Charity Norman discovery

Life seems to follow a pattern, especially when you follow the crowd.  I like to go off the beaten path. Opportunities are everywhere, but most of the time we keep on our trajectory.  When I say "opportunities" I don't just mean to make money, but more importantly to enjoy life more.

A few years back my son, Michael moved to New Zealand, a place so far away we never imagined visiting it, but now there was a compelling reason and admittedly circumstances were more favourable.

He lived in the modern city of Auckland and it was impressive, but our son wanted us to realize there was a lot more to New Zealand than what you could find in a big city.  We did a sort of grand tour of the north island.  Napier had gotten my attention as it had the National Aquarium and also had an Art Deco style (not that I really understood but it sounded nifty).

We stayed at Parkside Lodge while in Napier and it was pleasant enough that I blogged about it and decided to email Sateesh, the owner to show my appreciation.  He emailed back to ask permission to show to prospects.  That blog got more views than my two others from the trip.   In Napier (at Parkside Lodge) as is my custom I read the local paper and noted a reference to Charity Norman as a local author.  Back in Auckland I noticed one of her books on display, but I wasn't looking to buy.  Here is what I sent Sateesh:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/07/new-zealand-odds-ends.html

Back at home the idea percolated in my brain and when my son planning to visit us asked what I would like for a Christmas present.  I wanted something that could only come from New Zealand.  I chose a CD of a Bic Runga concert in Christchurch which I still listen to and a book by Charity Norman.  Not really expecting anything monumental, but was very pleased with my son's gifts.

"Second Chance" was a very enjoyable read.  It has been retitled "After the Fall" in Europe.  Abuse and misunderstandings are key factors.  A family with problems made the move from England to New Zealand, actually in the Hawke's Bay area where Napier is located.  It is always interesting to learn about "exotic" faraway lands, but I felt a slighter more awareness.

Became a Facebook friend with Charity and was able to keep up with her literary endeavours.  Fascinating background--born in Uganda as a vicar's daughter later shifted among a variety of English locations,   She became a lawyer working with family courts in England.  At one point she gave up her legal career and moved to New Zealand with her family.

I once attended a talk by Robert J Sawyer who when asked about how writers should get started contradicted common advice to write about what you know.  He felt you should research something  you think would be of interest to the public and write about that.  Never thought in that way, but it makes sense.  On the other hand both he and Charity write about what they have some familiarity with.  One of Sawyer's strengths is local scenes that have actually made foreigners more aware of Canada.  Charity seems to draw on her own experiences in both England and New Zealand.  But extending her comfort zone Charity has obviously researched beyond her own experiences.  For more on Robert J Sawyer read:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/04/memories-of-robert-j-sawyer.html

Boxing day, this past December found me in a crowded Sylvia Park Mall and discovered the last copy of  "See you in September"  and couldn't resist.  It explores cults from inside and outside explaining how someone reasonably intelligent could be lured in.  A compelling story with one philosophical reflection by way of a brief comparison of oblivion to eternity which I think is the essence of religion.  In her acknowledgement Charity was honest enough to admit Google was a useful tool.  I would add Wikipedia as another resource.

"Freeing Grace" when read I hadn't t realized it was her first novel.  One technique that carried through all the other books was multiple viewpoints.  In some cases the subjective view is used, in others the focus is from an observer focused on one character.  A mixed race adoption involving a resistant family and a desperate mixed couple wanting to be parents.

"The Son in Law" was very riveting.  I felt confident it would have a more or less happy ending, but couldn't figure out how it could be resolved.   It was as if there was an irresistible force on one side and an impenetrable wall on the other--actually more like two walls.  The author is a great believer in the power of communication and mediation plays an important role in the book giving it a realistic polish.  An interesting reference to a Canadian of my generation was the role of Leonard Cohen's voice as a tool to move the story dynamics.  When I was in my late teens he was very popular and I ended up giving away his first album to impress a girl.

The best explanation for me of mediation came from a Spanish movie (co-produced by Netflix), "Seven Annos."  Four key people in a successful company felt they could all end up in jail for 7 years and then concocted the idea one could take the blame and the company could continue.  They brought in a mediator to resolve the dilemma.  Some important rules explained, then we soon saw a violation, but group dynamics forced another effort.  A Spanish law about smoking was one prop that helped in the process.  In Charity's book one might not have realized a mediation effort was involved, but a reader could not help but admire the process.  More on "Seven Annos" here:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/11/7-anos.html

I have the impression Charity understands very well the processes involved in family issues and when the rules as we understand them can be bent.  The four books I was able to read all brought up unusual (but not improbably or unlikely) family situations.  Emotions are at their peak with reasoning put aside making a satisfying resolution difficult to imagine.  Humans are capable of solving very difficult problems once they accept the need.

Philosophy crops up with ideas to ponder.  Many of the characters express an interest in what life is really all about.

A slight linking through Family court experience.  I was a social worker briefly and recall one visit to court where a boy was rejected by a step father after his mother died.  I was too young to really understand, but it was a new part of the world for me.  For more information on my short social work career.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/03/my-first-two-jobs.html

Admittedly her books are hard to find, particularly if you don't live in Britain or New Zealand.  Fortunately Hayley, my son's girlfriend took pity on my frustration and was very helpful in tracking one title for me while in New Zealand and wouldn't accept payment.  We found another copy at a Whangerei book store, Piggery Books.  The internet expands opportunities.  There are German versions of her books.

At the moment there is only one of her books I have not read--I hope she is working on another.  She lives in a wonderful part of the world (even for New Zealand) and it seems to have a great effect.  I found a short article about her dilemma with so much of her family half way around the world.  The age of Skype has lessened the difficulties.  There will come a time when the distance is tragic, but I think my son has made a good choice.

An update of a later book:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/04/remember-me-by-charity-norman.html

NEW ZEALAND PART 2

You can't appreciate a country from one big city.  Our son, Michael wanted us to see more of his adopted country, New Zealand than just Auckland.  Four of us packed in a car and traveled over 1600 kilometers around the North Island in a week.

First stop was Waitomo for the glow worm caves.  We were disappointed you couldn't take flash photography, but it was an experience.  We were told that the acoustics were so good that special concerts featuring the likes of the Vienna Boys Choir have performed there.  Glow worms were pointed out to us and at first you could barely notice them, but gradually as your view took in more of them you appreciated the uniqueness and beauty.  At the end of the walking tour we were put in boats and told to be quiet.  Of the whole trip the feeling of awe was strongest on this gentle boat trip.  In another cave we walked a great deal and took loads of photos.

From Waitomo we had a long drive that took us through curvy mountainous roads that included a little snow before we reached our next destination, Wanganui, sometimes spelled Whanganui.  A local resident told us that New Zealand produces a lot of racing drivers that got their training going through the mountains.  In the off season we intended only a sleepover, but the next day we were directed to the Durie Hill Elevator, the only underground elevator in New Zealand.  At the top we walked up two monuments that gave an excellent view of the town and of the Wanganui River.

While there we encountered a man walking his dog who suggested we might like Virginia Lake which I could not recall from any tourist literature.  In the middle of a residential area it proved to be quite the gem.  In one section they had many birds in a confined area that were very colorful and entertaining.  Just outside were more domesticated birds like ducks and chickens. Next we entered a winter garden that had very warming colours. Back outside we circled the actual lake with lots of interesting wild birds and trees.  One of the highlights for me was a carved tree still in the ground.  The Maori design was very intricate.

Our next destination was Wellington, the capital, not as big as Auckland, but with its own unique atmosphere.  Our hotel was located right on Cuba Street full of interesting restaurants and shops.

One of the first attractions we visited was the Te Papa Museum-. Again a lot of emphasis on the Maoris and on relevant geological developments.  One of the better museums I have been in.

One brand that has made the world more conscious of New Zealand has been "Lord of the Rings". We visited the Weta Cave that has many of the artifacts on display and has a film that outlines effectively the contributions of the staff.  I had not realized they have been integral to many films I had thought came wholly from Hollywood.

We quickly drove to a movie theatre in Lower Hutt, a suburb of Wellington.  The huge theatre impressed me as much as any theatre in any big city.  The food options included the familiar, but had a few Kiwi additions.  Our tickets were to particular seats which were very comfortable.  We watched "World War Z" which we all enjoyed.

The goal the next morning was to see live fur seals in the wild.  We opted to walk for about an hour along the coast of Cook Strait at the Te Kopahou reserve only minutes from our hotel. When we arrived there were dozens of fur seals very unconcerned about our presence letting us get to within 10 meters.  It is one thing to see friendly domestic animals, but it still feels different to get close to wild animals.  Part of the satisfaction was the effort to reach them.

Researching for the trip I learned about an art project in a small park and was pleased to learn it was within easy walking distance.  Te Aro Park is  a small triangle intersection with a fountain and some bits of tile and sculpture.  Also not far was some other bits of sculpture including the Bucket which splashes water on a continuous basis right on Cuba Street.







Shown on all the Wellington tourist brochures is their cable car.  It starts in a commercial mall and goes up a steep hill with three stops.  We got out at the Wellington Botanic Gardens.  I was very impressed with the trees, but wished I could have viewed more flowers in their summer season.









One fact that makes Wellington so important is that the national government is there.  We got inside for a tour, but ran out of time.  Aside from government departments, they have set up three buildings side by side that represent the legislature, the executive and the national library. The building where the elected officials have offices  is very unique and is labeled the Beehive.  While there I ventured into their gift shop and ended up buying a political satire book., "Don't Vote-It only encourages them!"


Napier was a town that had been flattened by an earthquake in 1931.  They rebuilt it in a style fashionable at the time, Art Deco.  It is prevalent downtown and in some residential areas.

Napier is also home to the National Aquarium.  The building is designed to appear as a stingray from the outside.  Inside it is much bigger than it appears.  All sorts of interesting sea creatures are in glass (or plexiglass) containers.  One room is an immense tank where visitors walk through a tunnel and view a wide variety of fish, including sharks.  Since coming to New Zealand I have been on a quest to see their national bird the Kiwi.  Everywhere there is a ban on flash photography as the kiwi is a nocturnal animal. Here we at least got to see a live kiwi and in a night atmosphere they are lively.

From there we drove to Taupo which is on the largest lake in New Zealand.  We played  mini golf and watched a few golfers try an unusual hole in one contest.  They drove the ball from land, but tried to hit a hole on a floating deck several feet away.  The owner said he got a hole in one every few weeks.


The next morning we drove towards Rotorua first visiting Huka Falls.  There is only about a nine meter drop, but the water is very fast.  One sign noted that because of the hard flow no eels are found in Lake Taupo.

Nearby was the Huka Honey Hive.  Honey is an important export for New Zealand and we had been told while in Canada that it is some of the best in the world.  There were a lot of temptations--I gave into an urge to buy honey flavoured ice cream in a cone which was delicious.  I was tempted to buy pickles that were marinated in honey and rum, but was told it would be too difficult to take home.  We did taste a variety of honey samples and ended up buying a few small jars.  A woman in charge of tasting has a son in London, England and had many interesting things to say.  Realizing she was trying to persuade us to take on some heavy items to our luggage she pointed out that many travelers wear old underwear and then discard for trip back home.  She was successful in selling us some very tempting honey products.




Rotorua is a major tourist destination, with a lot of Maori and natural attractions.  We visited one location to watch bubbling mud and another to visit steam vents.  Might sound boring from a distance, but it is always amazing to see the power of nature.

Our last visit was to soak our feet in some water pumped in from these natural resources.  We had done a lot of walking up and down big hills, monuments and along seashores.  It felt good. Bear in mind this is the middle of New Zealand's winter.

After getting back to Auckland we learned of a Wellington minor earthquake about three days after we left.

I will add a few impressions of New Zealand and make some comparisons with my native Canada at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/07/new-zealand-odds-ends.html.  A vacation should be more than just visiting tourist attractions.  You can read New Zealand Part 1 which focuses on Auckland at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/07/new-zealand-part-1.html