Had a few sherries last night folks (note the time on my post, 3:27am!) and should have reached for the power button as soon as I found myself reaching for the CAPS LOCK!
Feeling more level headed again now so will try address comments, however it looks like our views are too far apart to reconcile.
Culardoch - Just because other people aren't sticking to the rules doesn't mean you shouldn't.
Paul Webster - Wasn't trying to imply you were declaring yourself an authority on this. I just trying to say to stick to the official sources of information. But given the comment quoted was just meant as an example of where people feel this information is unclear my response doesn't really make sense. Blaming that one on the beer.
Backpacker - I'd say yes, that falls into the remit of 'necessary.' Of course this is just my opinion but I would doubt anyone feels you should be walking into oncoming traffic to get your exercise.
AHillTooFar - I have some other thoughts on that but I'll save them for their own post a little later.
Sunset tripper - I don't
think I'm misunderstanding it, I think I'm just trying a rather extreme view of it and what is and isn't 'unnecessary travel'. Backpacker there has a fairly clear example of why travelling for exercise is necessary for him. I would have thought the issue some people have raised about it being busy can be avoided without travel by going out at a different time when it is less busy. Of course I don't know the exact details of each situation but again I'd be surprised if anyone's local area had every daylight hour rammed with people.
As for the dog, I'd be happier if someone else took him in for a bit, perhaps the person who is regularly travelling to take him for the walk. Again, without knowing the specifics I can't give exact advice but if there is truly no other way to handle it other than someone travelling to do it then that falls into 'necessary' for me; dogs have to be walked and your family member needs our support.
Moriarty - Yup, that's a big part of it as well.
apollo0815 - As with all of this time will tell my friend, time will tell.