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

— @HaggardHawks

Even the hippos are getting COVID-19 now. The fourth wave is crushing over us in South Africa and all I can think of are the friends we’d lost during the early waves when we had no vaccines to prevent the worst consequences of an infection, and I cannot understand how many people are still resisting this – now available and easily accessible – protection measure.

A real oysterhood weekend at home, mostly in couple solitude apart from a Sunday lunch with three COVID-19-recovered and fully vaccinated friends. My love has been under a lot of professional pressure recently and he really needed the rest and the calm joy of being with lovely people who care. We were both excited about serving a meal and wine to people who are passionate about the food and drink industry and very successful at what they do. What is most inspiring about them is that they do not stop at their own success, always sharing with and caring about those less fortunate than them. And our wonderful guests brought fresh oysters for us to enjoy and happily cooked up a storm in our kitchen to serve a beautiful sauce with the meat my love braaied for us. He also served some truly special wine from his cellar. I contributed salads and crème brûlée for dessert. Joint efforts, jointly enjoyed. It was an amazing afternoon.

I did do a little bit of work this weekend, but mostly I relaxed, read, watched TV and even indulged in a bath. Much needed down time after the intensity of the last few weeks.

On Saturday, it was my brother’s name day and we met on Skype with Mom for a celebratory breakfast that included a pastéis de nata from The Hoghouse on my side of the screen. It was also a dear Friend’s birthday and I hope to visit her early this week to celebrate the occasion. A small birthday parcel is waiting.

I think most of us are exhausted after the relentlessness of this tough year, and there are still three weeks of 2021 left to make the most of. I want to unwind and spend time with loved ones (in the safest possible manner). My love and I made great plans for Christmas. I can’t wait!

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

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

— NICD