Long hot summer.

Looking forward to a season full of promise.

Here in New Zealand, our meteorologists are suggesting that thanks to El Niño, we are heading into a hot and dry summer.

Having all but missed out on a genuine summer last year due to unseasonal rainfall, I can honestly say that the nudist in me is excited at the prospect of a decent summer season.

One of the things that keeps me going through the dark, colder winter months is the promise of long warm evenings. Walks along one of the many beaches or in the parks close by and days spent without clothing as often as I can.  I am a summer creature.

This coming summer I plan to get out more and enjoy the weather.  There is a naturist park in Katikati, about 20 minutes drive up the road from us and I recently heard that the business is for sale.  I gather it has become a little run down and some were unhappy with the way the previous managers operated the park.  Hopefully, a new approach will give the place a bit of a boost. The facility has significant potential and could be a wonderful resource that I feel lucky to have close by.

Our previous stays here have been under canvas on an air mattress, although we did book one of their cabins on one occasion.  Typically we drive up after work on a Friday and stay 2 nights.  The park was an interesting mix of residents and visitors, and there was always someone interesting to talk to.  Due to the unseasonably poor weather, we didn’t really spend any time there last summer so it will be interesting to see how things have changed.  With most activities, I am a fair-weather participant, and so it is with camping.  I can’t be doing with packing up wet camping gear and trying to dry it out in the garage.  Any suggestion of rain in the forecast and I can easily be persuaded not to venture out.  As the park is close to where we live, it is likely that we will do a few more day visits here rather than overnight stays.

One of the members of the non-landed clubs that I belong to is organising a naked beach fishing day a short drive north of us in early December.  It is the first of hopefully what will become an annual event.  Beach fishing, or surf casting is a pastime that I enjoy.  It is not about catching the fish, which is a bonus if it happens, it is more about sitting on the beach and doing nothing.  My success rate is not great on the times I go fishing, but I argue that is why it is called fishing and not catching.  A former colleague of mine used to say that even a bad day fishing beats a good day at work.  The retail price of fish in our supermarkets and fish suppliers is such that if you do manage to catch a fish, it is a bonus both from a sense of achievement and from the savings made to get a meal, although my filleting skills leave a lot to be desired.

Last year Emma and I stayed at a clothing-optional homestay up in Northland, about a 5-hour drive away.  Set on 18 Hectares (45 acres) of private natural bush, the homestay is a beautiful and tranquil getaway with walking tracks, plenty of native wildlife, a stunning outdoor shower, and no need to get dressed. Hosts Brent & Cathy were welcoming and have created a truly relaxing spot.

We have just booked 4 nights there in January, and both Emma and I are looking forward to relaxing naturally in nature.  I would highly recommend their place to any of my NZ readers, or anyone planning to visit NZ.  Link at the end of the blog.

In March 2024, there is a naked bike ride planned, with a get-together for a drink at one of the hostelries afterwards, something that was missing from the last naked bike ride I did, and a positive development.  Finding businesses that will support naturist events is a rare and precious thing, and we need to fully support them if such gatherings are to become more frequent.

I am hoping for more opportunities to get out on a naked hike or two over the coming summer months.  I have only been on one before, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  New Zealand is a small place, and hiking is a popular activity, so you can guarantee that you will pass others on the tracks.  I am not yet brave enough to get out on my own and prefer the safety of numbers in an organised group.  While New Zealand may have a reputation for being a tolerant society there are still some very conservative people who are only too willing to try and curb the freedoms of others.  I am largely confrontation averse.

Emma and I also have some activities planned that are textile-based.  We have a visit to see my kids and grandkids and a couple of music events planned.  Like most naturists, we are part of broader society and it's not all about getting naked.

"Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is about." — John Mayer

Thank you for reading.  Have a comfortable day.

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Next Week:

Falling on Deaf ears.
Why do so many people new to naturism discover things we have been saying for decades?  Weren’t they listening?

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Links:

480, clothing-optional retreat.
https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/737153204915599612?source_impression_id=p3_1699220248_pBlwQWpgTa/L+Tdr