A couple used the relaxed lockdown measures to have a picnic in the park after not seeing each other for eight weeks.

Today was the first time new lockdown rules announced by Boris Johnson on Sunday were introduced, meaning you can meet up with one other from a different household at a safe distance.

In Mote Park in Maidstone, travel agent Andrew, 39, and hairdresser Katie, 26 live separately, and so when the lockdown was imposed, had to make do with phone calls and FaceTime to keep in touch.

Katie, who lives with her family in Ashford, said: "It's been horrible not being able to see each other, and Andrew doesn't really like FaceTime either."

Andrew, from Maidstone, added: "We've followed the rules to the absolute point but it's hard, especially when you hear about government ministers breaking the rules themselves. But you've to go do it to keep safe."

Today, they took two separate blankets to Mote Park for a romantic lunch on the grass, including Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

But they have still had to remain two metres apart so they can't kiss or cuddle which Katie says has been difficult.

Andrew said: "It's tough knowing what to talk about while apart - it's not like you've been on holiday or something, there's hardly anything to say to one another. But it's been great seeing each other in person at last."

It's the first day rules on what you can do in public have changed and includes allowing people unlimited exercise, sunbathing and picnicking while maintaining social distancing.

Today was the first time Angela Millard saw her daughter and grandson in the flesh since lockdown began.

The 65-year-old met daughter Georgina and four-year-old grandson Mason at Sittingbourne's Milton Creek Country Park at lunchtime.

They each took their dogs, Dexter and Teddy, for a stroll around the park, off Green Porch Close.

Angela, who lives in Sittingbourne and is also known as Nanna, said: "It's our first time seeing each other since lockdown started."

When asked how it felt to now see one another face-to-face, albeit from a 2m distance, Angela said: "The whole family have been doing quizzes on the House Party app once a week, but it's different seeing someone in the flesh. It's been wonderful to see them."

She added: "I child-mind Mason normally, so it's been really, really hard not seeing him. He asks to come to mine but, obviously, he can't. Now I'm at the point where I can see him but I still can't cuddle him."

Georgina, who lives in Rainham, said: "Mum has looked after him at least two times a week since he was three-months-old.

"We have been looking forward to this all week."

"Nanna hadn't seen Mason ride his bike without stabilisers - he learned to do it in lockdown, so we brought the bike out too," the 38-year-old added.

People are also allowed to drive to enjoy the great outdoors in places such as Bewl Water which reopened to the public today.

But a drop in temperatures seem to have put people off venturing out.

This was Chestfield Park in Whitstable at around 11am this morning. The play area is still closed and the gym equipment is taped off.

No one had ventured out.

But further south in Ashford, people have wrapped up warm to take a walk through Victoria Park.

Friends Jan and Sue used the relaxed measures to catch up from a safe distant.

Sue Robinson, 74 from Sellindge, said: This is the first time we’ve seen each other in months, since the lockdown was called actually, so that’s why we’re meeting up today. Now we’re allowed out more we thought we’d meet at a distance.

"I think it’s good because seeing somebody makes all the difference. But I don’t think it should be lifted any more than that at the moment, that would be too much.”

The pair have kept in touch on WhatsApp but Jan said "it's not the same as seeing someone".

They were joined by some dog walkers and joggers but the park remained sparseley populated throughout the cold morning.

Margaret Clarke, 81, and John Clarke, 82, from Hillbrow Rd, Ashford, were among the people enjoying the fresh air.

Mrs Clarke said: “Lots of people haven’t been sticking to the rules anyway.

"I think the new rules are a good idea but it's very tantalising. If you can meet one person, people will think, well why not two?"

Her views were echoed by Nick Terry from Brookfield who was out with wife Tina.

He said: “It just doesn’t make sense does it? What’s the problem with families meeting if they are keeping their distance? In a park like this one, if I'm keeping my distance from several other households, why can't they be my family? It's complete incompetence from the government."

In Folkestone, Morehall Recreation Ground and Cheriton Road Sports Ground - where football goals were taken down this week - were largely empty save for a handful of dog walkers.

At Radnor Park there were also dog walkers and the odd lunchtime jogger, but one family had taken the chance to return to fishing at the park's pond - even if they seemed to have slightly misinterpreted the new regulations.

Alan Cotton, 20, from Folkestone had gathered at the water's edge with members of his family from two households, although in numbers greater than specified. He said: "It's the first time we've been, I've been so bored at home. We'll be coming more often now we're allowed."

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