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Original poster

Lockdown - was I in the wrong?

342 replies

JigsawGirl11 · 11/04/2020 16:19

So today me and DH went out for a bike ride (I will admit straight away that we didn't ride at all before lockdown and bought bikes so we can take advantage of the daily exercise a little better)

We took a bottle of water and a little packet of 6 mini sausage rolls we had in the fridge. After around 45 mins we sat down at a bench had a drink and ate the sausage rolls, police drove past once, went about 200 yards to the next roundabout and came back and told us off.

The policeman was pretty polite and apologetic, he said that we need to move on as if his Sargent saw he would fine us on the spot.

Obviously we moved on, there's no point trying to push the boundaries and I know health and the general stay at home advice is important. Personally I am a bit put out by such an infringement of what's usually a basic human right and the common sense that it we didn't have sausage rolls we prob would have been able to have a break/drink of water whilst on the bike ride.

I hope no-one is going to jump on about scold me like a child, obviously I thought what we did was okay or we wouldn't have done it but I'm interested to hear other people's opinions.

OP posts:
breakingbetter · 11/04/2020 18:49

No, @Amymayapple we have many more privileges than most countries in lockdown - we're actually allowed out of our house. Yet, people still have to push the boundaries.

AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter · 11/04/2020 18:50

She is allowed to go out for exercise, if she feels sick from morning sickness, then she is allowed to sit down for a few minutes

Clearly she isn't otherwise she wouldnt have been asked to move by a police man would she?

Amymayapple · 11/04/2020 18:50

@MamaBearLockdown no one said that anywhere. They said that a human being - being able to sit down and rest for a few minutes is a basic human right.

midgebabe · 11/04/2020 18:51

Diabetics can exercise for hours without snacking midway, as should most people be able to ( beyond very small children )
If diabetics have problems it's a few jelly babies not a sausage roll that they will eat

breakingbetter · 11/04/2020 18:52

There's also sitting down for a few minutes, and pre-planning a packet of sausage rolls

Amymayapple · 11/04/2020 18:53

@breakingbetter you do not have more privileges than many other countries.

Here in Ireland,

We are Allowed to sit on a bench
We are Allowed out for exercise for as many hours as we want. I sat in the park for five hours today reading a book and sunbathing.
I haven't seen police ask anyone to move on

I am shocked at the level of control in the UK. It is important that you know this.

AnnieP1 · 11/04/2020 18:54

Seriously why does just about everyone have to be so absolutely horrid on these threads. It's so bloody depressing to see the level of vitriol on Mumsnet at the moment. Everyone is scared just show a little compassion for God's sake. And just a thought if it was soooo easy to transmit how come every single one of us doesn't have it? Please don't bother with the 'BUT PEOPLE WILL DIE' shrieks either.

Shitsgettingcrazy · 11/04/2020 18:54

Come on it's not like OP committed the crime of the century. Given that she is suffering MS so bad, this really wasnt the best idea.

But lets put it into perspective. It's really not the end of the world.

Yesthatsme · 11/04/2020 18:54

So

OP needs to eat every 30 minutes but stopped at 45mins to snack?

OP is pregnant and taking up a new form of exercise?

OP - doesn’t need to be so flippant. It’s a short term situation with rules. Just follow them. You are not so special that you need a separate set of rules

yoloPenguinsEatfish · 11/04/2020 18:56

jigsaw you're getting an unreasonably hard time here. Keeping fit, getting fresh air while pregnant are good things, esp if you have horrible morning sickness - it's a distraction as much as anything. I cant' imaging you are doing hard-on mountain biking, more a gentle form of exercise.

And for those questioning the elderly going out for little walks - I am so glad my DM is not here to cope with this, she would have gone completely insane thinking she couldnt walk round the block, or even god forbid up the steps to the beach to sit on a bench.

Some people are really OTT with their directions to other people.

Amymayapple · 11/04/2020 18:57

I am surprised that some people on here think that the Uk has more privileges than other countries.

I can sit on a bench in Ireland
I can exercise outside for as long as I want In Ireland
I can sit in a park in ireland - i sat out in a park for many hours today, and there were many people there sunbathing all day. We were all socially distanced from each other.

The Uk sounds like hell.

Protest!!

yoloPenguinsEatfish · 11/04/2020 18:57

pre-planning a packet of sausage rolls OMFG the sheer horror! Grin

PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock · 11/04/2020 18:59

Akin to conspiracy to commit murder according to some pp.

cadburyegg · 11/04/2020 18:59

OP you were in the wrong but the amount of vitriol on this thread is unnecessary.

Best wishes for a smooth pregnancy Flowers

nellythenarwhal · 11/04/2020 19:03

Last time I went to the supermarket I sat down on a bench outside to catch my breath because I thought I was going to have a panic attack.

2 PCSOs came over and guess what- I wasn't fined. They asked me if I was ok. They spoke to me for a bit until my breathing stabilised and we went our separate ways.

I could have caught COVID-19 from the bench but luckily the police were sympathetic to my plight and see that I wasn't taking the piss.

OP I think you were a bit unreasonable not to time your exercise so that you got back home for when you were hungry because a picnic is obviously not in the spirit of things and you didn't have handwashing facilities before you ate. I know there's no proof that you can pass CV to the baby right now but pregnancy is uncomfortable enough without being ill too.

KatherineJaneway · 11/04/2020 19:04

How it looks from the outside is you used exercise as an excuse for a bit of an outing.

youkiddingme · 11/04/2020 19:04

The idea is to MINIMISE the amount of time people are outside and contact with others. Getting adequate exercise can be difficult indoors. Therefore you are allowed out to exercise. Just exercise. You can eat sausage rolls indoors.
Having a picnic in the middle of a pandemic is not a basic human right.

BreatheAndFocus · 11/04/2020 19:04

You made an honest mistake. The rules say you’re not allowed to sit down while out exercising. I didn’t realise that for the first few days either. You have to keep moving.

It’s to stop picnics, sun-bathing, general hanging around.

PrivateD00r · 11/04/2020 19:07

OP the issue really is that you are allowed out to partake in exercise, but buying bikes and cycling to the beach to have a picnic is obviously taking the piss. I understand why you want to, it is a crap time to be pregnant! But seriously, taking up a new hobby and then using it to get to the beach for a picnic is really irresponsible right now, sorry!

PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock · 11/04/2020 19:12

@PrivateD00r there was no beach. Everyone is outrage anyways,no need to add extra.

She sat on a bench. For a few minutes and had some mini sausage rolls.

Teana89 · 11/04/2020 19:14

Even Mark from Ladbaby is managing to refrain from stopping for a cheeky sausage roll.

YABTU.

waterlego · 11/04/2020 19:16

The rules say you’re not allowed to sit down while out exercising

Does it actually say that in the legislation? Or is it that different local authorities/different police forces interpret and implement the laws differently?

I live near a beach and a large green where I walk my dog daily. Although I keep moving, I have often seen people sitting on benches and on the grass- in pairs or solo, not large groups. The police and beach patrol regularly come past and I am yet to see anyone being moved on.

Bollards21 · 11/04/2020 19:16

It is clear as day you were wrong...we have 1000 people a day dying....some of whom would not have dies if people had not contaminated public places. The most basic human right is to live...it trumps your need for a picnic.Most of us are obeying the rules...dont destroy what little we have left.

FizzAfterSix · 11/04/2020 19:17

Sorry OP.
This situation is bringing out the inner stasi in so many.
I’m shocked.

Notnownotneverever · 11/04/2020 19:18

Not crime of the century but yes you broke the rules and were in the wrong.
Doing more dangerous exercise like bike riding, more so as you are new to it, is advised against. If you have an accident you would be putting more pressure on a stretched NHS. As a pregnant woman I would except you would want to do all you could to avoid going to A&E particularly right now.
I would be less worried about your snacks and more worried about your bike riding.