How does a life-long city dweller in her middle years find ‘love at the end of the road’, particularly when that road threads through the backblocks of New Zealand and winds up at a sheep and beef farm on the Kaipara Harbour?
Rae’s memoir tells that story — a story that begins with a blind date. And while the road to love has its challenges and heartaches, the setting…
Well, just look at the stately old Batley House. Magnificent. A boarding house in the late 1800s and in then 1970s a home for solo-parent children. But then along came Rae, finding Love at the End of the Road.
At home…Batley House
If I came to your home and looked in the refrigerator, what would I find?
Often a massive bowl – more than a litre – of Pacific Oysters the farmer has just plucked out of the harbour.
(Yum!)
What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)
Trackies – yay! I went for a run today… more of a run/walk, but only my dog was looking.
Tell us what you buy when you walk into a fish and chip shop.
(Nah, only teasing you. Sorry Rae, you now I had to :)))
Country curiosities…
We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). How about over there in the north of New Zealand. What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?
I love my Aussie Akubra – bought when everyone I rode horses with in LA wore wild west cowboy hats.
About you…
Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realised that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?
When my job didn’t involve writing as promised, but fending off creditors while the company went noisily down the gurgler, I immediately trained as a journalist.
Oh – and that wasn’t the question: After signing my contract with Penguin and I daydreamed through three motorway off-ramps. I was a danger on the road.
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?
Were you nervous when your memoir was published?
How would you answer that question?
I lived on Rescue Remedy and my ‘scary’ list included: Things I haven’t worried about.
At a recent conference I attended two community leaders – a bloke and a dame (a real one, dubbed by the queen) – spoke movingly about leadership, saying a key attribute was strong emotional health. If I’d always been a steady six or seven, which is probably where I sit now, there’d likely be no memoir. Truth is, in my troubled 20s I sank lower, then I devoted much of my 30s to the hugely rewarding upward climb.
Fun stuff…
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
I’m still fascinated by Madeline Albright – can I spend time with her rather than swap?
(Sure you can.)
If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?
Feed you and tell a joke. There was a tourist and a prostitute…
(At last, someone wants to feed me. See, that’s why we clicked as critique partners. She gets me! Now start shucking those oysters, Rae.)
Jenn’s trivia: Rae, from across the Tasman (journo, fiction author, non-fiction author)was the first person to read my work, back when I was tense about my tense. (Still am!)
We were introduced by a critique partnering program. But as much as we hit it off, sending that first manuscript to someone other than family terrified me.
I still think sending your not quite there yet manuscript, knowing it needs work, is a bit like walking into a fitting room with that size 12 bikini while only one month into the diet!
More about Rae…
Both Rae and I are sea changers, dog lovers and we’re also not afraid to grab hold of a second chance at life and love when one comes our way. Her memior will show you that (and a whole lot more).
Love at the End of the Road: Finding my heart in the country
Soon after returning to her hometown in Northland, New Zealand to work as a journalist, Rae meets farmer Rex Roadley through a rural dating service.
Rex’s beef and sheep farm at Batley, on theKaipara Harbour, has been in his family for almost a century. These days the only evidence of the spot’s fascinating historic past is a magnificent two-storeyed villa standing alone on the point.
Neither Rae nor Rex are youngsters and their love affair, developing relationship and life together go through many twists and turns before they eventually marry.
Meanwhile Rae, a lifelong city dweller, learns to cope with mud, managing a large house and garden, the intricacies of farming, and the frustrations of life in New Zealand’s backblocks, all the while getting to know the locals and an assortment of animals – from wild kittens to wild bulls.
Rae’s charming story is beautifully written from the heart. Not only does she find love with Rex, but she finds out more about herself than she ever knew. Woven through her account is the story of the great house itself at Batley and the history of the surrounding countryside.
Love At The End Of The Road is published through Penguin Books.
For more about Rae and her writing: www.raeroadley.co.nz
Thanks Rae. Have a great holiday.
What an interesting life. We’ve just moved from the city to the country too and i remember the first night turning of the lights and going to bed and it was SO DARK in the house. No outside lights of neighbors shining in. But 18 months later, we love it.
Best of luck with your book and life Rae
Jane
Hi Jane, I can relate to that. Our first nights in our country home I walked into the bushes (rather than follow the curve of the driveway). Eerily dark, but the most amazing stars.
Hi Jane,
Star watching – the most fun thing. I love doing it when it’s just going dark and the stars pop out of nowhere – see, there’s one, there’s one,…. Thanks for the kind wishes and best for your new life, Rae
Wow – what a story. I saw the Country Calendar (I think it was CC) footage about you and your book Rae and decided to go out and get your book. It looks like a keeper to me. Added to the fact, you’re a dog lover too – yay!! Mine is a greyhound though – not so good for rounding up the sheep 🙂
I hanker to have a bit of land around me too, although not quite as much as you. It looks like you’ve got your hands full – but what a house! Sigh…
LaVerne, you have my fave dog. (but don’t tell my little white fluffies!) I think greyounds are remarkable. i love that they have a rescue/rehome program for them. (I have a very special dog-friendly B&B that is for dogs and their humans and love meeting new furry guests!)
Hi Laverne, The Country Calendar team did our story so beautifully – and it was funny too. Thanks for getting the book – hope you enjoy it. In a grass is greener thing, I hanker for a greyhound, a lovely retired gentle pooch… one day… Yep, house and land keep us busy! Best wishes & thanks, Rae
For the Aussies: Country Calendar is a telly programme profiling kiwis on the land – it’s a kiwi icon and possibly the longest-running series after Coro St. Publicist sent them my book and next thing a CC crew spends five days with us and creates a charming tale of love on the land.
Jenn, thanks for the holiday wishes – two weeks touring Tassie. Flying in and out of Launceston (love that word), can hardly wait. Friends housesitting with their dear little long-haired daschund (sp??). Rae
What a nice interview. Sounds like you’re sitting together drinking tea (or telling jokes about tourists and prostitutes…). Enjoyed this conversation very much. Thanks for sharing!
Thx Michelle, glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to the day I CAN meet Rae in person. what a natter we old have :))
And hi Michelle – you are such a star! Yes, even Jenn’s blog chats are distinctive and readable – no wonder she got a two-book contract. And yes, we’ll have a great chat – perhaps our next Aussie hol will be up your way or I’ll come to the RWA conference… Rae