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,
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の August 21, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の August 21, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
'SEEING MY NAME ON TV IS SURREAL'
Loose Women newbie Olivia Attwood Dack on joining the hit show, marriage and career goals
THE MISSING PIECE
My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence.
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Rustle up these tasty family dinners with just five easy ingredients
SMILING THROUGH CANCER
Like most mums, when my kids are upset I’ll do almost anything to turn their frowns upside down, whether it’s making Max, 11, his favourite chocolate cake or putting on silly voices for Georgia, eight, when she’s had a bad day at school.
BRAVERY AMIDST SUCH HORROR
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on dinner time, posh grub and wet summers
RELAX & RESET
For farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa, head for the dramatic Dolomites
HELP! I'M TURNING INTO MY MUM
As the years pass, Heather Main, 39, realises she’s inheriting more and more of her mother’s traits
I WAS MISTAKEN FOR MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS!
When Gemma Loveden, 38, lost l6st, a family member was convinced she was someone else...
Denise confesses I'MA MORNING SEX PERSON'
Never one to mince her words, Denise Welch is much-loved by fans for her refreshing honesty.
Cat & Ben SNUBBED!
Are the This Morning hosts feeling disgruntled after missing out on an NTA nomination in favour of Alison?