Forever Wandering

There are many people who do something special for a period of their life - perhaps it is something extraordinary in a war, or a dedication to something in specific over a long period of time, others perhaps an exhilarating ‘trip of a lifetime'. Ellen Roberts, as illustrated plainly in her book (which is an outline biography of her life from her youth to her elderly life) was incredibly active for her entire life, changing her way of life, shifting countries, undertaking unusual travel. Roberts is extraordinary in her positive outlook, her willingness to take on tasks seemingly beyond her, and her personal drive to avoid what she might consider boredom - which others consider normal.

Born in the UK, she travelled to NZ as a youth with her mother to visit her brothers who had emigrated and were farming. She suffered a horse rising accident, injuring her back and returned to England. (Born in 1889, to give you an idea of the timeframe - no jet flights here - it was months by sea to make a trip from the motherland to the antipodes). On the trip to the UK she became familiar with the ships surgeon, who treated her back, and they were engaged before half way though the voyage.

Husband Dick took up a doctors position in a Welsh mining town, where he was required to go down into the mines to assist the injured or trapped. As Dick's contract ended, war broke out (1914) and although he had served as a medical officer in the territorials, he was turned down for service due to a slipped cartilage in his knee. The young couple then set about emigrating to New Zealand, and husband Dick took up a rural doctors practice in small town Rakaia (about 40 minutes from where I live). This was the first of many relocations and adventures for the young couple.

At this rate of re-telling, my review will be as long as the book. Suffice it to say they are a somewhat restless couple. While they are never ‘blessed with children' this does allow them a freedom to move about, Dick taking doctoring positions (always in demand in rural NZ), or heading off on international adventures. As if the adventures of a remote rural doctor were not enough, with dangerous journeys in poor weather in the middle of the night or unexpected baby deliveries, but being caught in the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake which levelled two cities, was really unexpected.

To list just a few adventures: working on ships to return to visit the UK - Dick as a ships doctor, Ellen crewing (doing just about everything you can imagine on a tramp steamer); relocating to South Africa; more ship work on a cattle freighter to Australia; crewing on a South Seas schooner. Next of course was another world war, and while Dick was preparing to retire, he readily agreed to do whatever was required, and so another remote rural posting, with more adventures - in the King Country this time.

More overseas travel after the war years, with Ellen visiting such places as Japan, Borneo, and other spots in Southeast Asia. There are plenty of other surprises I haven't mentioned too.

The writing is clear and descriptive, the passion the author has for adventure is obvious in the presentation of the book, and I am very glad to have found a copy. A quick read - only 168 pages.

4 stars.