Can we drive to an area for a walk?

[Swissrollypoly]

Or is it like last time when you had to walk/exercise in your local area.
I want to be able to take my toddler on a walk in the woods that’s a 15 min drive from us.

[SoloMummy]

@Mudlark1ng

Solomummy that quote was in reference to using public transport.

They’ve said meeting your support bubble in countryside, beaches etc is ok. Driving in those circumstances will be very likely.

Yet again this is solely manipulating and interpreting.

If you live within walking distance of a beach, then walk there and enjoy it. I will be. If you need to drive there then it's not essential, so against the released guidance.

[MissMarplesGlove]

I feel it’s a reasonable and responsible decision as it’s a big woodland area and we hardly see anybody when we are there

As long as you don't have an accident while driving ...

[SoloMummy]

@Noideawottodo

I wouldn't walk 5 miles along country B roads with no pavements!

Then you should be walking around your village too!

[Jemenfouscompletement]

You are so lucky in the UK to be able to do unlimited exercise. Here in France 1 hour a day and no more than 1km from home. And we can't exercise with anyone from a different household.

[Noideawottodo]

I'll walk wherever I please, I often drive 30 mins to walk and will continue to do so unless told otherwise.

[randomer]

Is it discouraged incase you break down, then have to interact with people?

[Sweetchillijam]

It depends on your view. Ideally, I would say walk run cycle exercise locally on or from your doorstep if at all possible.

But if you live on a main high street in a city centre then it sounds reasonable.

Of course some people will be furloughed and they will be out exercising all day, every day all over the place and taking photos to post on facebook of all the places they have been while the rest of us go out to work or work from home. Whereas hopefully most of us will do the right thing and exercise on the same boring walks and routes when we go out.

[Palavah]

This

[Deadgoldfish]

@SoloMummy - it does NOT have to be bloody exercise ! And it is quite clear that you are allowed to visit public places. If you wanted to drive 10 minutes to the woods, or the park and meet your friend to sit on the ground for two hours - you could. And it would be no one else’s business.

And please, let’s not head back to the “you are only allowed out once a day” bollocks 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Orcus]

Yet again this is solely manipulating and interpreting.

If you live within walking distance of a beach, then walk there and enjoy it. I will be. If you need to drive there then it's not essential, so against the released guidance.

You very clearly don't understand what you're talking about. Why on earth do you think you're qualified to lecture people?

[TravellingSpoon]

Its very easy to tell people not to drive somewhere when you live next to a beach solomummy

Not all of us are as lucky, and need to drive to get somewhere that is accessible.

I live in the middle of a city that has been in lock down for a very long time. I dont want to be walking down busy, jam packed roads for my exercise , so I will drive 7 minutes down the road to the local country park to walk, with my DS, as we did every day of the last lockdown.

These threads always end up the same way, with privileged zealots coming on to tell other folk why they should/shouldn't do the most minor of things.

[AlwaysLatte]

Staying close to home means less need for fuel, toilets, possible breakdowns, food stops etc so therefore fewer interactions with other people. But if you live in an urban area and the nearest green spot is a short drive away I'm sure that would be ok, especially if it's combined with a trip the the supermarket or chemist, vulnerable person if you do any of that.

[Palavah]

Just do it.

[Orcus]

These threads always end up the same way, with privileged zealots coming on to tell other folk why they should/shouldn't do the most minor of things.

I must admit I do enjoy laughing at people who are all of a sudden legal experts though. Hey, it's free and socially distanced entertainment.

[SpinningWheelOfFortune]

www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

Apologies if someone has already posted this, I couldn't see it anywhere. These are the guidelines and they say you can leave your home to exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public space. No mention of don't drive anywhere.

[Deadgoldfish]

There are people with serious mental health issues, who are totally isolating themselves when they don’t need to. Scared to go for walks or to visit family members for support when they are close to suicide. That fear is encouraged by ridiculous scaremongering and judgement from a load of frothing idiots.

If you want to make a rule for yourselves and follow it so you are only allowed out for exercise locally, probably once a day, then you crack on with that.

But don’t try and force your ridiculous ideas on others. People are being sectioned more, which is also putting strain on the NHS, relapsing from addiction, and dying from suicide. So please just stop it.

[Beamur]

The early message from the Govt seems to be quite positive and encouraging about exercise. It's not limited and you can go with a friend. I would have thought driving a fairly short distance to do that somewhere more amenable and scenic would be fine.

[Noideawottodo]

@Deadgoldfish

There are people with serious mental health issues, who are totally isolating themselves when they don’t need to. Scared to go for walks or to visit family members for support when they are close to suicide. That fear is encouraged by ridiculous scaremongering and judgement from a load of frothing idiots.

If you want to make a rule for yourselves and follow it so you are only allowed out for exercise locally, probably once a day, then you crack on with that.

But don’t try and force your ridiculous ideas on others. People are being sectioned more, which is also putting strain on the NHS, relapsing from addiction, and dying from suicide. So please just stop it.

Hear hear.

[WonderMoon]

Yes, you should do it op. Our nearest park is also about a 15 min drive away so we will be going there most days if the weather is dry. It's a great big park and lovely for my 14 month old to get some fresh air and stretch her legs.

I don't see how this is a problem.

[WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants]

@Ellmau

The guidance says You should avoid all non-essential travel by private or public transport. Exercise is not given as one of the exemptions. But I doubt there will be roadblocks.

The guidance for where & when was it posted?

[IdblowJonSnow]

Yes, I would.

[Mudlark1ng]

It is essential for my ds Solo. He is battling mental illness and frankly I don’t want him suicidal agin, in a darkened room 24/7 but would rather he continues making progress and eventually makes room for other struggling children thus easing the pressure on the NHS.

[Deadgoldfish]

amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/driving-for-exercise-allowed-under-lockdown-rules-police-advised-coronavirus

It was allowed last time and is allowed again.

[WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants]

@Mudlark1ng

My dc is too ill for school and under psychiatrist and clinical psychologist. Believe me we have the back up if anybody wanted to see it.

I don’t want him recorded by a vigilante and plastered all over the local news. There must be a way to get permission. Numbers struggling with mental illness have rocketed since last time.

From what Boris said yesterday I don't think there will be anything to prevent you doing what you do anyway.

I understand you wanting 'permission' so that you don't have a confrontation, but even if you have permission it won't stop some passerby posting a photo or whatever on SM.

I think all you can do is report it if you see it.

(I have a similar situation, but different issues. So I do understand where you're coming from)

[Rosebudsandraindrops]

My support bubble is 7 miles away and I feel scared to drive there even now. I’m terrified I will get stopped.
I don’t even feel like I want to drive the dc the 3 miles to their schools.
This is how I felt last time too. Constantly on edge, as though I might be arrested at any moment.
I’m done with it. If I’m stuck in this house in a difficult marriage (the support bubble is a single adult so technically I am their support bubble but tbh it’s working both ways) and I can’t even go for a walk with someone then I might as well end it all now. My parents are about 5 miles away and I thought maybe I could meet my mum on her own and walk around the park but seemingly I can’t do that either. I’ve no friends within walking distance so that means I can’t see anyone outside my household again doesn’t it.
Forget it. I’m done.