I used to be less careful than I am now. I have in the past gone nude on sometimes fairly busy Spanish beaches, carrying nothing and walking purposefully past them for several miles. It is not illegal there. People would notice, but few seemed at all bothered. Only once did anyone (a man) object on the specific grounds that children might see me. As we know, children take no notice of simple nudity, but I did feel nervous because I then felt vulnerable and had no means at all to cover-up. I occasionally experienced groups of two or three women expressing obvious approval that I was nude, not that I was looking for that. I always avoided single women who were not nude or top-free so as not to make them feel uncomfortable or threatened. It was interesting to observe how some couples saw me nude and then removed their clothing.
That was in the past. In the interests of not causing offence and not giving naturism a bad name even if legal I have changed my approach to public nudity to be less obvious. Just like Pete, I agree hiking is a lot more fun than the beach. I also use quieter Spanish beaches where few people pay any attention other than just noticing, some see me and do the same! Hiking in Spain, it is so quiet the chances of running into someone are low. Hiking in the UK the chances are much higher. If alone I have tend to disappear off into the bushes, feeling nervous since I have absolutely no wish to offend but afraid it might be taken as more than simple nudity. Doing a Spencer Tunick installation has given me a different pespective on how the Brits see nudity. 1700 people went nude for several hours in a city in the name of “art”. Most were not naturists and were very nervous at first. I don’t go nude on UK beaches unless lying on my belly in a quiet spot. I only stand up when there isn’t anyone around for at least 700 yards, but may walk a long way then. If someone keeps on walking towards me I don’t usually worry about it, since it is their choice and I am on a very wide large beach, but if it is narrower I sit down and am discreet until they have passed. If I see a lone woman I often cover up as we get closer so she can feel “safe”. No-one in the UK has ever objected or seemed offended. Occasionally they have been obviously amused, so I just say hello. You might wonder why I do not use nudist beaches very often. The main answer is simple. Sadly, in the UK and on the smaller Spanish beaches there are often various pervs hanging around and I do not feel as comfortable. They are the ones giving naturism a bad name.