The Lakes

[John Morrison]

hi all,

some will likely know that I'm North Cumbria Based.

Our local radio covers Cumbria, which includes the Lakes.

Listened yesterday to the passionate pleas by both the head of the Tourist Board, and one of the Mountailn Rescue teams,

Pleading for folk NOT, to travel to The Lakes, this weekend or anytime soon.

The infrastructure, just is not ready, No Cafes, Pubs or Hotels, No Car Parks or Public Loos.

A rescue even from the lower fells, and the Lakes is the only high mountains available, Wales and Scotland being off limits, will involve a team, in full weather proof gear, no matter what the temperature, face masks and gloves, carrying a stretcher perhaps for 3 hours! They will then need to steralise all the outdoor clothing, the vehicle and the base all because someone was selfish, he also pointed out that many mountain rescue folk are also NHS personel.

I know the temptation is there, I live 35 mins by TR from Keswick, but guys if you heard this chap yesterday you would wait a while longer.

Stay Safe.

 

John.

[ntc]

John

I heard it also but he did say that he thinks many will go there same on the East coast.Lets hope that is not the case.

[roy53]

living on the coast and with all the car parks closed along with the beach which are heavily policed i really do hope that people will not come.Those who live there and are going for their  walks along the front are more than enough.We don't want outsiders bringing it in and do not want to put extra risk on the NHS workers.

I think that the travel anywhere any distance is wrong for exercise.  Those communities who have stayed with the lockdown don't want outsiders destroying their good efforts.

The protection of the NHS and other people health should be the main thought in peoples minds ,not i am bored lets go somewhere different.

ROY

[Nigel Triumph]

Where I live in Leicestershire we get East Midlands TV news. Derbyshire authorities are making a similar appeal for tourists to stay away from the Peak District, for similar reasons. Though mountain rescue may be less of an issue in the Peaks, hiking accidents still happen, and the infrastructure remains closed.

Most will probably heed this plea but there will always be the thoughtless minority who insist on putting others at risk.

Nigel

[Chris Glasbey]

Better to be bored but Healthy.        My wife and I are staying locked-down for another 3 weeks......as per Scotland, etc.

Chris 

[iain]

Witnessed today, a Forestry closed at Haldon Hill, Exeter. All car Parks closed and barriers down. Notices saying it’s closed.public, parking cars everywhere on a narrow Devon Lane and clearing off into the Park. Is it me?

Iain

[Rod1883]

It's the same here Iain. On the A29, at the top of Bury Hill and in the South Downs National Park, there is a large tarmac car park plus overspill grassed area for more cars, picnics etc. Off this is a complex of trails trough the woods (Houghton Forest) and other major footpaths /bridleways - including the South Downs Way and Monarchs way pass through/near the car park/forest/general area. There is also an 'outdoor' café - a large hut/kiosk thing really with outdoor seating, some covered.

In normal times it is a focal point for families in cars, walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders and motorcyclists (many of which seem to have no silencer or one off a F1 car).

The car park entrance gates are and have been closed since the beginning of the lockdown, but at weekends especially the roadside has been littered with cars, and motorbikes have found their way past the barriers. The entrance was still locked today, and I hope it will remain so for a while at least, but I'm sure the external parking etc will only get worse now and that may force the hand of those in charge.

Edited May 13, 2020 by Rod1883

[Bleednipple]

40 minutes ago, iain said:

Witnessed today, a Forestry closed at Haldon Hill, Exeter. All car Parks closed and barriers down. Notices saying it’s closed.public, parking cars everywhere on a narrow Devon Lane and clearing off into the Park. Is it me?

Iain

If that's Forestry Commission, they closed all their car parks etc early on in the lock-down. We have one of their woods near us, always popular with walkers/dogs and no less so during lock-down and quite safe to be used in that way. Pointless putting the parking barriers down as now everyone parks along the lane, as Iain says.

I always hate accusing any organisation of "elf-and-safety-gorn-mad" etc whenever they're just trying to do the right thing, But I think FC really didn't think through their policy on coronavirus, they just imposed a blanket approach without looking site by site, and even after the govt requested local authorities to re-open parks FC just kept everything shut.

But they have today said they're going to start opening up again "as and when safe".

Nigel

[PodOne]

I'm going to be controversial here;

1) The risk of infection outside is minimal to zero if people keep 2m apart which the vast majority will be only too keen to do.

2) Expecting people to stay shut up in cities/towns often in places with minimal green spaces is affecting peoples welfare at what cost in the longer term?

3) The beauty spots/seaside locations can't wait to take peoples money in normal times and are quite happy to use the cities for services not available locally to them so I take it they won't want to be treated in major hospitals for specialist treatments other than COVID.

4) The economy needs to get back on its feet asap or there will be no free cash to visit and spend in the places you don't want people to visit as it is there will be a massive debt to pay with a lot of people seeing this as a nice extra paid holiday ask me how I know.

In short you can't have your cake and eat it all to yourselves just because you feel safe in isolation dare I say because you have the income to support where you live. Why did you move there? Was it for the fact its a nice location that many can never aspire to but only visit when you say its safe? If the government are happy for people to now travel for a walk in the fresh air, go fishing etc and get some green therapy so be it, open the car parks/public toilets as a first step. If people want a drink or eat bring a flask and some sandwiches.

As for those wanting to climb mountains etc needing potential rescue I agree this should stop if caught big fine and bill them the costs.  

Andy

 

[SuzanneH]

1 hour ago, PodOne said:

I'm going to be controversial here;

 

 Expecting people to stay shut up in cities/towns often in places with minimal green spaces is affecting peoples welfare at what cost in the longer term?

Andy

 

Thank you Andy for your consideration, I will not comment on all of the other points you make other than that I also agree with them.

This thread has been affecting me greatly in the last couple of days, so much so that if I had commented earlier I may have said something very rude.

Edited May 14, 2020 by SuzanneH

[Ocheye]

1 hour ago, PodOne said:

I'm going to be controversial here;

1) The risk of infection outside is minimal to zero if people keep 2m apart which the vast majority will be only too keen to do.

2) Expecting people to stay shut up in cities/towns often in places with minimal green spaces is affecting peoples welfare at what cost in the longer term?

3) The beauty spots/seaside locations can't wait to take peoples money in normal times and are quite happy to use the cities for services not available locally to them so I take it they won't want to be treated in major hospitals for specialist treatments other than COVID.

4) The economy needs to get back on its feet asap or there will be no free cash to visit and spend in the places you don't want people to visit as it is there will be a massive debt to pay with a lot of people seeing this as a nice extra paid holiday ask me how I know.

In short you can't have your cake and eat it all to yourselves just because you feel safe in isolation dare I say because you have the income to support where you live. Why did you move there? Was it for the fact its a nice location that many can never aspire to but only visit when you say its safe? If the government are happy for people to now travel for a walk in the fresh air, go fishing etc and get some green therapy so be it, open the car parks/public toilets as a first step. If people want a drink or eat bring a flask and some sandwiches.

As for those wanting to climb mountains etc needing potential rescue I agree this should stop if caught big fine and bill them the costs.  

Andy

 

You certainly are being controversial. My experience so far is that Joe Public aren't all socially distancing as they should. Where I live (in Carlisle) many people have been visiting friends and having BBQs etc. The first weekend of the lockdown saw huge numbers of people heading to the Lakes. There were hundreds of motorcyclists gathered at Devil's Bridge, Kirby Lonsdale.

I think the Government has made an error of judgement in assuming that all, or the large majority, will abide by the recommendations. If everyone adhered to them then, granted, there shouldn't be much of a problem but give many people an inch.....

The good folks of the Lake District would like nothing more than to resume trading but only if it is safe. We do not need a second spike!

As far as use of hospitals goes, we all pay into the system and have equal entitlement.

Other than my old farts' pension, my only income is for work as a musician. I would dearly love to be gigging but not until it is perfectly safe to do so, not because it is putting me at risk but potentially 100/1000s of others. I used to perform in Care Homes too. That won't be happening for a long time! Maybe I am cutting off my nose to spite my face but desperate times call for desperate measures.

As during wartime, the country's economy and our own will have to take a back seat and things will never be quite the same again. I heard a member of the Opposition on the radio this morning calling for the Government not to introduce austerity measures when the crisis is over. What planet is he living on? There will need to be such measures but our current generation have never experienced true austerity 'en masse'. We take far too much for granted.

Rant over

Andy

[John Morrison]

My old dad used to say

"There is always one,"

It seems from this thread that isn't true.

John.

[SuzanneH]

My old dad used to say sarcastically  “ I’m alright Jack, +++  everyone else”

Edited May 14, 2020 by SuzanneH

[PodOne]

 

4 hours ago, John Morrison said:

My old dad used to say

"There is always one,"

It seems from this thread that isn't true.

John.

There’s always two points of view John with the other side often in the minority but that does not make the points any less valid. History will be the judge in the end on both sides!
 

Andy

[John Morrison]

15 hours ago, PodOne said:

 

There’s always two points of view John with the other side often in the minority but that does not make the points any less valid. History will be the judge in the end on both sides!
 

Andy

Just so, Andy,

and possibly several views, but if you had heard these impassioned pleas from folk,

you really would be wary.

John.

[Ocheye]

Under normal circumstances the Lakes would expect over 2 million visitors in May alone. That would be catastrophic this month

Andy M

[SuzanneH]

You underestimate the people on this forum’s intelligence I’m sure. It’s much too far for many of us to go to take exercise. It really is difficult for the majority of people to read these posts and take them in the spirit in which they are meant.

Roger and I love going to the Lakes and the west coast of Scotland but we wouldn’t dream of doing so until this disaster comes to a conclusion.

I hope you don’t manage to put people off of visiting the Lakes permanently as you will be cutting off you nose to spite your face.

It might be 2 million visitors to the Lakes in May but here in London we have a population much much higher than that spread over a similar area and that’s not counting the foreign visitors many of whom never leave.

Just be careful what you wish for.

You have managed to make me feel as though I never want to go to the Lakes ever again even though  Rogers family actually originally comes from Whitehaven and Keswick. 

Edited May 15, 2020 by SuzanneH

[Ocheye]

Of course we want people to visit the Lakes. I just feel that the Government has jumped the gun and it is a bit too soon. I never thought I'd agree with Nicola Sturgeon but I do - at the moment.

I certainly don't underestimate the intelligence of people on this Forum but I have seen the crass stupidity of people (in my area) blatantly ignoring the social distancing advice from day one and still continuing to do so. Sadly, common sense is becoming less common these days.

Only this morning I saw about half a dozen teenagers chatting at the entrance to the park (they were only distancing by a couple of feet). I had to ask them to move so that my partner and I could leave the park. They may not feel endangered but, being in the vulnerable age group, I do.

Should you come to this area once this is over you would be made most welcome and, indeed, you would be welcome to visit my home where we could talk TRs and maybe meet other members of the very active and friendly Cumbria group. In fact I have no worries about sensible people visiting the area now and following Boris' advice but I worry that everyone will arrive at once and many may choose not to follow the rules.

As you say, time will tell. There is no real problem if everybody behaves sensibly

Andy M

[SuzanneH]

We have been to the Lakes and the TR Register Lakes weekends for many many continuous years but as I say,  you have put me off of ever going to the Lakes again  with your assumptions that everybody is as irresponsible as the people you have living there.

We used to have a very active TR Group in London, my husband was the last leader when the group was very active and friendly. People in the London Group used to like to support all the other groups in their activities and get out of  the London area into the countryside. 
Unfortunately the leader who followed on has changed the group completely and keeps the focus of the group in London at car shows or Le Mans or Spa something totally alien to all the old members who now find themselves split to the four winds and occasionally visiting other friendly groups.

While we are stuck here in London but wanting to be out in the countryside it is very upsetting reading the posts above especially when our TR London Group has changed direction and we have not had that to enjoy for a few years now either.

My many happy years as a member of the TR Register community is sadly coming to an end.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2020 by SuzanneH

[John Morrison]

Hi Sue,

Really think you should go back and read my opening post, it simply stated that the folk who live, work and care for The Lakes, were very concerned about a possible influx of visitors this weekend, and they asked folk not to come - this weekend.

How you can turn that into never coming again, your TR'ing is ruined etc really does beggar belief.

You are in trouble though, because The Whole of Scotland, West Coast and All, doesn't want you yet either.

John.

[SuzanneH]

John, you just don’t get it do you? It’s not just this thread but your other one also. Try walking in my shoes, I just think you should think about the affect your posts are having on others who do not have the freedom you are privileged to have at this time and then spout on about please don’t go to the Lakes.

For your information all parts of our great country, countryside and coast are also saying please don’t go there either.
As if we would, we are all responsible adult  people here.

 

,

 

 

 

 

[Misfit]

Sue 

I understand why you might feel like you do,  here we have plenty of open spaces commons, beaches, moors, woodlands. Saying that like everyone we have been told to distance ourselves even self isolate. Knowing it’s just around the corner isn’t helpful when you can’t go there either. It’s not a case of I’m alright Jack, we have heard don’t go out and are reminded of the daily death toll like never before. 

We have individual saying please don’t come because they don’t want to return to a further escalation.

Fortunately even in cities we aren’t that far from open space, you have Windsor great park and Richmond Park. It not intentionally people being selfish just concerned,

Edited May 15, 2020 by Derek Hurford

[SuzanneH]

55 minutes ago, Derek Hurford said:

Sue 

I understand why you might feel like you do,  here we have plenty of open spaces commons, beaches, moors, woodlands. Saying that like everyone we have been told to distance ourselves even self isolate. Knowing it’s just around the corner isn’t helpful when you can’t go there either. It’s not a case of I’m alright Jack, we have heard don’t go out and are reminded of the daily death toll like never before. 

We have individual saying please don’t come because they don’t want to return to a further escalation.

Fortunately even in cities we aren’t that far from open space, you have Windsor great park and Richmond Park. It not intentionally people being selfish just concerned,

Derek, at least you understand, I don’t think people are being selfish just thoughtless, as for Richmond Park or Windsor Great Park, I just don’t consider those to be countryside. My garden is a better prospect.
If you read my information under   my name  here you will see the kind of countryside I like, the wilder the better and as far away from other people as I can get.

[Misfit]

I know where you are coming from Sue, I must do that if I get the chance.  

I have only visited Scotland once, Kelso. My daughter was competing at the Pony Club international tetrathlon competition against USA, Canada, Erie, Wales and Scotland.  Arrived competed and left in 4 days. Loved to have seen more but driving a 7.5 ton horse box as transport didn’t seem ideal.

Mind you I love Wales, those roads. My favourite day drive though is in Devon.  From home to Totnes, Dartmouth, Slapton, Kingsbridge or Salcombe then towards Plymouth up over the moors Tavistock then back to Totnes via the princess hall for a tea and home. The scenery is spectacular and great TR roads.

Sadly I’m told I shouldn’t because I’m suppose to Isolating until the end of June. It’s not that far away really and when I get to go I’m sure I’ll enjoy it all the more. 
 

[richard61]

I live in the South Lakes, my asthmatic daughter who has been isolating religiously has caught the Covid. You are welcome to share the anguish, or you can be sensible