So we took ourselves far away from the real world last week on a long awaited vacation with friends, to find a whole new world in Lockdown on our return!
I'm sure many of us wish we could be like this old tortoise and just hide away under that hardened shell, especially now that a slippery little virus called Covid 19 is slyly wrecking havoc as it mutates and spreads!
Of course we knew about the outbreak that started in Wuhan, so took extra precautions, but stayed away from mainstream news media for the whole week; what a difference a week makes when it comes to Covid19!
I can also say What a difference a day makes! when World War Tron broke out when 
But then a glimmer of hope came through with the announcement of a new blockchain called Hive; my dilemma is will I be blogging on Hive only or on both platforms as I do not want to lose contact with some of the people I've met here?
I think it will be the latter for a while at least.
Multi Flower Honeycomb - taken from a bee HIVE in the Western Cape. This honey is produced by bees that visit a variety of crops, flowers and herbs and is a bactericidal, meaning it prevents the growth of bacteria.
Back to our long awaited vacation that ended on Monday before I get to the real impact Covid19 Lockdown has had on us and close family.
Our first destination was Stonehill River Lodge outside the beautiful historic town of Swellendam, which is one of the oldest towns of South Africa, situated in the Overberg, Western Cape.
Image Source - my photo did not do justice to this beautiful lodge.
This is the Ambagswerf (Tradesman Yard) at the award winning Drostdy Museum in Swellendam.
The Overberg is filled with vineyard and orchards, with popup fruit stalls in every little town - we stopped at one and were amazed that everything cost ZAR10 - a large bag of the sweetest grapes, delicious yellow cling peaches and plums plus the freshest vegetables; the taste was amazing as it's straight from the farms with no lengthy refrigeration.
This region has many wildlife conservation projects, stunning nature reserves with majestic mountains and impressive mountain passes.
We were particularly amazed by the Kogmanskloof Pass with a hole in the majestic mountains.
As the Overberg is in the heart of the Cape floral kingdom, there's an abundance of flora, mostly fynbos with magnificent Cape Aloes which are famed for its healing properties growing all across the landscape.
We did not get to see any Proteas which is South Africa's national flower, in the wild though, but saw some at a farm stall.
The beautiful Overberg region consists of vast and varied landscapes with flat plains, high mountains and breathtaking coastal dips, the perfect habitat for many species of fauna is found here, from birds to reptiles to mammals to amphibian creatures.
We were surrounded by mountains shrouded in thick mist as we drove past to reach our destination - this is the Langeberg mountain range which is very long as the name suggest, all of 250 kilometres; running from Worcester through to George.
Driving past farmlands showing off vineyards and fruit orchards as well as windmills happily dancing round and round in the wind with the mountains all around, we felt snug and safe from the rest of the world.
Our journey took us from the mountains to the southernmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at Cape Agulhas.
Agulhas Lighthouse
Coming back home to the harsh reality of Covid19 was something of a shock, but for me it just means not to over-react, let common sense prevail by practicing good old fashioned stringent hygiene rules; order groceries online rather than having to face the crowded shopping malls; eat as much fresh produce and good nourishing food to boost our immune systems.
My son is in Russia and is due to return home early May but the question now is, will he be able to get back as he is flying with Turkish Airlines?
My brother is finding himself in Lockdown in Khazakstan till mid April and if he decides to go home he may not get a Visa to travel back to his job, as has happened to some of his colleagues!
My cousin who now lives in New Zealand came to South Africa for a family wedding but cannot attend as she has to fly home on Saturday or else she will not be able to enter NZ; once back home she will have to be in strict self quarantine or face severe punishment if she doesn't adhere to this!
Thus far, we have not had any booking cancellations in our bnb as most of our guests in the coming months are locals mostly coming for business or to see family. We know that could change at the drop of a hat, but we have assured one guest who enquired that he will not lose his deposit as he could postpone his short breakaway.
What we are starting to see now during these difficult times is how adjustable we as a human race are AND importantly, how people start looking out for one another; our housekeeper who has relied on public transport for years managed to get into a lift club and will now be spared traveling in crowded taxis or trains plus the gentleman who offered will have the benefit of cutting down on his traveling costs as his new passengers will be contributing towards petrol/gas.
Many other good things are happening as the whole world is brought to a standstill having to take stock of what really matters; some real good memes are doing the rounds as well and all I can say is do not ever lose your sense of humour as this can help you through some real tough times!
Two bees in a pod! - hubby and friend having a light moment in the bee HIVE;)
The Lockdown has brought about a dramatic and unintended benefit to our planet, namely blue skies, as was reported on CTV News.
In China's Hubei province the average number of "good quality air days" increased 21.5 per cent in February, compared to the same period last year, according to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Source
We're fortunate here in most of South Africa with having clear blue skies and clean air throughout the year.
Blue skies and azure seas at the little seaside village of Arniston.
I will end with the beautiful poem Lockdown by the Capuchin Franciscan Brother Richard Hendrick from Ireland -
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
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See ya all on the other side in the new HIVE!