My daughter has instructed me to make her proud, and is checking up on me, to see that I have written this post to all my New Zealand readers, and anyone else who might be interested.
I’m finding this hard, it’s so much easier to write a blog than blow a trumpet.
She tells me I have to say that Kim Hill, one of Radio NZ’s most respected and stimulating personalities is interviewing me and playing my favourite music on Saturday morning.. Should be fun. So this is the link:
valeriedavies 
Good for you! Looking forward to listening!
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Thank you so much…
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Congratulations! I will check tomorrow and see whether they have recorded the show for us far-flung fans. Have fun. . .
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Thank you Josna – so sweet of you to be interested…
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I trust the interview goes well Valerie. Try to forget Pat’s ‘Kill him’ epithet.
(Loved your storm blog. We have been housebound with two grandsons, but feel as though we have lived through a storm nonetheless.)
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Thank you Richard, it’s quite nerve wracking I’m finding !
Thought you were in residence – I saw your light when I was walking round the harbour… you must be stretched indeed with the two littlues !
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Congratulations! I look forward to hearing your voice aloud as it already has such a distinct sound when I read you.
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Thank you Jadi… do hope you found it interesting…so good to hear from you.
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Thanks Valerie. Just like Desert Island Discs. Have fun !
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Hello David, yes, they just don’t call it that here …maybe they think we’re already on one – but I know what you mean !!!
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Sometimes, certain interviews are available to international listeners. Perhaps as a favour to your wide international blogger audience, you could ask Radio NZ to be sure to add your interview to their internationally available programmes.
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Great idea Gallivanta… thank you… no opportunity really to ask them though…
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It is already available as a podcast but not sure if it can be heard worldwide.
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Good on ya!
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Ah, thank you my far flung friend !!
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Kudos to your daughter for wanting you to share this bit of news. I will tune in tomorrow to hear this. Looking forward to it. Gallivanta has a good suggestion.
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Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, Lynne were you able to reach it… hope you enjoyed it…
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I knew it. Valerie is a celebrity!
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Anyone know what 10:05am in NZ is from let’s say Los Angeles time?
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Is there a Google clock or something, good friend????
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It is hard to blow one’s trumpet, but it looks good on you. Well done Valerie.
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Thank you Ivon, I really appreciate your words, and to know that you understand !
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I look forward to the recorded show. I know beforehand you are a good choice. 🙂
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Valerie, Valerie! Congratulations. I didn’t have time to make any scones but I did listen to you over my breakfast coffee. You were wonderful and your music choices divine. They are still travelling through my head.
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Dear Amanda, thank you so much for your lovely enthusiasm, so glad you enjoyed it and especially the music… and so glad it came across alright… I came home absolutely drained thinking it must have been very boring, so it’s good to know that you enjoyed it…
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I was enthralled but I can imagine that it would be draining. It was a long interview and Kim keeps her interviewees on their toes.
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To show you how captivated I was I can actually remember some of your music choices; I dreamed I dwelt in marble halls (for your love of opera); Land of my father’s (for your father and Paul Robeson); Zadok the Priest; and Plasir d’Amour by the wonderful Joan Baez. Now that is a remarkable feat for me to remember so much; I have a sieve for a memory most of the time!!!!!
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By accident I listened to your interview – what kept me listening was your liking Inessa Galante’s singing. Anybody liking her has to be a ‘good’ person says he congratulating himself on owning five of her Cds & all of that music on his phone 😉
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Oh wow, what an incentive to start using a mobile phone ! She is wonderful isn’t she…congratulations indeed on having all her CD’s. Thank you so much for listening and commenting
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Wow-o-wow ! I listened to your story and music selections Valerie and it’s the very first time I have heard your voice. You kept your UK accent and didn’t go native……well done !! Is there no end to your talents ? 😉 Ralph xox 😀
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Hello Ralph – fancy you being able to hear the programme in Spain – amazing !
Thank you, good to know you approve of my invincible Englishness!
And thank you for taking the time to listen- I really appreciate it.
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I just followed your link. Scrolled down a bit and clicked on your name and the 35minute recording began. Easy !!
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well fancy! the wonders of modern technology !!!!
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I enjoyed it and have bookmarked the recording. 😀
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Dear Valerie, I am so pleased to have rediscovered you. Thank you Kim hill. Strangely, while I listened, i was sorting through a file of kept articles and there was your piece for nzww Feb 27, 1984 – 30 years ago! Titled “Educate the child to develop a lively mind”. I will now read the blog and perhaps keep pieces that resonate for me for the next 30 years! I also, as I expected I would, enjoyed your selections. Warm wishes, Penny Hansen
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Dear Penny,
How lovely to see your name… gosh that was a long time ago wasn’t it, when we were young and gay….Fancy you keeping that clipping… must be faded and yellow now !
Such a thrill to read your message, and so glad you enjoyed the programme and the music, warmest wishes to you, Valerie
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Valerie, I heard it this morning quite by chance, and was thrilled to hear you. Your voice is beautiful and you speak so eloquently and naturally. It was excellent, and the songs were great too! I didn’t read this advance notice because I am very busy and hardly keeping up with the blogs I follow. I always save yours to read later because they are so thoughtful and can’t be read quickly. I finished your wonderful book The Sound of Water and was excited to read about your favourite passage of Thomas Hardy, which is one of mine too: that idyllic summer in Tess of the D’urbervilles. I love Hardy and did my PhD on him. Here we have yet another point of connection between us.
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Dear Juliet,
what a lovely message from you, and such encouraging feedback- I had felt very drained after the programme and rather despondent that it was rather shallow and boring…so your encouraging comments really bolstered my spirits, thank you.
So glad you enjoyed the book… you a Hardy fan too, as you say… so many connections… are you through your labours of Sisyphus, and ready to be inveigled???.Do let me know, so we can make a date, love Valerie
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Valerie, what a wonderful experience to hear your voice — you sound forever young.
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What a lovely thing to say ! – Thank you so much !!!
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Hello Valerie. Absolutely loved hearing you on Kim Hill’s programme this morning as I had also enjoyed your Womans Weekly column many years ago. I’m also going to enjoy following your blog and have thought of you off and on through the years.. Thanks for doing what you do here – I’m going to enjoy the blog as much, if not more.
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Judith, thank you so much for calling by and commenting… lovely to know that I’m catching up with my old readers, hope you enjoy the blog, so good to hear from you, Valerie
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Alas Valerie I have tried several times to hear your broadcast from here in Australia with no success!! If anyone can tell me what to do I’d appreciate it as I’m so frustrated and dying to hear your voice.
Elly x
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Hello Elly, a blogger in Spaon and another in Canada seem to have got it by clicking on the link. I’ve tried it myself and was so disappointed that the music doesn’t seem to be on it, as they had used lovely recordings… hope you manage to get it – how lovely that you want to !!!
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Love you voice!!!! I felt like I was there in the studio with you…
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Thank you Rebecca… really sweet of you… it’s always a bit of a shock to hear your own voice, I find… It would have been nice to have had you in the studio with me, as I was very nervous!
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You came through brilliantly! You used humour, compassion and joy to bring out the points. I loved your choice of music and I am so glad that you shared it with us. Give your daughter a big hug!!!
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Disappointed that I was unable to listen live because of grandchildren
commitments but enjoyed accessing tonight. Sorry your music choices are
not recorded there. Are you able to put those links on your blog sometime,.
please?
All good wishes
Shona M.
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Hello Shona, so good to hear from you, hope all is well with you… Yes, shame about the music… I’ll do my best to get the songs together and put them on the blog, nice to think you were listening, best wishes, Valerie
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I totally enjoyed your interview with Kim Hill this morning. What a rich and interesting life. You were an inspiration for me to enjoy my ‘new’ retirement.
Margaret
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Dear Margaret, thank you so much for commenting, and so glad you enjoyed the programme..
Hope you enjoy your ‘new’ retirement, Valerie
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I’m listening right now from the UK. I’m hoping the music is going to come on. It is so lovely to hear your voice, to have you right here in my house! 🙂
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I got the opening chords and then it faded -what a shame – but it’s still so lovely to hear you! I’m so excited you wouldn’t believe! 🙂
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Sally, how lovely to know that you were listening the other side of the world – isn’t it wonderful the way we’re all so connected. Great to know I’ve actually been in your lovely house !
Do hope you are not too tormented by the incredible weather i’ve been reading about. I’m a bit behind on my blogging at the moment but will be catching up. So good to hear from you and thank you for your enthusiasm, dear Sally.
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Congratulations!
– And I’m glad that you blew that trumpet! Just listening to the show (the recording). Great to hear your voice!
Much love,
Steffi
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Thank you Steffi, Lovely to think that my friends are listening in, thank you so much, much love, Valerie
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Yay! Wonderful!
If one has a trumpet and can blow it well, why not? Modesty should not preclude. It was lovely to hearing some of the snippets I have already been enthralled with reading on your blog.
I am sorry the music wasn’t left in, though.
You have retained the exact accent my mother’s family tried to impress upon me as being ‘correct’. (My father had a more clipped intonation as a legacy from old Cape families.)
Much Better Half and I really enjoyed your interview. .
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So glad you and Much Better Half enjoyed the programme, it’s so lovely to have your encouragement…I really appreciate it…
Interesting what you say about voices… it’s funny how we never lose our accents, isn’t it…?
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Dear Valerie,
Thank you for sharing your interview. What a delight to be able to add the sound of your voice to your written words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for taking the time to listen Rochelle – so glad you enjoyed it !
Love Valerie
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What a delightful interview. Your stories took me right back to you blog posts and the memories you have openly shared with us.You can sit back and relax, now. Applause. I was disappointed that the music was left off, but hearing your voice made up for it.I confess that I researched the Arthur Allan Thomas trial. Quite an extraordinary case and your husband’s investigative journalism paid off.
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Thank you Lynne so much, I really appreciate your enthusiasm and appreciation…. fancy you researching the Thomas case! It was a very heart wrenching time for us as a family…
Yes, isn’t it a shame about the music… I would have liked to hear the recordings again too… So good to hear from you…
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Congratulations Valerie. In the bogging world there is a whole orchestra of musicians needing to play their instruments.
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Thank you so much Sandie… yes I agree… good to see you back
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I’m listening to this now. What a treat to hear your voice! And you have such an incredible memory. It just makes one want to know more 🙂
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Ah, my sweet friend, thank you so much – so glad you’re finding it interesting.. I’m disappointed the lovely music hasn’t been included…
But it seems amazing to me that we can all hear it at the click of our buttons. Lovely to know you’re there XXXX
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So many congrats. Hopefully it is recorded for those of us who are so far behind.
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Hello Val, thank you… I emerged shaken but have now recovered! If you click on the link, you can hear the interview if you wanted to… music not included for copyright reasons I’ve learned…
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Yippee for podcasts as I could not listen “live” on Saturday. I loved so many of your thoughtful comments – how all our lives/stories are important to the big human story, how we need to make a very big shift in attitude and approach to our children here in New Zealand, how everything in moderation is useful, how life is what we make it and more….
A thread I heard all through the interview was of you and your bravery from the time you had to adjust to your parents being out of your life to more latterly through challenges via the excellent work your husband has done over the years. Not only have you exhibited tremendous bravery but you continue to be light-hearted and full of joy and vitality. We need such strong female role models in our country.
I think, and I may be incorrect, but the music may have to be deleted on podcasts for copyright/royalty contract/licence purposes. It has been deleted on other podcasts I have listened to.
Looking forward to your next post:-)
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful and appreciative comments, you made me feel very good on reading them ! What you said made me feel that the programme was worthwhile….. and thank you for explaining about the music situation – that makes sense doesn’t it !
Thank you again for your generous and validating comments, with best wishes, Valerie
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You are very welcome Valerie:-)
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Of course they are! How fabulous!
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My lovely generous friend !!!
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I doubt you will even make it down to this comment, there are so many! But if you do, brava, Valerie! I am so glad she made you do it although I am not in New Zealand :). On a completely unrelated topic: is the name New Zealand related to Zeeland in the Netherlands?
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Daughters keep you on your toes, don’t they – especially since they do know best !!!
Not sure about Zeeland… would have to google… Abel Tasman, a Dutchman discovered this place before Captain Cook, and I think he named it….
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I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and hearing your “real” voice. 🙂
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Oh, thank you for sharing this radio experience Valerie, and thank you to your daughter for pushing you to enlighten us of its presence. Apologies for being slow to catch up with the post.
It was wonderful to listen to you sharing snippets of your stories Valerie, we are so privileged to have been sharing your experiences and philosophy here. Bravo for surviving an audience with Kim Hill. 🙂 Sadly, they edited out the music.
So I’m sharing a couple of tracks of new music I heard for the first time this weekend from a radio program, a young British band called London Grammar, live on KEXP. I love how the radio announcer is so captivated by their live experience, she is at a loss for words. I do hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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Hello Claire,
thank you so much for your lovely message – how amazing that you were able to listen to the broadcast the other side of the world . Apologies for being so tardy with my reply… you know Kim Hill, do you – she is wonderful, but as you say very challenging being actually interviewed by her, and waiting to be chewed up and spat out in small whimpering pieces!
Apparently copyright is the problem with re-playing the music…
Thank you for the music from your end… what an interesting group – and yes, I watched for the announcer !
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