Tuesday 22 September 2020, Day 2 of Level 1, Day 180 of Lockdown 😷

Corona Gratitude 🙏

#Grateful for a change of scenery, my first visit to Franschhoek in almost two years; for a number of stops in Stellenbosch, dropping off a bottle of ADHARA extra virgin olive oil to Avontuur Restaurant co-owner Zunia Boucher-Myerson, and for tea at Java with sisters Lisel Fourie Burger and Janine at Java, bringing Lisel my SwitchBitch Book 3; for reconnecting with Jade pearl shop on Church Street, so happy to see them open again; for a fabulous relaxed lunch at Boschendal Deli with Linda-Louise Roosenschoon, having struggled to find a restaurant open on a Tuesday on a wine estate; for a first introduction to Franschhoek in visiting Grande Provence, also having set up a Deli; for a quick shop at Woolies; and for finding my home at Maison Montagne, a brand new boutique guest house on Dieu Donne wine estate, seeing my Bestie Llewellyn Lambert for the first time in 18 months 🍎; for a beautiful sunny 23C day; and for being happy and healthy. 🙏💙 Venishree Mayer

The traffic to Stellenbosch on the N2 was light, and I was surprised to see the progress in widening Baden Powell Drive towards Stellenbosch. Lisel is a very successful estate agent in Stellenbosch, and brought her sister along so that we could meet each other. Back’s and Schoon on Church Street were new to me. Le Chocolatier is closed, possibly permanently. I parked far down Dorp Street, giving me some extra steps.

Linda-Louise Roosenschoon and I met in Cape Town more than a year ago, and I promised to let her know when next I would be in Stellenbosch. Today was the day, so we had a light lunch at Boschendal Deli. Very strict Covid regulation adherence: on driving into the property, on arriving at the Deli (temperature and register), and entering other buildings too. But then we sat at a table under a tree, and just relaxed and talked and talked, well looked after by Amanda. Food & Beverage Manager Morné Wessels came to say hello and to check that we were happy. He introduced me to their very new Retail Manager Patrick Stout-Sheard, previously the GM of Weylandts Green Point. The Boschendal Deli Shop has had a complete make-over, and there I saw Paul Duncan, writer and publisher, who introduced me to Petro Basson (her maiden name) Blommaert, who turned out to be in the same school class as my sister Dotti in Wellington. Paul and Petro jointly did the Deli make-over. #smallworld

The new Grande Provence Deli is bigger than that at Boschendal, with home decor items, fresh flowers, and fresh vegetables and fruit too. But the communication with the cashier was very poor, and their credit card machine did not work! No Covid procedures at all!

I was surprised that a favorite clothes shop in Franschhoek was closed for the day, at 15h30 😱.

Llewellyn and I had a lot of catching up to do, sitting at the pool terrace. Another catch up planned for tomorrow evening.

S A Corona Status 663282 cases 16118 deaths 😷😢

FitBit 7500 steps 5,5 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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