Neighbours

The lemon tree in front of our ground floor balcony is laden with fruit. We've had a couple of usable lemons so far but hoping for many more. In the meantime, the flowers have attracted a colourful visitor.

The Citrus Swallowtail is probably one of the biggest and most impressive butterflies we are likely to see here with a span of about 4 inches

Citrus Swallowtail
By Charles J Sharp - from Sharp Photography

We took an essential shopping trip to Babylonstoren today - normally a busy place with wine tasting, restaurant, cafe, hotel, gardens and shops. However, its only 10 minutes away along a red dirt road and the farm shop is one of the few local places that are open during the lockdown. Its a great source of fresh vegetable from their gardens, home grown meat, dairy produce and bakery goods. Normally, the produce is earmarked for the restaurant and cafe but they are now offering it all for sale.

Loaded up with farm butter, eggs, fresh bread, pastries, a selection of veg that we wouldn't normally see in the supermarkets and a few extra treats - of course. Planning to return for their steaks next week.

On the way home we drove through the wine estate and saw how the vines are changing with the season. Like the Maple and Beech trees around the golf course, the vines are definitely showing off their autumn colours.

Home to good news - for a change - Avis have reduced the car hire rate to ZAR 50 per day for the duration of the lockdown - which is just over £2.00 at today's rate. Now if the wineries were open I could head off and spend some of the savings......