Happiness Is ...

HAPPINESS is - coming back to my caravan, just on dark, turning on the two lamps either side of my bed; having a heater on so the van is nice and cosy; knowing there is something good to eat for dinner; listening to lovely classical music on advertisement-free radio; a vase of fragrant wild freesias on the table and a glass of Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic before me.

Welcome to Beachport, a lovely fishing village near Robe in South Australia.   (For those who don't know where that is - have a look at the bottom bit of Australia, known as The Great Australian Bight).   

I’ve just come back from watching the sun set behind a roaring surf and a scene of such extraordinary beauty that it brought tears to my eyes.   And if that wasn’t enough, yesterday I got to watch a whale and her calf lolling in the azure waters of Rivoli Bay.

AND THEN, I was walking back home along the beach when a great big bloody red KANGAROO came hopping down the main street!!!!!     Marlo gave it one incredulous look and then took off after it, despite my cries to come back.   She did return after a couple of minutes, so I'm guessing the roo eluded her in the bushes.

This quaint little town has already been discovered by the monied trend-setters of Melbourne and Adelaide, which has consequently sky-rocketed land prices out of reach of most locals unfortunately.   Those who purchased years ago for $45,000, now sit on $450,000.

There is so much to like here - lots of scenic walks, gorgeous little coves and lakes (one of which has a salt content seven times that of the ocean and is reputed to be a remedy for those with rheumatism/arthritis etc).   The mystery is why this Pool of Siloam is so salty, considering that it’s fed by a number of freshwater streams.

I’ve already been here for three days and am still enthusing about how wonderful it is here, without actually going out and exploring everything that’s on offer.   Lanky’s Walk (which leads to Lanky’s Well (originally dug to provide water for the area’s police horses), Chamber’s Way, the Lagoon, the Salmon Hole.

The other magnificent attraction here (at least for me) is the line of breakers out to sea, which remind you that straight out there is the Southern Ocean and Antarctica - a thrill for those of us who revel in the ‘power of the storm’ - winds that lay you flat and pin your ears back.

Still haven’t found a playmate for Marlo and I’m thinking more and more that I will probably pick up a pup for her along the way.   She’s stretched out in the sun now on the verdant lawn of the Beachport Caravan Park, where I’m ensconced for the next few days.   The sun is shining (gloriously) but there is a brisk wind, a constant reminder of where we are - the south coast of Australia, heading towards The Great Australian Bight.

I’ve decided that I will balance the deprivations of ‘free’ camping with an alternate week of ‘luxoory’ at a caravan park.   Could blow the budget a bit (this one cost $120 for the week), but then, I only used half a tank of petrol to get here from Narrawong, so if I’m lucky it will all work out in the end.

David continues to be my ‘darling heart’ - maintaining daily phone contact - which is a highlight of my day.   We have a life together in Second Life (a cyber reality site) and there is always something to be done there.   Without constant internet access, my time there has been severely diminished and others in our community are taking up the slack, which is great.   

I love sharing all everything I am experiencing on this trip with David with and hope he gets so enthused, he will decide to join me, for as much as I am enjoying this solitary journey, I would love to share it with him.   There is so much stimulation out here to be had - every day brings something new and invigorating in some way.

I've been to a Virgo birthday party at the local hotel; tai chi one morning with a lady I met on an evening walk; and tonight I just might join in a trivia night at the local bowling club.

Apart from the visual stimulation and history and geological points of interest, there is still so much for me to process about my life and who I am.     

There is a diary entry from years ago where I wrote, “Still working out who I am, and making heavy weather of it!”   This time around, I feel more relaxed about this ‘contemplating my navel’ business, and I find myself vacillating between “Mmmmmmm, must remember to give that some thought” to a more panicked ‘stock take’ of clothes that need to be mended; hair that needs to be cut or shaped; a body that needs to regain some vitality; an attitude that needs to be eliminated etc.

Whether I make sense to other people is sometimes important to me, at other times, not.   I am my own work of art in progress.

Love to you all,

Grace

Photos above:

The beautiful little fishing village of Beachport which has won my heart; I came across this little collection of shells on one of my morning walks; this cove is at the magnificent Blowhole not far from town.