A naturist’s view on vineyards

Yes, this might surprise you. I happened to find this article though and thought you’d like it too!

Naturists harvest French vineyard grapes entirely nude

Daniel Trimboli / CC BY-SA 3.0 — The group picked grapes entirely naked, apart from shoes and plastic ponchos against the rain

A group of naturist friends from Puy-de-Dôme has harvested wine grapes entirely in the nude.

Taking advantage of the warm end-of-September weather – despite some rain – the seven men and one woman took to the vines entirely naked, to pick grapes on a small parcel of vineyard in the commune of Crest.

The group made use of a local by-law that allowed them to harvest for a set amount of time, and in a clearly-defined area of the vineyard. The remoteness of the land ensured they were unlikely to be seen by members of the public.

Some concessions to the weather and environment were made: the group wore shoes to protect their feet against the hard and muddy ground, and some made use of transparent plastic ponchos to ward off the rain. Apart from this, they were all entirely naked.

The experience allowed them to get closer to nature, they explained to local news source France 3, and have vowed to return next year.

“We have wanted to harvest this way for a long time,” explained Thierry Guillot, one of the group. “We chose a vineyard that we know and like. Naturism is a mindset. We are very close to nature, and being able to move without fabric; without a polluting barrier, is such a pleasure.”

He continued: “Naturism is about tolerance. We never judge each other; it’s one big family. When you have tasted [what naturism is like], you cannot go back to fabric.”

Winter is coming. When the weather goes bad.

Winter is coming.

Nude Swim

Contrary to our fellow nude people in the Southern Hemisphere where Summer’s now unfolding, up here towards the north the weather’s becoming the disappointment of most nudists and naturists. Winter isn’t here yet but at times it feels that way where I live.

Rain, fog, cold temperatures, all those are items that only nude ones with semi polar bear qualities will be able to face in the buff.

Alternatives to the outside.

As much as naturists like to be nude outside, there are good reasons not to go there that way. Unless, as I said, you’re one of the genetically manipulated polar bears (or penguins, take your pick).

I’ve talked about this before. Still it’s good to remind you.

Not everyone’s so lucky to have such places nearby but a great way to enjoy the naked life is to participate in nude swims. And yes, even if you’re not such a good swimmer. Go there, take off your stuff and relax. Sit in the water, or even learn how to become a better swimmer. It’s healthy too!

Many places around, at least over here, have saunas were you can be naked. Yes, they are doing more and more dressed days but still there are plenty of options available for that.

Do you know other things to do nude in the winter? (Yeah, showering and bathing, I heard you! 😀 )

A naked, skydiving violin player

Nude skydive violin

You’ve probably heard about this before. I think it’s so awesome that I need to post this here.

Glen Donnelly jumped out of a perfectly safe aeroplane with a violin. He wore nothing but a smile and a good mood. Enjoy!

Outer nudity, inner nakedness. Do you know the difference?

Outer nudity and inner nakedness.

This popped into my head one early morning as I got out of bed. I sleep naked and wouldn’t have it any other way. Nudity is important to me because of the freedom it brings.

On Twitter I was engaged in a little thread about nudity being a taboo. (The article mentioned is worth a read, go do it if you have the time.) Is nudity a taboo again? Or is it so still?

Outer nudity.

relaxed nudity Most of you will know that I don’t do well with taboos. For me, someone who’s nude by choice is a far more relaxed person than someone who worries about taking their clothes off when he or she is alone in the bathroom. As soon as you’re comfortable with your outer nudity, I feel there is nothing left to fear. There is no inner nakedness anymore, which is something I’ll address in the next paragraph. Outer nudity is the acceptance of your body, your awareness that not everyone is as pretty as the media these days ‘prescribe’ you should be. People who share their outer nudity are easier going, or so is my experience. That of course doesn’t mean that nudists or naturists are 100% carefree. Even when you dump your clothes there can be dentist bills, mortgages and other modern-life problems piling up. Outer nudity just deals with one of the major hang-ups that is coming back more and more. The prudification of modern people when you compare life to the sixties and early seventies.

Inner nakedness.

suppressed nakedness Odd as it may seem, people who constantly hide inside their clothes are the true naked people. (For my reasoning between the difference between nude and naked, please read this older post.) They are the ones who are scared to be seen and do all they can to hide behind shirts, pants, skirts and sweaters, no matter how hot it is. Which, as we naturists and nudists know, is the most absurd thing to do when the weather’s inviting everyone to go nude.

Inner naked people are scared to show themselves, be it through conviction (e.g. religion, taking a vow of prudishness) or peer pressure (environment, family). I pity those people as they are keeping a very important part of themselves locked inside themselves. A part that craves unbounded freedom.

The relation of freedom and freedom.

question mark man Here is a question for you: do you think there is, or could be, a relation between physical freedom (outer nudity) and the freedom to find a deepened general happiness (which is a happiness that has nothing to do with nudism/naturism)?

I have my own thoughts about it but those aren’t important here as I am asking you, nude or clothed reader.

Talk to me. Surprise me.

How to be nude when you can’t be naked.

If you want to be nude

Being Naked ..and you can’t…

That’s really a crappy mode of operation.

We all know it, I’m certain.

Not everyone has the opportunity to drop their textile at will and be all fine and accepted.

Actually most of us can’t get away with that.

What to do?

The simplest thing of course is to leave out everything you don’t need to wear to appear dressed. Underwear is often overrated so you could do away with that. Wear light-weight fabrics. Wear, if you can, wide clothing that doesn’t force you to stand up straight as if you are freshly ironed.

Is there more?

Of course. If you can be naked in your home, do that as much as you can. Even if it’s just your bedroom or the bathroom. It may sound silly but if you have something you can do in either of those places, you’re good to go.

You can read a book there. Listen to music. Play games. In fact you could also clean the bathroom (of course the bedroom wouldn’t always qualify for that but I don’t know your home. Surprise me!)

Other ways.

Family body painting If there’s no way you can be Naked at home, you can go online and see if there are nudists in your neighborhood. You might be surprised to see how many nudists there are around you. It would be strange if none of them who are dressed all the time. If you can connect with others, they might invite you over for a nude coffee or tea, or a naked chat. Or for some fun body painting!

Are you impressed yet? Do you have other ideas that fellow-nudists can use? Don’t be afraid to share!

Media interest in Hampstead Heath naturism

Somehow, being lucky as I can be at times, I located this written piece through the website of the Naturist Action Group.

I’m reposting this in the full.

Thank you John Paine, the original author of this very interesting article.

Media interest in Hampstead Heath naturism

An incredible 93% of initial responders to an online newspaper survey would support naturism on Hampstead Heath. The Hampstead & Highgate Express published an item on Thursday 25 May after contact by NAG. Carlie, John, Harvey, Steve, of the NAG London group, who met with reporter Anna Behrmann. A photo of naturists on Hampstead Heath was supplied by NAG supporter Natasha, who shows her work on her Natansky website. That immediate opinion response was to the Ham & High online question they ran with the published article. National daily The Times then covered this story and response.

On the morning of 1 June BBC Radio London’s Vanessa Feltz held a live interview with NAG’s Harvey Allen. That day Chris Baynes of the London Evening Standard contacted John Paine, NAG’s London co-ordinator. On 2 June the London Evening Standard online version carried a large item Naturists call for naked sunbathing rights on Hampstead Heath. That same day BBC London TV interviewed Harvey at Hampstead Heath, which was then broadcast in their tea-time news programme.

NAG says there are health benefits to open air nudity and make clear that public nudity is legal if it is not “intended to cause alarm or distress”. NAG maintains that parks in London are heavily used, and only in the larger parks is discreet naturism possible. The City of London Corporation was legally given management responsibility for Hampstead Heath when the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, abolished the GLC in 1989. However, the Hampstead Heath management mistakenly claimed to the London Evening Standard that ‘nudity is a criminal offence’ and is prohibited there. Nudity is not mentioned in the Hampstead Heath bylaws, which were written in 1932.

Photographer Natasha Porter says “There needs to be more spaces available to be naked and free around London. I think that it actually reduces the sexual connections to nudity. Naked bodies do not need to equate to sex”

In all the media interviews NAG mentioned the annual London WNBR. For over 10 years thousands of street spectators have happily accepted the WNBR nudity. It is estimated that on 10 June 2017 over 1,500 cyclists, of all ages and sexes, took part in the London WNBR. Up to 90% of the cycling participants were naked this year, and the usual enthusiastic public response from the crowded pavements was evident. One male cyclist rode naked from arrival at Euston station to the Kings Cross start point, with no adverse public reactions!

The recent media actions described here are part of the various ongoing NAG campaigns to change public perception of naturism. John Paine said “People who are naturists see it as a lifestyle choice rather than a peculiar hobby.”

NAG will hold several ‘vox pop’ interviews on Hampstead Heath in June. Small teams of NAG supporters will ask 4 quick questions of users of Hampstead Heath. They will be asked if they support the idea of naturists discreetly using Hampstead Heath. In fact, this has been happening for over 50 years and in recent times NAG has organised for small groups of naturists to do so collectively. The Hampstead Heath management want proof that many London naturists do want naturism to be allowed there.

London naturists who want to help this NAG campaign can do so by contacting us through this NAG website. Elsewhere on this website you will see more information about what has been done by NAG in London, and ideas that are being explored. This includes action with other naturists internationally, including in Paris and Munich.

John Paine 15 June 2017

Nudists offered advice on neighbourly relations

Found on the Epsom Guardian site:

lunch in the buff

As the sun comes out, so do residents who like the simple joy of being naked in their own garden, according to a police force.

Upset neighbours of residents who loath clothes have been complaining to police in Reigate and Banstead, prompting the force to give advice on how to skirt around the issue.

Budding naturists are encouraged to have a chat with their neighbours and explain that they: want to sunbathe without clothes, have no wish to offend them, will be discreet and hope they will not object.

Writing on Surrey Police’s Reigate and Banstead Beat Facebook page, a spokesperson advised that the force would investigate cases of indecent exposure or outraging public decency.

A spokesperson added: “Confining your naturism to a part of the garden which can be screened from the view will obviously solve the problem.

“If none of the above is possible, you will have to decide whether your desire to be naked in your garden is more important to you than being on friendly terms with those around you.”

But nakedness among neighbours goes both ways it seems, and the spokesperson also advised: “On the other hand, no one has the right to spy on you.

“If you find that your neighbour is leaning out of an upstairs window or standing on the top of a step ladder in order to see you then he or she may well be committing an offence.”

(I think the most important part here is: talk to your neighbours. People are more accepting when you simply tell the truth.)

Things you can do naked. Skydiving.

Things you can do naked.

Walking nude in the street — Frowned upon

Every serious nudist/naturist knows there are lots of things you can do naked. Not everything is ‘acceptable’ in our narrow-minded society, because simply walking down the street in the nude isn’t exactly something you see everywhere. Odd, because it’s one of the simplest things you can do in the nude.

Skydiving?

It’s probably not the first thing you’d consider but it’s done. And done often. Just give your favourite search engine a swing with ‘naked skydiving’ and you might be surprised about the number of hits.

Of course you can wonder why people do this anyway, regardless of their state of dress. Most people assume there is nothing wrong with the airplane so why would one jump from it?

Exhilarating freedom.

I can state that this is true. While I never had the opportunity to do this in the nude (alas, unfortunate, sad), I’ve done 2 tandem jumps and the thrill is beyond explanation.

A tandem jump is where you don’t learn actual skydiving but you’re hooked up to an experienced skydiver who does the real work. You do learn how to behave in the sky so the descent is safe.

Something to consider is that it’s cold. You start the jump from quite high and no matter how hot the weather is, it will be cold or at least chilly. I’d love to experience that, though. The rush of being so free, ‘floating’ in the air without any ropes attached, and seeing others fly around like that is amazing.

The need for speed?

Granted, you ‘float’ downwards at an insane speed. When you do a normal, controlled jump, you’ll go down with speeds around 180 km per hour (112 mph). I think that’s fast enough for a naked person. Trained skydivers who perform a ‘speed dive’ (limiting the air resistance as much as possible) can reach up to 320 km/hour (almost 200 mph).

Do you remember Felix Baumgartner?

Felix Baumgartner

In 2012 made the highest and fastest recorded skydive ever. He started at 39 km (24 miles) and during his drop he reached a speed of 1342 kph (834 mph). Hardly the location and speed to do naked, but I thought I’d let you know about this anyway. It might give you a challenge. 😀

Challenges.

Some people take on nude skydiving for a challenge. Here’s a video of a young man named James Young who accepted such a challenge to raise money for a good cause:

He raised £1000 with this jump!

Would you do it?

Naturists and their clothes

Clothes.

Clothes store A few weeks ago I was out as I had to get some new clothes. At times even naturists/nudists need to go through that. I don’t know about you but I hate clothes shopping. These places are usually very busy and at the same time they go against how I feel about their merchandise. I usually don’t want to wear clothes. Another reason against them: the price. Good grief, it’s insane what you have to pay for even more simple things if you want them to be comfortable.

Heat.

I don’t know how it’s where you live but even when the temperatures rise way above what’s necessary to be naked, I see people who dress like it’s wintertime. A while ago it was 22C (71.6F) and very sunny here. On the way home I wondered why I hadn’t driven most of the stretch in the nude. Outside the car I saw people in thick, black winter coats and one man actually wore a wool hat. In the sunshine. I thought to myself that he was overdoing it, without his mittens. What’s wrong with people these days, acting like that?

Body temperature.

I know. I’ve said this before. Clothes are good to keep your body temperature at a certain level but they are at the same time very good at fooling your body to think it’s cold while it’s not. Because only parts of your skin are exposed to the real world and the rest of your body is nicely close to boiling inside your clothes, the difference is large and makes a body think it’s cold while it’s not.

Undressing Many of you probably discovered the odd awareness that you start feeling warmer as soon as you’ve taken off your clothes.

That’s exactly what happens then. Initially you can feel cold because the (close to) overheating parts of your skin as suddenly exposed to what seems to be cold air. After that has regulated itself there’s no longer any cold.

Public nudity in Britain, and nobody runs for the hills.

Public nudity in Britain.

There’s naked yoga, naked dating, naked dining. But is it OK to take your clothes off in public? There’s only one way to find out…

This is the headline of a very interesting article in the Guardian that was brought to my attention a few weeks back.

‘Nobody runs for the hills’: is Britain ready for everyday nudity?

Charlie Gilmour public nudity — Charlie Gilmour: ‘Being naked is profoundly liberating.’ Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian.

How things have changed. In 1974, when Sally Cooper stripped naked and attempted to run across Richmond Bridge in west London, she caused a national sensation. Caught momentarily in the jaws of a police dog and eternally by the lens of a tabloid photographer, she was one of Britain’s first streakers. At the time, public nudity was virtually unheard of. Naturists, or “sunbathers” as they often euphemistically called themselves, kept to the shadows.

Today, naked people are everywhere. No longer happy to be hidden in naturist clubs and on nudist beaches, the bare body has jiggled its way into areas previously reserved for the clothed, round the dinner table and on primetime TV. London had a pop-up naked restaurant, the Bunyadi, with a waiting list 46,000 strong, Last year saw the launch of Naked Attraction, Channel 4’s full-frontal dating show. We have naked yoga, a naked nightclub and, of course, naked Justin Bieber. Does this mean Britain has come to terms with collective undress?

I’m no naturist, but there have been moments over the years when it has felt appropriate to publicly disrobe. A mass skinny-dip after a friend’s seaside wedding was liberating, a slosh into the Serpentine on a sweltering summer evening was thrilling, and there was one time, perhaps slightly unwise, at a party where the drinks were flowing freely and the heating was on far too high and… nudity may have occurred.

Being naked is profoundly liberating. It’s not just the physical feeling of the air, sun or sea over your entire body: there’s a psychological release, too. When you shed your clothes, many social pressures also somehow fall away. A 2015 survey by British Naturism, the national society for social nudity, found that practising naturists had higher self-esteem and body confidence.