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

— @HaggardHawks

It was a day of festival preparations (all in place now!), and in the evening, we gathered at Exclusive Books Cavendish for the final Karavan Press launch of the week: The Skipper’s Daughter by Nancy Richards. And it was fabulous! I could listen to Nancy for hours, and then more. She was in conversation with the wonderful Kim Cloete. To think that this book was never really supposed to be shared with a wider public beyond Nancy’s circle of family and friends – and now hundreds of readers around the world are delighting in the story – is truly something. It is beautiful to witness and to be part of this journey.

The evening was also a great reminder of how lucky I feel to be working with all these amazing women. Every time I meet with them, I feel inspired and encouraged. Together, we make great things happen. Thank you!

The evening ended on a delicious high – with my love and our friends at Mario’s. I know tripe is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, but oh, when it is prepared so well, it is a treat. And we had the most divine zabaione for dessert. The accompanying wines were to live for! But the best was the company. Especially on a day when a new variant and rising Covid-19 infection numbers were a strong reminder of the times we are living in. I am grateful to all my vaccinated friends for caring.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please.

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

— NICD