It was my birthday, so for kicks I decide to enjoy my birthday suit, not only in camp, but 'freerange' as well.
I scrounged a photocopy of the local footpaths from the bureau, and set off for a walk. The weather was very humid with rain threatening.......
After setting off I walked about 2 miles along the D50 road. Until I came to the wood, where I intended to start my hike, but the trees were mainly chestnut trees, with husks and nuts covering the ground. Having decided that my walk was to be totally naked, feet included. I abandoned the idea of starting at that point and turned down a farm track to reach another footpath marked on my map. This overgrown path I eventually found opposite a wrecked car in the ditch.
I had decided that I would carry nothing, other than my map & pen and some water.By this time light rain had started, so stripping naked I put all my gear into the boot of the car to keep it dry. and set off along the path. It really was exhilarating, the warm rain on my body and the wet grass underfoot.I walked for about an hour crossing many other paths, most of them made by deer, unmarked on my map, no problem I noted the details on my map in case I had to retrace my route, eventually I came to a stile where the path crossed 2 large open fields, a farm yard visible some way off.
With nobody around I continued across the fields, and had almost reached the far side when a couple of dogs started making the most obscene racket, very much hastening my pace reached the safety of the narrow path again. Wending this way and that, it eventually led me to a fork in the path.To the left the D48, across which were open fields and the Dordogne. To the right way my chosen route.Being unable to miss the temptation of a skinnydip, I chose the left path.....
Safely crossed the D48 road, no traffic, nobody working in the fields, down to the river and enjoyed my swim. I then returned to my planned route, which I followed for about a mile before coming to a l..o..n..g fairly deep muddy puddle.........About halfway through I slipped, lost my footing and fell face down, I scrambled out, covered head to foot in muddy water, thankfully it was still raining. Seeing the funny side and being glad I was naked I pushed on, now en-route to link up with the path leading me to my clothes, and back to camp, for a well earned beer (or two +?)But it wasn't to be that easy, when I opened my map to find the path back, I found it had virtually disappeared after its 'swim' in the muddy puddle.......The photocopier ink was water soluble !!!
Undeterred I pressed on along paths which I t..h..o..u..g..h..t, were right, but were w..r..o..n..g.. I eventually finished up..... at...yes... the chestnut wood!!............................ There was no way I could walk through that barefooted!!Now was the time to start getting worried,somewhere in this overgrown jungle was the right path......Where??. No way I could retrace my steps, without my map, it was just trial and error finding the right path. I lost count of the wrong paths that I took, and marked them with twigs, so not to walk them again.At long ...long last I emerged onto the track with the wreck opposite........
Totally exhausted I stretched out to rest on some grass, much relieved to be reunited with my normally hated clothes!!!!! although I did not dress until it was absolutely necessary.
Gymnobuff.
The second incident whilst on that holiday will follow shortly
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