Pleased that you finally got to try it out Grower and obviously discovered how liberating it can be.  And I am sure that you are not an anti-social weirdo, we all need our space at times.

Thanks, Tony.  Little may you know how inspirational you are, and the others who have passed on their experience....

With regard to bare foot that's your decision, me there's no chance, as infections in feet are difficult to cure. Also be careful where sheep have been  and long grass exists. A work colleague is being treated for Lymes disease caught from walking over the South Downs behind our office at lunch time.

What sort of infection were you thinking of.  Mankind wallked barefoot for 100,000 years plus, and all its predecessors! We are pretty well adapted to walking bareoot, although admiittedly for those who do not do it regularly, you need to be fairly careful and look after your feet.

In six years of only occasional use of footwear, I have had one minor inflammation from a botched attempt to remove a broken thorn, gained in the middle of a wood, that settled down after a day or two. Moral of the story, be careful and use antiseptic when digging out ( very occasional) broken thorn.

I was 'ticked' the other day. Worst thing to do, walk along a path with ovehanging vegeatation, and then not bathed to remove before they get stuck in. Off path or on paths where you can avoid overhanging vegetation is best. Otherwise wear clothes/long trousers (surely not....) or straight after shower/ bathe and scrub off any that are crawling on you. These were tiny ones with little risk of disease, but tricky to find/ remove.

Great topic - expresses exactly my feelings about naked walking.  Only place it is really practical IMHO is in naturist campsites in France.  Try Domaine de Lambeyran, or Village de Bosc.  Lots of lovely walks ON-SITE, you won't see anyone else all day, as you walk in the foothills of the Cevennes in the garrigue (herb-laden undergrowth) with the butterflies.  Domaine de Lambeyran is HUGE (over 300 hectares).