Well, the last time I swam in the nude was many years ago BC** …
We were in Malawi and climbing Mount Mulanje – a group of six adults with a couple of porters, on a four day three night hike.
The trip up was quite steep, requiring walking boots over rough ground, and we had a booked ahead for three nights to use logs cabins en route. On arriving at our evening destinations we found very basic accommodation: a wooden shack, a cedar wood fire burning and a container of water for cooking purposes. See here
We carried our sleeping bags, sleeping rolls, clothing, water etc and the porters carried other provisions, usually walking barefoot, or only wearing thongs.***
On the first day, which was hot and beautiful, we walked up through the forested area at a steady pace, breaking up into groups, reforming as a whole group and breaking up again, naturally as the day progressed. There was a promise of a water hole and a waterfall soon when I found myself walking at the tail end of the group with one of the other guys. Suddenly we heard shrieks of joy. We walked a little faster to find out what was happening, to find the other four members of the group were already in the water having a fine time. My companion stripped off naked and ran to the water’s edge and plunged in. Assuming this was what one did I followed suit and swam over to my husband who was, to say the least rather surprised to discover I wasn’t wearing anything. The first four in the water had apparently changed and were in swimming attire.
However after we all got out it transpired that those wearing togs in the water had picked up tiny leeches in the creases and crevices and had to strip off anyway for checks to be made by their partner. The only two of us who had got away with it were the two had had skinny dipped! The experience set a precedent for the rest of the holiday and we swam naked, without feeling inhibited after this. What freedom: silky water over naked limbs.
Later in the holiday we stayed on the shore of Lake Malawi and went out in a dugout canoe to the island in the centre of the lake to see the fish eagle being fed- which was just incredible. It came so close! Just like this
However it was a precariously trip out and the boat was rather overloaded. One of the lasses was a tad nervous and I decided that I’d swim back, therefore reducing the number on board, making it easier for her. It didn’t look all that far.
It was over a mile I believe and I swam back strongly, reaching the shore before the boat, as the sun descended beautifully and had to wait shivering on shore until the rest arrived back. My husband was strangely pleased to see me, having being berated by everyone for ‘letting me’ swim back.
I had, apparently been at risk, not only from the hippos (we hadn’t seen any, but apparently they were about) and bilharzias. Horrid disease
But I’m still here to tell the tale.
* I see I am featured author, and that Bearsy has given the sub-title of Nude-o-swim.
** Before Children
*** In this case the ‘thongs’ being footwear: common name in Australia, South Africa, Malawi etc – (known as flip-flops in the UK)
Boadicea's Chariot 
Yes! I’ve only done warm sea skinny dipping but you describe it well. Freedom is the word and the wonderful wild sense of feeling at one with and cradled by the water.
Nothing worse than leeches in your crevices and bilharzia. Glad you escaped unscathed, Pseu. You never get that trouble in Wales.
I love the idea of swimming in the open sea, naked. But it would have to be warm enough, these days.
Drool!
OZ
I recommend the Greek islands, Pseu. Perfect. Deserted beaches to find. Little islands to swim to. You’d love it.
Sigh!
(Just look at that rain.)
OZ any good swimming near you?
Pseu – The Cave comes with its own pool and towels. You’d be very welcome for a spot of skinny-dipping any time and promise I won’t peek. 🙂
OZ
The worst thing that ever happened to me when swimming was in Wales. Some beasty was lying in the sand and bit me quite viciously.
Very kind.
What sort of beasty, madeof? (I won’t ask which part of the anatomy was nipped)
It was actually a sting not a bite. Apparently there is a type of fish that lies in the soft sand near the waters edge and has a nasty up pointing prong. I really wondered what it was and went to a local doctor. it cleared up in 24 hours. on a beach near Aberystwyth.
It was my foot.
Good grief. I thought we were pretty safe in UK – apart from those fish that you’re warned about on the quay at Aberdyfi which sting like a wasp….
Sounds like a weever fish to me-the thing that bit you!
I have always loved skinny dipping, used to do it as a kid, far out behind the waves and have been know more recently-not this year yet, to do it in the pool home here. You’re so right about the sense of freedom and bliss that comes with it….I would quite happily go and do it on nudist beaches, except the world would not be ready for the sight of me with no clothes on!!
xxx
I think they are known locally as Welsh Ankle Biters. They can prove deadly! 🙂
Seriously, there is nothing better on a hot summer night than to rip off all the kit and swim starkers under the stars.
OZ
Welsh Ankle Biters, Toc? Otherwise known as Merthyr Girls? (my Merthyr friend would kill me for that).
Night swimming, OZ. Very special.
janh, 🙂
Haven’t done that for years. The local pool frowns on such behaviour.
Be careful if you try this in Greece though, even topless bathing is illegal. Please don’t say “but they do it” I know they do. But if a local complains then you will be arrested.
South Crete is a very famous nudist place, the police know about it but stay away as it is too much trouble to arrest hundreds of people.
Good blog, Pseu!
I did topless swimming recently, but that was only cos my three year old pulled my bikini top off.
Last time I went commando was in 2005 in Malaga; it was February and bloody freezing. And afterwards we realised some local weirdo had been perving at us from his balcony. Nice!
yeurk!
Janh – One of the most sensual and memorable moments of my life was when A Zandaga and I dragged a duvet out to the sunbeds beside the pool in the early hours of one sultry, starlit summer night.
I said that out loud, didn’t I?
OZ
Yup.
OZ, you are such a romantic.
PS image changed for Soutie.
Hi, Pseu
Bearsy’s right.
Just cleared my cache and that’s a fine new avatar.
Good blog as well, by the way.
Top of the mornin’ to you, John M. Soutie says he prefers this version – but it looks to me that I need to visit a few new locations this coming summer for a spot of variety.