“This will be my last article,” I wrote to Heather, editor of WIRED magazine, in an email back in July.
I’ve been writing this column for over five years now, and I’ve run out of ideas. I’ve overshared Shaun’s life to the point of TMI (Too Much Information), and that’s my main (and let’s face it, most interesting) content. Also, things have changed in my own life – I no longer spend time in Davies Fencing like I used to. Things tick along nicely with the systems, people, and exit strategy I’d put into place.
“Please reconsider,” was Heather’s reply.
But I’d made my mind up. I’m done.
The following week, Shaun and I made our way to Taupo for Conference. As we neared the National Fencing Field Day venue, we felt our anticipation rise. We fondly remembered past conferences and the people we get to catch up with yearly, and wondered who might win the awards and how much money we might raise for Wiggy. Conference always gives us a sense of belonging and connection, a key ingredient for feeling good about life (aye Wiggy?).
We pulled into the car park and walked to the table where the FCANZ team were. Big hugs and arm punches were had. Within minutes, Jaime says, “See that guy there – white beard, walking stick – he’s a big fan of your articles”.
Gulp.
“Oh.. um… really… um… well… I have news… um… I’m not writing the column anymore.”
This elicited a long conversation of me explaining my reasons, and them reminding me of how well received A Wife’s Tale is. I was flattered but not swayed.
That night at the Meet n Greet, a partner came up to me at a bar leaner and said, “Hey, I know you. You write those articles about Shaun.”
Which confirmed my suspicions of my Most Interesting Content. I let him know that I’m done writing, and he shared with me that it’s the first article he reads when WIRED arrives, and to please keep writing.
Gulp. Gulp.
At dinner the next night, I had a big, burly man tell me that he keeps copies of WIRED in his Ute, down the side of the seat, and he pulls them out to read A Wife’s Tale at smoko. “You have a great way of writing. Please keep it up.”
At lunch the next day, as I was walking out of the restaurant – it was freezing cold and pissing down – a ‘seasoned’ fencer saw me and proceeded to tell me in the doorway how much he loves A Wife’s Tale. I stood there shivering as I listened to his favourite stories I’d written. He said it makes his day, and to please keep writing.
Gulp. Okay, this is getting weird. I thought A Wife’s Tale would be a chick read, but it seems the audience includes beards.
At the awards ceremony, I sat with Noksee and told him my decision. His jolly face was not going to let me quit.
“I can give you some ideas,” he said. “Why don’t you write about the young dairy farmer I know, whose boss asked him to do a ‘favour’ for his wife’s 50th birthday party, and dress as a stripper and go and vacuum her floors. He turned up in a little G-string with a crocodile on it, women were cackling, it was a hoot! When his boss went to pay him, he said he’d rather keep the vacuum so he could go and do it again as a side hustle.”
Awkward pause. A conversation involving Noksee and crocodile speedos wasn’t something I thought I could write about (but see what I did there?) Also awkward was looking over at Shaun and seeing him considering a new side hustle (joking! As if.) (But also, maybe).
This trend of bumping into people throughout the conference, telling me how much they enjoy reading A Wife’s Tale was all a bit… humbling, to be honest. When I began with the idea of the column, I selfishly thought it was good publicity for Davies Fencing. I didn’t realise how much you all would love reading about Shaun’s life and the antics we get up to in business.
So, I’m going to keep writing. Just for another year. If you have any ideas for me, then please let me know at .
As long as it doesn’t involve crocodile speedos, I’ll consider it.
Written by Angelena Davies
Angelena Davies is a wife and mum who happens to have a Masters degree in Social Sciences. Alongside running Davies Fencing she is also a coach, facilitator and author helping children and adults to access “flow” so their lives are easier and more fun.
Published in WIRED issue 79/December 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ
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