The Adlington Post

On my Far North road trip: just out of Waipapakauri on 90 Mile Beach I found a recently killed pheasant by the side of the road. Back at camp Te Araroa tramper Tyler shared some preparation techniques, then a couple of days later at Ahirapa camp Grahame helped me eat my find. See the video at: https://youtu.be/R7h72JOTnEo

My Far North Road Trip - in a Kaikohe junk shop I came across a box of old colour slides from the 1970’s. I find discarded social history of this sort fascinating - here are highlights of someone’s life, carefully, and probably proudly, recorded and annotated....then under different circumstances simply junked. Thanks to www.freesfx.co.nz for the soundtrack.... See the video:   https://youtu.be/Ip44pln-Q3g

Visiting old, abandoned industrial sites is a rare pleasure. On my Far North road- On Sunday of Labour Day with no-one around I was able to explore the site quite thoroughly.... See the video:   https://youtu.be/hY-rdxZjzaA   trip I came across a burnt-out wood-mill in Kaitaia opposite the cemetery.

Currently I an on a road trip in the Far North of New Zealand. http://cannibals-and-colonials.blogspot.co.nz/ Although I have seen several instances of road-kill on this trip, they have so far been either too mangled, too old, or too large (a turkey and a goose) to salvage. However, just outside of Tauranga Bay I came across a fresh, manageable rabbit. As you can see the eye is still clear. I wrapped the body in newspaper, and later skinned and gutted it at Whangaroa, then hung it in the van for 2 days - it was so fresh it attracted no flies! At Taipa I met some locals who invited me to stay the night on their property, in return I shared my find with them - cooked in a can of tomatoes, with diced pumpkin and carrot, some ginger, and the Promite and beef stock I carry for making gravy. See the video:    https://youtu.be/H_ZHxwygeeU

Tomorrow I leave for points north in my camper van: Matakohe, Keri Keri (to the Men's Shed), Coopers Beach, Kaitaia (another Men's Shed), Hokianga Harbour, Rawene, Kauri forest, Waipu. Follow my blog on this trip: http://cannibals-and-colonials.blogspot.co.nz/ This blog will cover my beachcombing activities as well as look at issues relating to social history, local flora and fauna, and geology. the musket wars

Some time ago I was invited to be a judge at the "Trash to Fashion" show on Waikeke Island. At the symposium before the show I gave a talk entitled: “FROM BARBIE TO BUDDHA or PARADISE REGAINED - HOW RECYCLED ART CAN SAVE THE WORLD”  Read the full text at: http://www.craftplus.blogspot.co.nz/  I will print this text out and make copies available at the assemblage exhibition I am participating in at the Depot Community Art Gallery in March 2016. See my blog on this show: http://trashnart.blogspot.co.nz/

Freelance writer & photographer Jason Burgess visited me the other week at home. We talked about art/life/recycling and Jason took some photos which he has used to illustrate a blogpost he wrote about his visit. Jason: " I consider myself fortunate to meet and know so many people whose lives I would call living art. Adding to that number is Martin Adlington, the self-titled Professor of Garbology, who has spent the best part of fifty years living beyond the aspirational norms of mainstream society, re-contextualizing the world at hand and travelling the globe off the back of his ostensibly rudimentary, often genius and witty spontaneous crafts and recycled art techniques." Read more: http://www.burgseyephotos.blogspot.co.nz/#!http://burgseyephotos.blogspot.com/2015/07/consider-myself-fortunate-to-meet-and.html

In Australia there has been a considerable amount of research done into the health benefits of Men’s Sheds for members. Unfortunately to date little enquiry has been done in NZ relating to this field. However, in my discussions with MSNS members several of them have told me of some of  their observations and positive experiences at our facility. We have some 100 members with a broad range of backgrounds, political views, worldviews, and ways of doing things. We all realize that to make the Shed work it is best for us to be tolerant of others and non-judgemental. This does not inhibit freedom of expression on issues, but conflict is not an issue - unlike in the workplace where egos and pressures can lead to strains which may incite aggression or even bullying. “At the Shed I have found a  band of brothers” is how AB put it. Jeff keeps mum! Not all Sheds are this harmonious. On my 2013 Lower North Island Shed Tour several Shed bosses told me that members had come to blow...

Last evening on my way home from my (chilly!) afternoon walk, I checked out the trash behind the Hospice shop - and came away with a bottle of beer (!?) and a miniature Monopoly set - the houses and counters will make great earrings....

Hard physical work builds and sustains our society. Last week the contractors resurfaced the roundabout in Browns Bay. I was fascinated by the dance of the machines. Watch a professional road crew at work:

Derek Milne (“The Psychology of Retirement,”) discusses coping strategies in retirement - finding hope...or hopelessness. Read more on my retirement blog: @ Men's Shed North Shore, Auckland, NZ www.work-buy-consume-die.blogspot.co.nz

The Men's Shed North Shore finally has approval for a new 80sq m. engineering extension! See our June newsletter: www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz Above - Trevor examines the new floorplan.

The guys at the Men's Shed North Shore have been busy with community and personal projects: http://youtu.be/UrYKhbuTMm0

For the past year, members of Men’s Shed North Shore have been donating nails, screws and tools for a disaster relief project organized by myself, entitled “Pacific Neighbours”. Many hours of volunteer work have been put into boxing-up the nails etc, and refurbishing the tools: hammers, screwdrivers, saws, pliers, wrenches, files, etc. This week Kenny and his offsider from “Habitat for Humanity” came and took away over 250kg of building hardware and tools we have put together. These materials will be sent to Vanuatu - where they are sorely needed for the massive rebuild required in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam. Many thanks to all involved. It was a big effort, and a lot of work. See  more Men's Shed activities at: www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz

The local firefighters were quick off the mark early on the morning of Mother's Day (May 10) 2015. They soon had the fire at the rear of the Browns Bay RSA under control - well done guys! - and sincere thanks from the local community

Hard at work Members at my local men's shed (Men's Shed North Shore, in Glenfield, Auckland, NZ) have been busy making crosses for local community organizations which are currently holding WW1 memorials. Birkdale Primary School Birkenhead War Memorial Hall