Can't believe how strict things seem to be in Scotland.
Are all construction sites closed? Here in France construction work has carried on all the way through without a break (the rule was that if you couldn't work from home it was fine to go to work).
5 mile radius for going to the start of exercise? Here in France we are now allowed to go up to 100km from home (within the same region) without needing any reason at all.
Socially distanced gathering in the garden with one household at a time? Here in France we can have socially distanced gatherings at home with an unlimited number of people (initially gatherings were limited to 10 people but the constitutional court struck that down).
Which has pretty much been the case so far.
Has it? Genuine question. You could be right. I don't personally know of anybody who has been fined (or even cautioned) for anything and the number of cars parked in spots where they've clearly driven to get some exercise or walk the dog does suggest that the police haven't been too strict so far (at least around here). But I thought they were still enforcing things and it was interesting to hear the FM say that she anted to move away from that to a more consensual approach.
Can’t believe how strict things seem to be in Scotland.
Are all construction sites closed? Here in France construction work has carried on all the way through without a break (the rule was that if you couldn’t work from home it was fine to go to work).
5 mile radius for going to the start of exercise? Here in France we are now allowed to go up to 100km from home (within the same region) without needing any reason at all.
Socially distanced gathering in the garden with one household at a time? Here in France we can have socially distanced gatherings at home with an unlimited number of people (initially gatherings were limited to 10 people but the constitutional court struck that down).
You can drill into the data here, and if you click on UK you can see Scotland in more detail, but essentially that's because.
- Higher cases in UK as a whole.
- Higher cases per capita.
- Higher deaths in UK than France.
- We started lockdown later than you.
- We are much further behind you on bringing the cases down (look at the graphs on the attached)
I think you’re limiting yourself needlessly.
Yes, I'm just road riding just now (apart from some short local runs with the kids) and have done a few 3 hour rides over the past couple of months. I don't see any issue with this because I'm riding from my door and staying well clear of other people. I think riding in the Pentlands is fine, but personally I would probably only do it early or late to avoid people out walking during peak hours.
The car is staying on the drive for now. I'm using the trailer to do the shopping once a week, so I don't have any reason to be driving anywhere.
Question for my fellow Scots.
I now live in Ireland and keen to see my elderly parents who live in Scotland. Going by Nicolas plan when can I get the ferry over and visit/stay with them for a bit? Phase 3/phase 4? What sort of time line has Nicola said (I read its reviewed every 3 weeks and maybe moved on). Would aiming for August some time look realistic? At least I won't need to quarantine.
They have no family around them,with me in Ireland and daughter in London. My dad's health went down at Christmas and keen to see how he is fairing and help them do a few jobs that they need doing (diy/garden etc). I usually get over a couple of times a year to help out/catch up and not seen them since my dad got out of hospital in Dec.
You know just as much as everyone else. I think the only honest answer at the moment is don't make any firm plans and wait to see how things unfold over the next few weeks. There is no definite timetable at the moment, because no one knows exactly how the pandemic will progress.
First minister unveils lockdown starting to end.
Teeming with rain today.
🙄
@andy4d I'm assuming/hoping phase 3.
I live in Shetland and my family in North Yorkshire, we had to cancel our Easter trip obviously, so haven't seen them since last summer. Now with the schools planned to go back at the same time as travel to England is likely to be OK in mid-August we'll not get there this summer as we can't take our son out of school to go when he'll only just have started in secondary. So October holidays is likely our next chance to get home.
Obviously that depends on the timescales staying as hoped.
I now live in Ireland and keen to see my elderly parents who live in Scotland. Going by Nicolas plan when can I get the ferry over and visit/stay with them for a bit? Phase 3/phase 4? What sort of time line has Nicola said (I read its reviewed every 3 weeks and maybe moved on). Would aiming for August some time look realistic? At least I won’t need to quarantine.
Timeline hasn't been explicit, but you can sort of piece it together based on what they've said, that......
Best case scenario it's 12 weeks until we progress through it all (so moving on every 3 weeks).
They must have confidence we will be in phase 3 on 11th August, as this is the date they have stated schools will return with a mix of in school/home learning, which is what they've stated as stage 3 plans.
There seems to be a lot of discussion and confusion at the moment about exactly when people will be able to visit relatives. Personally, I'm in no hurry to go near my elderly parents until I'm convinced it is safe to do so. I don't really care what "Phase" they call it. It's whether I'm putting them at risk that matters.
According to my calendar the 11th of August is (just) less than 12 weeks away already.
Personally, I’m in no hurry to go near my elderly parents until I’m convinced it is safe to do so.
May be safe if you take precautions: 🙂
Teeming with rain today.
And some dickhead on my street promised to camp in the garden with his ten year old son this weekend.
Thanks, responses kind of inline with my maths/hopes. Guess I will put in for a few days off work towards end of August and see how it unfolds.
I get what you are saying too kcr, it's a tough call deciding to not see them and keep safe but maybe never see my dad again due to his health or take a chance to see him. I dunno to be honest, i will see what happens in the months ahead.
After reading Scottish Mountain Rescue posting, I'm quite happy that I'll be driving 30 mins to some very quiet grassy, boggy Galloway hills to walk with my wife and daughter next weekend.
I'll avoid the hills with good paths that are nearer, as they'll be busier.
Guidance for phase 1
- You may exercise outdoors as many times each day as you wish and for as long as you want. Cycling activity should only be on routes that you know well and are within your ability level.
- Permitted to travel short distances (broadly within 5 miles) to start your ride. However, we continue to advise that you start your ride from your home.
- You can ride outdoors alone, with those you live with or with one other household at any one time, maintaining social distancing of at least two meters at all times from those in the other household.
- You should continue to maintain a distance of at least two metres from anyone you meet whilst out riding, stopping and waiting for people to pass when necessary. This is particularly important when riding on narrow paths and trails.
- You can sit and rest outside before, during and after your ride.
- If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home.
We would also continue to encourage cyclists to:
- Ride responsibly – ride within your ability level. High risk exercise (that may result in injury and require medical care or emergency services support) should be avoided.
- Be prepared - consider what tools and spares you need to carry with you so that you are self-sufficient, including maintaining good personal hygiene at all times.
I’m quite happy that I’ll be driving 30 mins to some very quiet grassy, boggy Galloway hills
We should explore down that way, apart from Straiton I don’t think I’ve really done any walking South of here.
I think that second point is just going to be interpreted as "permitted to travel" and hopefully as "don't take the piss". The "5 miles" and "continue to advise" is obviously just that; advice.
I know a few people who are interpreting this as "do my usual runs/rides but not the trips away yet" and I'll be interested to see what happens to the local car parks. I drove past an FC one that leads to some MTB trails the other day and was surprised to see one van and 4 cars in there already!
I'm still a bit conflicted as to whether I should stay really local (< 5miles) and join everyone else on the hill or do what I'd normally do and drive a bit further so I can spend the whole ride on my own.
The '5 miles' is a suggestion to stay local rather than everyone rush to the 'honey pot' sites. There'll be no one checking mileage, so if 6-7 miles mean you get to a suitable spot I'd not worry, but 20-30 miles to a popular walk/ride spot wouldn't be in the spirit of it. The advice is that it's still preferred you walk/cycle from home.
We'll need to see what Scot Gov actually announce tomorrow first anyway...
I've asked a couple of separate friends I've not seen since before lock down if they want to meet for a SD ride over the weekend, but they are still feeling it's not a good idea (or they've gone off me!)
We should explore down that way, apart from Straiton I don’t think I’ve really done any walking South of here.
They're a frustrating range of hills, some absolutely awesome walking, but jesus christ they can be demoralising at times. The Corserine ridge from Carsphairn along Meaul, Carlin's cairn, Corserine etc is phenomenal, but a bit of a hack to get up onto it. Brilliant ride along the tops on a nice day too, but I've yet to find a good way up or down.
That's where the access laws are against you, no recognised paths as such, as folk have their own routes to get wherever they're going.
Cairnsmore of carsphairn is fantastic Phil, park at Green well of scotland (a mile short of Carsphairn), really good path and incredible views. 35 minutes drive from Ayr too.
Once you get out of the populated areas even 6-7 miles doesn't really get you anywhere though.
I've spent years exploring routes where I never meet a soul (since that's what I enjoy) and it's felt strange during lockdown to deprive myself of those rides and to ride around locally instead, regularly waving at people in the name of social distancing. But I understand the logic (to a point).
It would be nice to think that we'll get to the point where we can be trusted (and trust each other) to make our own decisions. But that's probably a bit naive of me.
I'll probably continue to do most of my rides from home for the next few weeks at least, but I wouldn't rule out sticking the bike in the car and spending a day in the hills on my own. Obviously I'm not going to drive to Aviemore or anything, lovely though those trails are.
@nobeerinthefridge Cheers I’ll look that up.
I find it frustrating that I can’t seem to find anything much to ride too, so I always head to a trail centre. I’m sure there are some gems to find, maybe this is the year to search them out!
It's "broadly" 5 miles. I doubt there would be any quibble of 10 whereas 25 or more is obviously taking the piss, especially in rural/low populated areas. As above, its about not having everyone travelling to the same honeypot locations and trying to contain travel with localities.
whereas 25 or more is obviously taking the piss
I've not been further than 10 miles from my home since lockdown started, and that 10 miles was on my bike. Mates have been riding a lot further, good friend has been 200km, which obviously takes him a long way from home. He's a strong rider, and I have no issue with him doing this, best of luck to him.
I struggle to see how me driving 25 or so miles to a favourite wee quiet riding spot is taking the piss. If I parked up and there were loads of folk there, I'd then not bother, but that won't happen, as it's only a few miles from the coast, and everyone and their dugs are on the beach.
I know why it could be - all the usual structures to help you out if you have an accident or mechanical you can't fix - are otherwise engaged. Thats my issue anyway! Loops. Its all about loops!
now is this 5 miles as the crow flies or by road????
I’m actually ok with the way everything has been from an exercise point of view - the joys of 2 young kids killing your time anyway (found some lovely new rides from the door).
OTOH we’d love to get said kids to the grandparents. Even if just sitting in the garden for a while a 35mile visit still isn’t going to be happening 😕
Im wanting to get dropped of 10 miles upriver, and picked up back here by the mrs. Ill get nowhere near anybody and its flat water so i think its within the realms of the reasonable.
Yeah, I'm thinking that driving from Edinburgh to Glentress is still not cool, but I would maybe drive 20 miles to a remote lay-by and ride from there.
Though I just took the car off the road, so anywhere I am going now will be human powered.
It’s “broadly” 5 miles. I doubt there would be any quibble of 10 whereas 25 or more is obviously taking the piss, especially in rural/low populated areas
What if for the better part of a year your go to trails (and you had evidence of, say, once a month being there on social media...) were a 40-45 minute drive away?
Asking for a friend... 😜
I find it frustrating that I can’t seem to find anything much to ride too, so I always head to a trail centre. I’m sure there are some gems to find, maybe this is the year to search them out!
There's some decent stuff built in the woods by auchincruive, mibbe a 30 minute ride from you.
20 mins drive and there's some cracking stuff up behind west kilbride, fairlie and largs.
Gimme a shout if ye want GPX of either matey.
Some stunning hills in Galloway Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is a favourite of mine. Mullwharchar too, long walk in from Glentrool, sometimes used to kip at Culsharg. Mullwharchar isn't a big hill but on the right day the views are great
Never been up mullwharchar big Gordy, need to change that!.
There's some great walking around Afton reservoir by new cumnock too, stunning.
There’s some decent stuff built in the woods by auchincruive, mibbe a 30 minute ride from you.
20 mins drive and there’s some cracking stuff up behind west kilbride, fairlie and largs.
Gimme a shout if ye want GPX of either matey.
We actually went over to Auchincruive the other day, was a nice ride out along the River Ayr Way. We weren’t really sure where to head once we were at Auchin but did find a short section with a couple of jumps in. Ran out of time to explore properly, and then headed back. A GPX would be ace for next time we head if you don’t mind?
I do keep meaning to explore Fairlie - will definitely head there this summer.
No worries, I'll head up river at the weekend and get a decent run in, with all the good wee bits in it, and send you a GPX.
I couldn't help but laugh at the journalists asking questions at wee Nic's lockdown presentation last night. Most of the questions about the easing of restrictions can be summarized thus:
"so eh, wee Nic - wi these changed rules does it mean wi can get pished ootside, sunbathe and hae a shag again coz its gonnae be pure taps aff this weekend and mah burd/ fella lives in a different street. Ken eh? It's shan if ye cannae huv a shag and a shandy when it's bilin".
Sadly, my girlfriend lives too far away fur a shag (9 weeks - brutal!), but I will be sitting in a camping chair in the Meadows with my shirt off, factor 50, kindle and a coolbox of beers this afternoon.
Sadly, my girlfriend lives too far away
Shan.
Sadly, my girlfriend lives too far away fur a shag (9 weeks – brutal!), but I will be sitting in a camping chair in the Meadows with my shirt off, factor 50, kindle and a coolbox of beers this afternoon.
And that's why everyone hates east coasters.
Last time I had a drink I got a £60 fine for my bother, I'd been at sea for 3 months and the bastards had criminalised it whilst I was away.
13 year old daughter went a walk with her bestie today, was lovely to see how happy they were to see each other. 😊
13 year old daughter went a walk with her bestie today, was lovely to see how happy they were to see each other
Nice.
We rode across to mates in Avoch and had a beer in the garden in the sun. A much needed moment of normality.
Happy days, Spin.
Loads of motorbikes out today on the A82
The car parks at the Loch Garten RSPB reserve are now open, with sigbs saying they are there for folk travelling less than 5 miles.
Avoch
That’s within walking distance... are we ‘neighbours ‘?
