I've just returned myself. Left home at 6.30 pm. the sky was threatening rain but I went anyway. As I walked over the common the lightening was filling the sky to my left, the sun was shining to my right, I could see the rain coming down in front of me but I remained dry, the thunder rumbled all around me, the air was still and muggy warm.

I carried on heading towards the darkening sky's expecting to get wet any time, the ground I walked on was wet from the rain, still I remained dry. The thunder became louder, the lightening brighter and more frequent, it became quite dark but no rain. I carried on eventually circling round back towards my starting point.

I was walking for  two and half  hours it was quite surreal and like nothing I've experienced before.

When I returned home it had been raining hard and my wife expected me to be soaked, I wasn't, I'd seen no rain at all. Didn't see anyone.

Now yesterday was a different story. As I entered the common I crossed paths with a group of teenage lads, they didn't seem to even notice me, then I crossed paths with 6 birders. Then a different group of lads climbing trees again I passed as if invisible. As I returned back across what I call the main common, the one with the diagonal path that you can see from one end to the other, as it's elevated, I could see figures at the bottom end stood looking up the common towards me, I soon worked out as I walked that one was one of the birders with a huge lens on a tripod, the others were a mixed group of 1 man and 4 females. They were taking it turns to observe me through the lens as I  walked towards them. Now on another day I may have altered course and took a different route but I had already decided where I was heading and carried on, fronting them out as it were. As I got closer the birder wandered off and the others began to walk off to, as I got even nearer I realised that I know all 5 of the group, a couple quite well.  Now I wonder what they saw, did they recognise me as I did them without the lens. Am I glad the pubs are shut so wont see them for a while, Do I care? I made the mistake of telling my wife, she is more concerned than I. Most of my friends and acquaintances know I am a naturist, do they know I walk the local woods? Some might do now.  

Posted by: @dgildoo

Everyone else we met, some riding cycles some walking some sitting having a picnic were all very smiley and friendly. 

I know the cycling on footpaths is usually forbidden, so what is the status of the trails where you met cyclists?
My attitude when naked cycling in countryside and parks is that I will cycle on footpaths where it is forbidden where necessary but giving absolute priority to pedestrians.

@gwalterj

They were on bridleways, but I often see them riding on footpaths and I usually tell them that they shouldn't. Most do not appear to know that they should not be riding on footpaths.

I went for a 6.5 naked walk this morning in Sherwood Forest. As I set off I met Chloe the warden and stood and talked to her for about half an hour. She was giving me the outline of what she is thinking of doing and after some debate this is what she is thinking. She wants to let people know that naturists use the area and she wants to put information about naturists on the RSPB website. She is willing to put notices up advising people that Naturists use the area and the signs will be like the ones used in the Argyle Forest in connection with The Gathering. She thinks we will be able to put a supply of leaflets about naturism in the RSPB information centre to help the general public with a better understanding about Naturism. She knows that Public footpaths and Bridleways are outside of her jurisdiction. She wants to mark an area near the Major oak and say that the RSPB disapprove of anyone naked in that area. She wants to stress that everyone should act with consideration to each other. That means covering up when other people appear to be uncomfortable or if anyone ventures near the Major Oak. She wants to encourage anyone suffering harassment or abusive remarks or physical abuse to report it to the police. She would like to discourage people from undressing at the side of the road by the cars but has no problem if they strip off once on the reserve.

She is going to discuss with me any proposals that she puts in writing before putting them in place. I will run them past British Naturism as soon as I have them.

During my walk I discovered a bees nest in the Centre Tree which is an area where people often stop and picnic. I rang Chloe to let her know so she could make people aware. I had a pleasant conversation with a bird watcher and I helped a couple find their dog. There were a few more people about and everyone was very pleasant.

@dgildoo

I dont know the area other than what I have read in this forum. At face value, it seems reasonable to inform (using the right word this time) people. It is about communication, let people know about naturism but respect and understand that other people haven't reached the same level as you have. 

I think most regular visitors must be aware by now. Also most birders too. It wont hurt to inform others though. I stopped and spoke to a birder yesterday, I've seen him regularly but he usually turns  away or walks away. Yesterday I made a point of following him, I was heading in that direction anyway, he did start to turn away but I made a point of speaking to him and we had a little chat. Maybe next time I see him we'll have a little wave. It can only bring a positive response now. I also met two dog walkers and two cyclists, not much said but nothing negative either. 

Any signs posted hopefully will be in the positive text rather than a negative.

Posted by: @tribalbrit

Any signs posted hopefully will be in the positive text rather than a negative.

I have made this point very clearly and from what I have been told it will be very positive.

@tribalbrit

As you rightly say regular visitors will not be an issue. They know what to expect. It is the irregular visitors, the ones who are surprised and react when they see a naked person. The signs and leaflets will inform and let people know what to expect.

Met a youth bird watching today, spoke as I passed him then met him more than an hour later, he heading one way me another. I asked him if he'd seen much, no was his reply have you? I told him where I had just been watching a couple of yellow hammers on the common, he was grateful and headed off to where I'd told him. Before we parted he said I wish I hadn't worn these bloody shorts I'm being bit to death by ticks. I couldn't help but smile at this, as I stood there in nothing but my walking boots. I said I think my medication keeps them off of me. Made me smile though.

@tribalbrit

I often wonder if by being naked we are less likely to get ticks. I have never had one in the forest despite spending many hours there.

are you sure it was ticks doing the biting?   weve had large biting flies the last few weeks, i thought tick bites were painless so you didnt notice them.

@rustic

This sounds like horse flies. Horrible and painful and can be nasty. Give me midges any day.

@dgildoo

No me neither, although the dog gets them now and then.

Been a bad year for ticks this year. If you get close enough to the long horns you can see the ticks on them.

@rustic

Don't know what they were, wasn't me being bitten. I'm just pleased people will have a conversation with you while you're naked.

I think things have changed quite a bit this summer with regard to naturists in Sherwood Forest, in a good way. Influenced in no small way by Gildo. Hats off to you David.

Was out this evening. Passing through the gate at top of the common when a couple came up from Budby village, I gave a cheery good evening but they both ignored me. Dog ran over to them as they came through the gate, bloke spoke to my dog, WT? dog was also naked. Female though, sexist or what?