D · Westphalian Beginning of May [5 May 2019]

The Westphalian Beginning of May is a small spring preview of the “Westfälische Naturisten Tage” [en: “Westphalian Naturist Days”] in summer, which usually takes place during 9 consecutive days. Hiking in the buff is always a substantial part ot these naktivities. Also, nude cycling, swimming in the nude, and other naktivities are often on schedule.

1 May, Lintel: Hike | 1

Westphalian beginning in May 2019 began cool at 9°C, light wind around 10 km/h and closed cloud cover. Nevertheless, 17 naturists wanted to move in nature. So, 8 started by bike and 9 on foot.

While we waited dressed at the starting place due to these weather conditions, about 50 people passed by on bicycles. Since everyone had to pass through a bottleneck provided by a small gate in a fence, there was a traffic jam due to the size of this group. A female cyclist approached us and asked, if we were the nude hikers. When we confirmed this, she reacted happily – she and some of the group then shouted on their leave: “Have a good one!”. This was further evidence that our naturist lifestyle has arrived in society as a normal aspect of everyday life.

After approx. hiking 3 km on foot resp. 10 km on bycicle, we all were warm enough, to get rid of our clothes. In keeping with this, the wind had calmed down and the clouds had made way for the sun's rays – a beautiful beginning of May with sunshine and about 16°C air temperature.

Residents, car drivers, and excursionists on foot and often by bicycle returned our greetings, were pleased, or greeted us themselves at first. The most frequent remarks were: “Aren't you cold?” and “Oops! Barefoot, too!”. Two ladies, who went for a walk in the woods with their wheeled walkers on this beautiful afternoon returned our greetings. Then, one of them shouted to the other: “I used to do naturism, too". Maybe, we should initiate a nude wheeled walk?

When the hikers passed the restaurant Lintels Kotten, where we sat down afterwards, in the buff about 1 km before their destination, many guests had their experience of the day and reacted joyfully active: Souvenir photos taken by some of the guests are a gladly accepted tool to make our nude life-style further known.

The weather forecast – a bit cooler, windier, and cloudier than the day before – had deterred some of the hikers. The 10 remaining naturists were not discouraged, started with winds of 15 km/h, closed cloud cover and 11°C air. Soon, they were rewarded with sun and rising temperatures, got rid of their clothes and could enjoy the day.

Shortly before the announced arrival of a rain front, the group reached their hiking destination – instead of rain, however, the front delivered only dark clouds and a few drops.

Encounters with clothed people were relaxed and friendly as usual. We were able to answer the witty question “Are motto days just taking place?” with a smile: “Yes, living active and as naturists is our style of life.”

A light rain shower actually fell – but far too little to compensate significantly for the precipitation deficit since 2018 and to save the currently fresh, strong green in the water catchment area Hohe Ward over the summer.

"Looking meditatively through the treetops into the deep blue of the sky – here, on the slanting bench, it is possible to relax. Also, we could learn in the forest: Some people will leave a climate-friendly footprint. However, most of us produce way too much CO₂. After the rest, the nude hikers could stroll across a meadow and let the grass caress their calves.

2 May, Hohe Ward: Comparison of CO₂ footprints | 1

3 May, Baumberge Mountains: Cockchafer | 1

They still exist: the cockchafers. And they still stick to the calendar. In better times, they crawled over green leaves. In times of climate change, they have to move through stone deserts. There in the distance, a freshly leafed tree allures. It's a long way for short beetle legs.

Rather grimly, a tinder fungus seems to look out of the rotten bark. It obtains its nutrients from living wood. The light representative also causes white rot in the trunk. Due to the removal of nutrients from the wood, the fungus can largely dissolve the trunk or branch.

A rapeseed field at the edge of the forest shows its yellow-glowing splendour for 5 to 6 weeks. 80% of the seed harvest is used for biofuel and various chemical raw materials – only a small proportion of margarine and rapeseed oil is (still) obtained from it.

Today, the announced flow of polar cold air was serious: A nasty wind blew persistently, and the measured 9°C air temperature was felt to be 4°C cold. Dressed, we still hiked 17 km and about 400 meters difference in altitude in the Baumberge Mountains near Nottuln.

“Baumberge Mountains form […] a kind of wedge, especially between the rivers Rhine and Ems. Due to their proximity to the sea, the mountain range contributes to the catchment areas of some rivers.
Hagenbach Brook and Stever River flowing to the south are tributaries of Lippe River, which in turn flows into Rhine River.
Münstersche Aa flows to the east into Ems River system.
Vechte Brook, which rises near Darfeld at the foot of Baumberge Mountains and flows northwest in direction to the Netherlands, forms its own small river system with Dinkel Brook.
Westbound Berkel Brook flows into Dutch IJssel.”
– Cit.: “Baumberge” (de.wikipedia.org) – 2019, translated, layout modified by editor

Single sunbeams cheered up our mood and even warmed us physically for a short time. Nevertheless, the wind remained impressive.

In the beer garden at Longinus Tower, a few people were sitting in front of a cold beer. We preferred to continue our hike quickly and warme us up afterwards with hot drinks and food at Hotel-Gasthaus Stevertal.

20 naturists met at restaurant Zum neuen Herd for breakfast buffet, chatting, and afterwards a sporting event on a ninepins alley.

It was still cold outside. Through the windows, we could see bushes, trees, and garden umbrellas moved by the cold wind, rain showers enriched the weather spectrum. Even the dog of the house, who was on the way in the yard before, got too much and hid himself.

We gave up our plan, to do a short hike of about 10 km afterwards, and preferred, to continue our conversation with an improvised coffee gossip near a hot oven.

The breakfast buffet – something for every taste. Whether ham rolls with sweet nut cream or blue cheese with apricot jam – everything was possible. The dining room was well heated, too. And it offered a view of the cool, green surroundings. You could do without your smartphone. There was a well-functioning landline connection. Calorie reduction on the skittle alley? Perhaps, a sore muscle in the thigh as a late consequence.

4 May, Inhouse: Breakfast buffet | 1