So I can't go for 2 walks but I can go to a garden centre

[AliceAbsolum]

Don't understand the once a day rule. Never have. A little afternoon walk keeps me sane.

Moan moan moan.

This new lockdown announcement is so frustrating - Completely agree that there are flaws in the new lockdown! Was really hoping for a turn around in 2021 although knew not to expect too much but this really feels like a few steps in the wrong direction.

Place of worship immune to COVID mind.

I'm not over 70 and I love garden centres. I'm in my 40s.

I really wanted to go today, but DS's school closed and after I looked at the local covid rate I thought 'nah maybe it wasn't a great idea anyway'.

I bought a bunch of gardening stuff online on Saturday anticipating the lockdown as I didn't want a repeat of last year where you couldn't get hold of anything when the garden centres closed. Everything was sold out online with 3 or 4 week waits for everything (especially compost). It wouldn't surprise me at all if in a couple of weeks they are closed. Certainly I expect many to switch to click and collect regardless. And tbh I think that they probably should all be click and collect only like other shops.

Gardening saved my sanity last year though. Don't knock it. And if its keeping the over 70s sane too, it shouldn't be mocked.

When I go for a walk it's at least 2 hours long. If I need to go out twice a day then I will. My already very poor mental health (I have a serious and complex mental illness) can't take much more and going for walks is helpful.

@Splodgetastic

I might now get a large dog requiring multiple walks...

Better to get a smaller one. Lots of large/giant breeds don’t need as much exercise as people think. Plus - smaller poo to pick up 💩🤣

@LastTrainEast

All the rules are intended to minimise contact. They are not perfect rules and they don't cover every situation, but it's like when you were kids and your mum would say "Stop kicking the table" and you'd kick the chair because she hadn't actually said said you couldn't kick the chair so that was allowed.

I read that too fast and thought it said “stop licking the table” and thought, my mum never had that foresight 😂

I hardly went out at all through the march lock down. I'm not doing that again ! I'll go for as many walks as I feel are necessary to keep myself sane.

Those of you who don't like it are quite welcome to come and pick up my autistic 7 year old who is likely to turn into a screaming ball of rage tomorrow until schools reopen and have him for the duration of lock down

@notanothertakeaway

Exactly
Why do people insist on pushing the rules and self rationalisations to say they need it?
Everyone can have an excuse and look where that has got the country.

@Olivere

Why are garden centres deemed essential anyway?

The last time they closed the garden centres in the first lockdown they had to throw away many millions of plants. They are seasonal, and need to be sold and planted at the right time of year. I believe the cost to the horticultural industry was about £200 million.

You can't just put living plants in a box on a shelf and lock them in a warehouse for a couple of months. They are perishable and have a short shelf life.

This was posted by ifthesockfits it bears repeating.

My local dobbies garden centre rent just opened a small sainsburys within the store mrs I g that they can now stay open. Absolute greed on the part of this business to get around the rules. Considering I did pop in in when I was purchasing Christmas items I wouldnt be back as it way overpriced compared to a regular store.

I go out twice most days to sort my horse. I'm not going to leave her standing in a dirty stable without her breakfast.

It says "should" be limited. If you pick a quiet time of day, then two walks isn't going to be a major breach.

I think the guidelines are really just trying to stop people thinking it would be a good idea to go hiking for the day, or start training for a marathon.

It's just about being sensible, and not putting yourself or others at risk.

@HeddaGarbled

Gardening is safe, socially distanced exercise and very good for mental health. Garden centres are mostly outdoor.

You could say that about golf, tennis etc. which are not permitted. And garden centres are not the same as gardening.

No-one needs a garden centre to garden. There are plenty of online retailers or click and collect could be offered.

@Splodgetastic

I might now get a large dog requiring multiple walks...

Huge numbers of five - seven month old pups in rescues at the moment

Walk to the garden center
Walk home from the garden center
Go for your afternoon walk
Walk to the local shop to get milk/butter

In lockdown 1 our local cycle club teamed up with the local gp and delivered much needed prescriptions to those shielding- it meant they got there much needed medication, the cyclists got their exercise and all done swiftly safely and eco friendly

I live in the countryside and most of our garden centres house farmers markets or food supplies. We get 90% of food this way which means we don’t need to go to supermarkets.

Garden centre is essential for us, it's the only place where I live that sells salt water for our fish tank which needs to be changed once a month, just because others don't see it as an essential, doesn't mean it isn't 🤷

@ivykaty44

Walk to the garden center Walk home from the garden center Go for your afternoon walk Walk to the local shop to get milk/butter

Thanks, you planned my day everyday for the next 7 weeks

Why is everyone frothing over garden centres so much?! Every garden centre local to me has an aquatics section for fish keeping essentials, pet food, some have small Sainsbury's branches inside (Dobbies). It's not just bloody seeds and compost, most have diversified to sell a lot of essential items.

Also, B&M and Home Bargains, does everyone remember they sell food and cleaning supplies?!

People are bemoaning click and collect - but you queue outside the store, distanced, in a mask to get your order and the store get to stay in business. Why is that an issue?

As for lambasting people for wanting a walk more than once a day - where the fuck is your humanity? Outside transmission is virtually 0, hence play areas and allotments staying open. Shocking the number of posters that want us rocking in a corner at home.

Our local garden centre has closed (they don't sell fish supplies as far as I know)

They opened up again really early on, stayed open through second lockdown, kept their gift shop open too (did a roaring trade before Christmas) their cafe continued with take aways - it has been packed, it felt wrong.....but finally last night they announced full closure, I'm glad they're taking it seriously at last.

@ZaraCarmichaelshighheels

Beer is also perishable and pubs and breweries had to throw away millions of pounds worth of the stuff.
What about food in restaurants kitchens?
They weren't allowed to stay open.

Libraries are open for click and collect - so include a walk to the library and you'll get even more exercise, or perhaps skate to the library for a change of muscles. Order a book per days and this will give you several trips over the coming weeks.

calmandmeasured1 that's a fair point. However, garden centres are permitted to stay open! I wonder who will be going to them

@Timbucktime
Quite a lot of people I think, because there will be bugger all else to to.
We aren't meant to be doing anything except staying at home and only leaving our homes when absolutely necessary for one of the permitted reasons.

Half of the people moaning have probably never gone for a walk or done exercise b4.

A lot will have walked to the bus, from the bus, to and from the shop at lunchtime, up and down a long office building for meetings and the toilet...staying at home removes all that unnoticed activity and that why getting out for a quick walk multiple times a day is important. If you live where you can socially distance I don't see the problem - and it's not illegal.

I would point out that excess weight is a risk factor so we surely don't want to be pressuring people to remain indoors.