Walking "close to home" - what does this mean?

63,000 plus new Covid-19 cases today

1,325 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test recorded today.

Why would anyone want to put themselves or their loved ones in danger by being out of the home more than absolutely necessary?

Two women were find £200 each for driving 4 miles for a walk. Because they had coffee with them the police said it was a picnic. This is only guidance not the law as far as I know. It was ok for Dominic Cummings but not for ordinary people. Police being heavy handed I think.

Well I googlemapped the journey to the beach and it is 12 miles so couldn't cope with the thought of police turning up. So walked along the marine highway and had to keep moving aside. Not one other person did. So exasperating. People stopped to chat in groups of four barely keeping one metre apart. The beach would be so much better.

NotSpaghetti

My son just sent me this link!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-55560814

I saw that this morning. All very interesting isn’t it? What on earth we’re all those police officers doing in a reservoir car park...

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the police were as vigilant in investigating crimes such as burglaries as they are in harassing innocent walkers.

I thought we had seen the end of all this nonsense.

If they are not careful they will get a reputation for going after the easy target ie a couple of women out for a walk committing no crime whatsoever.

Who is it who says “give someone a bit of extra power and they will always always always abuse it” ?

We really shouldn’t be having this conversation. If the rules were laid down in a clear and concise way there wouldn’t be room for interpretation. Other countries manage and people know exactly where they stand. We have to many caveats to the rules that confuse people and allow them to make it up as they go along. Please don’t think I pointing a finger at anyone here. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve checked the government website to see exactly what is allowed - I’m still no clearer though?

I have two young dogs that need lots of exercise, but I have arthrisis in my back and in this cold weather walking even 15 mins on the pavement leaves me in pain. I drive my dogs 5 mins to a local park where they can run round like crazy whilst I stumble along the leafy path, and the nature around me is so good for my soul. I am a key worker and as such I have to drive two lots of 2.5 hours a day, getting out the car sees me staggering but a bit of gentle stretching and walking the dogs in the lovely woods, keeps me sane, and eases my back. I won't give this last bit of freedom and relaxation, but I happily forego shopping and crouded areas.

Grannynannywanny

If the details are accurate then I think it was a heavy handed reaction by the police officers. But I did wonder about the photos which look rather stage managed. It made me wonder who took the photo and how they managed it if the police surrounded their car and sent them home. Including a close up photo of their Starbucks cup with a caption saying it contained peppermint tea wasn’t necessary.

They'd obviously provided the press with another photo, looking very glamorous. A little bit of me says that these two young ladies are relishing their moment of fame. (And as for "mental health" ...)

Witzend

It might be more to the point if a few police started doing a plain clothes check of random supermarkets - and slapping instant fines on people who are wearing masks under their noses or on their chins.
From experience so far, no member of shop staff ever says a word.

Agree 100%

If the details are accurate then I think it was a heavy handed reaction by the police officers. But I did wonder about the photos which look rather stage managed. It made me wonder who took the photo and how they managed it if the police surrounded their car and sent them home. Including a close up photo of their Starbucks cup with a caption saying it contained peppermint tea wasn’t necessary.

NotSpaghetti

My friend ventured from England into Wales the other day

She just wanted to put the bins out.

^ Are you seriously monitoring my movements? What times I go out for a walk? Seriously....Is this the digital equivalent of curtain twitching?^


Oh, priceless.
You have given us all an extremely detailed account of your day-to-day movements in extremely lengthy posts.

Are we interested - not, not really, unless you break rules or bend them.

I imagine that the photo accompanying the article was taken some time later, Growstuff, and quite possibly nowhere near the site of the incident in question.
An alternative to finding a suitable stock photo.

I wonder who took the photo. The article says that they were surrounded as one of them got out of her car, so why were they still walking?

Calender37

NotSpaghetti. So glad your son sent this link. I found the BBC report at lunchtime today and would say that the content and responses from Police and The Cabinet Office say it all! Interesting that the ‘legislation’ does not specify interpretation of the word ‘local’. Since when has walking with a cup of any liquid in your hand constituted ‘A picnic’ ? Like so much - ‘as clear as mud’.
Along with hundreds of thousands of others I am continuing to abide by the strict rules and enduring ‘shielding’ for my own good and that of my fellow human beings.

On the other hand, why do people need to cling on to a cup of anything to walk through a field? Or at any time for that matter?

I agree with you NotSpaghetti. Ideally, everybody would stay within their own four walls to stop the virus spreading. This is an acceptance that people do need to stretch their legs occasionally and take dogs out for walks, but if people start taking advantage, it will ruin things for all of us. What happened to the idea of collective repsonsibility?

All this is probably brought on by police not fining Dominic Cummings for his long drive to a place for 'Testing his eyes' last time- they want to be seen as 'doing something'- idiots!?

Well I'd be content with something clear such as "do not drive to walk" or "stay within parish boundaries" or whatever.

Some people get support walking with friends from somewhere near - I know two people in London who each walk 10 mins to meet up and walk in a park. One crosses the Thames. I suppose that probably isn't allowed - but who can say?

NotSpaghetti. So glad your son sent this link. I found the BBC report at lunchtime today and would say that the content and responses from Police and The Cabinet Office say it all! Interesting that the ‘legislation’ does not specify interpretation of the word ‘local’. Since when has walking with a cup of any liquid in your hand constituted ‘A picnic’ ? Like so much - ‘as clear as mud’.
Along with hundreds of thousands of others I am continuing to abide by the strict rules and enduring ‘shielding’ for my own good and that of my fellow human beings.

Oh my word! Those 2 young ladies must have been frightened, Notspaghetti, would they have done same to 2 old(er) ladies? Well, probably yes, and they could have given them a heart attack! Derbyshire police seem to be the ones 'getting out of hand'! Its bloody ridiculous! And yet they dont give fines to the ones who ARE genuinely flouting the rules, not just on a stroll.And when did a cuppa become a'picnic'??(that would involve at least a bun as well?)??

It might be more to the point if a few police started doing a plain clothes check of random supermarkets - and slapping instant fines on people who are wearing masks under their noses or on their chins.
From experience so far, no member of shop staff ever says a word.

This is what happens when things are left to people's so-called "common sense". It would appear that a few people don't have much sense and many don't have much in common. All that ends up happening is that people end up squabbling.

Well said MissC!

Marmardoit, Foremark reservoir is just up the road from Ashby. I wonder if it's because they crossed the boundary from North West Leicestershire to South Derbyshire?
It's 4 miles from some parts of Foremark by car. Probably much less as the crow flies.

Yes and what about those who can't walk long distances anyway, due to disability? Does that mean cant drive or be driven (by people whom they share a house with) to get a bit of exercise with a little gentle walking/get fresh air in their lungs??This sounds like power going mad- or what about Click& collect for food? Our nearest are 3& 4 miles away.