Work in progress
Previous | Contents | Next Heather was bringing in most of the family’s income, which I’ve already admitted wasn’t great for the male psyche — and one reason why I look back to what I was doing then with mixed feelings. Excitement at what we tried to do, guilt for walking away from it. Amazement ... Read more
Previous | Contents | If you landed here from the outside world, understand that this page Is part of a bigger, personal project. I’ve tried to keep my personal engagement with Brian Donovan in the 1970s to a separate page, where you’ll find more about him and his work. Another article relates ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next § Brian Donovan was our guru when we started building our brigantine at Span Farm, but ferrocement was one of those collaborative 1970s subcultures, centred around designers like him and Richard Hartley, a few industry figures and the New Zealand Ferro Cement Marine Association Inc. ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next There were two tanneries in Auckland. The first, Astley & Son, was one of three substantial manufacturers in New Lynn, along with Crown Lynn potteries and Cambridge Clothing. All three are long gone. The other tannery was Lea and Arlington in Otahuhu, which is where we bought our leather. ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next The fact that for the next few years I earned very little, gave me a bit more insight into the fragile male psyche, as if any more was needed. Whenever conversation came close to what I might be doing personally — “Gidday, what’re you up to?” — I always ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next Put something in front of Heather and she’ll do it. Organise it. Make it happen. I’m just a bit lazier than her, the sort that used to say that I had no interest in farming if it meant getting up early to milk the cows. ... Read more
Contents But most of us kept on keeping on just the same. Started a career. A profession or a trade. Lawyer, accountant, doctor. Plumber, carpenter, electrician, nurse. Academic. Drain layer. Home maker. Turned on, tuned in and dropped out, but only at weekends. What Heather and I lacked was that ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next My teachers changed my life, and one of these days I’ll sit down with Ken and recall our teachers at Northland College — Mr. Holmes, Mr. Rowe, Mr. Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Moss, Mrs. Lyons, Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Matley, Matron Faugie, Matron Laing and the rest. I ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next Our houseIs a very, very, very fine houseWith two cats in the yardLife used to be so hardNow everything is easy ’cause of you — Graham Nash / Crosby, Stills and Nash § In the summer of 1971-2 we were ready to start boat building, but there ... Read more
Previous | Contents | Next “I reckon we can build it,” he’d said, “but I’m not sure we can sail it round the world.” I said, “That’s OK, I’m sure we can sail around the world — I’m just not so sure we can build it!” He laughed when I ... Read more