Writing Daddy's Belt was a personal journey for me in some ways - it's set on a (fictional) farm in the actual place where I grew up!
Recently, I took a trip down memory lane and returned to the area I spent my childhood in, and took some photos of the farmland that inspired this story.
Blake Howard's family farm is made up of rugged, rolling hills and backs onto the wild Tasman sea - visible in the distance in the photos below.
As I was sitting in the passenger seat, driving along the winding, rural roads of the Awhitu Peninsula, it was so easy to imagine what Melanie must have been thinking. The way her heart would have been in her throat as she looked out the window, seeing nothing but hills, the town - and shops - getting further and further away. She must have felt utter despair.
I loved growing up in this area, but I'm a country girl at heart. It would have been an incredible culture shock for a city girl, and would take a huge amount of getting used to!
The first two photos are taken from the same spot, the first is facing to the West - and the wild Tasman Sea - including farmland inspiring Blake Howard's farm.
The second photo is facing directly to the East - far in the distance is the Manukau Harbour.
The third photo includes a heart-shaped hill. Can you see it?
Locals back in the 50s and 60s called it "Maori's bum" - I guess it's derived from the Maori legend of how New Zealand came about - the story of Maui fishing up the North Island, and his brothers cutting into it with their axes, forming the hills.
If you're interested, you can read more about that legend here.
So based on that legend, local lore of an ancient Maori sitting down on the side of the hill and creating those indentations is totally feasible :)
In these hills are old Maori earthworks from an old pa - fortifications are still visible.
I have plans to write another story set in this area one day, but back in the pioneer days.
To read the story this place inspired, Daddy's Belt is exclusive to Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. Find out more, and grab your copy here.
Hi Kelly, aren't we fortunate to live in such a beautiful country. Stunning photos, what a wonderful place to grow up.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Hi Roz! Yes we are so lucky :) I loved growing up there! It was bittersweet going back though. It's changed so much!
DeleteThat looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty amazing :)
DeleteSo beautiful! I loved the book
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so pleased to hear that!
DeleteThe photos probably don't do justice to the true beauty of that area. I can only imagine how truly breathtaking it is. I live on an exceptionally small island off the Florida coast. I have taken pictures to share with my husband's family up North and I have yet to create the true ambiance of my home. Of course his family can't come now. But I tell them, "You have to live the experience, not just see it." We are all blessed. Stay safe and healthy.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You are right - the photos don't do the area justice at all. It is a truly beautiful spot, and pictures just can't capture it properly. Seeing it in person is definitely better :)
DeleteI hope you stay healthy and safe, too!