today i walked round the block [blush]

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

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

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and College of Policing are rushing through guidance reminding officers that despite politicians’ warnings they cannot bar people from going for a run or a drive.

It will state that while certain actions such as driving to exercise may be unwise, they are not prohibited by the emergency powers, according to sources with knowledge of detailed discussions. It is also expected to conclude the law does not restrict people to exercising outside only once a day.

Ok.
So let's all go out and drive a few miles for a walk every day.
Let's all go out exercising more than once a day.
Let's all ignore the government's advice.
Let's spread the virus more
Let's cause more deaths
Let's keep this thing going on for months and months.
SERIOUSLY?
Law or not. Its irrelevant.
We all have a responsibility to keep the impact of this killer virus to a minimum.
13 year old killed today.
Thousands of doctors and nurses (including my wife) are coming out of retirement to work on the front line. All you are being asked to do is stop at home as much as possible. Exercise ONCE a day if you need to get out but if you don't NEED to DON'T.
Let's get rid of this virus quickly- let's all do our bit.

Steve1459
I'm right with you. What we have been asked to do isn't that difficult in the short term. The more people manipulate the guidance for their own ends, the longer it will go on for and the harder it gets.
I really, really want to see and hug my grandchildren again at the end of all this.

I can walk round the garden but I suppose many can't.

No, we wouldn't drive anywhere.

Well said Steve1459 - what's so very difficult about following guidance that's aimed at keeping us safe and reducing pressure on emergency services?

Driving a few miles, or possibly only 100 yards is not flouting the regulations and it does not put anyone at any risk of catching or spreading the virus than going for a walk in your immediate locality.

I am lucky I can walk straight out of my house into a network of country paths going through fields and woods and hedgerows. If someone cramped up in a small inner city 2 bedroomed Housing Association flat with two or three children decides to get into their car and drive two miles to a large common or park to let the children have a good run round, let off some steam and return them home quieter and less rampagious and as a result one of the adults in the flat does not shout or hit them, that can only be a good thing.

The chances of road accident are far lower than normal because there is so much less traffic on the road - and where would you prefer the accident in the house or on the road?

I take my car out for a 5 mile run once a week. That is permitted. It is good for the car, but it also keeps my driving skills up to date. Just think in three months time or more a whole lot of people who haven't driven for all that time are going to jump into their cars and head out onto busy roads. How many accidents will there be because their driving skills are rusty and their acuity gone?

DH had to stop driving for two months a year or so ago and he was quite shocked how quickly his driving skills atrophied. It took him several days to feel he was back to his normal level of driving - and he is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists! This is why we both make sure we do at least one short drive a week. To stop accidents happening.

I am sticking to the rules but I am not adding bells and whistles to them.

I agree it makes sense to get away from crowded areas in the car and I was planning on doing the same after one government minister agreed this was acceptable. But then they changed their minds and said not.
I would check with your local police force.
I know of people around here who have been stopped by the police (they were delivering medication to a vulnerable patient)

Message is the same. Stay at home unless you really NEED to go out.

Latest I've found from 27.3.20 in answer to question "can I drive to green space to walk" is "we advise you to stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible- do not travel unnecessarily"
I suppose that is open to interpretation but I still think the message is only if absolutely necessary.

Common sense Monica - if you need to drive a couple of miles to a local green space to exercise your children, your dogs or yourself then do so. You will probably meet less people there and are not spreading the disease.

All this talk of car and bike accidents - these are very unlikely in normal times and even les likely statistically today.

The police are better employed breaking up groups of young people still congregating in some towns and parks if pictures on social media are anything to go by.

Pikachu you are right and the most important words in your feedback are NEED TO.
Don't just do it because you can (get away with it)
Well done who first posted about your walk around the block. (Travelsafar)
Sparked some great debate ?

It’s apparently just as dangerous to stay at home!

The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons is warning the public to take care when carrying out household tasks, after finding a spike in injuries relating to activities ranging from DIY to gardening.

Alastair Brown, a plastic surgeon at Ulster hospital in Belfast, noted that injuries relating to power tools, lawnmowers and even bicycle maintenance were among those being dealt with, adding that treating individuals for such injuries – which has included amputations – is putting pressure on the healthcare service.

The association is asking the public to take care by avoiding any unnecessary DIY and gardening, particularly involving saws or other power tools, checking smoke alarms, keeping hot drinks away from children, and keeping fingers clear when chopping food – including when tackling avocados.

“Please do all that you can to help,” added Brown.

We walked to the castle this morning, fed the hungry ducks, swans and geese in the moat with some seed we’d taken with us, walked back had a long chat with an old chap in his garden, at a very safe distance, went for some milk in our little corner shop and back home for coffee.

Hardly saw a soul.

Picachu I wonder hw the fatality rate compares with Covid-19? ]grin]

Pikachu said ^
All this talk of car and bike accidents - these are very unlikely in normal times and even les likely statistically today.^

Someone managed to crash their car on a mountain road near me on Monday. I can’t think why anyone would be out on that road late at night and am baffled as to how they managed to crash their car on an empty road. It involved numerous emergency vehicles and a helicopter, all of whom I am sure would have had better things to do with their time. Plus the injured would have been taken to a hospital full of Covid-19 patients.

Since most people have responded positively to my OP i have been going for a walk most days. I must admit it has proved very positive. I feel refreshed and it gives me abreak from DH and the house. The biggest plus is it prevents my legs and back from seizing up. On the days when it is warmer i will work in the garden. I was doing a 30min exercise routine indoors but found it more and more difficut to do and it bored me which i felt wasnt really good for well being. I totally observe the isolating part of life nowadays and am happy to cross over the road when i see someone approaching.

So sue one swallow and all that. I live on the route between a major motorway and the hospital. I’m used to hearing sirens most days. Just realised I’ve heard them only once in the last week or two.

Can I ask for advice, still not clear on this? If we go out to do shopping/collect prescriptions using car, can we also go out for exercise?

I drive approx half a mile with my bike on the back everyday to do my exercise, a cycle ride. Reason for driving is as I said before, I live on top a bloody big hill that someone died cycling up!. Today I took a 2 hours ride around the country lanes and cycle paths, hardly met anyone, picked up a coffee on my way back. Drank it in the car and came home.
I have not seen it printed anywhere that you are only allowed to do 1 hour a day.
So please do not feel guilty about exercising as long you do alone and don't come into contact with anyone.

@travelsafar

Its for sure quite difficult to stay active during this difficult times. Saying that its also very important to stay active in some way or the other.

Following something that is tailored to you specifically is probably ideal. Focusing on movement, hip and core stability and some proprioception.

Hope you're allowed to get moving again soon!

travelsafar You say you "risked" going for a walk. What makes it risky? People are allowed to go out for fresh air, and there is virtually no chance of catching anything outside.

travelsafar wrote her post on 29 March PinkCakes, at a time when we were all feeling nervous and the prospect of venturing out for a walk probably did feel, in her words, “risky”, but I’m sure she doesn’t feel that way about going outside now, albeit while still taking care with distancing etc. It’s something we’ve got used to in the past months.