Any team that invests £75 million on a defensive lynch-pin like Virgil Van Dijk and upwards of another £70 million on goalkeeper Allison will have to make do with a poorer backline than last season....................

At the risk of sounding like an attention-seeking dating desperado, has Mingle2 yielded relationship success for people north of Hadrian's Wall or is it a more London-centric website like a few places in cyberspace that I've lurked on?

I have seen a few women at wedding receptions removing their heels and dancing barefoot :)

Thank you, very much appreciated

The risk of stepping on something undesirable or even dangerous is always a factor especially on the sand

Exceptions and exemptions can be made in the interests of general health and well-being

Thank you Maria195

Yes without a doubt, the sandy environment is pretty much the domain of shoeless and fancy-free but Wal-Mart and the local supermarket frown on that mode of unshod tootsies.

If I could do the whole beach living thing that would be my idea of Heaven unfortunately in the concrete jungle of Edinburgh, its currently a pipe-dream :(

It definitely is all about weather and location not forgetting a certain level of privacy and comfort too

Certainly sand or grass in the garden on a sun-kissed Sunday afternoon are two locales you know your feet will appreciate.

That would be the perfect location, a beach albeit one free of the general public and tourists.

Yes the pointy rocks location was a little odd

'Going barefoot is the gentlest way of walking and can symbolise a way of living, being authentic, vulnerable, sensitive to our surroundings. It’s the feeling of enjoying warm sand beneath our toes, or carefully making our way over sharp rocks in the darkness. It’s a way of living that has the lightest impact, removing the barrier between us and nature' Quote by Adele Coombs ''Barefoot Dreaming''. Now its not exactly ideal in the current climate here on the east of Scotland to kick off your shoes at any given time and bare your soles but I do agree with Ms Coombs opinion, even though the sight of uncovered toes can be met with sneers of ''tree hugger'' or sheer revulsion.

Sorry I couldn't resist that cheeky reply

Thanks for the welcome SBK

Wore a kilt only once and it was on a bitterly cold November day, never again.

Neither Hibernian or Hearts, I gave up with football (soccer) years ago when I realised I had all the grace and ability of a drunk giraffe.

Chocolate turns white..........or maybe I should stop buying cheap Advent Calendars.

The Avocado Theory was mentioned by two scientist type guys on a late night BBC4 programme so I ''borrowed'' it :)