I understand your reaction. I have only been seen once whilst free walking and that was at a distance. I do my very best to avoid any human contact and indeed apprehension about contact does impair my enjoyment of free walking.

Theres a part of me wants to be seen again, so i can speak and over come it

Theres a part of me wants to be seen again, so i can speak and over come it

I can empathise with that. I used to worry about being seen, but after a couple of close encounters realised I was the only one involved who was worried. Then I had a walk with three trouble-free encounters in quick succession, and thereafter I almost hoped to meet someone so the experience would revalidate the lack of problem, the “normality” of it.

I try not to be seen. But on one occasion, I had my boat well a truly rocked. I was walking away from my usual area exploring new avenues, as you do.
Anyway, at a glance to the right, I noticed some children playing, quicky I turned around and started running. I am positive they did not see me. As I was running back to the area I was used too, I came across a chap and his girl. No time to avert, I just looked down, hand over bits and kept running.
God knows what they thought. Probably had a good laugh. Anyway, knocked my confidence and I did not go walking for quite some time.

I have been seen many times both close and at distance while hiking nude in the New Forest. The way I look at it I am not breaking any laws so do not hide. I have "touch wood" never had a bad encounter the odd snigger or sideways look but most are positive.

The more you walk, the more you come to realise that most people dont give a fig (leaf). Never met anyone today but bumped into a jogger and a dog walker. Just had a blether with the dog walker as we walked along

I make an effort to go naked walking and running at remote places and at quiet times. Last year I was out every week for over 3 months and never had an encounter. Have been doing the same since March without incident but over the last 2 weeks I have been spotted twice. The first time was by 2 female walkers as I walked off the Moors towards a small reservoir. I am sure they spotted me before I spotted them. I quickly popped my shorts on and sat at the water's edge. They came up to me after a minute or so, said hello and had I been swimming. They were friendly and quite ok about it. Earlier this week while running naked I spotted a runner heading towards me at a bit of a distance. I simply turned around and ran back the way I came with the runner following at a distance. I am sure they could tell that I was naked but I was determined not to relinquish my freedom. The world didn't end in either case and my confidence continues to grow as a result.

I just looked down, hand over bits and kept running.

If you’re worried about being seen you covered the wrong “bits” - usually people get recognised by their faces!  :-[

I understand the above. The one thing that worries me in NC. Is that a lot of members that reply on posts, seem to not worry about offending people. Surely true naturists, will try and avoid or cover up when meeting people. The majority of people wear clothes when enjoying the countryside and do not want to see naked men, or women flaunting themselves. There is nothing wrong in being courteous to other people. Yes, some people may not be offended, but how do you know , if you do not know the person?

I understand your concerns. I don't thnk the majority of us want to offend anyone.

I do think that a balance has to be struck. Sometimes people get it right and other times not.

We have to understand that no-one has a right not to be offended. I don't like piercing and some tattoos but I have to live with it. The line to draw is if the conduct harms anyone else. For example the recent closure of the Blue Lake  is the result of offensive conduct by visitors by leaving litter which has harmed the environment which had led to the farmer closing it off.

I'm not convinced anyone is harmed by simple nudity. When I'm out walking I do tend to cover up and I certainly would near a school or an oncoming youth group.

I've always felt that the likeliest threat comes from someone being offended on behalf of another.  e.g. The man who immediately jumps to the conclusion the naturist is a threat, or is insulting his accompanying partner

I think the perception of naked people by non-naturists changes with the number of naturists. One, especially a lone male may be perceived as a threat. A group, especially with a women included is perceived as a boni fide naturist outing. The vast majority of encounters I've had are when in a group and so far no problems, the latest one by a woman dog walker who just said good day. As she waked by I turned round. She never bothered to look back. I sometimes thing we perceive that we offend people by our nakedness.

A few years ago walking naked was a real challenge but with the College of Policing advice the scene has changed considerably for the better, but only as a result of pushing the boundaries.

I do think that the boundaries having been pushed as naturists we must realise that there are time and places not to be naked. The trick is to recognise the where and when.

Davie  8)

Cant disagree with any of the above. I only walk on moors and hills where i dont usually run into anyone let alone people who are likely to be offended. If you are up a hill in snow, wind, rain etc, you arent likely to be faint hearted. Those i meet on the hills i have known for a while and are not in the least bit concerned about my nudity.

I have seen something more stupid than walking naked. It was a group of cyclists carrying their bikes up to the top of Snowdon it hot weather so they could cycle back down.

Read Gildo’s experiences about walking in Sherwood forest. I have been seen today at a distance by two or three people. It is not an issue, but you should act normally. Running away or hiding are likely to be seen as suspicious and perhaps alarming behaviour. I usually avoid being seen close to if possible and so will then cover up, but that is probably more for me than others. I have also walked with others where we did not, once through a forest with kids on a mountain biking event. The first person we met was the organiser, and he said not to worry about the kids. Having said that, we tried to avoid the tracks they were using but they appeared to be on all of them!

It is arguably disrespectful to assume that others will have a problem. It is always good to be able to cover up if others appear uncomfortable but there is no reason why it should be the immediate response otherwise. One of the most liberating experiences I have felt is walking around at Buddhafield festival last year. There are always one or two naked there, plus sauna area and workshops eg dance where some will be naked. Obviously, the more uptight people don’t go to such events. It is a festival where everyone is expected to be respectful of others, but to accept others as they express themselves, however they are dressed, or not. I only got positive feedback to being naked there.

I have been seen a dozen times at least this summer whilst walking nude along public paths. The most recent was last Friday as I walked further along the Jubilee way in Leicestershire. I had not met anyone all morning and was just thinking about getting my wrap out of my back pack to be prepared for lunchtime dog walkers. Suddenly I spotted a couple about 100 metres away. We had a clear view of each other and I decided to stop and start to cover up before they came close. It took me a while to get my wrap out so they were close enough to see me clearly before I got it on. Despite all this they were perfectly friendly and asked me a number of questions about my walk. She led the conversation and was scanning my body as we talked. Later I realised I should have let them prolong the conversation as I think they were interested in my motivation to walk naked. I also think I should have remained nude as they were clearly unfazed. However this is glorious hindsight and I agree with the other correspondents that it is better to minimise the risk of offending textiles by at least trying to cover up.
Of course I have been surprised by some walkers so have had to brazen it out. So far with no awkward consequences.
The attached picture was taken just before we met.