A few weeks ago I posted a picture taken during a walk to try out a new pair of walking boots. Now I have finally found time to do this blog entry about the day.
The walk was in the West Sussex downland area, and as I said the main reason was to test out some new walking boots, before doing a three days walking on the South West Way. Although ever hopeful of a getting a chance to strip off, I never expected to be able to spend much time in the buff, however I thought that if I didn't get a chance whilst walking I'd a least manage to find a couple of quiet place for both a coffee break and lunch. The was in an area with attractive countryside and good views, which therefore I knew it might be “busier” than some other places. That said given it was a midweek day in April (although summer was still with us then), I didn't think there would be too many people around, however there turned out to be rather more than I expected.
I parked in a forestry car park between East Marden and Stoughton, and set off at 09.40hrs. After a grey and cool'ish start, that wasn't too cold for shorts and a polo shirt, the sun gradually came out as I followed the track through the woods towards Bow Hill. Part way up I found a small path which lead to a monument with a seat that was tucked out of sight. I decided this was a good place to get undressed and have a coffee and sandwich. When I was ready to move off again I wondered if I'd be safe to carry my clothes for a while. Fortunately I thought better of it, as once I reached the main path I bumped straight into another walker.
I continued on the top of Bow Hill and Kingsley Vale Nature Reserve. Leaving the main path I found a spot with a view that was suitable for another break. After dressing again I continued along the top of the hill enjoying the fine views. I also passed a ranger cutting back some of the gorse bushes.
I decided to play safe and keep my clothes on for the walk down to Stoughton. This was just as well as I passed two or three individuals and couples. After stopping at a pub in the village for a coffee, I continued on taking a path towards Up Marden. It was about 11.40hrs by now.
I decided that whilst Bow Hill had been relatively busy, this path should be fairly quiet, and safe enough to try walking naked for a while. Therefore soon after turning off the road I undressed and keeping my eyes and ears open continued on. After going over a wooded hill the path reached a field with a farmhouse in view about a quarter of a mile away. I decided to dress before going out into the open. Looking up the valley I saw a grassed area away from the path that would be a good place for a lunch stop. Once there, having judged there was little risk of being seen I undressed again, and applied some more sunscreen as it was getting rather hot, and got out my sandwiches.
About five minutes after I started eating, a crop sprayer came racing up the valley from the farm. Whilst I was confident the driver couldn't see my actual state of undress, being “off the path” I thought he might stop and ask me what I was doing there, so I thought it prudent to put my shorts back on so that I could stand up and speak to him if necessary. Needless to say he started spraying and if he noticed my presence he didn't question it. I stayed clothed and after finishing my lunch, continued to Up Marden.
I stopped to have a look in the church, and a couple of walkers arrived whilst I was there. On leaving the church I found another party having their lunch on a bench in the church yard. It was becoming obvious that I certainly didn't have the countryside to myself.
The next section of my route was through woodland but given the number of people around I decided to keep my kit on. After dropping down on to a road, I left it a couple of hundred yards further on, on a footpath heading back towards Stoughton. I followed this one, and turned on to another smaller one, before judging it safe to walk naked again. I had an enjoyable walk along this section. When I reached open country again, I left the path and went a little along the edge of the field, and found a another sheltered spot for a break. It was here that with the help of a fence post, that I took the picture.
From this point, I had a view of where I had originally left the road from Stoughton, this was fortunate as a few minutes later I looked across at just the right time to see a couple of people turn onto the path. It wasn't definite that they would come my way as they might do what I'd done earlier and go towards Up Marden, however they could turn off and head in my direction. I couldn't see the junction from where I was, so I decided to give then a few minutes and then dress. That turned out to be a good move as soon after moving off, I saw two women with dogs coming towards me. The dogs were running free, but fact that the ladies quickly put them on leads once they saw me, suggested that the dogs might well have been quickly on to me, giving little chance to cover up, had I perhaps not seen them and stayed where I was.
Once back on the road I turned away from Stoughton, and headed back to where I'd left the car. I looked up the hill and saw two more people emerging from the wood on my “quiet” path. I decided I'd been pretty lucky not to meet anyone. Since I hadn't had any great expectations of spending much time naked so I wasn't disappointed on that front, and it was a good day to be out. Finally I would add that the boots did pass the test.
Click here to read more - if you want to be a part of ITB, sign up it is free to sign up and chat on line