You may think I’m biased. Oaklands was a discovery that changed my life.

During my first marriage I remained a closet naturist. A movement, a lifestyle that I was never destined to be part of. After some incredibly difficult decisions and life changing moments I decided that I needed to move on. Life as they say is too short. I needed to rediscover myself .

Finding another partner to share life proved for me to be easier than I thought. We clicked and after a year started to live together. The challenges of life, work and two families coming together proved to be an immensely difficult period. We worked hard as a couple trying to bring both families together and provide whatever we could despite the hardship physically, mentally and financially. 

For me the biggest burden was emotional the process of leaving my young children. Although seeing them daily resulted in great stress and anxiety. I’ve not said this to many people but the support of my now wife and the medical help provided by the NHS have keep me going. For this I am eternally grateful. That help and support continues today. Without out this I would be lost.

So, you may ask how Oaklands helped. After a few years of living together and in spite of saying I’d never do it again, I asked her to marry me. She said ‘Yes’. 

In planning the honeymoon I took charge, saying to my now wife. “Leave it to me”. She did. I spent hours looking and although struggling with the choice and whether it would be right for both of us took the plunge. Yes, we had had odd days on the beach alone and naked enjoying the sun and calming sea breeze. But a fortnight in a naturist resort was a whole new level.

I booked, said nothing and waited. Following the wedding. A fabulous occasion spending time our way we left for the Honeymoon. To say my wife was a little surprised to say the least was an understatement. 

We flew from Birmingham sharing some delightful bubbly on the plane and landed in Alicante. picked up the car and headed south. Arriving a couple of hours later in Vera Playa (Spain). We found our apartment in the Naturist urbanisation Torremar.

Well to cut a long story short. The holiday was fantastic. Living the naturist lifestyle for two whole weeks. Nothing to do but relax, enjoy the weather, swim, eat, drink and explore. We were less than pleased when finally we had to return home.

Some of our friends and family found the whole thing a little strange.

    Why would you spend your time naked?

    Why would you swim without a costume?

    Surely it must be sex thing?

I have to say we answered so many questions from family and friends it felt like the Spanish Inquisition.

We were still convinced and adamant that what we experienced was right and set about sorting a new lifestyle. Eventually friends and family accepted who we were.

We joined a local naturist swim on returning, enjoying the short weekly event lasting only a couple of hours. It was here that we spoke with some friends. We expressed how we felt, what we were looking for and although we had never heard of Oaklands we thought why not.

We filled in the application form and sent it off. Shortly after we were contacted by the membership secretary and began our path down the membership route. We were visited at home. For me it sounded a little daunting at first. Should we be naked, what are they looking for. Is the house clean enough. The membership secretary and her husband arrived at the allotted time and we started to talk.

Suddenly it all seemed so natural, they explained what the club had to offer. We asked questions for which they had relatable answers. We talked for over an hour, it seemed like minutes. It ended with us well informed, understanding what Oaklands had to offer and ready to take the next step.

We were invited along. Drove to the club on a Sunday morning and were met at the gate by the Membership Secretary and her Husband. They took the time to walk us round the club, showed us all the facilities, introduced us to members that were on site and made us feel totally at home.

We took some time to sit, enjoy the ambiance, weather, friendly like minded conversation and without a moment’s hesitation decided to sign up if they’d have us.

It’s now over 17 years, I joined the committee after the first two and later became president. I’ve never doubted that this was the right move.

Yes, sometimes moving the club forward has been hard, stressful and I have questioned if it’s still right for me. The answer is “YES”.

I’ve had the opportunity to join a member’s club, a community of like-minded people that are supportive of each other, non-judgmental, there if needed and yet quietly in the background. I don’t think I could have found a more perfect match for the new me. Yes, I’m still on medication, I’m still supported by my wife, family and friends. But I also have the support of a much bigger gathering.

Needless to say. The membership secretary and her Husband are among our lifelong friends as are many other members of the club. We are lucky enough to have diversified and found total inclusion. Never being judged. Supported and befriended we have the lifestyle we dreamt of.

My advice. What are you waiting for. Come along, meet us, join and experience the body positivity that begin a member of Oaklands naturist club can bring. It’s a great uplifter for the mind, the outdoors and fresh air are great for the body. Vitamin ‘D’ provides a radiant glow and is good for the bones. Don’t wait give us a try.

My wife doesn’t get much of say in this. However, let’s be clear she’d agree whole heartedly that it was without doubt an amazing honeymoon. A great choice to try naturism, something she’d also wanted to try before. The right lifestyle back at home. The only club that would have satisfied our needs and the perfect solution for a fulfilling life.

Paradise found. And as I said, I am biased.