The reverse was true for me. This is only fourth day today where i have been prevented from walking naked up the hills. It wasn't the temperature at 2c, it wasn't the falling snow, it wasn't the 40mph easterly wind but it would be dangerous to walk naked with all three.
I had a 5 mile naked walk in Sherwood forest today. The wind chill made it feel like 7 degrees C but it was ok. I only saw a few people in the distance, I did not actually meet anyone. There are lots of muddy trenches created in the west by the heavy machinery that have been working during the winter making it difficult to get around in places.
Today, same walk, same snow, same wind but different direction. The wind was from the north and much warmer due to protection from the hills. So a lovely three hour naked walk.
All these walking stories are inspiring and frustrating in equal measure. I have done naked walks and bike rides in my local area, mainly before lockdown when I could choose to do them in quieter times of the day. With the current lockdown and being confined to a small local authority area, the routes are all much busier and I fear the chances of meeting one of the many local neds, for want of a better name, who would be very hostile to nudity is too great to risk. It's a backward step since the excursions I have posted about previously. Maybe I am making the fear bigger than it really is. Safety in numbers though - is there anyone local to me (Invercyde) on this site who would be up for a naked hike?
Smooth again, stayed hairy for as long as I could.
Hmmm...fear is a protection mechanism and a little bit of fear is ok providing you control it and it doesn't control you. A shame you feel reluctant to re-engage in something you have obviously enjoyed in the past but I can empathise with your concerns. As you say, someone to walk with would be ideal, even better a couple of fellow naturists but in the absence of these what about an 'aid' of some sort, like a walking stick or 'staff'?
I take one with me everywhere I go, even here in the town and into the outskirts. I cut it from a piece of sycamore growing in the hedge of my previous home and it stands level with my shoulders. It serves as aid to balance on rough terrain, a place to steady my 'scope' when watching the wild life but also to deter any creature ( read dog...big dog!!!) or ...person that might think about having a go!
In this respect it serves as a deterrent and I am thankful I have never had to use it except on one occasion whilst walking along a beach when a bloody big dog earmarked me, homed in like an exocet and came to a creeping halt about 3 feet away from me, bearing teeth as menacing as you like!!!
A lad with the dog just pulled his hoodie up, ignored the fact his dog was out of control and put his face back in his phone!!...The dog inched closer despite my attempts to shoo it away until I felt forced to give it a decent smack across its shoulders with my stick...and although it retreated it didn't leave immediately but didn't get any closer!
A 'ned' as you put it might get a bit verbal but may think twice about 'getting in your face'...just a thought.
I hope you do get back to your walks, I have been walking 'textile' around my locality but it is no substitute for being clothes free out in the countryside or on a coastal hike.
One life...live it !...there is no rehearsal!
@hillwalker
I have to agree with you there!! There comes a point where you have to draw a line but as you love the hills so much did you not cover up and have a walk anyway??
One life...live it !...there is no rehearsal!
Thank you @sunchaser2. I can relate to the dog issue, I too am very wary of dogs I don't know.
I don't want to go out expecting trouble as that can give off the vibe that I'm looking for it and create a bad situation where none exists, though walking with poles is common and I usually take mine for the steeper parts of any walk. I'll get over this, sometimes simply admitting the fear helps to stop it growing.
Smooth again, stayed hairy for as long as I could.
I too was out this afternoon, not till 3 pm though. It was 3 degrees but the wind was quite biting. I only saw people from a distance, unlike yesterday when I realised I was being watched and looked over to a parallel path to see a guy I know from the village stood watching me walking towards him. Once I saw him and realised I knew him I simply waved and carried on walking. At least with lockdown I wont be seeing him in the pub for a while and maybe by the time I do he will have forgotten.
The nights are drawing out nicely now, just need the temperature to rise a few degrees to allow longer walks.
The nights are drawing out nicely now, just need the temperature to rise a few degrees to allow longer walks.
Yes I can't wait for some nice warm sunny weather. I think it has been colder and wetter than at this time last year.
Definitely. I am in the building trade and have lost more days this month due to the weather than any other January I can remember.
Oh yes, I carried on with my walk. The walk comes first for mental, physical and my dog's health. Being naked is an important second.
As ex Drumchapel, I can assure you that the neds are more scared of a naked you than you are of them. The only neds i have met have just pissed themselves laughing. Having "a walking stick" does help the confidence levels".
It was 7 degrees C with a windchill of 5 degrees this morning when I went for a naked walk in Sherwood forest. I walked for 4.5 miles and could have gone further as I didn't feel too cold. I cheated a little though as I wore my woolly hat a gloves, it really helps to prevent heat loss. I met a guy with a dog who I have met many times over the years and he stopped to chat with me for a while. I kept off the main paths and only passed one coupe who were pleasant enough. I turned off a track to bypass a couple who were sitting on a grass bank having something to eat. I need not have bothered though as I could see them smiling and hear them having a little chuckle. I also found myself walking behind a guy with a dog as they appeared from the side in front of me. I soon caught up with him and he was also very pleasant. I noticed that the RSPB have also written an article in their magazine called Bare all for Budby. It sounded like good news for us until I read on and it was a to let everyone know about the disruptive work the forestry worker will be doing during the winter. I can confirm that their efforts have not gone unnoticed, I have been up to my eyeballs in mud in places where the heavy machinery has been working.
Glad to hear you had a good walk David. Fingers crossed the restrictions have been lifted by the Spring!