I have slept naked for a long time now and have then gone downstairs to make a drink or put breakfast on.  On holiday I have tried to get a skinny dip in after dark (and managed to get my 19 & 21 year old sons to join me, and, on occasion, my wife).  However, i have never been outside 'in public' naked before.  I discovered only recently that Budleigh has East Devon's only official nudist beach.  Still, I was nervous about where to sit as I didn't want to witness any 'tomfoolery' !  I researched as best I could and decided I was going to visit given the chance.

On Bank Holiday Monday my wife was working and the boys were otherwise occupied.  So, I went for a 12k run, did some chores (naked) and then decided to drive down to Budleigh.  As Budleigh is quite close, and I thought a single man walking to the beach looked conspicuous, I wore a cap and sunglasses.  I walked down the Steamer Steps, heart pumping and was intending to walk along to the Clothing Optional sign.  However, just past the beach huts, I started to see people sunbathing naked.  So, having passed several people, I saw a nice big gap and put my towels down there.  Without thinking about it, I stripped off and sat down on the towels.  I had brought some lunch with me and so started to eat my lunch.  Shortly, another couple came and sat down quite close.  Again, my heart started racing, until they too stripped down and entered the sea.  I was feeling more comfortable.  Having sun lotioned up I lay down to enjoy the feeling of sun on my naked body.  It felt tremendous. 

A little while later, I decided the time had come to stand up and walk the short distance to the sea.  I love swimming in the sea, and doing it naked felt amazing.  Coming out, it was so much easier to lie down and dry off when I didn't have trunks on.

I had arrived just after 12 and so more people came along and placed themselves on the beach.  Along with the invigorating feeling of having sun and a breeze all over, I felt more liberated by being among other people who were feeling the same.  Whats more, they understand how it feels and realise that I am not 'strange' or 'weird' for feeling like this.  I began to be more and more relaxed about the whole thing such that when a Stuart Line cruise ship came past the beach very slow, instead of hiding away, I actually sat up to see what they were looking at. 

My two hours went all too quickly.  I needed to be home for when my wife finished work, purely because having worked on Bank Holiday, it was only fair that i then sent some time with her.  She asked where I had been and when I said Budleigh she asked where I parked, just being interested as we normally park at the bottom end by the busy part of the beach.  When I said the top of town she said 'oh, up near the nudist part ?'.  'Up that way', I said.  'Did you go naked ?' she asked with a grin on her face.  I had decided I was going to try and avoid telling her but I wasn't going to lie, so, when she asked me straight out I just replied 'Yes'.  She chuckled and asked if I saw anyone I knew, which I didn't.  She made a few gags about it later about 'being over exposed' or 'using factor 50' but not a lot more was said. 

I now regret waiting so long.  When I left I noticed quite a number of clothed people on the beach both on their own and also with other nude people.  So, next time it is warm enough for the beach I am going to suggest we go again to the clothing optional section - apart from anything else it is much quieter and more relaxing than the other end.  I will tell her she can be fully clothed with her tankini and there is no need for her to strip off unless she alone wishes to.  We will see where that takes us.

Since Monday, I have engineered opportunities for me to be naked outside at home.  I now water the tomatoes etc in the greenhouse late at night when I can go and do it naked and then, this morning, I went and hung the washing out totally naked (apart from trainers).  The feeling of liberation and invigoration is superb.  You then realise just how restrictive and uncomfortable clothing in fact is !

If the weather is good enough this week before we go to France at the weekend, I hope to nip off work early and go and get another couple of hours on the beach at Budleigh.  Then, whilst we are in Provence for a couple of weeks I will see the reaction if I pluck up the courage to sunbathe in the altogether with the family.  The feeling of breeze on your body is rather addictive !!