Her Hitch-hiking Days Now Book Bound Memories (Press, 27 December 1980)

Delph Gay from Springston, New Zealand, has successfully published her travel memoir, "Beyond the Bus-stop," five years after embarking on her round-the-world journey. The book, which spans 90,000 words, recounts her adventures in the Australian outback and New Zealand's high country. The publication was made possible through a $6,000 investment from her father, Wally Sandaver, as Delph and her husband Bevan struggled to find a publisher. The couple had set the goal of seeing the book in print as their Christmas present for the following year, a dream that has now been realised. "Beyond the Bus-stop" is described as a humorous and poignant narrative showcasing Delph's impulsive nature and various experiences during her travels. The book captures her unconventional methods of survival, including living with little money, cooking in unusual ways, and engaging in lively pursuits such as playing the violin in outback pubs for food. Delph's journey began when she left England at 21, driven by an adventurous spirit ignited by her school studies and her time in the Women’s Royal Air Force. Her arrival in Australia in 1970 with only six dollars in her pocket was daunting, but she found a trusting environment where people readily offered help. Embracing independence, she often travelled alone, believing it allowed her to meet more individuals. To enhance her safety during her hitchhiking adventures, she adhered to a personal code, focusing on practical clothing and avoiding rides after dark. Delph recounts a particularly harrowing experience hitching between Adelaide and Sydney, where she faced an aggressive driver but managed to escape. Remarkably, despite the challenges of her travels, she returned to England three and a half years later unharmed yet unsettled. Eventually, she returned to New Zealand, where she found stability and happiness, marrying after her extensive travels. Delph enjoyed the process of writing her book, taking advantage of a cabin by the Waimakariri River where she could focus on her work. Although she has travelled to over 20 countries and kayaked down the Mississippi River, she chose to concentrate on her experiences in Australia and New Zealand, which she believed would resonate more with local readers. Despite losing her first manuscript in a fire, Delph persevered and rewrote her memoir from memory while renting a bach in Akaroa. "Beyond the Bus-stop," published by The Caxton Press, is available for $11.95 in major bookstores. Delph's journey from a determined traveller to a published author showcases her resilience and the evolution of her adventurous life.

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