I was 18 and had been dating this girl for a few months, not long but long enough for it to move away from just being a fling.
On a lovely sunny bank holiday day we'd been to the Severnside Bird Santuary and were heading home, shortly after lunch. Just in conversation, with no ulterior motive, I mentioned that for some while during the previous summer, I'd visited a naturist club not that far away and had been a member, was still, of their youth group.
Needless to say there was a laughing response along the 'you've got to be kidding me' line. I assured her I wasn't and said I'd take her there to prove it if she wanted me too. To be fair, I did say she'd not have to undress as it would be a first visit but that, as a member, I would be expected to. Although somewhat reluctant, she did agree to a visit, so we headed off in that direction.
Later she told me she only agreed to go, challenging me to take her really, because she was convinced it didn't exist.
We arrived and after introductions to those already there we settled on the edge of the lawn, myself nude her not. As is not uncommon on a warm afternoon after a nice picnic lunch I fell asleep. How long I was dozing I've no idea but when I woke to my surprise I found a naked young lady next to me.
She told me that after I fell asleep she just felt so silly being the only one around with clothes on and that she felt, if she got naked as well, she'd be less noticed and so it seems, from her point of view, that was how it was.
Three years later we married.
Since then we've brought up three children, two boys and one girl all of whom have lived the naturist life in clubs and beaches home and abroad throughout their childhood, the only disappointment, to us anyway, being that none have managed to persuade their now spouses to embrace the lifestyle.
That first visit, now almost 60 years ago, was the beginning of a lifestyle that has lasted and provided fun, laughter and good friends in many lovely locations for year after year and I can only suggest that if anyone is given the opportunity, just as I gave my now wife, to see what naturism is all about, that they should take a deep breath and go see...you'll never know what you're missing until you go see for yourself.
Richard & Jennifer Ashton