Holiday Reviews
The following reviews have been written by our members.
Tan-y-ffordd
Way back, in I think February, on return from holiday I looked though my favourite naturist site to find catch up on what had been going on and I found that a competition had been posted. This was the sites first competition. Competitors were asked to answer 15 questions mainly about naturism and each one had to be answered within a two minute time limit. A “strap line” for the site was the tie-breaker. The prize was a week generously donated by Gordon and Liz (NC Couple) at their cottage, Tan-y-ffordd in Penuwch, near Tregaron. Well I answered all the15 questions correctly and supplied the tie-breaker “strap line” I forget what I suggested now but it was on the lines of “Naturist Corner natural place for naturists” I was delighted to be informed I’d won! It was the first time (and only time) I’ve won anything like this. My wife who is not so enthusiastic about the life style as me nevertheless looked forward to the week I’d arranged with Gordon during the first week in August. This was an ideal week as it gave me a chance to meet Tony and Irene who were staying at Tan-y-ffordd too. We arrived on the Saturday afternoon. The cottage is easy to find, as Gordon had explained, “Look for bronze figures in a field, passed the large duck pond then it’s us.” We found the figures, made out of paper machete and painted by the local children, saw the largest duck pond in Wales and then instantly recognised the cottage sign from the tan-y-ffordd web site. We had a huge welcome from Gordon and were introduced to Tony and Irene who plied us with tea. They were staying in Gordon’s large static caravan out on the naturist field at the back of the premises. It’s a slightly old but clean, roomy and well equipped ‘van. It overlooks a slight valley and is totally private. When we first arrived buzzards and red kites were flying overhead. Introductions over and tea drunk Gordon showed us “Twll Llygoden” or “The Mouse hole” It really is a mouse hole too, but no mice! The downstairs consists of a shower-room and toilet and a small but well equipped kitchen. The kitchen has a drop down table for convenience. These two rooms take up half the depth of the property. A narrow staircase leads to a room the full depth of the cottage. The back portion has a comfortable double bed and a dressing table and wardrobe. The wardrobe contained two dressing gowns to cover up when walking to the naturist field. The front portion has two comfy armchairs and a satellite TV. It’s an ideal place for two. A small word of warning. The cottage is surrounded by fields with sheep. The ones at the back are normal quiet animals whilst the ones at the front are old rescued sheep. One has no ears. They were cut off by some unspeakable individuals and this animal and others reside on the field to the front. Given the opportunity they bleat and like being fed bread. In truth they gave us nothing but amused pleasure. We’ve always wanted to explore when we’ve been away and I believe we did the area justice, retuning during the mid afternoon to enjoy a cuppa and a read. It gave me the opportunity to be naked but there never was any pressure for Linda to strip off. I love the hills so we first went to Strata Florida the site of an old monastery and then on the “green desert of Wales” a vast expanse of open wild moor land. You can drive along a narrow single track road to the glorious Trefi Pools and walk onto the “desert”. Just wonderful. We managed a visit to LLanerchaeron an old country mansion in the care of the National Trust. It’s high point to me was the old and large walled garden and lake. None I’m afraid naturist! A short distance away lies Aberaeron with its lovely pastel coloured cottages and houses. They sell a wicked honey ice cream there too. Lampeter is a small nearby town and is one of the locations to have the University of Wales. It’s a small campus but you can just walk in and have a look around. Gordon told us the challenge was to actually find Sainsburys, hidden away in the centre. Aberystwyth drew us to its fleshpots too, well at least the tea shop. It has a typical Victorian sea front with a pier and a small tram to the top of Constitutional Hill. There’s a castle there too but what took our interest was the small but intimate museum in an old cinema. Once we felt we’d done the place justice we moved up to Borth. A little to the north lies the Dovey River and at this point there are extensive sand dunes ideal for a little au natural sun bathing. The beach is not naturist so have a little care. Another foray took us to an area just south of Newquay. There are numerous coves along here. We parked up at one and I had a walk over the headland and found a deserted sandy cove. It was just right for a short naked swim. Tregaron is a small but pleasant village with a couple of pubs a church and teashop. Just to the north lies Cors Caron the Welsh National Nature (not naturist!) Reserve. It’s a wetlands and is full of wildlife. There’s a convenient walkway although if you have time and suitable footwear, i.e. boots or wellies you can do a four hour riverside walk right though the heart of the centre. One of the treasures of the week was a half mile walk or ride if you’re lazy to the Penuwch Inn. This pub provides what must be the best food in Wales. We went twice and on both occasions the food was sublime, plentiful and well priced. I can only conclude by saying what a welcoming couple Gordon and Liz are. If you like the quieter unsophisticated naturist venues then at least give Tan-y-ffordd serious consideration. We loved it.
Click thumbnail to enlarge.
Review by Davie
Harbin Hot Springs, California
During 2007 my wife and I toured Northern California. On previous visits to the US we had visited textile hot springs and we wanted to take the waters again. Before we left I’d searched the web and found several hot springs and swimming holes. Time on these holidays is always tight and Harbin seemed the best bet. The site informed me that some areas were clothes optional.
On arrival, and without pre-booking, the staff could not have been more helpful and even swapped a room to make ours more accessible. It was clearly pointed out it was a clothes optional site except for the restaurants and within sight of any public roads.
In practice the vast majority of people took the option to be naked around the pool area and remained clothed elsewhere. We were lodged in an amazing dome like structure a little way from the centre. These looked if they’d come from another planet. Nudity seemed acceptable in this area too. There were a further two pools here and we had use of these during the late evening. Bathing under the Californian stars was amazing.
The central area has several pools. There is a swimming pool at a normal temperature and a heart shaped hot pool to relax and talk in. There is another hot pool to float about in and just relax. There is little talking in this pool. This pool is fed from an extremely hot pool. It’s hard to get into this cauldron as the temperature is somewhere around 110 deg F and maybe a little more. Next door is a freezing plunge pool!
My wife put her cossie on, but not for long! The ambience of this place is wonderful and the food is an oasis of taste.
I’ve no photos as camera and mobile phones are not allowed for reasons of peace and privacy. There was icing on the cake as the mulberry tree was in season and they tasted, well wow!
Harbin is along a small road out of Middletown, a town south of Clearwater and north of Calistoga where there are more hot springs. If we return to California it’s at the top of the list, and this time for more than 24 hours. There are reviews of this place on the web. The vast majority are positive. We took it as we found it, and loved it. I've no doubt there are other similiar places to explore. For now, I'll leave you to find them.