Here we are in the wilds of the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia (alhtough, in Internet Land I haven’t moved an inch). Within five minutes of our arrival Rex the Wonder Dog managed to leap through a screen door head first. The Old Boy has just finished replacing the screen with much muttering under the breath. He left it a few days just in case the mutt repeated the procedure.

We saw a seal sunbaking on a boat slip all by himself. Perhaps the rest of the family were off getting the seal version of fish and chips. Perhaps it was a harrassed mother trying to get a bit of “me” time. As it was lying bellyside down, I couldn’t tell if it was male or female. The seal people like to keep you guessing.

So far I’ve found a couple of writers, new to me, that have gone on my “find more of these” list. That’s always a happy event. I haven’t done one teeny bit of “work” and that’s even happier. Happiest of all, I can feel the stirrings of my next book in my imagination. I’d begun to wonder if I’d have to leave the poor boys stranded and that would have been a disgrace.

I’ve also discovered a terrible malady that, according to the medical experts (well they certainly sounded official) is in plague proportions. I had no idea! I admit I’ve been sidetracked by less significant issues such as cancer, the asylum seekers, the capture and killing of Gaddafi, the floods in Thailand, the earthquake in Turkey and so on. All this time there’ve been hundreds, perhaps thousands of women in this lucky country suffering the debilitating condition: stomach bloating. Apparently they need a dose of special yoghurt every day just to cope for the next 24 hours. Oh the humanity! It beggars belief.

From what I’ve seen on the idiot box there are support groups for the afflicted. They go on picnics and talk about their problem while scoffing down the yoghurt. It seems to be helpful because they laugh a lot…unless they’re just putting on a brave face for the cameras. Hats off to you ladies: soldiering on in difficult circumstances. I wish I’d been as brave when I was having chemo and radiotherapy and adjusting to being without one breast. You’re an example for us all.

I’m feeling a tad nauseous, so I’m off to find some yoghurt. Wishing you all a bloat-free day.