I wish I could remember what Dr Seuss said when I was interviewing him back in the late sixties. (I’ve never kept clippings of my articles, which I sometimes regret)
All I can remember at this distance is his shining energy, his charm, good looks, good humour and integrity. I know we talked about his books – my children were young fans of four and five at the time – and how this childless man tried to give a subliminal positive message in many of his stories, like: “trust yourself”, or “be kind to everyone”.
Then there was the other doctor – Doctor Spock. At a moment’s notice, I was sent out to interview him, along with the newspaper’s star writer … the editor suddenly had a brainstorm and thought he’d like a different angle from a practising mother! No time to do any research. And now, how I wish, thanks to Google, that I had – he was so much more than his famous child-rearing book, a radical and protester at the time of the Vietnam War amongst other things.
When I had finished my probably rather pallid interview, Dr Spock’s gentle, lady-like wife took me aside, and asked me to interview her, to my amazement. I did, and listened to a hurt, angry woman, who said that her husband’s great reputation was based on her hard work bringing up their sons practically alone, while he picked her brains and dispensed her wisdom/experience from behind his desk. I couldn’t write this, and wasn’t surprised when they divorced a few years later.
Then there was the inimitable Barbara Cartland, who took me to her bosom when I told her that one of my best friends, John, was her son’s best friend, who she was devoted to. Her son and John had been at Harrow together, and when John married she lent him a cottage at the bottom of her garden. (with no plumbing)
As she roamed around her hotel bedroom talking animatedly, I decided that her crusade about honey and vitamins must work, she was so lithe and her movements so youthful at seventy-four. She was still writing prolifically her romantic novels, which she told me laughingly had their biggest sales in India.
When she died at ninety-nine, she had had over seven hundred bodice-rippers published, and left the manuscripts of a hundred and fifty more, which her sons are releasing as e-books every month. She wasn’t just a one trick pony though, one of her interests being gliding, and back in the early thirties she invented the idea of them being towed for long distances which led to troop carrying gliders. Later she was awarded a medal by the flying industry.
When her daughter, Lady Dartmouth – not yet married to Lord Spencer and so becoming Princess Diana’s stepmother – came to Hongkong, she was just as kind to me as her mother had been. She was a ravishing beauty with the kind of porcelain pink and white complexion and huge blue eyes that actress Valerie Hobson also had. (both utterly charming and beautifully mannered)
My interview with Raine, Lady Dartmouth, (known as ‘acid -rain’ by Diana and her siblings) was not as predictable as many others. I had some juicy material to work with, like her famous scene at Heathrow airport over dirty tea-cups in the restaurant, her campaign to save Covent Garden, at twenty three being the youngest County Councillor for Westminster, and becoming a member of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. A life less ordinary than the traditional fashionable life with ladies who lunch.
Iris Murdoch, famous author, was another interesting person to interview. I did so where she was staying and met her donnish husband – played so beautifully in the film ‘Iris’, by Jim Broadbent – after she had died of Altzheimers. Being young and crass, I wondered how such a plain woman could have found such a devoted husband, and only later discovered that not only she did have lovers male and female, but that her fierce intelligence was as sexy as a pretty face!
It was with great trepidation that I approached Robert Helpmann, the famous ballet dancer, producer, and great talent. I had been terrified by him in the famous film: ‘Tales of Hoffman’ as a child, and could never get his Mephistophelian power out of my mind as he flicked his long, black velvet cloak with its long tassel out of the door… even the tassel seemed to convey malice.
With no Google in 1969, I had no idea that he had started his career in the legendary Anna Pavlova’s company, but at least I knew that in the ballet world he had an enormous reputation. He was a delight – elegant, kind and charming – and even gave me advice about my ballet-mad daughter… don’t let her start until she’s at least eight, and no en point until after fourteen.
So many fascinating people … from princesses to prime ministers … feminists and activists. Princess Alexandra, the Queen’s cousin, appalled that I was a single mother. “How do you manage? ” she asked… presumably because as well as no husband, I had no chauffeur, nanny, cook, housemaid, butler, or gardener! She was exquisite and elegant in a pale lavender suede coat and matching lavender wide brimmed hat… the Maori Queen, a plain, ordinary woman who grew into a beautiful, wise one; a glamorous, blonde Italian round-the-world yachtswoman, a Polynesian prime minister’s wife; a glorious Indian woman with yard-long black hair that hung loose, vivacious and intelligent, her greatest claim to fame being lover of racing driver Stirling Moss – then a household name – now, like so many of these people – forgotten.
And yet, of all the people I met and interviewed, the one I treasure most is another forgotten name now, even by the organisation he helped to found. On a cold, wet Sunday afternoon in June 1972, I went down to Westhaven marina in Auckland, at the request of Quaker friends.
Leaving the children in the car with snacks and books, I threaded my way along the gang-planks to the 38 foot yacht, Vega. On it, I met David McTaggart, one of the founders of Greenpeace, just setting off on his historic journey to Mururoa to protest against the French atomic tests. He was in a great hurry, loading last minute supplies before setting sail, but we did it, and I gloat that that was one of the first stories about Greenpeace to get into print.
McTaggart was a hero… in spite of their unwanted presence and refusal to be bullied away, the French set off the deadly bomb anyway. The following year when he returned, they beat him so savagely that he lost the sight in one eye for several months. That story went around the world. And yet these days when I am approached outside the supermarkets by eager young enthusiasts to get me to sign up for Greenpeace, they’ve never even heard of David McTaggart.
Meeting such people was one of the special privileges of being a journalist, but so often, as a single mother I didn’t make the most of such opportunities, being too pre-occupied with how to make ends meet, or if the amah would remember to meet my tiny daughter from the school bus. These were not celebrities in today’s use of the word, but people of character and substance who had carved a niche for themselves, and by their talent or originality become well known.
I look back to my young, ignorant self and cringe. If only I had known then what I know now. And I also look back and see these people so differently… I understand more about them as I understand more about myself. If only I had had the ability then to really do them justice. This feels familiar – of course – it’s what most parents say about their parenting – if only I had known then what I know now!
Greater understanding, insight, knowledge – even wisdom – are gifts we acquire if we’re lucky, as we grow older. Yet it’s when we’re young that we have to step up, and so often blunder blindly into the unknown, sometimes realising fearfully that we don’t know, or often, thinking we know better.
So now, new generations and bright young people are setting off on their own journeys to follow their own dreams, and they will find their own heroes – talented innovators, creators and explorers in their brave new world. Some of their heroes will become rich, some will become famous, and many of them will inevitably be forgotten … and like the heroes of my day – in the words of Ecclesiasticus – they too will have no memorial.
Food for threadbare gourmets
An unexpected gathering of the neighbours for drinks the next day, and no time to do a dash into town, half an hour away, to find something to take with me. Remembering an intriguing recipe for sardines I’d used years ago, I rummaged in my store cupboard and found two tins of sardines in olive oil, and then rummaging on the internet for a recipe for sardine pate spread, I found a blog by someone called Manami. I’m grateful to her for digging me out of my hole.
Picking out the little silver bits and bones, I drained the sardines and mashed them up with two tablespoons of mayonnaise, two teaspoons of finely chopped onion, quarter of a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of black pepper.
Apart from sprinkling it with chopped parsley, that was all there was to it. Served with small cracker biscuits – I used rice crackers, they filled a need.
Food for thought
The Highest Thought is always that thought which contains joy. The Clearest Words are those words which contain truth. The Grandest Feeling is that feeling you call love.
Joy, truth, love.
These three are interchangeable, and one always leads to the other. It matters not in which order they are placed.
Neale Donald Walsche. Conversations with God Book I
valeriedavies 
Quite a storied life. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for taking the time to read it !
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Thank you for this, Valerie. A dear friend is nearing her final day and I heard that she’s fretting because she’d like to be remembered. While those who know her will always hold her close in their hearts, I have a feeling she is craving something more. Since time is short, I’m thinking of simply asking her how she’d like to be remembered, and then rallying our community to make that happen. As you point out, fame does not guarantee remembrance. We’ll do our best! 😉 xoxoM
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What a lovely idea Margarita, to give your friend joy and peace of mind. Hope it works out for her and you and everyone who rallies around..
Love, Valerie
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Lovely post. Interviewing some of today’s celebs would be disappointing, I suspect, but artists/writers probably haven’t changed (in interest) overly much (other than being even more left wing, if that were possible [sorry]). So lucky interviewing Dr Seuss. I watched a fascinating documentary about him many years ago, and was left with a changed impression of him – although the books should have been enough of a clue as to likely eccentricity.
I still have a soft spot for Greenpeace, and the world needs people like McTaggart more than it ever has … I see his brand of hero existing in the likes of Sea Shepard, who do great work, even PETA, rather than every form of Hollywood activism.
Your paragraph:
‘I look back to my young, ignorant self and cringe. If only I had known then what I know now. And I also look back and see these people so differently… I understand more about them as I understand more about myself. If only I had had the ability then to really do them justice.’
And so say all of us 🙂
I assume you must have seen the movie Benjamin Button?
Um, why could you not report your interview with Doctor Spock’s wife? Such an extraordinary thing for her to do.
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Hello Mark, thank you for your lovely chatty comment… yes, I”ve just signed a petition from Greenpeace to try to preserve a newly discovered reef on the Amazon where BP wants to drill… we do still need the likes of all those you mention as long as big business or cruelty reign.
Yes, I’ve seen Benjamin Button…one of my abiding memories of it was Tilda Swinton making tea and letting it ‘steep’ – of course…
UM… Mrs Spock… the editor was not interested in a story about a wife undermining her famous husband and trying to destroy his reputation !!!!
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Ah Valerie!!….how I enjoy your words & stories……as soon as I see you appear in the inbox it’s on with the kettle, a cup that pleases & a contented time spent with you! I wonder if 40 years hence there’ll be a writer reminiscing with fondness of when they interviewed Beyoncé, Lady Gaga et al……hmmmm the mind boggles!!
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Dear Angela –
what a lovely comment – it warmed the cockles of my heart to think of you sitting there over a cup of tea and reading my blog…
Yes… Beyonce … Lady Gaga… thank heavens I’m out of it !!!!
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What a rich and varied life Valerie. You’ve certainly met some fascinating people. What a shame you haven’t kept copies of the articles, I’m sure they’d be most interesting.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Good morning David, good to see your smiling face.. and thank you for your smiling comment !
Yes, some yellowing clippings might be fun to read again !!!
Love to you and the grandies
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Oh, I did enjoy that piece, Valerie! What a treat to read of all your interviews and to get a feeling of the real people behind the names we all know though I too, have to confess that I didn’t know David MacTaggart, despite our support for Greenpeace.
Dr Spock was my handbook for all four of our children. It somehow pleases me that it was Mrs Spock’s advice I was following, woman to woman. What a shame that you couldn’t write your piece.
Thank you for a splendid read to start my day, with love xx
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Good morning Sally,
So good to see you ( metaphorically speaking!)
Yes, it was an intriguing twist to know about Mrs Spock, wasn’t it ?
I’ve never forgotten her saying “You’re so gentle , so unlike our aggressive American journalists. I want to talk to you.
So I listened..
Yes, Spock was my life-line when I was alone for months with my newborn baby, miles from family and friends with no phone and a husband being shot at by Greeks and Turks in Cyprus!!
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Dear Valerie,
I, too often look back at my younger self and cringe. Then again, with the knowledge and parental experience at the time, what would I have done differently?
You’ve lived a fascinating life. Thank you for so generously sharing it with us in your weekly portion of magic.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, lovely to hear from you, and know you’ve waded through my long meandering piece !
You always write such generous comments and they are greatly appreciated, thank you
love Valerie
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Valerie, you have met and interviewed so many fascinating people or people who have led fascinating (or wildly different from my own) lives! These are all special in their own way, but what Dr. Spock’s wife did in requesting an interview is one of those real life incidents that could inspire a novel. It’s so unique, a bit twisted, and utterly fits with the underlying truth–a truth the reading public wouldn’t have been ready for.
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Luanne, what an intriguing and typically writerly comment… so interested that you picked up on the Mrs Spock incident (you might be interested in my reply to Sally at My Beautiful Things further up the comments)
You were so right about the ‘underlying truth’, no-one was ready for uppity women then – or even deeply frustrated ones – and my male colleagues/editor certainly were n’t…
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Oh, I am sure they were not ready for Mrs. Spock’s story!
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In the end what will be remembered is the connections that we made, the stories we shared and the love that we have given and received!💛💛🤗🤗 I love your posts!
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three minutes ago since you wrote this and I opened my computer at eight twenty in the morning… felt I must just connect… will be back !!!
Love V
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Yes, dear friend … the connection, the stories, and the love which we share.
I love your quotes which you share to illuminate my posts…
Just off to the hairdresser to get my hair cut,, and will be writing later..
Love, Valerie
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Happy Day!! Hugs…
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Valerie – such an interesting life requires a biography. With your way with words it should be an autobiography. Please write it, I’d love to read it.
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Have you already done it: https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Water-Valerie-Davies/dp/0957593058 ?
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How lucky you have been to meet so many interesting people! What I like is your “If only I had known then what I know now!”
Don’t we al wish to go back in time, just to a few specific moments, equipped with our current experience? I guess it would spoil the life journey, though.
And as a sardines lover, I wrote down your “recipe.” Thank you!
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Hello Evelyne,
Good to hear from you, and thank you for your thoughts… you’re so right… we can’t change our life’s journey !
Glad you like sardines too – so many people look down on them but they are so good for us, aren’t they…
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Yes you have already done it and here is how to buy from you: https://valeriedavies.com/how-to-buy-valeries-books-and-ebooks/
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Hello Ele,
thank you so much for your wonderful enthusiasm and encouragement…
I enjoyed writing The Sound of Water, as it’s mostly a sort of journal of life in a fishing village, with lots of history, books, memories, recipes and so on….
I am thinking of writing a real autobiography in the hope that one day my grand children would be interested enough to read it…at the moment my family are too busy living their own exciting lives to think that a grannie’s life would be interesting !!!! C’est la vie !
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Please do write it. That would be a wonderful legacy and not just for your grandchildren.
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Thank you Ele, you are such a supportive and encouraging person.. I really appreciate your generosity…. and yes, some others have said the same thing… I can feel a book coming on…
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What a wonderful life you have led! So full of people and adventures that I can only read about.
Although, the struggle, as a single mom of two must have had it’s tremendous stresses my mind can only boggle. I struggled married with a farm, my farmer also had a job and the farm, two jobs and four children and I seemed to never get enough done in the day, let alone the night. (I worked nights lots of times.)
Anyway, here you are so kind and gracious and will to share your words, your experiences and your friendship. How lucky we are!
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Dear Linda,
I think other people’s lives always sound more challenging than our own, and I wonder how I wold have coped with your your uh-ending struggles…
Thank you dear friend for your generous thoughts
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Wow! You probably could have written a different blog about each one of these people you interviewed/met. I’m not generally a “star-struck” kind of a person, but I am interested in people’s stories (What inspired Dr. Seuss?). Did you ever meet Diana Spencer? If so, what was your impression of her?
Great post, Val! 🙂
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Hello Lorna, good to hear from you… yes, people’s stories are endlessly fascinating, aren’t they? No, I never did meet Diana, but several people I respect did, and they were unanimous about her warmth, goodness, immense compassion, sense of fun, and lack of grandness – and of course, beauty.
PS, I am a Valerie, not a Val !
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What wonderful opportunities your talent provided! I have found with the relatively few I have met personally that people who do extraordinary things or are placed in extraordinary positions do actually seem special in person, no matter how self-effacing their manner. Here I make an exception with a famous British film actor, whom I found impossibly rude and overbearing perhaps to compensate for his surprisingly short stature.
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Reading through the little vignettes of those you met and interviewed I thought wouldn’t it be nice if there was more conversation across the generations. Sometimes it seems as if all that wisdom from experience is slipping away and will have to be learned the hard way all over again.
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I know what you mean.. it sometimes feels as though one is speaking a different language with the young …technology has changed so much that the skills we used to share between generations are no longer necessary or appreciated…lovely to hear from you, best wishes, Valerie
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Insane
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Thank you so much for your visits to the blog, but not sure what you mean by the comment ‘Insane’? I am – the worthwhile people I interviewed – the younger generation – life ?????
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