A hard day at work?

Well here is our first real posting from Le Chateau.

As you can see from the above photo we have had some wonderful weather and I am hard at work cleaning some stray leaves out of the pool - a tough job. We have also had nearly a full house for the first time this Spring and as usual our guests were a delightful and interesting group of Naturists.

There are still many things that we need to do to fully settle in but we are enjoying a full time clothes free working  environment, it is an absolute pleasure. So much so that it has become a real chore to have to get dressed to go shopping or to do some work in the front yard.

All this just reinforces in my mind that there is no real need for clothing when undertaking most jobs we do around the home, and how sensible it is as well. I was doing some painting and all I had to do was have a shower to get rid of a few splatters of paint rather than having to wash clothes. Still if you are reading this blog I am probably already preaching to the converted.

With the weather warming up we are starting to take bookings through November, December and early January as many a Naturist's thoughts turn to holidays.

Bring on Summer!

The largest organ !

The largest organ on the body is your skin and yet we cover most of it with clothing!

Would we limit ourselves to only using 90% of our eyesight or 90% of our hearing when we could use 100%?

Of course not. Yet that is what we do with our bodies. Anyone who has experienced the joy of walking naked across the countryside or along the beach will affirm the experience.

Our senses are turned outward and we engage fully with our environment by feeling the movement of air on our skin, the warmth of the sun and the texture of the grass or the sand underfoot.

Why would we deprive ourselves of these experiences when they are so readily available to us?

I read a comment from Cec Cinder PhD, the naturist writer, the other day where he talks of the hypocrisies of human society where we hold in high esteem the nudes of sculpture and painting enshrining them in museums and galleries and yet a naked body outside these places would be arrested.

Oh that we were so comfortable with our bodies that we used clothing only for protection.

What is it about genitals?

What is it that sets society ablaze about the sight or even talk of genitals?

I started to contemplate this question after reading an article in the Woman's Weekly Oct 2010, about Bettina Arndt the Australian sex therapist and writer.

In this interview Bettina talks openly about what she sees as the magnificence of the penis.

"I've always thought it's the most wondrous thing. The more you learn about the penis, the more you think it is extraordinary. It's this intricate mechanism. And I thought it was the most beautiful thing"

Although celebrated as part of the body beautiful in fine art, society still has this attitude that genitals should not be spoken of let alone seen?

 We have read in the popular press of the claim the sight of genitals will scar children psychologically and therefore they must be protected from such a sight.

[A point of clarification here, I am of course not taking about masturbation in public or any overt sexually aroused state being displayed in an exhibitionist way.]

If this were true then like the Puritans we should not allow our children to take a bath naked nor look at their own naked form in the mirror!

There is so much concern nowadays over the issue of body acceptance and yet we perpetuate the myth that parts of our body are "nasty or dirty"!

Without reference to what other bodies look like, concerns are raised about the normality and adequacy of our own genitalia.

In my generation the change-room /showers for sport or gym was a reference point to see (indirectly of course) the variations in the size and shape of penises.

Nowadays I am informed that even this communal nudity is disappearing with individual changing stalls or overt modesty.

So is it any wonder that adolescent boys grow up with concerns about the size/adequacy of their penis when their only reference are the male actors on Internet porn sites!

Hardly a representative sample of the diversity that is the norm.

Likewise I read with shock the increasing number of women that are having plastic surgery to "shape" their labia as they feel self conscious about labia that are perceived as being overly large.

Given the large number of female Naturists that depilate their pubic hair it is quickly realised that some women have large labia majora, others not so, some have larger labia minora, others less so.

Therefore again the "normal" range is expansive.

One of the many things that social nudity has to offer society is the practice of total body acceptance, not only of others but of oneself.

The Price of "Beach" Is Eternal Vigilance.

I have adapted this well-known truism to the ongoing vigilance required to protect the clothing optional beaches that Sydney now enjoys.

As we have seen in recent times Sydney’s Mosman Council has again petitioned the State government opposition to revoke the clothing optional status of both Cobblers and Obelisk beaches when they get into power after the state election next year.

The Mosman Daily, local newspaper, has been reporting the debate and on their website they have invited public comment. The overwhelming responses were from supporters of retaining the current status of these two beaches. This was no doubt as a result of  a call to action that went out on Naturist websites.

The attack on the beaches was a thinly veiled effort with the thrust of the argument running along the line that there was an increase in antisocial behaviour, because of the beaches clothing optional status. This antisocial behaviour, largely anecdotal, revolved around acts of public sex in a nearby bushland and “strange” men loitering around the nearby oval and public toilets. It was also noted that he area around Obelisk Beach has been referred to as a “Gay Beat” on some Gay websites.

As one Naturist observed this position makes as much sense as banning cars to stop drunk drivers!

This is the same type of campaign that the previous Mayor of Mosman started to run the 2007.

The situation is that the beaches were enacted by state government legislation and therefore the zoning was taken out of the control of the local council. So in order to change the legal status of the beaches. A motion would need to be put to State Parliament, and then passed to amend section 633 of the local government act.

It was pleasing to note that the opposition local member made the following public statement in the Mosman Daily:

North Shore State Liberal MP Jillian Skinner said she would not push for legislative change to outlaw nude bathing at Obelisk and Cobblers until she got word from police that lewd activity in nearby areas had become a major problem.


“If I get strong lobbying from the police, residents and the council who are genuinely concerned about illicit acts occurring near these beaches I will lobby for it,” Mrs Skinner said.


“I don’t condone that behaviour, it’s very worrying ... but at this stage I haven’t heard from many people.”

Don't let the statement fool you, Mosman Council will continue to lobby State politicians to try and have the clothing optional status of our beaches removed.

I would urge all Naturists to write to their local member of Parliament in support of the maintenance of, not only these two clothing optional beaches, but of all beaches that are designated clothing optional in the State.

The last thing that we can underestimate is the power of the “wowser” element within our society.

Jillian Skinner, has made it clear that she is looking for feedback from the community before taking a position on this matter. So I would encourage you, if you have an interest in maintaining these beaches, to write, e-mail, or call your local member and make your position known.

Nudism in Australia.

I have recently obtained a copy of Magnus Clarke’s book Nudism in Australia, which was published in 1982 as a scholarly work exploring Nudism as it was in Australia from its early days through to what was then the present day (1982).

I am finding this book interesting on a number of counts, firstly I have memories of Australian society growing up in the 60’s through to the early eighties so I can relate to the times referred to. I also am finding interesting the history of the movement, which was brought to Australia, like so many aspects of society, initially from England and then later influenced by the European immigrants.

I also find it interesting that the movement has had some difficulty in developing an underlying philosophy, particularly as I tend to think in these terms and relate to some of the aspects of my experience of the lifestyle in more philosophic terms.

Here is a quote from an Australian Nudist Magazine – “The Australian Sunbather” that opened each issue between 1949-50 with this “creed” one can see how the movement is trying to articulate the common ground that all nudists share. Without doubt it is also a statement for the public at large to show the wholesomeness of the movement to counter the sensational accounts of social nudism in the popular press at the time.

Contrast this with the International Naturists Society’s definition of Naturism adopted by the 14th Congress in 1974.

Naturism/(Nudism*) is :

“ a lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment.”

*[I will have separate article of the differences and commonality of these two terms.]

 

The predominant feeling in the book seems to be that Nudism rather than something that one believes is more something that one does!

Speaking from my own experience this very much is a personal disposition and the experience of removing ones clothing in a mixed social setting, can be a simple or a life changing experience depending on ones own state of being.

For others while it may be a psychological release and newfound freedom they do not articulate it that way instead just revel in the feelings and enjoy, and rightfully so!

What ever the impact on the individual, social nudity is a powerful sociological force and some will wish to ascribe a philosophy to it.

Historically we have seen the importation of a German model that had its focus on group physical fitness, a vegetarian diet with a prohibition on tobacco and alcohol.

Other clubs adopted a more Greek and Olympian theme on which to base their club and gatherings without the more rigorous mandate on diet etc.

Finally over time we see a blended version of all these thoughts that came to pass with a focus on leisure, organised games and the social activities of BBQs and alcohol accepted (in moderation) accepted as just as important part of the Nudist lifestyle.

This of course reflected the changes in society attitudes outside of the movement, the changing work patterns in Australia and an increase in general affluence.

Until next time:

Addicted to Boob Jobs

Addicted to Boob Jobs -Lifestyle You Channel, 6 March 2010

wikipedia.org - Dr. Placik Breast Augmentation

Last night I was watching this British produced documentary through the eyes of 26-year-old Fashion Journalist Louise Roe. Addicted to Boob Jobs looks at women who are not satisfied with having just one boob job but who are choosing to return to the operating table again, again and in some cases again.

During the course of this show, it became clear that the women interviewed were considering additional surgery were doing so for “themselves”, not for their boyfriends/husbands, although their partners were supportive.


There was one woman who had one augmentation and now wished to go up an additional cup size. Divorced with two children, and no man in her life, her comments were that she wanted to feel better about herself and had identified that large breasts would be the end to this.


Kate Merrony, 20, a glamour model and Mum from Bournemouth admits that one boob job just isn’t enough for her. Even though Kate’s first boob job has made her an E cup she still isn’t satisfied with the size and wants to go even bigger. 


Anne Marie Hart, 24, had her first boob job eighteen months ago which took her from a b cup to an e cup she now wants larger breasts that she believes would help to pursue a career as a “glamour model”.  Clearly, she felt that had enhanced breasts were not good enough and larger implants would make a difference.


The interviewer, in her side comments. rightly pointed out that it reminded her of pinning your happiness on the acquisition of a new car, then after a few months, one then realised that the feelings associated with the acquisition of the car had passed, they then started to plan for a “better” new car, to achieve this elusive happiness.


The show goes on to document the ordeal, that is involved with not only traditional augmentation surgery, but also a less invasive process called a boob jab, where a substance is injected into the breast tissue, under local anaesthetic, and then moulded into shape, like plasticine. This then last about 18 months until the product is obviously absorbed into the body ?

Diagrams of cross sections of breast implants, subglandular (left) and submuscular (right)

British and Australian television networks are to be applauded in the presentation of shows such as these as unlike the American networks there is no issue showing a nipple during these informative procedures. The viewer observes the true graphic details of the augmentation procedure, where the incision is made, the old implant removed, and then more breast tissue removed to accommodate a larger implant  The interviewer, who was allowed to watch the procedure had to leave the room at one point, and understandably so.

Chest X-ray showing bilateral breast implants

What was abundantly clear was that the perceived issue that these women are trying to address is more psychological than physical.


Now from a naturist perspective, the whole aspect of body acceptance is confronted within the first experience of social nudity. The great freedom experienced, when one sheds your clothes in a totally accepting social setting, allows one to be comfortable in one's own skin.


Now I realise that this is a “chicken and egg” situation as one must have a certain degree of body acceptance to take the plunge and remove your clothing in the first place. However, having done so, one realises the infinite diversity and infinite combinations that makes up a human form and we can then celebrate the variations rather than compare to some conceptual "perfect image" that is, in fact, an illusion.


On our local beach, we see all sizes and shapes of bodies, and yes, breasts in all their variations, including enhanced and reconstructed. There are also scars, birthmarks and stretchmarks, all on show, and all totally unimportant.


In the naturist setting, we have the rare opportunity to see people for who they are, rather than what they look like. It also gives us the opportunity to appreciate all body shapes, sizes and ages. Plus, putting a spotlight on the truth of who we are, that we are much more than our body.


Over the course of this month the same Lifestyle Channel, will run a number of programs that will show the folly of perfect body image, particularly in the eyes of the young. They were supposed to be airbrushed magazine industry are unhealthy body shapes of the runway models and other false images that are put forward as aspirational “real” men and women.


What a pity that this society is so gymnophobic (anxiety from nudity) for a greater acceptance of public nudity, and therefore exposure to it would create a new body acceptance of the whole population.

Spenser Tunick in Sydney

A crowd in excess of 5000 people gathered at the Sydney Opera House just after dawn today, defying cool temperatures to put together an installation titled Mardi Gras: The Base.

Tunick is known worldwide for his large-scale installations comprising of nude people posed and photographed in varying formations and patterns. In addition to the temperature which hovered around 20 degrees Celsius, the models also had to contend with a crisp breeze coming from Sydney Harbour, heralding the first day of autumn.


Read more here...

Great to see such a display of non-sexual nudity!

From Clothesfree.com

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

News Item - 27 Feb 2010

From an article in the Sydney Morning Herald  "Another Sydney Cover up" --  Click here for link

Professor Doug Booth, author of Australian Beach Cultures: the history of sun, sand, and surf, said the utopian ideas surrounding public nudity, and particularly nude bathing, held by young baby boomers have been thoroughly rejected by their offspring. Even Speedos are now considered indecent.

In the past 10 years he had noticed ''a remarkable conservatism which reveals itself in attitudes towards bathing costumes''. ''I think it's a combination of social hysteria around paedophilia and a fear of technology and what technology can do now,'' he said.

Even a statue of a naked child on the beach can cause angst and have to be covered, as happened with an entry in last year's Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.

Mr [Bob] Reed conceded in this climate, the movement was having trouble attracting new recruits.

'''Most naturists are the naturists who were nude in the 1970s and 1980s. This is who [the police are] harassing now - people in their 50s, 60s and 70s.''

Is this true?

On many different naturist forums there are postings asking "Where are all the young people?"

One of the most sensible responses that I have heard comes from Stéphane Deschênes* owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park  in Canada, who reminds us that the young 20 somethings make up but a small part of the population so they may well be represented in appropriate numbers based simply on this point alone. Second it is normally when people are in their 30's with some stability that the naturist lifestyle becomes more attractive and affordable. *see link to Naturist Living Show

So don't close the lid on the coffin just yet!

From my experience at Cobblers Beach, our "clothes optional beach", I have observed a good mix of ages. On any given weekend you will see a good cross section of the population from 20 somethings to 80 year olds.

Yes the majority of people are in their 40's and 50's just like in the general population. The really great thing about our local beach is that we do have families come down regularly and the whole beach has a real family friendly atmosphere.

Are all these people naturists or are they "skinny dippers"? To me it does not matter yesterdays skinny dipper can be tomorrows naturist.

If the popular press is to be believed the younger generations are environmentally aware what better entrée to the naturist movement if only they can break the bonds of the body-image demons.

As they say in the classics time will tell.

News Item - 23 Feb 2010

VIDEO: Naughty nudes

Click above link for the video report of this article.

At Little Congwong Beach at La Perouse nudists who frequent the picturesque beach on the northern edge of Botany Bay have become the subject of a National Parks and Wildlife crackdown.

Little Congwong has been an unofficial haven for naturists for 50 years. However, complaints from some locals saw police raid the beach on Sunday and threaten nude bathers with fines. On 22 February, the sun lovers were defiant, returning to the beach despite warning signs and the police raid according to Chelsea White of The Daily Telegraph.

It really makes me wonder about our current society and what makes the sight of the naked body so threatening!

The beach in question is isolated and has a traditional use by naturists, granted it does not have legal status as a nude beach but with the small number of legal nude beaches within the Sydney area (3) you would think that the government and local council would create another one.

If there is overt sexual activity undertaken by members of the public then bring the full force of the law onto them and allow the genuine naturists enjoy the environment in a natural state. 

Why this Blog?

Our local legal clothes optional beach.

This blog will capture the irregular posts of Sunkissed an Australian Naturist couple as we continue to explore the naturist lifestyle and the questions and experiences that arise.

Although I may speak in the singular at times in this blog the recorded comments will be reflective of our shared views, questions and observations.

We have been attracted to this lifestyle by the freedom found in removing the clothes and with them the self imposed and society imposed repression and stress that we have carried around with us for so long. We also wish to explore and gain an understanding of the philosophy and history of naturism. To this end there are a great many sources of information on the Web and as we explore these we will endeavour to note our discoveries here in our blog.


This blog has also been brought about by the excellent blogs that I have read and this has encouraged me to try my hand and to add in some small way to the body of knowledge available on this highly beneficial life style.


I therefore have provided links to those blogs that I have found particularly interesting and helpful in the panel to the right.