OYSTERHOOD is reclusiveness or solitude, or an overwhelming desire to stay at home.

— @HaggardHawks

Another day without photographs, so I am sharing one more from yesterday’s excursion to Elgin.

Now that intra-provincial travel is allowed and there are ways of travelling without endangering others, or at least reducing the risk to an absolute minimum, and at the same time contributing to the saving and sustainability of what is left of the local tourism industry, we are thinking of exploring the possibilities. And one doesn’t have to go far in the Western Cape to enjoy the best of what being away from home can offer. I have an idea that a weekend stay in a self-catering cottage in one of the numerous secluded beauty spots of the Western Cape is much safer right now than going to the crowded beach in Muizenberg (which, technically, should still be empty, or not?). Walking in Elgin yesterday, the splendour of the landscape sinking in and with not a single other hiker in sight apart from us, I felt restored to myself. And I even had some decent sleep last night – a gift not to be sneezed at (especially now!).

Monday. Bin (collected after a two-week pause). Orchid bath (new flowers waiting to burst open). A day of computer work.

I am adamant about squeezing in a few book reviews into my working schedule, even if they are mostly unpaid at this time. I sent off one today.

Writing-related highlight of the day: a writer I admire is interviewing lockdown diarists for an article, and she interviewed me about the Oysterhood Diary in the afternoon. It was intriguing and fun to reflect on the last one hundred and thirty days (!) of daily Oysterhood blog posts. She asked how long I plan to continue … Well, by now, I have decided that I am in it for the long run, i.e. until the official end of the lockdown.

Brace yourselves, poor, dear Readers!

Be kind. Wear a mask.

“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”

— NICD