Another great night at Oropi hot pools

The Bay of Plenty Naturists enjoyed another great night at the Oropi hot pools for their monthly 'Magical Monday'. Over 30 members of the group enjoyed the hot soak on the cool evening. Many then had a meal in the dining room beside the fire, returning to the pool to warm up again after dinner. It was nice to see so many members come along for their first evening with us. This is a monthly event is proving very popular amongst the group members, who all enjoy the social interaction with the friendly and welcoming people in the Bay of Plenty Naturists.

A weekend in Rotorua with the Bay of Plenty Sun Club

It was a great weekend for the BOP Sun Club’s outing to Rotorua, which included a walk up Rainbow Mountain, a hot swim at the ‘hot and cold’ pools, camping at Lake Rerewhakaaitu, a walk around Blue Lake (Tikitapu), camping at Lake Okareka and finishing with a walk around Hamurana Springs. We started by meeting at Rainbow Mountain where sixteen members of the group (nine were also members of BOP Sun Club, three from Rotota, and a couple from NUDVAN) set off up the mountain on a foggy morning. But above the fog the sky was blue and those who got to the top said it was actually warm enough to get their gear off for a photo (and longer). The view from above the fog extended as far as the snow capped Mt Ruapehu! After their descent, a local BOP Naturist took us to the ‘hot and cold’ natural thermal pools, aptly named as the water was hot and cold! However Peter (also confirmed by some of the locals) said that the water was much colder than normal. Once we took possession of the pools from the locals (who were frightened off by a group of naturists, even though we wore togs – to start with anyhow), we settled in for a hot soak but every now and then, the water let us down and went cold. But by moving slightly, the hot water returned (as well as the local rat who decided that Peter’s lunch was quite tasty)! After warming up in the hot pool, eight of the group arrived at a campsite by Lake Rerewhakaaitu for the night. Happy hour was convened beside the picture perfect lake as the sun went down. The next day, we toured around Lake Rerewhakaaitu, stopping off at the DOC camps on the shores of the lake. After lunch at Blue Lake, six of us walked around the lake which took 1½ hours, then headed to our overnight camp on the shores of Lake Okareka. Here we watched the sun go down and the moon come up, making good use of the DOC shelter on the shores of the lake for happy hour. Monday dawned to a cloudless sky so after morning tea in the sunshine beside the lake, four of us headed off to Hamurana Springs for a walk around this very scenic location. Lunch beside Lake Rotorua ended this very successful trip to Rotorua by the BOP Sun Club. This was a trial for future events to be held by the club, to which all members of BOP Naturists are invited. Although not truly a naturist event (well at this time of year, who would want to get their gear off anyhow), it was totally successful in getting together people with similar interests for a great time of socialising and outdoor events. Many more are planned around the greater BOP area and I look forward to seeing more members of the group at these future outings.

Join Bay of Plenty Sun Club at Rainbow Mountain

The Bay of Plenty Sun Club is going to Rotorua this Saturday for a walk up Rainbow Mountain (or the shorter less strenuous Crater Lake), and have invited all members of BOP Naturists to come along as well. Meet at the Rainbow Mountain carpark (on SH5 just past the SH38 turnoff to Murupara) about 11am Saturday for an early lunch before doing the walks. We will stay at one of the DOC camps in Brett Road, Lake Rerewhakaaitu (the larger one) on Saturday night ($6pp), go for a hot swim at Kerosene Creek (bring your togs just in case) and maybe if the weather is suitable go for a walk at The Redwoods or Lake Okareka on Sunday. If the weather is unsuitable for walking, we may stay at Waikite where there are hot pools (togs needed for the main pool - if staying, unlimited use of the main pools is included in the overnight charge, although they do have private pools). http://www.hotpools.co.nz/. If the weather is really bad, we will still be going but will look at more indoor events in Rotorua, so the plans will be dependent on the weather. If you can't find us but would like to join in, phone me on the BOP Sun Club phone on 027 440 5157.

Warm up at Oropi hot pools with us

Now that the winter nights are coming fast, why not join us for our monthly hot pool nights at Oropi hot pools in Tauranga. There is nothing better to warm you up than soaking for a few hours in the thermally heated

water with friendly people with the added bonus of being able to have a meal by the fire in the cafe if you wish. For more information contact me on bopnaturists@gmail.com.

Papamoa Beach day this weekend

The Aussies are complaining about the cold at Byron Bay for the annual naturist ANZAC cricket match against NZ. We will be going to Papamoa Beach this weekend, so lets show them who is tougher! High tide is about midday, so if you want to try your luck at fishing, go in the morning. However if you want to get some tuatuas (thats a shellfish for you Aussies) then you will need to stay for low tide

Mystery weekend revealed

Although most members didn't know where we were going for our mystery weekend, 26 turned up for a great weekend at the Bay of Plenty Sun Club.
The participants had to look out for clues along the way and then pick up more once they got to Matata. No-one got lost but one early bird got to Matata before the clues were put outside for pick-up.
After a sausage sizzle, 16 of us set out for a bush walk near Lake Rotoma. It was a pleasant walk along a 4WD track, with huge deep ruts, which had formed during the recent heavy rain. The circular walk took us to an old mill site amongst the Rotoma Forest.
After a communal BBQ, everyone settled in the clubhouse for some games such as Sjoelen, darts and a new card game called Saboteur, brought along by a new member of the group. Several of us had a go at this interesting game.
Next morning turned out drizzly but after a cooked breakfast, the rain didn't deter one couple from heading off to the Thornton River mouth to catch a fish. Unfortunately, the fish won that round! Other members went for a bush walk at the club grounds, while others sat around chatting until it was time to leave.
I would like to thank the BOP Sun Club for hosting the BOP Naturists for this weekend at their lovely grounds.

Mystery Weekend

This coming weekend is a mystery. It is so mysterious that even the members of the Bay of Plenty Naturists don't know where they are going.
The members do know that they will be camping at a retreat in the Eastern BOP. They know that they will be going on a bush walk, going fishing, and be given free 'goody bags'. They know that they will get a free sausage sizzle at lunchtime and have a communal BBQ Saturday night, play some new games and meet some fantastic people.
On Sunday they will have a cooked breakfast before going fishing (prizes for the biggest and smallest fish) before returning home.
They have to follow clues to their destination, only an hour from Tauranga and Rotorua.