Can I drive 5 miles to walk in the woods?

[R2221]

Just that really. We’ve been isolating for over a week and these woods are the only thing that kept us sane. Isolated woods - not many people there. Those we came across were mindful of distance.

With the current lockdown rules, are we allowed to drive there?

Tonyaster no problem with you using your personal outside space.

Having a nasty dig at people in London having to (presumably) get to work on a packed tube because services have been reduced - not so nice.

And I dread to think what a comment like 'Bye Bye London' is meant to mean.

Tonyaster I think my response to you may have been for a different thread. But you will know what I refer to even if others don't.

Do those insulting the intelligence of people who need to walk their dogs more than once a day think it's preferable to have dog shit and piss in the house?

Even the strict lockdowns allow for dog toileting needs. We're not talking about group yomping. We're talking about 5 minutes round the block, and strict distance between us and any other people, for the dog to relieve itself.

Anybody who chooses to interpret the rules beyond the point of animal cruelty has a humanity issue. Anybody who thinks it's a good idea to let a dog shit and piss indoors has a humanity problem.

Because its scenes like that that will increase lockdown further, and spread the virus like wildfire in London. Public transport should close.

Essential = exercise
Non essential = driving to the woods

But if you are carrying it and are not yet aware, and you open a gate or lean on something to tie your laces, even if you don't see another person, someone else could come along later and become infected if they also touch the same thing? Just go for a walk around the block!

Yes possibly. Doesn't live for ever on hard surfaces.

I Milton the stile at the end of my land every other day 😇

The guidelines as they stand include leaving your house for exercise therefore I believe you can drive a short distance for a space suitable for exercise.

Of course you can drive to go for a walk!

No you can't!

Just go for a walk around the block!

Why's that better, you're much more likely to infect someone in a populated area.

I fail to see what's wrong with walking in the woods personally, so long as you stay within recommended distance from people.

I believe you can drive a short distance for a space suitable for exercise.
Non-essential travel is banned. Stay at home and exercise, or run around the block. You can’t travel anywhere to go and do the exercise.

Not read the whole thread..but what if everyone decided to go for a drive and walk in the woods?
Just stay home - walk locally if you need to for exercise/ mental health etc..if everyone thought the same the countryside would be overrun - Stay home! Or at least stay local don’t drive. The woods are not a requirement for a walk your street will do fine.

No.
Increased risk of car accident - pressure on NHS

Our (normally quiet) local woods are now packed with people doing similar

These threads demonstrate perfectly people’s inability, or outright refusal to think of anyone other than themselves. ‘I want to go for a walk in the woods, how can that possibly hurt anyone?’ they say. Because, you abject fool, if you are thinking that so are several hundred others. IT ISN’T JUST YOU! But they’ll never bloody get it because they just don’t want to.

I'm in despair at people who think that no essential travel means that it's fine to get in their car and drive to a place of their choosing.

Sorry, not 'no essential travel'! Only essential travel....

Meanwhile in the capital the tube is packed like a tin of sardines. These can’t all be key workers. The problem here is not people who live in the countryside using common sense to make sure they are coming into contact with the least amount of people possible, even if this means a short drive.

The problem here is not people who live in the countryside using common sense to make sure they are coming into contact with the least amount of people possible, even if this means a short drive.

Exactly.

Meanwhile in the capital the tube is packed like a tin of sardines.
Of course it is. People have to go to work. That is completely different from people choosing to travel so they can do their leisure activity.

Omfg. People just don't get it.
The whole idea if theblockdown is to RESUCE MOVEMENT ronresuce potential risk.and spread.

Essential travel.does not include driving to the woods, the beach, any local beauty spot no mayter how remote ir is.

Non essential means not necessary. Not important.

It does not matter if the woods,are more remote and have less people there your Government have told you non essential travel is banned.
Like the rest if us you need to suck it up. Do as you're told.

@AlexaAmbidextra are you as nasty in real life too? Do you really struggle to get your opinion across without insulting or abusing anyone? Do you think others don’t call you a fool (even when you make it soo obvious you are), because you are very clever?? Do you struggle to think of possibilities beyond your view of the world?

I have said repeatedly that this part of the national park is not popular with tourists. It’s huge, it’s easy to maintain social distance. I also said if we go there and find a lot of people have suddenly discovers this gem , we will go back home!!
A friend has been there this morning to walk her dog. Not a soul in sight.

Get on with your life now and remember, not everywhere is like a London park. Neither is every little green space super popular like the Snowdonia. And learn to get your point across without abusing/insulting, or you will soon realise you’ll be in isolation forever. No one wants nasty people in their lives!

It does not matter if the woods,are more remote and have less people there

Surely it should matter though.

The key thing in stopping the spread is minimising contact with other people.

Driving is adding to air pollution at a time when people's lungs are being compromised by a respiratory illness. For a non-essential journey, that is just selfish.

I live on the edge of Epping Forest and yesterday it was absolutely rammed with people and cars who had seemingly driven there to get their exercise. I have never seen this before. It was genuinely hard to stay more than 2m from people on the footpaths. OP might think they’re the only one to have this bright idea but you won’t be. You will more than likely come into contact with others and it’s just not necessary.