Clothes-optional Locations

I went for a hike in the Hunua's yesterday (Sunday) I was expecting it could have been crowded. Maybe everyone was out doing christmas shopping or recovering from the chrismas party. The tracks vary from easy to some serious elevation. as it was i'd done somewanders around Devonport and the city on Thursday friday Satarday. The body was hankering for some time out.. So it was some three hours into the wander before I came across anyone else. a couple of ladies going in the opposite direction to me. We chatted for a while. They were keen to know if i would be stopping at a stream for a swim which i assured that i would take any such opertunity. Although i was carring a sarong I didn't bother to cover up. They were morin interested in where i was going, who was inforont of me and that i would be enjoying the rest of my hike.

They described the comuning with nature as forest bathing. I thought about that latter and they were so right that for me the mental health benifits are so why i enjoy runing without clothes in the forest. I did come across about 10 people in total with nothing more that the ususal pleasantries of exchanging greetings.

I contrast this to some 10 or so years ago traingin the the Waitakeries where at the the thought of naked tramping was un common. so i'd be covering up at the sound of anyone approaching. to the point where one of the local magazines used a photo fo me shinny dipping on one of the pools. How times have changed. i wonder if it all the low cost free to air programs that may havechanged peoples thinkings.

I still find that when like today sharting the story that i'm having to explaing the law around being naked vs lewed behaviour.