Day 95...

So ironically, while we were enjoying beautiful empty beaches in a Suffolk yesterday, it seems that an estimated half a million people descended on Bournemouth’s beaches, sparking a major incident. For perspective - during the 4 days of the airshow, the town sees an estimated 2 million visitors total - this is their busiest weekend of the year, and one which they are geared up for. Those people will also be spread across the beaches, through the town and it’s various pubs and restaurants, and there are many additional facilities brought in - food providers, toilets etc. At the moment most of the toilets, and many of the food providers, are closed. The behaviour of some of those visiting yesterday was truly disgraceful - they should quite simply be ashamed. When they arrived - some from as far afield as London & Birmingham - and discovered the car parks were full, many just left their cars wherever they found a space - in excess of 500 parking tickets were issued in one day.

While I disagree with locals in coastal areas trying to say that nobody from further afield should visit,  I also feel strongly that at the moment, if you plan a visit somewhere, arrive and it is clearly already ludicrously busy, then common sense should dictate that you leave again, and go somewhere else. Doing otherwise puts you and anyone you subsequently come into contact with at risk. Yes, you have the right to visit, but only if you can do it safely - your lack of regard for yourself does not give you the right to impose that lack of regard on others also. I’m afraid I don’t buy the ludicrous argument that all those who packed into Bournemouth yesterday were in desperate need of an escape from 93 days of having been cooped up with the kids in a small flat - some, perhaps, although why they would then put those children at risk by taking them into that environment is anyone’s guess - the majority though either didn’t think, or simply didn’t care. Some almost certainly said “nobody’s telling ME where I can and can’t go!” or used fake justification like “well if Dominic Cummings can do it” or “the government isn’t being clear”. The 2m social distancing rule has been in place for WEEKS - if you haven’t grasped it yet, that’s not the government being unclear, that is you being so slow on the uptake it’s questionable whether you should be allowed out alone.

So yes, we visited a beach yesterday. We planned in advance, researched how busy it was likely to be, aimed to arrive early, and agreed that if we got there and it was busier than expected we would indeed change plans - that was the risk we took. We checked that there were toilet facilities available, and took our own food and drink. We parked correctly, in a car park, with double the usual amount of space around our vehicle, and we washed our hands on arrival and again before leaving. We had a day out without increasing our own risk, or anyone else’s.

And today - we returned to staying local. A walk from home, exploring yet more of Harlow’s lovely leafy paths and shady old roads. And yes, even after 13 weeks of local walking, we are STILL finding new places to go!

Robyn