Met up with some people from the Hastings Beginners Photo Quest to try Astro Photography, but the cloud conspired against us. Making the best of the poor conditions, a bit of trial and error, some lessons learned and a whole lot of laughter with a great group of people I now consider friends.

Headed down to Hawke’s Bay to help a friend deliver a photography class. Managed to get out and take a few pictures.

This Tui followed me for part of the way on my walk today, almost begging to have his photo taken.

Lunar eclipse and Blood Moon

Silenced voices When censorship speaks louder than freedom. The latest blog from A Comfort of Naturists: Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. aconnz.substack.com/p/silenced-v...

"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. 

There is another theory which states that this has already happened." -Douglas Adams

Naturists have a philosophical belief that the naked body is inherently non-sexual, yet social media treats all nudity as sexually explicit and blocks it. Imagine if religious beliefs, symbols or texts were automatically blocked? How much outrage would there be? #NaturismNotPorn

We may be past the shortest day, and the days might be getting longer, but this morning's 1 degree C temperature was the coldest I've seen since moving to Tauranaga nearly 6 years ago.

Not just nudity. The many pillars of naturism we don’t promote. The latest blog from A Comfort of Naturists: Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. aconnz.substack.com/p/not-just-n...

Gestation, a sculpture by by Baile Oakes.

View out the window at our accommodation.

Out for a walk today, saw this little beacon of light on a grey day.

Mount Maunganui is silhouetted by the first light of the day.

The last rays of the sun in the evening sky over Tauranga.

Loved the presence of this tree I saw on a recent walk.

Mayor island from Mount Maunganui

Quickly grabbed this image while rushing out the door, late for work. Handheld 85mm F2 0.8s ISO 100

Took a walk on Te Awa River Walk in Cambridge (NZ not UK). Loved this sculpture of a longfin eel.

Bare Truths: Exploring the Gender Gap in Naturism. The latest blog from A Comfort of Naturists: Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. aconnz.substack.com/p/bare-truths

Out and about at McLaren Falls on King’s Birthday holiday Monday.

First attempt at race director for our local parkrun. Thought I’d be subversive with the choice of hat for the event. If you know, you know.

▪︎ Copy this text ▪︎ Press "Quote post" (🔄 second from the left, below) ▪︎ Paste this text into your post ▪︎ Attach a smiley, naked photo of yourself ▪︎ Click on "Post" and your beautiful image will pass on! We're naked and proud! #NaturismNotPorn

1. Auf Wiedersehen, Pet 2. Bottom 3. The Good Life 4. Black Books 5. Midsommer Murders

Sorting the wheat from the chaff: Navigating connections online.. The latest blog from A Comfort of Naturists: Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. aconnz.substack.com/p/sorting-th...

Spending the weekend at a converted cowshed. A lot better than it sounds.

The illusion of inclusion: When diversity falls short. The latest blog from A Comfort of Naturists: Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. aconnz.substack.com/p/the-illusi...

While everyone is trying to make AI generated action figures of themselves, I though I'd see how I looked as a muppet. Not going to lie, this might be my favourite profile picture to date.

Naturism at home. As winter creeps ever closer, I’m not sure I’m a big fan of this whole “it’s still dark when I get up” routine.

Naturism at work. Every gardening day is naked gardening day at our place. Getting the foliage under control before the winter.

Loved the colour and positive atmosphere at the Tauranga Multi-Cultural Festival over the weekend. A celebration of diversity and inclusion.

I snapped this image last Saturday as I was waiting for the parkrun runners. 2 minutes later the light had changed and the evaporation had disappeared. There is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time.

Clouds were looking particularly dramatic the other evening.

Had a great time at the Tauranga Holi Festival. Not sure why I thought I wouldn’t get any paint on me.

My favourite drop. Behemoth’s The Dude Abides, 8% White Russian stout. Let the weekend begin. It’s only brewed once a year.

Trying a different approach to camera settings after a recent photography course. Very happy with the results. This is straight out of the camera, no post processing.

After the speech to congress, will they change the text on the Statue of Liberty? Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" No words…

The days are getting shorter, and while it’s still warm, we are just into Autumn. I hope my northern hemisphere friends can enjoy the warming weather as their seasons change.

Interesting that the naturist's response to the appropriation of the terms "Nudist" and "Nudism" to peddle porn is the one that has been marked as spam. Naturists don't necessarily object to the content, we just wish people wouldn't use our misunderstood lifestyle to sell porn. Call it what it is.

How we Identify. Why do naturists get so hung up about labels? The latest blog from A Comfort of Naturists: Free Subscription. Read the latest instalment and get full access to previous posts. aconnz.substack.com/p/how-we-ide...

A great way to start the day, breakfast outdoors naturally. Whilst not a naturist accomodation site, we had the place to ourselves, so I couldn’t miss the opportunity to commune with nature naturally.

Took a walk in the golden light of evening and caught this chap coming in to land.

Please help us change some outdated laws to separate the naturist/nudist lifestyle from lewd behaviour!

New camera lens. Enjoying the results.

“My nudity doesn’t mean I want to have sex. I am nude because that is how I am most comfortable.” ~RMNC Member #NudityIsNatural #AsOurCreatorIntended

At the age of 37 she realised she’d never ride through Paris in a sports car with the warm wind in her hair. I have lost another musical icon of my youth. R.I.P. Marianne Faithfull.

Good to see a positive report on naturism and children in our media. Maybe the message is getting through. www.stuff.co.nz/wellbeing/36...

Now where did that bird go?

In a break from normal programming, the Friday transition meeting was shifted to Saturday. Supping on the January Fresh from Garage Project with Emma, contemplating the evening meal options, life is good.

If you love naked living and you're proud of it: ▪︎ Copy this text ▪︎ Press "Quote post" (🔄 second from the left, below) ▪︎ Paste this text into your post ▪︎ Attach a smiley, naked photo of yourself ▪︎ Click on "Post" and your beautiful image will pass on! We're naked and proud! #bodyfreedom