When I was a little girl, my doctor told my Mum that she dressed me in far too many clothes! As an adult, I used to be embarrassed taking all my clothes off to get into the bath! How things have changed!
When my husband and I got together about 20 years ago, he loved being naked around the house. I soon enjoyed the experience myself. Hugh had always wanted to be naked outside the house. One day, whilst on holiday in Cornwall, we walked along the beach at Carlyon Bay and came to a sign which read, "Beyond this sign, you may see naked people". While we were reading it, a man walked up to us, naked (we always call him our angel now), and said to us, "Do come and take off your clothes. See how you like it". There was no pressure, but without him we often wonder if we would have had the courage.
Well, Hugh was very enthusiastic, took off his clothes then wandered about. I took my clothes off, slowly, then lay flat on the sand - a bit like the Windmill Theatre (it's all right as long as you don't move!) Eventually, Hugh asked me to go for a little walk with him amongst the greenery at the back of the beach. I forced myself to go with him, but found I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We felt like Adam and Eve! It was such a life-changing experience. I asked if we could go back the next day!
After arriving home from our holiday, we decided to contact our local naturist club. As a postlady, I knew we had one. I had heard someone saying, "I've got mail for the nudist club today", and everyone had chuckled. Finding it was another matter. To cut a long story short, we found the telephone number and made arrangements to visit for the day. Even with the address, it was difficult to find. We spent the day at TARA, and enjoyed ourselves so much that we wanted to become members immediately. The then owners Ann and Dave would not let us join, but told us to go home and think about it. If we still felt the same the next day, then we could join, which we did, and we have never looked back.
We had felt very nervous the night before we went to TARA. We felt very apprehensive, and wondered if we would see anyone we knew. Being now seasoned naturists (for about 12 years), we can hardly believe we were so nervous. It is a most relaxing way of life, and completely natural. We just wish the weather was warmer, so that we could be naked more often. We have a secluded back garden, and when the sun comes out we garden naked and sunbathe. What a difference it has made to my life. Being naked has "freed me up" and made me a more natural person.
Pam’s ten reasons to be a naturist:
1. The feeling of total freedom (clothes can be very restricting).
2. The body's temperature is able to work better (you can feel colder wearing a few clothes than wearing none at all).
3. A feeling of confidence and comfort (I feel much more confident naked than with clothes. Clothes tend to pull you in and push you out in very unnatural, uncomfortable ways).
4. There is a greater tolerance and acceptance amongst naturists, whatever people's size and shape.
5. Naturists are very friendly. They have nothing to hide. Clothes seem to add big barriers. You are what you are, not what you wear!
6. It is a healthy way of life, not only physically, but also mentally.
7. It is a very safe environment, especially for children. Everyone keeps an eye out for them.
8. Naturists are well behaved and clear up after themselves. (Did you see the litter left at Stonehenge after the summer solstice?)
9. Being a naturist is a natural way of de-stressing your life, and helps with relaxation.
10. Seeing so many naked bodies makes you realise how natural life can, and should, be. Our culture cannot seem to separate nakedness from sex. There wouldn't be so many sex crimes if all people were naturists. I have shed a lot of layers of man-made problems in the shedding of my clothes!
Pam Neate