today i walked round the block [blush]

Of course you are allowed to drive a few miles. It appears some police forces have been over zealous.,

Callistemon We are also within a few miles of stunning scenery and lovely walks, but are having to content ourselves with walking round the estate where we live, critically appraising other people’s houses and gardens

No, we're not allowed to drive anywhere which is a pity because we have some lovely walks three or four miles from here but can't get to them now.

M0nica we're not supposed to drive anywhere for exercise, the logic being, I believe, that every drive increases the possibility of an additional burden on NHS resources from an accident.

From the RAC:

Can I use my car to drive to a park for exercise?

You shouldn't use your car in this way. In line with Government advice, you should only leave your home for exercise. But we suggest using your garden for this (if you have one) or leaving your home on foot or by bike. As always, you should stay more than two metres away from others.

I thought those in the vulnerable category or 70+ had been asked to stay home.

People over 70 have been asked to limit all contact with other people to a minimum and are recommended to limit shopping to once a week but are allowed to leave the home for outside exercise once a day.

There are 1.5 million people, of all ages whose underlying medical conditions makes them particularly vulnerable to complications if they catch the virus and they are being advised to stay in their house/garden and not venture out, but these people are being separately advised by email or letter that they are in that category. My BiL, who is not yet 70 has received one of these emails.

The text message most people will have received is just a general reminder, and has been sent out to every mobile phone number in the UK.

Yes we are allowed to drive somewhere for exercise, what we are being encouraged not to do is drive a long distance to a beauty spot or other place of congregation, where, as Carooline says you then end up with a lot of people in the same place and the virus spreads.

Driving 3 miles to the sea, providing it is somewhere quiet, is entirely permissable.

The problem with the current situation is that there will always be a few officious jobsworths who feel that whatever the regulations they are proving their worth by making them more strict than they actually are, like the Trading Standards Officer who told a corner shop owner that he was not allowed to sell Easter Eggs because he was only allowed to sell essential foods. At least that one was promptly squashed.

We have nowhere to walk here that doesn't involve going through areas where others are likely to be so haven't left the house since lockdown other than once in the car. My husband had a big hernia op a month ago and still isn't up to walking more than round the garden anyway although even he is beginning to go stir crazy.

We did go to the nearby town to pick up the click and collect groceries in the car on Friday only to find I'd ordered it from the other Sainsburys 20 miles in the opposite direction He was convinced a police car followed us all the way

Thanks for this post...Ive been pretty lazy if I'm honest but will be walking up to the local High st today ...I have been following guide lines and not been out for a week.It will do me good.

I thought those in the vulnerable category or 70+ had been asked to stay home.
Is it so difficult to do.

Yes we go out daily round the block. Post box is half way round, and we usually have something to post so it's an excuse for fresh air. Usually about 15 minutes even taking the longer route, but it blows away the cobwebs. We always cross over if we meet somebody coming towards us, to make them feel comfortable.

Over on Mumsnet they are virtue signalling about the amount of restricting they are forcing on themselves. No common sense or judgement at all and a lot of condemnation of others who are pretty well obeying the instructions.

humptydumpty it's just the little local, village hub. Bottles, tetrapacks and clothing is all it caters for and it is unmanned.

I subscribe to the digital version of the paper and read it on my kindle.

lizzypopbottle I hope you had a successful visit - all our recycling centres are now closed.

I also go out every day for a paper - only 1 newsagent delivers and he is swamped, I feel it is better to leave deliveries for people who can't leave their homes. The daily paper is my last luxury from the former life!

We live two miles from the sea but not allowed to drive there so I miss my seaside walks. Car parks all closed because people couldn’t follow the rules.

I have even found a place open that is doing takeaway coffees on my cycle route which is a bonus.

I live on top of a b....y big hill, smashing for going down on the bike but such hard work coming up. So now we are taking the bikes down the hill on the back of the car, do our hour or so cycling, a quick shop if needed and home. Just done it and feel so much better, even have rosy cheeks. I will be doing this every other day and the days in between a bit in the garden. I have been told by the Dr that cycling is the bet exercise for me so I will keep doing it.

I went out to the washing line and back twice today.

Apart from that, unless we got in the car, there is nowhere flat to walk.

I'm going to our village recycling centre shortly to dump bottles and tetrapacks, always assuming the containers aren't full and there's no one else there. There's no touching anything, after all. It's just posting through the holes.

I just assumed that the OP must be in the extremely vulnerable group, as I can't think why else she would feel guilty for taking a walk.

Two of my friends went food shopping by foot and were stopped by "guards" at the door and told they should be at home. Today on my walk I saw two police cars and the police just standing there watching people. Scary!

But surely a couple are already close if they live together?

And yet Government have said its OK to cycle?so maybe NO cycling as well then?unless its in a park& youve walked the bike there ON THE PAVEMENT,just to be extra careful???

Yes i also thought it would have been better to drive out somewhere where theres less people for a walk if you can,but no,apparently its wrong too.cause all of a sudden we'd all be smashing into each other & causing accidents!? I WONDER IF INSURANCE COMPANIES& ROAD TAXES WILL BE PART REFUNDED DUE TO NOT BEING ALLOWED THE USAGE??? Probably not!

I go out for a walk every day for about an hour and try to vary it. Everyone is keeping their distance and obeying the rules where I live. I would go crazy stuck indoors 24 hours a day. The virus spreads by droplets so as long as you are 2 metres (just over 6 feet) away from other people it is ok. My husband has just heard that people are being advised to walk alone and not in couples or groups, and Waitrose is insisting on single shoppers.

A couple of days ago, a cyclist was hit by a car on the road outside my home. The accident tied up two police cars and 2 ambulances for a couple of hours. We need to minimise the risk of accidents that would put strain on essential services. The guidance is to drive only to get essential supplies.

We are walking but usually on the pavements and paths, rather than parks and woodlands. Our dogs usually have a good off lead run on fields or at the park, but that doesn't feel particularly safe at the moment, so many badly behaved dogs off lead who I suspect are usually confined to barracks!