I first visited a nudist beach on this day last year, now every year we hear of the royal wedding anniversary I shall celebrate my own anniversary!

Basically I'd been interested in the idea of nudism/naturism (don't bother with labels I interchange the words as they're both meaningless to me-do not label me!) for some time. When I was in hospital after a motorcycle accident I realised the nurses had seen my naked and I could still look them in the eye. But it was November! Far too cold & beside I was too injured to drive. Then the next year I decided that to keep me motivated I'd set a list of 25 challenges to do. 1 of them was to visit the nudist beach.

So as it was a warm day and the tide was right I decided to go for it. I packed my windbreak, sunshade towel and book and off I went. It was midweek but I was pleased to see other cars there as I didn't want to be naked in the wrong place. It was strangely reassuring to see others naked as I walked to the beach. Anyway, I found a spot far enough away from others but still close enough to see them ( I didn't want them to go and leave me as the only one on the beach!). I knocked my windbreak poles in with a stone from the beach, whick broke 1 of the poles! typical! Anyway after I was all set up with blanket down I just stripped off, it was as easy as that. It's quick and painless I just did it, now I've never been a big one for reading but it was so peaceful I got a few chapters done then got bored of the book. So now was the biggie, I stood up to walk to the sea for my swim. But to be honest it would only be if I panicked and looked around that would of drawn attention to myself, I'm there for my own enjoyment so just strode purposefully (well as purposefully as I could on that shingle) into the water. I love swimming and so this was my home, I can be confident in the water as I know I'm good in water. So I swam about happily then a couple got in the water and we started speaking as I was near them. I had now spoken naked to a naked female stranger but it was so natural that I didn't think of that until I was home!

I felt like I had missed out by not going earlier, it really was no big issue. It was easier talking to strangers as you have a shared interest.

So I shall pretend all the bunting and street parties are celebrating with me not them strangers getting married inb London.