In the pitch-black of a north-western forest walk, I find it much easier to keep to the path if I rely on the sensations of my souls to keep me true. I was amazed the first time that I tried to stay on track, all laced up in hiking shoes at the insistence of a visiting New Yorker. Even with her brilliant flashlight chasing off all of the night-life, we were lost.

After the incident, I began taking her out to explore the world barefoot. She had never attempted such a thing in her life, and bumped, bruised & bloodied her feet more than I could have imagined. Stubborn to the core though, she kept at it, and I began to put together a small "emergency kit" to treat her injuries. You know, including the basics: tweezers (for glass/large thorns), disinfectant of some kind, arnica (for bruise prevention), and a bandage/wrap of some kind to stop excessive bleeding..

Am I now, no longer a barefoot purist (as some believe the scuffs, scars and pain are part of the process) or turning into my mother (over-prepared and paranoid) or do you think that such a "kit" is a good companion?