Tai Tapu Tuesday - WOW

Words on Wheels rolled out of Darfield and headed to the Tai Tapu Library (or Tai Tap, as we were corrected by other locals). Tai Tapu gets my vote for the cutest town library ever - it was a stunning little old building filled with old photos, and an eclectic mix of books.

A small but appreciative group came to see us in action, although we were a little alarmed when their self-appointed spokesman and right- winger announced that 'I don't read fiction... and poetry is pointless.' Janet did well not throttling the dear old thing. We duly did our readings, and David pulled a fun Mastermind group activity from his bag of tricks. I gathered from the little asides given by others afterward, the outspoken gentleman's views weren't shared by all - oh the simmering underbelly of small towns.


A stop to grab lunch at the Tai Tapu store gave us this gorgeous montage (see pic) A large plastic cow, and a dedicated group of Penny Farthing cyclists who had cycled from Mount Cook and were heading to Christchurch. Their modern steeds were worth about five grand each, so no one was game enough to give one a whirl.

Next stop was our first school group at West Melton Primary School. This was a straight Q & A session, although Steve did get the Head Boy and entourage up to do a live demonstration of what it felt like to be John Key and be mobbed by the press. My lingering memory of West Melton school will be their entrepreneurial and capitalist pupils who greeted the visiting writers by hitting them up to buy raffle tickets! Naturally we all obliged.

Methven was the next destination, but not before little stop at the Rolleston Pub for a refresher and a boys versus girls pool match. After my ignoble start (it is quite a skill to miss all of those balls when you're on the break!) I am pleased to say the Gals cleaned up the Guys - thanks Anna. FYI Rolleston streets are named after writers.


The third gig of the day was at Methven, at the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall and was to be a fundraiser for the Methven District Heritage Project. We were very warmly welcomed by the local counillor as well as organiser and we were all pleased to know our talk was contributing funds to their grain and snow project. There was a great turn out, and the pikelets and the salmon sandwiches were sensational.

Three gigs in one day - tired but happy WOWers

First day nerves

After I got over the embarrassment of that unfortunate suitcase contents on public display incident, we loaded up the bus, (verdict - comfortable, but smelly) and trooped onwards to Christchurch City Library for our first performance. Naturally I was feeling a bit nervous as this was our first chance to see each other in action and gauge what the company was going to be like on the bus. Decided pretty quickly we were in for a good time.

After the gig we had a bit of time to kill, so the ladies indulged me by being dragged half way across town to look at some second hand book shops. It wasn't a wasted effort as I picked up three Ngaio Marsh and a book about some detective in the 1930's. A bit of a bad omen that I buy 4 books on the first day.

We properly hit the road and head for Darfield.

When we arrive at our accommodation I begin to wonder what we're in for when the slightly under the weather motelier throws 6 keys at us, then asks if we've got a problem with that? The key I'm given is labeled room number 12. There are only ten rooms at the Motel. Anna's is labeled 'Office.' Hmmmm. After some trial and error we find that key 12 opens room 3 and the office key opens room 7. It makes as much sense as the motellier.

Our function that evening is at the Darfield Public Library, where one of the highlights is Glen's amazing Dr Who memorabilia display, including the model Tardis he made himself - we like Glen. The evening goes really well and we all discover, much to our delight, that David expects us to be very hands with his plays. Always fancied myself as an actress. Got to play a chick named Morag.
Mental note to self - be careful about what extracts I choose to read and the number of expletives involved in them.

We have a little wander around the town and find a bar to retire to, but not before David records this moment for posterity, seeing as he is in crusader territory. This mural is on the wall of the local Butcher Shop. David wanted the image to go on his blog day for Beattie's Book Blog, but dammit, we couldn't get the technology to work, so here it is, titled The Sword is Mightier than the Pen - WOW in Crusader Country.

Home, sweet home.

The wheels on the bus have stopped, and I am home to three very pleased-to-see-me boys. (That includes the big one) The expected Mount laundry is just a minor hillock, and all of the windows and furniture seem intact. The cat won't leave me alone.

Over the next few days I will chat about my experiences on Words on Wheels, but tonight I just wanted to check in, say hi and share with you the first two questions asked by Mr Seven-Year Old:

1. Did you bring me a present?

2. Did you play Putt Putt Golf?

Knickers on the tarmac

First lesson of the road trip. Zip your suitcase before you lift it into the van! I have cemented my position as the designated blonde of the trip.

We have kicked off the tour at the Christchurch library this afternoon, and gotten over the first gig nerves. I can see it is going to be great fun, and also a terrific way to be exposed to different kinds of writing. Christchurch got a little treat with David Geary roping in a couple of local actors to read part of his play The Farm, so there was poetry, satire, novels and a fab start.

Next stop, Fairlie (via a couple of second hand book shops!)

The wheels on the bus go ... tomorrow.

What a week, first flying up one end of the country, then tomorrow flying up to Christchurch to hop on a bus for the Words on Wheels bus trip, thanks to the folk at the New Zealand Book Council.

I get to spend the next seven days in the company of Steve Braunias, Anna MacKenzie, David Geary, Janet Charman, and our baby sitter and the poor person who has to try and keep us all under control, Kathryn Carmody - good luck Kathryn.

When I think back to all the road trips I've taken in my life, they have usually descended into infantile affairs with too much toilet humour and jokes about bodily emissions. But hey, that was with my family, or flat mates, I'm sure my fellow WOWers will display more class than that, certain.

The week away happens to be an auspicious one, where I celebrate one of those birthdays, and also get to miss my 10th wedding anniversary - sorry Honey. It is also the longest I will ever have been away from Hubby and the kids, goodness knows the hijinks they'll get upto while the boss is out of the way.

Today I get to go shopping for a decent suitcase, because the little Adidas sports bag I've always travelled with isn't going to cut it for a week away, especially as these little towns we're visiting always seem to have fantastic second hand book shops, and as you know, when it comes to books, I have zero self control. I might also have to buy a few more items of clothing as I realised I don't own enough clothes to go a week without doing some laundry.

I shall attempt to blog, but I don't know what kind of internet services our accommodation will offer. We are officially taking turns at blogging, and our travel blog can be followed at Beatties Book Blog each day.

So tomorrow we will kick off proceedings at the Christchurch central library, at 2.00pm, and then we hit the road and head for Darfield for a chat at the Darfield public library at 7.00pm.

Bon voyage.

Like something from a Stephen King novel...

I try to keep away from anything too personal in this blog, I'm the kind of girl who keeps things close to my chest, but, the events of the last week have had me thinking maybe I could write a novel a la Stephen King, or Dean Koontz about the strange repetitious nature of the universe.

Let me explain.

I am organising the kids' school fair, one of my major character flaws is an inability to say no. I think from now on I shall say no way, Jose, to school fair organising as it seems to have an unfortunate, and I'm sure totally coincidental toll on my family.

My recent absence from the blogosphere was due to one of those awful dashes you have to do up the country when a dear one falls ill. This time it was my Mum providing the unwanted excitement for our family. I am thrilled to say Mum is making good progress, thank god, because I can not imagine life without her, and it was truly awful to have to even entertain the possibility.
A couple of her best friends summed it up nicely in their card saying "What the hell do you think you are doing!"

You are wondering what this has to do with school fairs. It is two weeks until the school fair.

Two weeks before the school fair a few years ago involved another dash, this time down the country, unfortunately for the funeral of my dear brother, Barry, to whom I dedicated Overkill. Barry had battled a brain tumour for some time and finally succumbed.

So you see, why I am developing an aversion to school fairs. It's like something out of the twilight zone, cue the do do do do, do do do do music.

SO if any one out there is even remotely considering asking me to organise anything that resembles a fair, or fete or even a garage sale, DON'T!

Off on an unexpected trip

Having to dash away for a few days, so all will be quiet on the blog-front for a bit.

Am taking The Girl with the dragon Tattoo, which I've almost finished and am loving, and am deciding on other books to take.

Back soon.