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COVID-19:

South Africa is now

in the Eighth Week

of Lockdown

When we moved to this stretch of the KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, we rejoiced in the fact that we
would be able to walk to the beach, distanced just more 1 kilometre away, on a daily basis. Not close
enough to put up with the droves of holidaymakers during the season; not too far away to enjoy the
fresh air and beautiful views, and to hear the waves breaking on the shore. We can reach the beach on
foot in less than 15 minutes when walking at a leisurely pace, where we have a choice of swimming in
the ocean, the river or one of the numerous tidal pools.

But – COVID-19 happened along and life changed irrevocably.

We are currently in level 4 of the lockdown, and although we are permitted to exercise by jogging,
walking or cycling up to 5 kilometres from our dwellings, we are still not allowed on the beaches – we
may not even set food on the grass verges alongside the water’s edge. We do not have a sea view from
our little gated community next to the river. We can only reach the beach by crossing the railway
lines and then traipsing through the lush coastal growth along well-maintained paths. This, in effect,
means that we’ve had no view of the beautiful ocean for 7+ weeks, unless you count the glimpses of
blue water which we see when driving across the bridges on our way to the shopping centre. We’ve
been rubbernecking as much as we can without driving the car straight off the bridge and into the
river.

These photos, taken on the last day before lockdown, are the last of the “normal” images on my
cell phone and have been a source of inspiration and hope. Hope that soon we will be able to walk
barefoot again on the golden sand and maybe swim in the lukewarm water before winter sets in.

Follow Hester at https://www.hesterleynel.co.za/

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