, there would be if someone was proposing to just go and wander round it aimlessly.

OK so she buys something. Not that it makes any difference, it’s the being there at all that’s the issue. I see the dementors are out in force this morning.

Sparklingbrook · 19/01/2021 10:10

I wouldn't go to a place which had loads of other people/staff and couldn't ensure social distancing etc to spend an hour just browsing. Seems unnecessarily risky, especially taking the baby too.

In and out for some cat litter maybe.

AlwaysLatte · 19/01/2021 10:13

We collected some trees we had ordered ages ago, yesterday, and the place was empty but still open. We were the only ones there, about 6m away from the lady working there so it felt safer than anywhere (not a chain, and it didn't have an indoor area).

DareIask · 19/01/2021 10:14

Think I might go for a mooch around Tesco this morning, call in at the Range on my way to M&S for a sandwich.
Pop into the garden centre for an hour and then make my way home via Sainsbury's to pick up something for tea.

Cos I'm bored.

🙄

Or maybe not.

TheQueenRaven · 19/01/2021 10:16

Go! Have a browse. Buy some seeds for spring. Get a coffee. You're on maternity leave, doing something perfectly legal.

AlwaysLatte · 19/01/2021 10:17

Mind you, that one didn't have a coffee shop. I wouldn't go unless I needed to and wouldn't hang around...

TheQueef · 19/01/2021 10:17

Just in case you are seriously asking OP the garden centre is open so it can sell items.
As safely as possible.
Social distanced orders/ delivery.
Not for browsing.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 19/01/2021 10:18

Wandering around for an hour is totally different to nipping in and picking up an essential item.

You don't have covid, but any one of the staff or customers could.

I'm sorry you're feeling stuck, I totally get it, I have 5 children at home with me and it isn't easy, but the more people find technicalities within the rules so they can do what they wish, the longer this will go on.

Hope the weather improves so you can get out on a much needed walk soon Flowers

VinylDetective · 19/01/2021 10:18

This reply has been deleted

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Sparklingbrook · 19/01/2021 10:19

If you have the NHS Covid app on your phone an hour would be more than enough time to get it pinging.

Dita73 · 19/01/2021 10:19

Why are garden centres open? You never need an emergency hydrangea. Weird