iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

It’s 10:45pm on a Friday and I’m in a hotel room 11,700 miles from home, washing and tumble drying underpants. I’ve never been happier…or at least not often. #CleanPantsEqualsHappiness

Seems everyone’s doing the 9 albums thing, so here’s mine. Off the top of my head. Could change at any time…

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South Pacific Beer tour update: So far this is the only brew I’ve found in NZ that ticks the boxes. Tourist Information tells me the brewery is a mere 10 minute walk from my hotel…and they do tours! Well, it’ll make a refreshing change from whales, seals and penguins eh! 🍺😎🍺

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

As a lad from Edinburgh’s Corstorphine area I was keen to pay a visit to Dunedin’s area of the same name. Nice sunny day for it and another bucket list box ticked. Dunedin is the furthest city from Edinburgh on the planet. They have strong historical links including their names.

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The past few days have involved a lot of driving and have mainly been based around whales, seals and tiny penguins. Today our adventure continues as we head for Dunedin, “the Edinburgh of the South”, where I’ll hopefully be visiting Corstorphine and other funky neighbourhoods.

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

So far I’ve only found one pub in NZ which sells something close to an imperial pint as apparently there’s “no demand for pints here.” So this is a 400ml craft German lager. The only beer available in bigger 500ml measures is Heineken and must be served in its own branded glass.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

We’re in a nice hotel but its restaurant is somewhat “up its own arse”. We asked for a bottle of house Pino Noir but the server insisted we try another more expensive NZ wine. We decided OK, went with it and it was poor. £7 tops in Tesco. £11 online. £35 in hotel. Now refunded.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

We’re off to watch some whales (hopefully) in the sea off Kaikoura. A tannoy announcement tells us someone’s left their wallet at “chicken” which turns out to be “Check In” when spoken in a heavy NZ accent. Later today we move on to Christchurch. #SouthPacificTour2026

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Better views of Kaikoura from the local viewpoint. Stayed there for around 90 mins until it got dark. Beautiful!

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Was hoping for an amazing view of the sea from our hotel room in Kaikoura, but this’ll have to do. Beautiful snow covered mountains…and a wee bit of sea through a gap in the trees opposite. Magical.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Perfect listening for 7:42am on a sunny Sunday morning…

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“You’re at the arse end of the world mate!”, says a local fella. His words not mine. Leaving NZ’s North Island for two weeks touring the South Island. Early ferry. Nowhere near awake yet. With a stomach full of Stugeron just in case. I am not, and never will be, a sailor. #Ahoy

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This morning finds us at Lady Knox’s Geyser. Here’s a photo of the geyser relaxing along with all the geezers waiting for the geyser to erupt at 10:15am local time.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Well now…It had never crossed my mind until I read the sign, but now I have an uncontrollable urge to climb all over Mr Jelly Belly. #RotoruaSkyline

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Hobbiton Social Housing. Ceilings are a bit low but I’d still put my name down for one.

Well, I thought “Hobbiton” might be a bit shit but it was actually great. “The Green Dragon” is right up there with the best boozers in my book. Decent Amber Ale and cozy log fires burning. Oh, and the rest of the “movie set tour” was way better than I’d anticipated. Mon the wee Hobbits!

Share someone who looks stylish posing with or next to a car... 😎😎😎

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

In “Nikki’s Kitchen”. A cafe in Huntly. A quick coffee and a stack of pancakes then we’re off to Hobbiton. Yes. Hobbiton. Doesn’t look like I’m gonna make it to the “Mad Max Museum” in Oz, so Hobbiton will have to do.

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Peculiar restaurant pricing in Auckland. Compare the prices of top left and right. Left is ok. Right is 2 pieces for $15. 3 for $25. That’s not a deal. I queried it and the fella says. “I dunno why. It’s always been like that.” Which doesn’t make it ok in my book. 😡

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This is apparently a “Parrotdog Birdseye Hazy IPA”. A local Auckland brew. I’m getting mango with a hint of mango with added “more mango than you could shake a feckin’ stick at”! Not really my “cup of tea” but I’ll drink it anyway. 👍🍺👍 #Mango #JustGiveMeADecentDarkAle

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

My favourite shop in Auckland so far!

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

First delayed flight of our South Pacific tour. 2 hours extra at Santiago airport. Nice farewell view of the Andes. Airline gave us £15 each to buy a meal which we spent in a half decent Chilean burger joint. A 12.5 hour flight awaits us. I’ll be watching a Michael Jackson film.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Bumped into this fella today. Local folks are saying it’s Jesus but clearly they’re mistaken. I mean…come on…Surely it’s Ginger Baker from power trio Cream? 🎼😎🎼

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Friday afternoon is traditionally *beer time* back home. Incredibly there is a craft beer pub and bistro directly across the road from our excellent “boutique” hotel. They have a couple of locally brewed “Scotch Ales” and they are genuinely outstanding. I’m on the “Wee Heavy 8%”.

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Farewell Rapa Nui. Hugely interesting and lots of fun. Back in Santiago for a couple of nights then next stop Auckland, NZ and 3 weeks of touring around the North & South Islands. My aim is to achieve my late mother’s unfulfilled desire to get “as far away from here as possible!”

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

To be honest I *do* actually like Pina Coladas and indeed “getting caught in the rain”…but only very occasionally. And only ever when in some far away beach bar… 👍🎼🍹😎🍹🎼👍

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Just bumped into this fella in a restaurant in Hanga Roa. I never caught his name but I strongly suspect it might be *Boaby*. 😳

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Still spending time with the “Heids of Rapa Nui”. Took well over 200 photos today. Fascinating. I love these guys!

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“It’s a pint Jim…but not as we know it.” Some kind of chili frosting available with all ales for an extra £2. Tried it and it’s a fun type garnish but I don’t need to try it again. I’m back on the local “cooking lager”…from Patagonia!. Quite nice. £7 a pint. Not too bad really.

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Right we’re off to see the *big heids* and whatever else Rapa Nui has to offer…

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

🎼”I left my pants…in Santiago…” 🎼 NEXT underwear certainly isn’t what it used to be. The first casualty of the South Pacific trip. As Bon Jovi once sang, ‘Oh, half way there, Oh ho, ripped my underwear…” Now, onwards.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Ooooh…this looks interesting. Might check it out seeing as I’m here…

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Just nipping out for some bread & milk. Back in a bit…

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Two copies of my old band’s single from 1986 are up on eBay at very different prices. I’m now reminded of the time circa 2007 when I threw 200 new copies, unplayed and still boxed, into a skip at my local recycling centre, oblivious to the fact they were selling for £60+ online. A sore one for sure!

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I don’t read many books but when I do they tend to be about bands and musicians I find interesting. Sometimes I start but never finish reading them. Some remain unread. This one arrived recently, jumped the queue, and I dived in. 17 years late to the party but I rather enjoyed it.

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

For anyone out and about in the Tweed Valley later today. 13/09 We’ll be playing some classic tunes at the Bridge Inn, Peebles from 6-9pm. Beatles, Stones, Prince, T-Rex, Small Faces, The Who…that sort of thing. Free Entry. Reasonably priced ales and spirits. Well behaved dogs welcome. Come on down!

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Pretty pissed off. I spent an hour in the gym today burning up 300-400 calories and I found it pretty bloody tough. However, I can consume 300-400 calories of Borders biscuits in under a minute and I find that incredibly easy. Anyway, it’s week 6 back in the gym and it’s pretty shite.

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Exhibit A (left): A tube of Pringles weighing 185g bought from my local Tesco last week for £1.85. Exhibit B (right): A tube of Pringles weighing 165g bought from the same Tesco today for £2.50 So we now get 11% less Pringles per tube for 65p more. 🤬 @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com #Bravewallet

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

1/2 A recent Amazon purchase was £33.50. Postage was another £4.99 unless I spent another £1.50 to make the total £35, then delivery is free. So I spent another £1.50, expecting the items to arrive together. But no, items arrived separately, two days apart, on two different vans.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Mrs $linger did a sterling job with her fiddle tonight…although classical types apparently refer to it as a “violin”. Certainly no “raggle taggle” type music was on tonight’s menu although it came close on a couple of occasions! 🎼😎🎼

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I’m at a *Classical Concert* where orchestral types are playing “Verdi’s Requiem”. I have no idea what’s going on. I feel like the Borders’ equivalent of the *White Man In Hammersmith Palais*. To be fair it sounds immense…and bloody loud. Even for this rock’ ‘roll drummer!

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Friday! Had a busy week doing next to nothing so I thought I’d celebrate with a couple of bottles of decent discounted beer. I’ve had a soft spot for Staropramen since I was introduced to it at the quiz nights in Edinburgh’s excellent The Golden Rule pub in Polwarth around 1991.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It’s just occurred to me that it’s now *50 years* since I joined my first band. I was almost 14. We rehearsed in bass player Nick Koyman’s garage. Nick on bass with Alistair Watt and Nigel Scott on guitars and myself on drums. Set list was Free, Quo, Frampton and suchlike. Photo c.1974.

Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Come and have a go if you think you’re *pink enough*! #Glasgow