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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 8h

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.

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

Former First Minister of Scotland also!

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

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

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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.

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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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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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!

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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

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Ali Wilson @drumslinger.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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

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. 😡

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

Bring back “Top Of The Pops” and the proper “Top 40” I say. Oh, and Sounds and Melody Maker also. And vinyl 7” hit singles for 50p and albums for £2.50. Jeez, I really miss 1972-79. 🎼😢🎼

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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

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

God forbid, if I ever find myself in need of a day job, that’s where I’ll be heading fella! 🎼😎🎼

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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

Fella next to me on the last flight was watching it. I thought it looked “interesting”. I’ll give it 20 mins and see what’s what. I mean it’s not often you get to see a #ChimpInNappies! 🎼😳🎼

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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.

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

They’re top quality brews for sure. I think the staff were slightly nervous when they found out we were Scottish but hats off to them. A couple of powerful and flavoursome brews for sure. Thankfully our hotel is only a 20 metre stagger away!

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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? 🎼😎🎼

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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!”

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

Prices similar to UK for food, booze and accommodation. Flight from Edinburgh to Rapa Nui via London & Santiago was around £1750 pp one way but that includes extra legroom charges. Probably could have done it cheaper if we’d booked 6 months in advance rather than 6 weeks!

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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… 👍🎼🍹😎🍹🎼👍

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

Bucket list. I always wanted to see the “Big Heids” for myself. 15 hour flight from London to Santiago then another 5 hour flight to the island. Worth it though!

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

Not much. It’s pretty much a shanty town. No McDonald’s nor KFCs and all the better for it! Much of it is still wild. Quite like Cape Wrath and parts of the Isle of Lewis back home. Access only by horse of on foot if you’re a proper hiker. Rusty pick-up trucks and friendly stray dogs everywhere!

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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

Good mobile coverage when out and about. Hotel internet is decent enough. We’re here for 5 nights. Back to Chile on Thursday.

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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

They never had much presence or a stage show live but the music was always great. Singer Stephen Lindsay still releases excellent music from time to time.

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

Likewise, but the world seems much smaller these days! Although a 15 hour flight from London to Santiago and now another 5 hours to Rapa Nui is quite the stretch. Then it’s NZ, The Cook Islands and finally Oz. Back home late November…maybe. 🎼😎🎼

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

Excellent! I look forward to soaking up the sights and indeed sounds. 🎼👍🎼

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

Damn right fella. @wordweaverjane.bsky.social has just retired after 20 years at the NHS coal face. She needs this more than me!

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

My Top 10 Scottish Bands Off the top of my head… The Sensational Alex Harvey Band The Incredible String Band Hamish Hawk Goodbye Mr Mackenzie Another Pretty Face Withered Hand The Big Dish His Lstest Flame The Lost Soul Band The Legendary Hearts

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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.

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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…

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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!

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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

You’re on straight after the *Bingo*! Pies and soup available at 9pm. Have fun! 🎼😎🎼

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

Spot on Kenny. My GP actually said I don’t need to go to the gym as she knows I walk a fair bit and play plenty sweaty gigs. She says I simply need to go easy on the beer and Mr Kiplings…and that’s a tough call! The gym was my decision. Anyway, I’m off on hols next week so no gym!

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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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