I finished my time as an Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champion at the end of February.
Throughout the two and a bit years, I was championing the different benefits of getting outside. As we enter Spring, this would normally be a time when people would emerge from 'hibernation' and start enjoying the coast and countryside that we have here in Britain.
During this time, it is important to take time outside, for exercise and mental health as much as anything. It's also a reminder that the landscape will endure and offer solace for us all.
I headed outside myself yesterday to give myself a pause, and have been doing each day for the last week....even if that ends up just being the garden that I can get out in.
Just last weekend, many outside areas were overcrowded with people who didn't follow the guidance and it seems this is still continuing despite a great many ads and reminders on all social media and TV channels.
There was an outflow of people from cities in motorhomes to rural areas including the Isle of Skye and the Lake District. Caravan sites on the Norfolk coast were closed.
In several areas, the locals have put up signs and even attempted to block the roads, alongside some increased Police enforcement. ANPR helps with this of course, and links to the idea of data being used to track people - an area one of our ERASMUS projects also focusses on in the resources that are currently creating.
A number of outdoor organisations signed a letter to encourage people to stay local for their exercise and only head out for essentials.
Traffic on the roads seems to be not only lighter but faster.
Average speeds have been going up.
Stay safe. Stay home.
Throughout the two and a bit years, I was championing the different benefits of getting outside. As we enter Spring, this would normally be a time when people would emerge from 'hibernation' and start enjoying the coast and countryside that we have here in Britain.
During this time, it is important to take time outside, for exercise and mental health as much as anything. It's also a reminder that the landscape will endure and offer solace for us all.
I headed outside myself yesterday to give myself a pause, and have been doing each day for the last week....even if that ends up just being the garden that I can get out in.
Just last weekend, many outside areas were overcrowded with people who didn't follow the guidance and it seems this is still continuing despite a great many ads and reminders on all social media and TV channels.
There was an outflow of people from cities in motorhomes to rural areas including the Isle of Skye and the Lake District. Caravan sites on the Norfolk coast were closed.
In several areas, the locals have put up signs and even attempted to block the roads, alongside some increased Police enforcement. ANPR helps with this of course, and links to the idea of data being used to track people - an area one of our ERASMUS projects also focusses on in the resources that are currently creating.
A number of outdoor organisations signed a letter to encourage people to stay local for their exercise and only head out for essentials.
Traffic on the roads seems to be not only lighter but faster.
Average speeds have been going up.
Stay safe. Stay home.
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