Autumn Farm

I can't believe that its been quite so long since i logged on to my blog, though i have been busy, enjoying myself and not that close to internet access.

Have been at Autumn Farm, a gay retreat in beautiful grounds near Golden Bay in the north of South Island, for two weeks now, a return visit after having a great time here last year. I had heard that their event weeks were really good fun so decided to come and helpX during this years' Naked Week. Arrived early and settled in before things really kicked off and have had a wonderful time.

Having not really done much nudity before, it was quite strange to see everyone wondering about without any clothes on, but soon got used to it. The atmosphere was very relaxed and people all really friendly in a good way. Autumn Farm is a very special place and folk return year on year to have fun, chill in the sun and meet new faces. There were several helpers here that i knew from last year and also a few guests, so it was great to catch up with all the goings on.

During the week trips, parties and events were arranged for the guests and where possible we, the helpers, were able to go along too. A couple of trips to the beach, visits to town and two wonderfully outrageous fancy dress parties. I won first prize in one for wrapping myself in sellotape!!!! though no photos will be shown of that one.

The group of 5 helpers and the owners made a great team, dealing with all the catering, cleaning and housekeeping chores, preparing and serving dinner for 50 hungry men every evening was a challenge, made much more pleasurable by sharing a bottle or two of vino before and during service, dispensing plates of food, clearing tables and ploughing through mountains of washing up, though the view from the kitchen window was so magical it didn't seem to take much time at all. Breakfasts were a self service affair whilst a team prepared sandwiches for lunch

The week went by so fast and most of the guests had left by last wednesday and there was a bit more time to wind down and relax. The laundry is all done for now and its back to gardening and general maintenance. I have met some wonderful people and some excellent new friends, had some brilliant times, moments of laughter that i thought would never stop, learned new card games, gotten a suntanned butt and bits for the first time ever, have loads of places to go and stay, learned loads more about New Zealand and how many people end up staying here, i discovered things about myself way beyond the expected and have a bit of serious thinking to do now.

I shall stay for a few more days and enjoy the quiet and tranquility of the house and grounds and hopefully get to go to the beach a few more times, continue building friendships with the guys here and enjoy sleeping in a tipi in the gardens in a double bed and hopefully get the vegetable garden to the weed free state i left it in when i departed last year.