End of masks in SA

Got the news via Netwerk 24 while in Portugal.

Omicron causes havoc in the world and Ilan turns 5!

Sunday, December 26

     Ilan turned 5 today in Portugal, his new country!

Kia designed a birthday card...

Here he is with an adult toy...

And cake for breakfast..

Two years since State of Disaster was declared

Sunday, March 27 2022

      Two years ago we woke up in a changed world where a virus announced its imminent destruction.

       Measures are slacking down but we stand at nearly 100 000 Covid deaths and Kia still vows to keep me safe from the infected world!

     In the meantine my grandchildren are growing like beanstalks...

      Benjamin is 4 weeks old today..

... and his siblings are adapting to life on the Portuguese platteland...

Registration of Benjamin's birth at the SA Consulate in Porto.

 

  Laser surgery in Viseu Hospital te ease Benjamin's tongue.  Jana assisting. 

Yael mimicking Benjamin's bathing ritual! 

Yael and, Ilan with their cousins Daniel and Ilke... 

The arrival of Ben in Portugal

Monday, March 7.

     The Russian invasion in Ukraine started, the Covid death stats in SA reached 99 000 and my 4th grandchild Benjamin Wegner was born in Viseu, Central Portugal on 27 February.

       What a blessing from the Lord and the assistance of Google Maps and Google translate.

      Ilan and Ben on 4 March. 

With Yael and cousin Ilke.

in Viseu hospital on 27 February.  

    Jana did so well under difficult circumstances.

     

22 months of lockdown and 95 000 Covid deaths

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Notwithstanding the difficult and abnormal  times, I am so happy to have had a video call with Ariyah in Wellington. She is 1 today!

And in Portugal! Emile and family seems to have settled into EU life!

     Received a picnic picture on Sunday!   Another medieval castle... this time 40km south of Trancoso...

Yael helps Jana in the supermarket!

Ilan near the castle quarters where his Naude grandparents live. 

Ilan's first birthday celebration in Portugal!

Sunday, December 26

Covid deaths in SA has exceeded 90 000.

* 8 000 flights worldwide cancelled over the Christmas period.

* Israel ready to start administering 4th vaccination shot. 

* Desmond Tutu died aged 90 in Cape Town.

* Carnage on our country's roads. 

The newslist is long, but for me there is plenty reason to be grateful...

   Ilan is 5!

Kia designed a birthday card!

His dream of owning an adult weedeater has come true.

President Ramaphosa tests positive for Covid and I am 75!

Monday, December 13

    Visiting seceral African States and dancing without his mask did not auger well for our Prez. He is in isolation after the service for FW de Klerk in Cape Town.

     I turned 75 on Friday. Still has to sink in... The airfryer my children gifted me will surely keep on reminding me that I was born three-quarters of a century ago!

    Emile and family left SA on 29 November after a marathon struggle to get their Portugese visas and the Omicron scare that grounded international flights.

     They have completed their quarentine period today.

The family celebrated my birthday in Trancoso with Piet and Elize. 

Local election day...

Monday, November 1

    The Prez moved us to Level 1 a month ago and political parties used the opportunity to campaign...

      Kia and I went to the Oval this afternoon to vote.  10 minutes... and we were done. Voting has never been so fast for us!

    Today is also a special day as Ariyah is 9 months old. She is adorable... 

Moving to level 2

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

     Curfew extended to 11pm and sale of liquor extended to Fridays etc etc...

     Emile and family arrived on Saturday 30 August awaiting their visas for Portugal so this is a busy time with two energetic kids!

They went on an educational boat cruise yesterday.

Ilan loves the ocean an has started a sea garden in the backyard.

Day 510 of Lockdown

Wednesday, August 18

Thr Delta variant still has its grip on the SA population but in my garden there is promise of Spring (although cold after snow in the Karoo).

On Sunday I received pics of snow in Middelburg...

My aunt's house on the left towards back of town hall... and below... 

My second cousin Andre with his son AC.

   Meanwhile, in NZ, Ariyah got a snazzy high chair!

Teatime in Kyalami!

    And Ilan's lasy day at playschool... 

Last week I entertained my sister-in-law Lauraine. 

Nearly 70 000 Covid deaths reported so far... 

      

Day 500 of Lockdown!

Sunday, August 8

Covid -  in the guise of Delta - is still with us.

Back to level 3 announced on 25 July 2021

Friday, July 30

    A quick trip with Emile to the Western Cape to see Functional meds practitioner Frieda Badenhorst.

     So I listened to the Prez in my luxury room in Van der Stel Manor in Stellenbosch. Main news was that churches can open with limited congregations and alcohol sales are legal again. 

    Monday was a gorgeous sunny winter's day and we went to Darling for Emile's business appointment.

    I spent the time at Evita se Perron... A place dear to my nostalgic heart!

Breakfast highlight at V D Stel Manor was the scone... the texture so light...

In a sophisticated atmosphere and good morning food...

The Delta variant of the Covid virus is still an unfriendly enemy... Update from Netwerk 24

On my arrival home, Kia had surprises waiting. The first one is the little "reading shelter" she built for me with repurposed wood and iron.

And a tiny boom box to use when I am relaxing there...