Opoutere Beach Weekend

As usual, the Opoutere Beach weekend was great. The weather on Friday evening was warm enough for all to join together for a drink after a walk down the beach and it wasn’t until about 8pm that anyone thought about dinner!
Saturday was a little cooler with passing showers but that didn’t stop most heading down to the spit to try and catch a fish for breakfast. However, if we were waiting to have fish for breakfast we would have been disappointed.
After lunch, with the weather improving, we all went to the beach – some for a surf, some for a swim, some for a walk to the north end and one even put his kayak into the water and spent the afternoon paddling around the coastline. As it was very cold later in the evening, most retired for an early night to keep warm.
Having been granted a late checkout, and with waking to a clear sky on Sunday, the fishermen set off again but unfortunately there were still no fish forthcoming for breakfast, so we all headed off to the beach for some RnR and what a fantastic day it was. Some tried their hand at surfing, some people walked along the beach, some swam in the cool water and the fishermen watched other fishermen with kontikis pull in the fish! The kids had a ball too.

Parkover at Pyes Pa

On the Friday before our recent beach day, fourteen members of the group met at a member's lovely garden property at Pyes Pa and quickly settled into a possie amongst the trees for the weekend. After happy hour and a self-catered dinner, most sat around the fire talking as the evening cooled off.
The next morning we all headed off to the beach (see below post) and later that afternoon, we all regrouped at Pyes Pa for happy hour. A communal BBQ followed and thereafter we all sat around the fire until well after dark. There would have been over 30 people enjoying each others company there that night. We even had a couple from the ‘West Island’ who thoroughly enjoyed the beach day and hospitality of the group.
On Sunday morning, BOP Naturists provided a cooked breakfast, ably cooked by our naked chef Col. We were joined by others and about 30 of us headed off in several cars to go on the walk down the Mangorewa Stream (see below post).
On Monday (being a public holiday), 17 of us made a trip down to the Bay of Plenty Sun Club at Matata and enjoyed a relaxing day at their grounds, which included a bush walk, swimming, mini-golf and a new game that Barry brought along. Four of the group stayed on for a BBQ and three stayed overnight at the grounds.
It was a great weekend of naturism, helped by fantastic weather, fantastic people, fantastic scenery and socialising. Already members are calling for another similar weekend before summer ends!

A walk down the Mangorewa River gorge

On the Sunday after the beach day at Papamoa, and after BOP Naturists provided a cooked breakfast for all, ably cooked by our naked chef Col, the group were joined by some others, and 30 of us car pooled to the Mangorewa River between Rotorua and Tauranga. Peter, an avid outdoors fan, had organised this walk for us down the river gorge and we were not disappointed. Peter had warned us that we would be walking through water and over slippery rocks and he was dead right! After an hours walk au naturel, looking mainly at where we were putting our feet, we arrived at the most wonderful swimming hole, against a high cliff face. Here the sun was beating in as we had lunch on the warm flat rocks on the bank of the stream. Some braved the cold water for a swim. The scenery was stunning – the photos don’t do it justice really. And all this only half an hours drive from two major cities – magic! Several people had tumbles as the rocks got the better of their feet, but there was only one serious injury – a sprained ankle – just after we left the lunch stop to return to our cars. I really want to thank Peter and the other guys for helping our hobbling patient and the not-so-nimble members of the group. We couldn’t have done it without your help.

A 'Day Without Bathing Suits' at Papamoa Beach

Last Saturday dawned warm and sunny and Papamoa Beach was perfect for the annual 'Day Without Bathing Suits'. I must admit, I was bit concerned about possible trouble from the locals after huge media coverage but I needn’t have worried. Over 60 naturists, including over a dozen first timers, enjoyed a fantastic day of swimming and socialising. There was absolutely no trouble from the locals or public at all. In fact, very few people even walked past as we had settled well away from beach accesses and houses and those that did come by were not at all worried, some stopping to talk. You couldn’t even see houses from where we were, so it is still, despite what the locals say, an isolated part of the very long coastline. I put up the ‘Bare on the Beach’ flags, so we were well organised and certainly left no room for anyone to be ‘offended’. The Police received no complaints either.