Tuesday 27 October 2020, Day 37 of Level 1, Day 215 of Lockdown. 😷

Corona Virus 🙏

#Grateful for a most lucky day, my horoscope for today coming true, in that I signed up my first Communications client today, the beginning of a new journey 🙏; for an action-packed day, with perfect timing of all my stops; for bumping into George Sax at Utopia restaurant; for receiving a naughty but nice very comfortable mask when I donated blood today🩸; for receiving my Tourist Guiding badge from the Western Cape Dept of Economic Affairs and Tourism, five months after submitting my paperwork for it 😱; for meeting dear friend Jenny Stephens at the new Old Town Italy in the Waterfront, in the former Kauai space, a huge disappointment for anyone who knows its sister store in Umhlanga; for being able to buy a 2021 diary at CNA (no other customers in the store), for getting my Discovery vouchers cashed in at the Waterfront branch when they did not work at the Pick n Pay in Camps Bay; for collecting my post; for finding an affordable German brand potato peeler at Yuppie Chef at the V&A; for being invited to a trial dinner at the relaunched Fat Harry’s in Kenilworth, now co-owned by my friend Stuart Bailey – what a transformation; for Henry being back at work after exam leave; and for being happy and healthy. 🙏💙

My first experience with Checkers 60 Minutes was disappointing – I ordered yesterday afternoon and received the delivery this morning, the ‘60 minutes’ delivery time promise bring misleading. They only had two of the jelly cat food pouch boxes in stock, sending me two others with gravy, not as popular with the cats as the jelly ones are, and one box short, I having paid for five. They took my money for five boxes plus 15% extra, without checking stock first, plus a R35 delivery fee. I wonder how long it will take for them to refund the overcharge.

I love donating blood, and especially like their cookies and fruit cake treat for afterwards. They are even more hygiene orientated compared to the beginning of Lockdown. Very nice staff in the Long Street Branch.

Old Town Italy is huge in Umhlanga, more deli than restaurant, while the V&A Branch is tiny with very few Deli items. They have an extensive menu. Tea and coffee treats are displayed on the counter, including croissants, carrot cake, Bar One cake, pain au chocolat, and more. The waiter looking after us recognized me as a dancer at La Parada Constantia Nek. 💃 There is more seating space outside than inside. Not an earth-shattering experience. When I first experienced Old Town Italy I knew that it had to come to Cape Town. But the Branch here is a disappointment, the small space not suitable for what the brand represents. It opened six weeks ago.

Fat Harry’s was more bar than eatery in the past. Stuart saw the potential in taking over the space in Kenilworth, and did a complete transformation, creating a new kitchen and bathrooms, as well as bar counter, with a new pizza oven. They serve Tapas, Pizzas, Bruschetta, Salads, and meats prepared on the grill. I invited my friend Eugene van Eck to join me, he living a block away from the restaurant. Our task was to taste whichever dishes we wanted to from the menu, and provide feedback. The only feedback was that the mushroom dish needed to be served on a white instead of a black plate, to create a colour contrast. The waitress Kiddo was super impressive, and kept filling up Eugene’s drink with ice cubes, he praising this proactive service. She remembered seeing me at a Media Lunch about three years ago. It felt as if this restaurant has been around for years, and was warm and welcoming. The official opening is next Monday, today only having been their third day of operation, in testing the service and menu. Bravo to Stuart and team 👏 (The Restaurant was named after a cat, which still lives in the area. Stuart’s business partner acquired a Labrador called Harry before they took over the restaurant, and therefore the restaurant logo now includes Harry the Labrador).

My Horoscope today, so spot on ❤️:

‘You get by with a little help from your friends, Sagittarius, and for the next three weeks your friends will be emerging from the woodwork with all kinds of opportunities to help you increase your net worth. This is thanks to money-loving Venus entering Libra and your 11th House of groups and global communities, where she’ll be showering you with all her gifts of good luck. Under these stars your acquaintances will be the most helpful people when it comes to finding a new source of income or a better job that both meets your physical needs and fulfils you on an emotional level. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do nothing and can just sit back and wait for the universe to bring you fresh opportunities, but sometimes all it takes is a simple Facebook status update for a whole slew of offers to come your way.’

SA Corona Status: 717851 cases 19053 deaths 😷😢

FitBit 10000 steps 7 km 👣

Lovemylife❤️

 

The Corona Virus Lockdown (Level 5), announced by our President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier to commence on 27 March and to continue until 16 April, subsequently extended to 30 April, lowered to Level 4 from 1 May, lowered to Level 3 from 1 June, lowered to Level 2 from 18 August, and lowered to Level 1 from 21 September, is an unprecedented event in my lifetime. I am posting my daily Facebook post to journal this Corona Lockdown Journey, perhaps to serve as material for a future Book.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

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