Kathryn Carmody on the road with the Words on the Road Tour in the South:

Once upon a time a freelancer in the book trade took great pleasure in driving five writers through a beautiful island:

It’s towards the end of day four of the Words on Wheels tour for 2009 and we’re in Wanaka. It’s a beautiful evening, warm and dry and our motel is of the satisfying breeze block variety with showers made by Topliss of Nelson.
Steve and David are trying to beat Anna and Vanda at pool, Janet’s resting before dinner and, to my excruciating embarrassment, has offered to keep an eye on my laundry. So kind. I did insist on putting it into the wash myself.
Janet’s provided the best road music to-date, excellent compilations of classic rock, folk and country.
Each day to date has brought additions to various collections: 3 Ngaio Marsh novels, 1 bird’s nest, 1 concert run sheet, 1 rock, 1 fortieth birthday, 4 urban legends. Gifts of food from audience members have been a real treat: a bag of pears in Methven, a bag of chocolate chip cookies in Fairlie.
I’m sorry we’ve only two days left. They’re full days, 3 events tomorrow, 2 on Saturday but everywhere we’ve been to so far we’ve been asked, “Will you come back?”
I’d love to.

All best,
Kathryn