Wind Across the Playground

Neil Overworth, a young schoolteacher arrives to take charge of a two teacher rural school at Ashleyvale in the South Island of New Zealand with his partner, liberated Lisa. She is just one of the five women who has a profound affect on his life through the next quarter a century.

Margaret, a promiscuous farmer's wife engulfs Neil like a spider and almost tears his relationship with Lisa apart. Afterwards there is a tragedy, Kelly, the assistant teacher in the junior room at Ashleyvale who helps and decisions to be made. Neil matures quickly and when faced with an ultimatum by the woman who loves him, makes a decision that involves shifting back home to the North Island with one woman and away from the other.

Two girls also affect his life, Wendy a pupil at Ashleyvale and his daughter Alexia who, as a baby, unknowingly provides comfort and love. There are always changes as society moves through the decades.

This is a story of a naive young man who is influenced by the women around him, who matures, lives life to the fullest and becomes a leader in his chosen profession. There are tragedies along the way, changing attitudes and the profound love that keeps him going through good times and bad.