The rest of the country may be suffering under a cloud of wintry darkness, but down at popular gay campsite Vinegar Hill the boys of summer are out to play. With an official temperature of 33 degrees, the Manawatu camping ground looks like the best chance of catching some fun in the sun over the new year, especially with the damage from the devastating floods earlier this year totally cleaned up. "It looks pristine and new, in fact it looks better than it did before," says Vinegar Hill enthusiast Mike Binis. "The floods have actually removed some of the lower scrub, its easier to set up tents, and there's a much better view of the river." Things aren't so hot at the heterosexual end of the camp, which suffered most of the damage during the floods. Although the council carried out extensive repairs, there is still no toilet block, making camp time for the hets the ultimate in roughing it. If the straights get bored, they can – as they often do – join the "homosexuals of every hue" that the Manawatu Standard reports are enjoying their break from city life. This year's camp queen is Auckland electronics technician Colin Waterhouse, a five-year veteran of the festivities. Cabaret star Mika was also to be found soaking up the sun and sharing a cup of coffee with his friend Franzi, a German tourist who learned about Vinegar Hill online. He says he knows of nothing like the camp Camp back home, and definitely not in "conservative" Bavaria.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 31st December 2004 - 12:00pm