Great Western Coffee Shop

Out for a walk yesterday ... and looking to avoid places that were likely to be crowded.  I asked myself questions ...
1. Are all of these things I saw within the letter of the law?
2. Are all of these things I saw within the spirit of the law?
3. Are all of these things I saw safe?

If I generate a debate (either on this page or in your mind) then perhaps the guidance or adherence is not as clear as it ideally would be

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok1.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok2.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok3.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok4.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok5.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok6.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/iiok7.jpg)

I am - totally - aware that I don't know which are "household groups" in these pictures and that makes answering difficult.

The barge is an interesting case. If it is your home, you are now allowed to move home, if not is it an essential journey?

I'll not comment on the caravan, sometimes the only form of road less popular than cyclists.

Having just done the cycling thing, at one point I believe Cycling UK recommended 5m between cyclists in situations like that shown. No doubt to reduce the risks from plumes of exhalation, which was one of the reasons for closing Richmond Park to cyclists. Apparently runners don't have plumes of exhalation!

The barge photo, day trips only are permitted, no overnight stays and must be members of the same household onboard, this was part of the relaxation announce by the PM at the beginning of May.

The caravan photo is an interesting one, if its just being moved that's I think is permitted again no overnight stays; it could be someone doing there work moving it of course.

Cycling photo no social distancing required if they are members of the same household.

Walking photo no social distancing required if they are members of the same household.

Children playing photo no social distancing required if they are members of the same household, although I think the medical profession believe the transmission rate between children is low

Ice Cream van photo, is this classed as a take-away vendor?  The biggest issue could be any queue.

Cars parked photo, we are now allowed to travel almost any distance for our daily exercise.

None of them seem to be very Dominic in style

If it belongs to a member of the "travelling community" then anything is permitted anywhere at any time. >:(

I would agree - the unit of measurement used should be the milliDominic


I've learned just how many large households we have in Melksham on my recent walks.   Households with four parents and three or four children. Style seems to be when they go our for walks that the adult males walk and talk together, the adult females walk and talk together, and the household's children frolic around in the outdoors.  All AOK within the household, of course.


Yes, I believe they're within the letter of the law, and they have a "one customer at a time" sign up and take contactless payment too.

I think the units should be the microDominic.  The possible exception is the caravan - depending on circumstances - which could be in the centi-Dominic order of magnitude. 

I think the word 'Dominic' will rival the word 'pandemic' in Google 'hits' for 2020 !

Can any future journey with less than clear motives be called 'doing a Dominic?'

Careful now - that unit of measurement might get you reported to the moderator...

I fear that has got lost in the quoting.

Corrected. And the moral of this story is preview your post before you hit submit. Especially the short ones where you don't think you've written enough to make a mistake... :)

Funnily enough, I've had the same feeling too.  A riverside stroll last week saw around 10 teenagers gathered together or frolicking in the water, none of them social distancing. We thought what a large household they must come from - no wonder the parents are glad that they can now get out as a family unit.

Meanwhile in other news, one hospital in a South West beach town has had to close its A&E this morning as it is full up with COVID patients.... 

If I can comment on the narrow boat - it's not a barge. Many people live on boats on the canals and they are required to move a certain distance every 14 days.  During the lock down The Canal & river Trust relaxed this requirement but it is now being imposed again. Also Caen Hill locks are now open again and navigation is permitted under certain rules. As for the cyclists, it looks as though this may be on the canal towpath, narrow at that point.  Not much room for anyone coming the other way to get past them.

The caravan could be someone going on holiday – not allowed. Equally it could be someone doing "essential work" – allowed. I know (in an online way) someone whose work is something to do with organising teams of train cleaners(!) She stays in a van while working away from home.