Who would have thought that our Anniversary photograph would be taken with us wearing masks! We are both so grateful to be able to spend this memorable day out in the bush together. Could we have guessed at the beginning of the year how it was going to turn out? I don’t believe that anyone could have. In spite of what has occurred, we survived both COVID-19 as well as being quarantined together for several months. As a result of the pandemic, we have had to learn a whole lot of new skills…like cleaning out a stove and why there are always dishes in the sink. But we tackled all the tasks with a sense of humour and a spirit of togetherness. We have also learned that dust will make an appearance, no matter how much we vacuumed, dusted and swept. I think that I was the first to adopt the motto…”The dust won’t kill us”. To my wonderful wife who has been my lighthouse in the darkness of this pandemic, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart. I certainly could not have faced the demons that assailed me without your support. Also, thank you for the past 13 years and I look forward to us sharing many more adventures together.
Even in Level 2, I am often confused as to what day it is. Given the fact that I am able to travel again, I have to become more cognizant of what day it is, lest I miss a game reserve booking. How many others are also struggling with what day of the week it MIGHT be? Answers via email, please…
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Safari Plains, about 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. And we were lucky enough to get to see elephants on our very first game drive. These ‘grey ghosts’ are always on our list when we visit a reserve as watching them is both awe-inspiring and humbling at the same time. (As an aside, both our honeymoon as well as our 10th anniversary were spent at Hamiltons Tented Camp, which is run by the same company as where we find ourselves currently).
Look at how the head of this juvenile Bearded Woodpecker matches the flowers in the tree that it is perched in. This is what made me happy this week as Spring takes hold and the bush and birdlife blooms. Small sightings like this are what makes every bush trip an adventure. And that is why I can never tire of nature that surrounds me when I am in my happy place, a game reserve anywhere in South Africa.
Spring Day (01/10) has been and gone! There has not been an instalment of “My Fellow South Africans“, for a couple of weeks and I am not certain if that bodes well for us regular citizens. This week saw my wife and I celebrate 13th years of marriage. We have had our ups and downs, for no relationship is perfect. We have supported each other and have overcome what 2020 has delivered to date. All of the challenges in our previous 12 years paled into insignificance and this year ain’t over yet. We will continue to be supportive and to make the best out of each situation that 2020 has thrust in our direction. That being said, the anti-maskers are still very much in evidence, bleating that their Constitutional Rights are being infringed. I wonder if those who complain the most obey any of the other laws that are in place to save lives, like wearing seatbelts. If YOU are one of those, then I would rather NOT be in your company as I do not wish to place either myself or those that I love in danger. And I ask that I be respected for my decisions.
Until next week, stay safe, stay healthy and be aware.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
011 234 4837
LifeLine Connect number.
011 728 1347
