At the start of summer my husband Pascal, 62, and I left our home in the south of France, got into our car and headed further southwards, checking into a gorgeous hotel on the Med for a week of sea, sand and sunshine.
After a late afternoon check-in and with the glorious rays of sunshine still strong, I decided to get some sun on my body. Our hotel was a small one and each room had a private terrace overlooking the sea. I’d already wriggled into a string bikini. After getting settled on the sunbed, I whipped off my bikini top. Then began liberally applying sunscreen all over.
Within minutes of having stripped off, I was lying back on my lounger. Moments later the tuts of disapproval started up. They were coming from the balcony next to me. I opened my eyes and that’s when I noticed a woman peering over the privacy screen separating our terraces. She was genuinely horrified at seeing me (almost) naked as nature intended.
Look, I’m not an exhibitionist and I certainly wasn’t flashing my topless form on purpose. The person doing the tutting had to look - and I mean really look - over the dividing screen between our balconies. Of course I immediately sat up and reached for my bikini top. Peering through the dividing screen, I saw a rather staid middle-aged British couple who were about to have gin and tonics on their terrace. While I tied up my top on this occasion, it annoyed me that I’d done so. In 2023 is a woman sunbathing topless really something to be scandalised about?
I haven’t stopped thinking about this episode with a woman who is undoubtedly less at ease with her body than I am. Guilty as charged, I would have reacted the same way when I was still living in the UK, in Birmingham. After all,
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories