I met a man......who.....

One of the (regular) visitors to River Island whom I spoke to, last week, was proud to show me his photo, in Issue 2, of the new Sun and Health magazine (edited by Sarah Scriven).

The theme for one of the big events, at River Island, had been the letter: A.

He had dressed up (well.....anyhow.....) as the Alphabet.

Coincidentally the photo beside that of him, was one which I had taken of Bob Reed, Gerrit en Wilhelmina, (The latter were very active in the FBA of NSW), when we visited Kiata, some time ago.

I have been, periodically checking to see if the other half of the former editorial team of Sun & Health had (has) put out Edition 86 of the old version, but so far, have not seen any.
Meanwhile edition 3, by Sarah is apparently well under way. It is not nice to see any team split up. But meanwhile, it is good to see A! version of Sun and Health being made available, to the general public!

The hunt for that skinnydipping platypus.

For as long as I have been going to River Island, I have never really seen a platypus. During this recent stay I walked down to one of the beaches. Cannot remember its name. I'd like to think that it's Platypus Beach. I had my caera with me and was intent on taking interesting photos along the edge of the river.
For the first time, in all those years, I suddenly realised that, while I was looking at some rocks leading into the Wollondilly, a snake had raised itself (like they seem to do when people play pipes/flutes at them) not much more than 2 metres away from me. It wagged its tongue at me and did an instant about turn and fled straight across the river.

I grew up (first 12 years) in a country where eels were common. Not at all snakes and for a few seconds my brain was trying to work it out. Was it really an ell?? Of course not!!! It had reared up and had poked its tongue out at me!

The kangaroos and I are practically on first-name terms. The birds and I frequently meet up too. But still no platypi. Onle lazy turtles (or are they tortoises? floating by.

Gives me an incentive to keep coming back.

River Island, a place to swim; use the spa; walk; ...and why not read?

I thoroughly enjoyed a recent stay, at River Island ( 18-21 December, 06). I had some goals. a) A little carer's respite leave; b) try to lose a few kgs; c) take some photos for the River Island (and Sydney Naturist) website(s); and, particularly: read a book that had recently come into my possession: "Only in Holland. Only the Dutch".

The author is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. His book is described as being "useful to visitors" but "not just another travel guide." The book is based on the time that Mr Resch spent, working as a consultant, in the Netherlands. The blurb, on the back page claims, that the book "takes a behind the scenes look at Holland and its people and offers an insider's perspective on the many intricacies and fascinating facets of Dutch culture."

Well! I'm not altogether convinced that, even after working and living among the Dutch for some time, anyone, from any other country, in the case of Mr Resch, the U.S.A., can claim to have a 100% insider's perspective and to be providing an absolutely purely scientic, un-biased insight into the psyche of the Dutch.

I have been in Australia 50 years and would not claim to be able to do that regarding Australians and their (our) way of life.

The reason for writing about this here, is, not only because I read the book, at River Island, but also because Marc Resch emphasises what the Free Beach Action Group, based in Sydney, in particular its founder so often claims, i.e., that Europeans, such as the Dutch see naturism as something that their fellow countrymen have a right to enjoy, if they wish to.

Skinny dippers do not give up.

O.K.! O.K.! So you don't read Dutch. This is my third attempt to set up a place, on the web, where we can discuss, comment or report on matters that affect naturism and River Island, in particular.

PLEASE! Comment!

Have you been to River Island? Do you plan to go to River Island? What's your best experience there? Does anything need to change / improve? Any advice for people who have not skinny-dipped there yet? Is clothes-optional the best policy? Does your partner wish to come along? Advice to others on what to bring?