The Real Ale Special Interest Group of BN organised a naturist drinking session in a pub near Kings Lynn. It was a private party of course, lasting from late afternoon until early the next morning. Apart from several excellent ales to sample there was a quiz, karaoke and a meal. We and several others stayed at a hotel nearby.
For our spring holiday we rented a restored watermill in Brittany. This was chosen from the brochure on the basis of being private, and it was, and beautiful. The grounds included a section of the river and mill stream, a large lawn and some wooded area, all on a rural D-road and well away from other houses. It was possible to use nearly the whole area naked, and to help the sun was out most of the time. There were lovely spots to sunbathe at the end of the day, the only sound the water passing over the weirs. There was even a boat provided so you could just drift on the river. We visited one official nude beach on the southern coast at Kerminihy. Although it was a hot day there were very few there. There was nothing at the beach except a big car park, but we had a good lunch in the village.
Nudefest 2009
2009 saw the third Nudefest, but the first one for us. Nudefest is a 4-day event held at a normally textile caravan and camping site in Cornwall, which becomes completely naturist for the occasion, in the cafe, the shop and the pub as well as the pool and fields. There are lots of activities organised, or you can just lie in the sun. We cheated slightly, preferring comfort over purity, and stayed in a B&B just beyond the camp gates. We had a tent as day base on the site, and after the evening entertainment went back to the tent to dress and sneak out.
We made our third trip to the excellent Abbey House Gardens. This time the weather was good.
2009 saw 67 days sunbathing in our back garden, not a bad count as I work full time and only on the longest midsummer days is it possible to get home in time for some evening sun. I have found some more spots so that I can cover almost the whole day. I know now that next-door has seen me, when a head appeared over the fence on one occasion. I've also found it possible to be naked in the garden without upsetting some of the family when they come to stay.
In September we rented a cottage in Budleigh Salterton. Budleigh has one of the few official naturist beaches in England and we were able to use it several times. It is steeply sloping shingle backed by red sandstone cliffs, but lying on it is not as uncomfortable as it looks. It was quite popular; this picture of me on the deserted beach was taken early in the morning. The cottage had a reasonably secluded garden which could be used to catch the late afternoon sun.
I went to the BN AGM for the second time, this year it was held at a traditional naturist club. There was the usual tussle between modernisers and traditionalists, and a close result over modernising the voting system. There were nearly a hundred nudists attending and other club members running the event, but only three nude. Too cold I expect. Wasn't too cold for me.
The car sticker has continued to do its work. We've had people ask about naturist holidays, and we've found a few who would really like to try it but didn't quite dare. We've had a conversation about naturism with the Tesco delivery man, who spotted it. Reaction to the sticker has been all positive so far. There is a certain acceptance at work. After a while it is accepted to the extent that you get asked sensible questions rather than nudge-nudge ones, and of course when you come back from holiday you get the jokes about all-over tans. Only a few mention it; I suspect everyone knows.
(All of the images are links.)
©2009 nib -
2009-06-21 -> 2009-12-26