Nature and naturism at their best at our Oropi swim night

You should have seen some crazy naturists at our hot pool event at Oropi last night. Thunderstorms and hail had been forecast for the evening, but with a very warm sunny day in Tauranga, no-one believed it. That was until Peter arrived at Oropi and said that he had just driven from Rotorua and Mt Ngongotaha looked like it had snow on it and lahars of ice were flooding the streets in Rotorua.
All was calm in Tauranga however, but as about 40 of the group were relaxing in the warm outdoor pool, the skies darkened and huge drops of water started falling on the pool surface. A huge flash of lightning and the subsequent thunder about 5 seconds later, had some of us deciding the storm was getting a bit too close for comfort.
Then with a huge flash and clap of thunder very soon after, the sensible ones decided that the pool was not the best place to be in a thunderstorm and quickly gathered under shelter as the hail arrived in force.
However some hardened naturists remained in the pool in all the mayhem, hail landing on their heads, apart from Chris, who had the sense to keep his hat on. The steam was rising not only from the pool surface but also from the heads of the crazy naturists who were warm compared to the rest of us standing out in the cool air.
With dinner arriving from the kitchen, the sensible ones decided to retreat to the dining area to have their meal and by the time we had eaten, the mayhem was over and we spent the rest of the evening soaking in the warm pool as the stars appeared. Lying back and looking up, we tried to work out which two planets were shining brightly overhead and waited for a glimpse of a passing satellite which Peter insisted would come by anytime.
We never got to see a satellite, but all agreed that this night in Oropi had been one of the most dramatic we had experienced yet.

BOP Naturists join NZ Naturists at Katikati Naturist Park

By the time we set off for KNP, nearly 40 members of NZ Naturists and/or BOP Naturists had booked to attend the fun weekend. The weather didn’t play its part on Saturday but we still enjoyed the fantastic facilities at KNP, socialising in the gazebo, spa, sauna and swimming pool. The kids had a ball jumping in the pool, then the spa to warm up and back in the pool again. Indoor games were played, including chess, draughts, pool and table tennis. A fabulous pot luck dinner on Saturday night rounded off a somewhat soggy day. Sunday morning dawned better and Col, (with help from Bruce on the eggs), cooked us all a breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns. The prize giving ensured that everyone went home with something as a reminder of a great weekend.

Having fun at the Bay of Plenty Sun Club's 40th anniversary

What a great event the 1970s themed occasion was over Labour Weekend at BOPSC. As well as several former members from the early 1970s (one from the late 60s), there was a good attendance of current members and visitors, most of whom are also members of BOP Naturists. After the cutting of the anniversary cake on the Saturday, fifty people were seated in the clubhouse for a 3 course meal which was catered for by the committee members and helpers. Then we were entertained by a current member who played some country music and then by a former member who entertained us all with some rocking Elvis songs.
On Sunday morning, a cooked breakfast was served before the members held a craft market. This was followed by a lunchtime sausage sizzle and for dinner, left-overs completed the food offered over the weekend. A large group then watched the Rugby World Cup final in the clubhouse and that kept us all on the edge of our seats. It was a great weekend of socialising, feasting and celebration at the friendliest little club in the country.

Summer is on its way!

Now that daylight saving is here, can't you just feel summer? For me, the days are now feeling more conducive to outdoor living and BBQs. I even managed to get into uniform for a cuppa this morning - OK it was cool in the wind but that sun was just what the doctor ordered for boosting my vitamin D. Great!
With summer rapidly approaching, enjoy what I have planned for the warmer months. See newsletters for more details. If you aren't a member of this growing social group yet, email me and you soon will be!

September hot pool night at Oropi

Another great night at Oropi hot pools in Tauranga, under the stars and amongst the palm trees! The wind had been very strong all day, but not in the sheltered Oropi hot spa, where we socialised, dined and soaked the night away. This facility is ideal for our growing group. We welcome more people along to share in our varied activities, which are planned throughout the summer. Come along and join (at no cost) this friendly group of people. Email bopnaturists@gmail.com for more information.

Get-together at Katikati Naturist Park

The BOP Naturists get-together at Katikati Naturist Park saw about 20 members do what the group is all about – relax and socialise. Members came from as far away as Whangarei, Auckland, Whakatane and New Plymouth. Some stayed for the weekend with others just coming out for the day. The weather was sunny with a cool wind, but it was warm enough to get into uniform in the shelter of the pool enclosure. Of course some of us had to work, but the others all had a spa, sauna and I even saw some members take a dip in the pool! For some, it was the first visit to KNP and they are now hooked and told me they will definitely return!

The Lazy Tramper

Well those of you who didn’t come to The Lazy Tramper sure missed out on a great weekend. I know that the 33 members of the group who did come along had a fantastic time. Even the weather obliged for most to go for a 1 hour loop walk through the beautiful Kaimai native bush, while some just stayed back and relaxed in front of the fire. After afternoon tea, we gradually wound down into Happy Hour while listening to our two accomplished guitarists, Rok and Phil, who played throughout the evening. A karaoke was provided by Alistair and was very popular as well.
Dinner was served and boy – what a feast! Plenty of everything and enough for lunch the next day as well. After dinner, with the open fire roaring, club uniform became more the norm, even though it was freezing outside with a clear frosty night. By the time people sloped off to bed, the dorms were so warm most complained of being too hot.
Once the sun came up, our very own naked chef and his helper Ray started cooking breakfast. The aroma wafting through the premises aroused those having a lazy Sunday sleep-in. By the time they were fed (again) there was time for another wander through the bush, including a walk to a beautiful swimming hole a few minutes from the lodge. Here a waterfall tumbled through several levels and had sculptured a circular pool, not unlike a spa pool, out of the rock. A group of seven decided to go further afield, leaving by car to go to the start of the Henderson Tramline track further down the road. From here they headed up to the ridge track and return, a walk of about 3 hours. Some donned club uniform and although they met up with trampers on the track, they had no problems. They returned to leftovers and hot soup for lunch before we all packed up and departed.
This weekend was so popular that I have pencilled in another weekend up there in the summer. Make sure you don’t miss out next time!