We're experiencing the second wave of the Coronavirus outbreak, and since the president's speech on television last week, our bnb bookings have slowed down to a snail's pace; something we've never experienced before for the peak Christmas holiday season!
Consequences of Irresponsible Behavior
Many young teenagers contracted the virus here in Durban at a rave with some of them children or grandchildren of close friends, so everyone they've been in close contact with had to be tested and quarantined.
Another threat that is looming is that the beaches may close, not good for tourism as that is the main reason people come to our coastal city!
Occupancy falls
October and November occupancy was fantastic and exceptionally high for a low season which helped us recoup some of the three months lockdown closure.
December on the other hand currently is sitting at a mere 54% occupancy, REALLY worrying as this is our peak season!
In the past, we would have been fully booked by now, but the new trend since the rise of Covid figures are last minute bookings, which really is not ideal as one cannot do accurate forward planning.
Guests & Gifts
We had our BMX riders back for the SA Nationals and it was nice seeing young Caleb growing up but I forgot to take a pic of him with his bronze medal! His older cousin is an SA Champ and that's the goal that young Caleb is hoping to reach one day!
Another really nice young family who are in the fruit packing industry brought us a deliciously sweet giant watermelon which we shared with neighbours and our housekeeper.
It was so massive that we had to almost hack it to make it workable!
I used some of this watermelon to make my Ginger & Watermelon Smoothie Boost for 
We had guests who came to bury a beloved mother, and a young couple who had postponed their April reservation due to our first lockdown finally managed to come for their breakaway.
Spoils
I was asked, at the last minute, to put together something special for the lady and fortunately managed to find a lovely bunch of red roses, and made up a hamper of fruit, chocolates, snacks and juices.
This would make a really nice Christmas gift for someone special, and was very easy to put together!
Female, Male or Hermaphrodite Papaya trees
I have to tell you something interesting about the Papaya trees.
We lost two massive Papaya trees recently and I told you about the last one recently.
Both were the female trees that bear the fruit.
The giant male Papaya tree is still alive and well, but of course bears no fruit so our monkeys who currently have babies were really confused, as were the birds; their wonderful source of food disappeared overnight!
I learnt that Papaya trees grow in three sexes: male, female, and hermaphrodite.
The male only produces pollen, whereas the female produces small, inedible fruits unless they get pollinated. The pollen is carried in the wind or by insects.
Our female tree when it was still very much alive and well-laden with Papayas.
The hermaphrodite is the star of the show and can self-pollinate since its flowers contain both male stamens and female ovaries.
Even more fascinating is that the Hermaphrodite can do a sex reversal when its flower morphology is unstable.
Summertime
Summer's here in full force with stunning flowers and delicious fruit at the moment.
Saying Goodbye
A friend who's moving down to the Cape came to visit to say goodbye and I made quick and easy cheese muffins which we enjoyed in between all the nattering as we had loads of catching up to do!
I'll share the recipe of these with you as it's super quick and easy to throw together.
Recipe Time - Cheese Muffins
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- Favourite seasoning & herbs
- 1 cup strong Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Milk
Mix all together, spoon into sprayed muffins pans, top with Parmesan Cheese and bake 15-20 min at 190°C
I always see friends who have played a big part in my life and then move far away as another season that's passed; will certainly miss the close contact with this very special soul, but we can still natter over the phone and share good memories plus the new ones we'll be making!
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