It was howling a gale outside when Amelia from Radio New Zealand showed up at my door.
We immediately headed out for a walk through the paddocks. She had a black box hanging from her side, and she was holding two very large, imposing microphones.
When the gusts picked up she would jump from one side of me to the other, trying to block the noisy wind with her body and always holding one of the microphones in front of my mouth. I tried to pretend like this was normal, and I continued answering whatever question she’d asked.
I took Amelia to meet the olive grove, the river, the pigs, and the chooks. Afterwards we returned to the shelter of the house, drank some sweet fennel tea, and tasted our olive oil.
In total I answered questions for almost two hours. By the time it was over my voice was raspy and I could barely remember what I’d said.
So I was nervous last night when CJ and I curled up on the couch together to listen to ‘Country Life’ on Radio New Zealand National. I’m still not entirely sure if I sounded like a rambling, madman or not.
What do you think? Is that the sound of a madman?
You can listen to the ‘Moon over Martinborough’ interview (edited down to 24 minutes) on the Radio New Zealand website. (Note that at the time of the interview, I was still calling CJ by his pseudonym of ‘Rick’. So don’t let that confuse you! ‘Rick’ is CJ.)
Don’t miss the 3-minute ‘bonus audio’ where I talk about the late blooming love of Old Man Henry and Francoise the Aracauna. There’s also a gallery of my pictures from the property.
Podcasts
Moon over Martinborough interview (24:35)
A visit to our Martinborough olive grove to see how CJ and I are faring with our trees.
Bonus audio: Henry and Francoise (3:09)
Chicken heartbreak. The story of the late blooming love of Old Man Henry and Francoise the Aracauna.
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The campground in New Hampshire, where we are staying, asks that we not download files so I will have to wait until I get home to listen to you. Rats! I doubt that you sounded like a doofus.
Look forward to listening to this on my ipod. Incidentely, broke open my bottle of MoM olive oil last night for my salad leaves. It was delicious. Congratulations on the Country Life piece.
Definitely NO doofus! I loved the interview especially the comments left by Lucy and Kowhai. I’m now trying to figure out how to save it to my iPod!
Listening to it in Sydney. Some of the most delightful radio I’ve heard in years.
No, not a doofus. I’ve just been listening to the repeat this morning, and I’m off to the website to listen to the bonus segment. You sounded great!
Not a doofus! I woke up to your story and was so impressed with the storytelling, which was fantastic and endearing in equal amounts. I loved your pigs and now long for our Wairarapa summer and own swimming hole more than ever.
Definitely not a doofus,one of this years better stories on Country Life,made me very envious of your life style.
Muzza
Thank you all for such nice comments! I really am relieved it’s all over because I was just so worried I’d sound like a fool.
Now the blog traffic is through the roof! I normally get around 100 page views a day and already today (at only 11:15am) it’s up to 864! That’s my highest traffic in one day EVER. Thanks to Amelia and Radio New Zealand!
I was lying in bed drinking a cup of (black ) tea listening to Country Life on Saturday morning & I wanted to leap out of bed to see photos of Lucy & Kowhai & the olive grove. However I resisted for a couple of hours so , no ,not a hint of doofus . It was charming .
Amelia Nurse is a great radio interviewer too ,so thanks to all concerned
I loved the interview and it sounded as though Amelia did too! It is inspiring that you took on such a monumental task and derive so much pleasure from it. I would love to know more and will follow up your blog.
James
Really good interview man. Zero need to worry about perception.
No doofus, very inspiring. Listened lastnite and thismorning. You’re livin the dream
Loved it 🙂
Thanks all. Saturday the blog ended up with over 1,600 page views, and I’m really pleased with the response. Amazing!
I love it. You’ve made me even more determined to end up living in New Zealand with chooks and maybe even a Kunekune to go with my Maine Coon(ie). And definately NO DOOFUS in that interview!
Coming home on Saturday morning from a long night at the firehouse tuned in heard your story, sounded so good I thought I might like to visit, so glad you came to New Zealand!
Sound like a farmer to me, mate. Good job on the interview!
I am a regular (every week) listener to Country Life. It is one of the few remaining links I have with my past. I am also a fairly regular visitor here. Put the two together…
No, never a doofus. That is my trade. 🙂
Madman, I’m afraid……. Nah, just kidding – it was too tempting following all the accolades.
I am, as always, in awe of your marketing talents.
Oh no! I’d rather sound like a doofus than a marketer! 🙂 The term ‘marketing’ makes me think of a kind of calculated insincerity. I’m just talking about what I love, and what I’m passionate about. That’s all.