Standing at the water’s edge, I peel off all my clothes, leaving them in a pile on the ground. Then, without hesitation, I head, completely naked, into the water. I love the feeling of being immersed in the frigid temperature.
As an avid skinny dipper, I’ve been doing this for years. And while I’ve had the odd surprised look from passersby, at 57, being naked in the water has given me a new appreciation for my body.
Growing up, my childhood was split between Germany and Sweden. I was always outdoors, and I felt most comfortable surrounded by nature. I’d spend summers swimming (albeit swimsuit-clad!) in lakes with friends, and hiking through the woods.
I always said that I’d want my own kids to have the same sort of childhood as me – and, after moving to the UK, aged 27, I met Stephen. We got married in March 1991, and after our first daughter, Kristina, was born in 1992, followed by Nick in 1994, and Anya two years later, we spent countless summers on the beach near our home in Devon, and splashing in lakes on holidays around Europe.
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