Art Deco weekend - Napier

Although a textile event, 14 members of Bay of Plenty Naturists enjoyed this fun weekend in Napier over the weekend. Of course, we couldn’t don naturist uniform here, but had a lot of fun dressing up in the 1930s outfits. This annual event, commemorating the rebuilding of Napier after the 1931 earthquake in art deco style, is amazing and you would swear that you were transported back in time to the 1930s when you arrive. I can’t explain what is so great about Art Deco weekend. The atmosphere is amazing and unless you go and experience it, you really can’t ‘get it’.

It is impossible to put it into words how great it is, but the whole of Napier gets into it. Imagine everyone (kids too) wearing 1930s clothes, art deco buildings, Harvards and Tiger Moths flying overhead, jazz bands and dancing in the streets, a soap box derby (the Dads enjoy it as much as the kids), free concerts at an art deco soundshell and a Gatsby picnic on the waterfront (bring along the best china, lace table cloths, champers and cucumber sandwiches). Add to that the most amazing array of vintage (pre-1946) cars that you will ever see (the parade takes an hour to go by), and you can start to imagine what the weekend is about. And all this is free!
Next year, you really will have to go to ‘get it’.

Dinner at Chinatown

We are now into our winter get-togethers and last night we held a very successful night at Chinatown in Tauranga. Twenty-four members came first to World’s End bar for a drink, before heading next door to Chinatown for the best smorgasbord in town.

It was great to see so many of you there and also some new faces. It was really good to meet up again with old friends of mine from way back, who have recently moved from Wellington to Tauranga. It was also great that three members came all the way from Whakatane to join us in Tauranga. That was much appreciated – thanks guys. Hope you enjoyed meeting ‘the locals’.

Campout in the Waikato

Fifteen members of Bay of Plenty Naturists came along to Little Waipa Reserve beside Lake Karapiro over the weekend, some arriving on Friday afternoon to set up camp. One couple brought a gazebo along, so together with the party tent we had plenty of shelter.

Camping by Lake Karapiro

On Saturday, after the fog cleared to a beautiful day, seven of us completed a section of the cycle ride on the Waikato Cycle trail between the camp and Arapuni dam – a distance of 5.5km each way. For some of us, the uphill sections were a bit much so we walked those and a few also walked the steep downhill sections as well – I was never a keen mountain biker! But it was a lovely day and we all enjoyed the ride with no mishaps. We had lunch overlooking the Arapuni power station.

After lunch, the brave (not me) went over the suspension bridge and met me back on the trail. The ride back to camp was overall downhill so a little easier. Once back at camp we joined several others who had arrived while we were away. After happy hour we had a shared meal under the shelter of the gazebo.

On Sunday, the fog was quite thick on the lake. But once it cleared, we broke camp and headed to the other side of Putaruru to Te Waihou Spring (Blue Spring). There were almost no cars in the car park when the eight of us started out but this soon changed.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the spring… Along the way, we came to a bridge, where three of our members thought could be a good place to strip off for a swim in the cold water (why they wanted a cold swim I still don’t understand)! While they were contemplating if it was suitable, three walkers came along. The man said “What a great place for a skinny dip”! We said “Go ahead – we don’t mind” and I added “We are naturists. We will if you will!!” (Note that when I said ‘we’ that didn’t include me)! So with that challenge in hand, he started stripping off, quickly followed by our three. They all got in to the water which is reputed to be a constant 11^oC at the spring.

Once out of the cold water, our three new friends walked with us to the spring, stayed there with us for lunch (where they went for another swim, much to the amusement of another couple who arrived while they were in the water) and then walked back to the car park with us.
Once back there, one of our new friends produced a cake which she shared with us all and we provided a hot drink, which warmed everyone up. Isn’t it amazing that on a walk miles from anywhere, you can meet up with others who have the same mindset as us!!

Campout at Matata Beach

What a great weekend we had at a private property right on the beach front at Matata over the weekend. Thirty six members came along either for the day or to stay on the property in tents or campervans which made for a great weekend - of course topped off by fantastic sunny and windless weather.

The new gazebo worked a charm as 'party central', giving well needed shade and a central meeting point for afternoon tea, happy hour and a communal BBQ on Saturday night.

As the venue was very private, we were able to be naked both on the property and on the beach, with only a few people walking past and those that did were not at all perturbed by the naked group who were just doing what everyone else was - trying to catch that elusive fish! At one stage we had 14 fishing rods out, but still only the occasional kahawai was caught. One member managed to get a crab, so we knew then where all the bait was going!

A couple of fish which were big enough to eat were landed but most were foul hooked by spinners and were only suitable as bait. The biggest kahawai was smoked and handed around at happy hour for all to sample. It couldn't have been fresher and tasted yummy.

What a wonderful venue, great people and great weather. How could you not enjoy all this - and all au naturel to boot!!!

Opoutere Beach 2014

We have just returned from another fabulous weekend at Opoutere Beach. Saturday dawned misty with occasional drizzle and with the humidity probably at 100% because even under shelter we got wet! Some of the keen fishermen amongst us headed off early to the beach. One came back with a good sized snapper, which he took the risk of putting in our frig. Despite our attempt to convince him it had been morphed into a tin of sardines, it left Opoutere to be shared with his mother who I am sure enjoyed it.

After lunch, we all headed off to the beach. By now the drizzle had left us but was clinging to the hills. Despite the lack of sun, it was still warm and didn’t stop some people swimming, while four of us walked ‘au naturel’ along the 5km beach to the ‘island’ at the north end. We met a few people along the way who weren’t at all worried about our nakedness. As we got halfway back to our gear on the beach, the drizzle returned, but luckily it was coming from behind us and quite refreshing.

We returned to camp to dry off and prepare for happy hour, which was a cosy affair under our awning and umbrellas! However, as if on cue, the weather cleared by dinner time enabling us to enjoy a shared BBQ without getting wet while cooking or eating.

The fisher folk headed off early the next day to the estuary while the rest of us had breakfast, after which we joined them. By the time we got there, one of them had already landed a good sized kahawai. Two other members then decided to have a swim in the calm waters of the estuary and just after they got out, we spotted a dark shadow in the shallow water. We initially thought that it was a large stingray, but as the creature glided past us in the clear water, doing a couple of circuits right in front of us, we realised that it was a two metre (plus) bronze whaler shark, no doubt looking for a stingray, its favourite food. Although humans are not usually part of a bronze whaler’s diet, I think the swimmers were glad that they had left the water when they did!

Back to camp for lunch and while some packed up, we headed back to the beach to ride the waves, as the sea was perfect with long straight surf. As well the sun was out, making a great end to a fantastic weekend. We will return again same time, same place next year.

Waikato Outdoor Society's mini-fest

Many members of Bay of Plenty Naturists spent a pleasant long weekend at Waikato Outdoor Society last weekend for their annual mini-fest.
Some of the sports played over the weekend included indoor bowls, darts, miniten, petanque, mini-golf, croquet, kubb and ladder golf. As well, the solar heated pool was well used by everyone, especially on the Sunday when the outside temperature soared to 29 degrees Celsius.
Lots of members did well in the sports, while others didn't fare so well, although Col and I did try hard! The raffle prizes were substantial and Col was lucky enough to win one of the quickfire raffles. On Friday night, a quiz was held with the BOP Naturists team scoring second.  This was followed by a movie, 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' which was entertaining. On Saturday night, after the catered dinner, a music video had many up dancing while the others sang along to the well known songs.
We were well fed, with a sausage and bread on Friday night, a catered spit roast with pork and beef on Saturday night and a cooked breakfast on Sunday all included in the registration fee.
Well done WOS - it was a great weekend and although a little damp on Saturday morning, it wasn't enough to stop the keen petanquers from keeping the draw running to schedule.

Impromptu gathering of BOP Naturists

By co-incidence, two couples from out of town who are members of BOP Naturists were visiting us in Tauranga for lunch on consecutive days. Unknown to us, the four of them knew each other from previous get-togethers with the group. One couple was already booked to stay at BOP Naturists exclusive park-over-property in Tauranga for the night, so the others also decided to join them there. On the spur of the moment, Col and I also decided to pack up the bus and drive 10 minutes from home to join them for happy hour and dinner. After a lovely evening sitting around chatting, Col and I decided we might as well stay over for the night as well.
Of course, as is becoming the norm for BOP Naturist gatherings, our own 'almost naked chef' was on hand to cook breakfast. However this time his role was taken over by a true 'naked chef' who cooked the breakfast for the rest of us, while our 'almost naked chef' looked on.

Bay of Plenty Naturists visit Bay of Plenty Sun Club

It was great weather for the BOP Sun Club's visitor weekend, to which BOP Naturists were invited. There was a huge turnout at the club grounds of BOP Sun Club members, BOP Naturists who didn't belong to the club and other visitors who had seen or heard the publicity in the media about the day. The pool was tepid and was well used by those present.
The organisation was great, starting with heaps of promotion on the local radio station. A couple of members put signs on the road to the club so that some (one) BOP Naturist (I won’t mention his name) could find the place after nearly giving up. Oh well, it was his birthday so I guess we can forgive him!

The BBQ at lunchtime cooked both days by the club's naked chef saved us making our own and the mystery auction was a different fundraising idea, instead of the usual raffle. Many of the goods auctioned were donated to the club by a member and all were sold at very reasonable prices. Mr (and Mrs) Whippy came along both days and supplied us all with ice creams. 

It was really great and a fantastic effort by the committee. Well done guys – you did the club proud. 

Christmas party at Bay of Plenty Sun Club

BOP Naturists were invited to attend the BOP Sun Club's Christmas party at the club's grounds near Matata last weekend. Activities included Christmas themed body painting, happy hour with bubbly and ham provided by the club followed by a sumptuous pot luck Christmas dinner. All agreed that the food at BOP Sun Club is, as always, the best ever!
After dinner, there was a present swap with a difference, where Col and I ended up with two similar 'lizards on a rock' which now grace our new rockery.

Christmas party

A group of about 30 members of the Bay of Plenty Naturists spent a relaxing day at a members private property for their annual Christmas party. Bay of Plenty Naturists provided finger food and drinks and it was great to see some new members come along to socialise with the more established members.
At happy hour, we were visited by the man in red, complete in the appropriate uniform, who arrived in his sleigh, ably towed by Rudolf and accompanied by one of the Christmas fairies. Even Karla the dog got into the act!

After Santa distributed a gift to all present, a pot luck BBQ followed then everyone settled in around the fire as the sun set on another beautiful Bay of Plenty day.

BOP Naturists join NZ Naturists at Katikati Naturist Park

The weekend weather forecast was looking dodgy all week until mid-day Friday when it suddenly changed to fine and sunny, making it perfect weather for the NZ Naturists event at Katikati Naturist Park. About 40 naturists from as far away as Kaitaia in the north to New Plymouth in the southwest came along for the fun.

Some of the naturists at the NZN weekend at KNP

The weekend started on Friday with those present getting together for happy hour and a barbeque. A soak in the spa ended the day nicely.

More people arrived on Saturday, with many coming in time for morning tea and a chat. The games started soon after and ran throughout the day, with a couple of finals being played on the Sunday morning.

Petanque was very popular with 20 entries and other sports included table tennis, mini-golf, frisbee golf and pool. Between games, the swimming pool was a great relief from the very warm conditions and afternoon tea was provided to keep up the energy.
Everyone gathered for happy hour in the gazebo, with a few spot prizes being handed out, before a shared pot-luck dinner fed the masses. After dinner, 24 took part in a fun quiz before retiring to the warm spa or bed.
Sunday morning dawned fine and sunny again and Col, the Secretary of NZN provided cereals and a cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns, which was a great way to start the day. After morning tea, prizes were handed out with the sports winners getting a 'cup' (coffee mug) and also a prize off the prize table. Several other deserved awards were made so that everyone went home with a prize of some sort.
Gatherings like this are a great way to enjoy the naturist camaraderie with people from all over the country. All of the people present were members of both the NZ Naturists and BOP Naturists. Several people staying at the park were very interested in what we were doing and joined us as well. This type of promotion can only increase the interest of newcomers into the naturist community.

Weekend in Waihi - Part 3

Naturist day at Waihi Beach

Col and I were joined by two families at the recognised naturist section of Waihi Beach in the beautiful Bay of Plenty. We cycled from the end of Waihi Beach town to the naturist beach accessway. Once there, we pushed the bikes through the sand dunes and onto the beach.








It was a cloudy day but very warm. The boys all went swimming - the girls knew better - although the water was quite tolerable for so early in the summer.










The only visit we had while at the beach were 4 horses (and their riders) and a dog. Other than that, we had the beach pretty much to ourselves.







One of the members produced a kite and demonstrated his skills with the two string flying machine. Apart from trying to hit his partner on the head a couple of times, he did very well with it. The breeze was perfect for kite flying.










Col and I cycled back along the beach. It was still warm and ended a fantastic weekend. Along the way we saw a great sand sculpture and just had to get a photo of it in naturist uniform. Someone had spent a lot of time working on that piece of art.

Weekend in Waihi - Part 2

Orokawa Bay beach day

The second event that Bay of Plenty Naturists held over the weekend was a day at Orokawa Bay at the north end of Waihi Beach. Twenty-one adults and 3 kids walked the 45 minute track around the point to the private beach at Orokawa Bay.  The walk was steep at the start and finish and slowly climbed to a viewing platform about 2/3 of the way over to the bay. From then it was downhill to the beach, and was easily managed by all who went on the walk.
Once at the beach, we settled down under the pohutukawa trees and enjoyed a peaceful few hours naked at the beach.



Although the sea was a bit rough, we were close to a small stream which the kids enjoyed playing safely in and which some of the adults also cooled off in (and played in)!

The beach had some amazing driftwood which made for some interesting photos and the view out to Mayor Island was a beautiful backdrop.




















There were some mussel-covered rocks at the end of the beach as well, which were pretty rough on bare feet!

Weekend in Waihi - Part 1

Hauraki Cycleway

Although not an advertised naturist event, Col and I joined 4 other members of the Bay of Plenty Naturists group for a bike ride along part of the Hauraki cycleway. We rode two legs of the cycleway from Waihi Railway Station through to Waikino then on to Karangahake a distance of 30km return.

It was a lovely day as we set off along the newest section of the track from Waihi to Waikino. It was however a bit steep with a lot of up and downs to start with while it followed the river. But as it got onto an old rail siding to the old stamping battery, it leveled out. However, being a new track, the shingle was a bit loose and dangerous, as Lyn found out just before we got back. She was dismounting to walk over the final bridge and skidded in the loose shingle, damaging her knee and grazing her leg and arm. So if you are cycling on this section, take care!

The section from Waikino through to Karangahake is a well established flat ride along the old Karangahake Gorge railway line. Here we reached high speeds in the perfect conditions and felt much safer on the hardened shingle.




We stopped for lunch at a picnic table amongst long grass, before riding up to the tunnel at Karangahake.
After I fell off my bike several years back, when I dismounted too far into the tunnel and couldn't see the sloping edge, falling and breaking my arm, I now walk through tunnels, which we all did!






On the way back we stopped for a coffee at the Waikino railway Station cafe before heading back to Waihi. All in all a memorable days exercise but not one that could be done naked due to the large numbers of people using the trail.

Phoenix Shield challenge

The weather was warm and sunny last weekend and the competition was fierce for this years annual Phoenix Shield challenge between the Bay of Plenty Sun Club and Waikato Outdoor Society at the BOP Sun Club's grounds. The competition was so close that neither club knew who had won until the presentation ceremony on the Sunday morning.
Over 25 naturists from both clubs and eight from BOP Naturists (who don't belong to either club) enjoyed the occasion and the games that were part of the challenge. Both team challenges and individual games were played in good spirit which is usual for the Phoenix Shield event. The games were very relaxed, simple and with team games included, most people took part.
Some of the team games are featured here. There was an egg and spoon race with real eggs followed by egg throwing. My partner for the games and myself threw our egg so far that everyone thought it was hard boiled - until it broke in my hands! Running with a balloon between the legs in a relay was very entertaining and a hoop relay with 2 hoops and 2 people having to get from one end of the course to the other without moving out of the hoop required a bit of lateral thinking.

Individual games were based on throwing things. Firstly we had to throw a petanque ball as a shot put, a gumboot, a frisbee and even the caber. One participant got the booby prize for throwing her gumboot straight up above her head while several others threw theirs into the pool! We also had to make a hole in one with a golf ball and upturned umbrella.

A few games of mini-golf, horseshoe throwing, volleyball, and petanque followed for individuals to compete in before happy hour and the hat competition.















There were some fun hat creations that would rival any at Ellerslie (and some that wouldn't)!


After a pot luck dinner provided by the BOP Sun Club members, a radio and TV personality from Rotorua hosted a quiz night. The teams from earlier in the day joined up again to answer some of the varied questions. The questions on the Renaissance left most of us stumped as did the themes from TV shows in the 70s and 80s. Just showed that we were all far too busy in those days to watch TV.


The winning team wasn't announced until the next day with the quiz being the deciding event that determined which club would hold the Phoenix Shield for the coming year.

Oh - I suppose you want to know which club won? Well once again Bay of Plenty reigned supreme by a slim margin, due to their knowledgeable teams who were placed (out of 7 teams), 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th in the quiz.