The fact of something never having happened in the past does not preclude the possibility of that something occurring in the future. I don’t think Spain is the only country where naughty landowners erect fences across footpaths.
Never heard of leech incidents, I am afraid. The only potential pesk would be ticks in areas where bush is thick, but the CF is perfectly manicured and you will not find none of that. You do not have to cross large bodies of water whatsoever...
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