Some ten years ago, I got so much pain in my feet that I could hardly walk (luckily I had no trouble cycling). In spite of consulting various doctors and specialists, using special soles, creams and pills, there was no improvement until I gave up wearing any footwear except the lightest of sandals that did not touch any of the tender points -- not easy to find!

The pain finally eased, and I started wearing ghillies again for dancing. Big mistake! Agony!

As with so many shoes, the tight lacing of ghillies means that there is no elasticity and they press hard on your feet -- especially when you start getting hot and tired.

I have then been dancing barefoot for nearly ten years, with no regrets. Feet were not designed to be enclosed in unforgiving leather, cloth or anything else. The enlarged toe joints that I had assumed were normal have now disappeared, my toes are all parallel to each other, and I quite convinced that I am far more comfortable using my feet as nature intended than I ever was before.

Yes, I usually stretch my muscles a little before dancing, and have sometimes taken an aspirin or two when I feel a twinge (after Irish dancing for example, which is a bit more punishing), but otherwise have no intention of returning to ghillies or ibuprofen!

It is never too late to undo past mistakes. I am 66.

Martin