It was, as famous American baseballer Yogi Berra liked to say, “”déja vu all over again” as my partner Dave and I headed to Seahouses for SANER’s naked boat cruise on Saturday, July 27. Meaning that, just as when we drove to the Naked Heart Walk in Cwm Weeg, Wales, the rain pelted down, and stripping off seemed like a dumb thing to do. But, just as with Cwm Weeg, by the time we boarded Billy Shiel’s boat for a trip around the Farne Islands, the weather had vastly improved and we ended up having a whale – well, a dolphin - of a time!
We had expected a small, uncovered boat, but we were treated to a large double-decked vessel, allowing us 27 intrepid sailors to undress and dress comfortably and to get out of the wind as evening approached. Although billed as a sail around the Farne Islands, we actually got no farther than imposing Bamburgh Castle. What prevented us from moving on was the realisation that we were in the midst of bottlenose dolphins.
It was their feeding time. They swam together in twos or threes, leaping and twisting, and every once in a while a fish would fly up. We were all transfixed, and lots of photographing and videoing ensued. According to the crew, this sort of thing doesn’t happen very often, so the captain circled slowly in front of the castle so everyone could enjoy the sight.
It was amazing, and what made the cruise even more astounding was the funnel cloud that appeared over the land beyond the castle. Very rare, the captain told us. What a treat!
The next day around 57 of us, including several who had been on the cruise, met at Alnwick Garden for a stroll around – and a tour of the Poison Garden. This was the first BN event for one couple who had recently joined our community, and they both told me how pleased they were at how relaxed it all was. The garden features a huge water cascade and smaller water features. Unfortunately, they weren’t working because of a gremlin in the system.
Maybe some were disappointed, but for me, the best part the afternoon was the tour, given by entertaining and knowledgeable fellow American Eric, of the Poison Garden. Everything growing there will either make you very sick or kill you. Needless to say, we naked people were extremely careful to avoid brushing up against anything. One Australian plant is so dangerous – and causes such excruciating pain if touched – that it’s kept in a glass case.
Dolphins and dangerous vegetation. What more could any Naturist wish for?