Work in progress
Previous | Detour | Next Pretty much every right-thinking boatie at the time thought we were nuts. Concrete boats — really? There were certainly failures — some sad, some tragic — and some of us learnt our limitations. But there were some truly remarkable people who built their dreams and ... 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 | Next Picture us at the end of 1971. Me, 25, recently graduated with a three-year arts degree. Qualified as a teacher — but only to pay for the degree. Heather, 24, dropped out from a nursing career. The two of us and our little boy Stephen with, as we ... 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
Previous | Contents | Next Some time after the 1971 school year finished Ken and Dianne moved up to Auckland and rented a place in Green Bay so they could join us. Ken got a job teaching art at Lynnfield College. Brian Donovan had a lease arrangement on an old boatyard and ... Read more