Saturday, February 23, 2008

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.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah Sam . .sounds great . .and you getting your wobbley bits and butt out . .go back and take a proper photo at McCracken's whatever it was!! It also sounds as if you faling in love with the plae . .so it must run to rhythm that suits you.You wil have seen Jacs email . .don't sedn any to her work email!! she will have the email police on her. Where and what next??? much love joy xxx

Anonymous said...

I'm slightly disturbed at the thought of sticky sellotape on naked bits and hope that taking it off again didn't cause any mishaps!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Alex
x

Anonymous said...

I laughed out loud at the image you wrapped in sellotape....and winced even louder at the thought of you ripping it all off!!!
Ouchhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
x Moi

Anonymous said...

ok, its all sounding too good now - please can you drop in some rainy photos or observations on how there are more people than sheep....and it is actually boring you rigid...

talking of rigid, would be keen to know more about the effect of sellotape on the human anatomy - had this slightly frightening image of a naked marge simpson (your fancy dress tour de force) entertaining men with hairy backs -uchh, which my dear is why I am a lezza, our equivalent would be lots of bracing walks wrapped up in shapeless jumpers..

still no worries about the work e-mail it will probably have made someone's day, it is rather orwellian at 'The Bank' which is why I am delighted to be exploring pastures new with much saner and sexier companies. One big highlight of the week is that my boss has at last been moved elsewhere and I am coming around from a champagne fuelled evening to celebrate...

t has been up cleaning the house since 7 am this morning (!) while I am gradually coming to with coffee. she had big shock last week with news that her company is being sold, this has three possible consquences that she gets a bigger job, has to actualy do some work or takes a cheque and a year off. I am very worried about the last one as I know she will simply buy another house to clean... (oh the joys of o.c.d....)

been texting windy this am and disappointed to learn that despite qualifying as a lifeguard he has not had breast implants to go with his red swimmers, now where is that leftover champagne.....?

much love hun you have a fabulous time (and as for doubtful sound will you just LOOK AT ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT)

JAC X

Anonymous said...

pps - how crap are petrified forests? i once walked for six hours across lesbos (don't laugh) only to find a pile of blackened stumps (no, not the girls from the candy bar...)

no more pilgrimages like that for me I am now off to selfridges where I have officially removed my personal boycott (following dreadful service five years ago)

just remember this, next time you go naked, accessorise...you can never have enough shoes and bags

love jac x

Anonymous said...

Jac.....between you and Sam's blog I am amused for hours with laughs out loud! Thank you!
Moi
x