WOMEN ARE FROM............................

Fella's I'm sorry, but I need to talk to the girls for a little bit. I don't know how many of you remember what TBBITW stands for - no? THE BEST BLOKE IN THE WORLD - you might also remember his alternative name TBPITBIW - THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE BUM IN THE WORLD - I have to say, my other half is TBBITW for 97% of the time and he does it beautifully - he is a truly great bloke, but there are just those few days each month (no I didn't - say he gets PMT) when he becomes TBPITBITW - and then he is truly trying. Anyone who knows my wonderful bloke will recognise what I'm talking about. TBBITW has had very little ill-health or injury during his 60+ years, but on the rare occasion that he does have some ailment, he is the biggest cream-puff in the world. Being in pain, or not feeling well actually depresses him to the inth degree. He goes lower than the proverbial snake's belly girls.

Sadly, I am somewhat of an emotional sponge, that is, I pick up other people's moods and sink or soar with them. This is something I am currently working on, trying to stay centred and not to get caught up in his mood-swings. This time round, I managed to 'stay centred' (more or less) for around 1 1/2 days, but after that I felt sorely tested. The bloke, had a bit of a tummy upset (I do mean just a little bit), a sore mouth where he had burnt it on something (no - not my tongue!) - and an ongoing tender thigh/hip which has been niggling ever since we left home - well, dears, you would have thought it was a death sentence. The grimaces, the groans, the no talking, the negativity, the ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! All of this was happening on the day we took a drive into VENUS BAY ......how appropriate is that? There could no have been a better example of that excellent book "Men Are From Mars" - certainly what they say is so true, if men were the child-bearers, negative birth rate would certainly apply. Fortunately, these mood-swings into the black abyss rarely last long - TBBITW is back thank goodness and my sanity (a very fragile entity) just barely survived yet again. I thought last night that the mood was going to make a come back, but we seem fine today! Oh Joy!!

VENUS BAY

We chose not to stay at Venus Bay due to some very mixed reports on the park there. We did go day trip from Elliston to have a look at what we had missed out on. I have to say that after visiting the place, we were tempted to back-track and stay there for a week. The place is stunning. One side of the little town overlooks the peaceful bay and jetty, and the other side looks out to the open Southern Ocean which crashes in on the rugged and dramatic coastline.

We were not aware there is a prawning industry there. When we walked out onto he jetty, the prawn trawlers were unloading their catch - very interesting.

There appears to be a thriving sea-bird population there, particularly pelicans which seemed prolific in the bay. The caravan park is right on the bay, with the front bays on the beachfront. It did look a bit jam packed and there was no grass there, but I think the view and the fishing would have made up for that. The sunsets there must be stunning.

There was a nice looking little cafe there and it seemed that you would find everything there you would need for a short-term stay.

On the way back from Venus Bay (around 50ks West of Elliston) we stopped to enjoy the beauty of Talia Caves - not really caves at all, but ocean caverns sculpted out by the raging ocean along this rugged and pristine coastline. The photos, taken by TBPITBITW are quite good and will give you some idea of the area - the first few are of Venus Bay ad then they move on to Talia Caves. You will see one or two of a beautiful surf beach - this is reputed to be wonderful fishing and around 20ks of "wild surf beach" - it did look tremendous. I'll be back in a moment, to tell you all about Elliston where we are based at the moment. Steph.