September 2005.
I have long had a bit of a voyeuristic nature, and I guess this contributes to looking at profile sites, perving at some of the pics, and reading the wisdom contained within. Having got myself up to date with those I used, I did a google search. I found this site. My naive side gave no thought to the concept of swinging, all I know is I saw pics of women wearing boots. That was me happy. I then noticed the site had a chatroom, went in and lurked a bit, chatting occasionally. By the third night, I was made to feel like a regular. I felt welcome.
From this point on, I was a regular in the chatroom, and for a while a regular poster in the forums. Then I got introduced to the joys of munches. I soon became known as a munch whore, it seemed like every other weekend I found myself booking into a hotel, and finding the pre-munch.
Much has changed since then, but I certainly would never have changed my decision to join this site. Thanks to people who I've had some interesting experiences with, I have had my eyes, my mind and my arse opened. I guess I now regard myself as a retired swinger as I am no longer active within the scene, but thanks to this scene, I have formed friendships with some wonderful people, and encountered many good acquaintances which have been maintained to this day.
Ten years on, I find myself very grateful to the swinging scene and those within it, I've seen opinions change the way I think, I have had tears roll down my cheeks with laughter. Copious amounts of alcohol, followed by "No way! Is that time, it is bloody daylight!" and then getting home, doing a half hearted "Thanks go to....." post and then sleeping until I was reasonably coherent again.
I have some wonderful memories, both swinging and away from swinging, to everyone who has contributed, in any way, big or small I thank you.