SPIRIT OF PLACE: COVID-19 & SETTLER COUNTRY

Question marks ……….. Question marks?????

Now about to celebrate its 200th anniversary the Settler village of Bathurst has, along with the rest of the world, been thrown into turmoil. Our village traditionally has a few important events at this time of year which are essential to the survival of its little micro-economy and micro-community. All of these have had to at least be postponed - if not cancelled …………….. and while I won’t pretend to be au-fait with all of the ramifications, I can surmise: The cancellation of the Bathurst Agricultural Show and all of its cattle and other stock auctions must, I am sure, have a negative effect on farming in the district in a number of ways, not least of which is the money generated that won’t be available to ply back into the various sectors of the industry.

The exhibitors that come from far and wide to this very special show can also unfortunately now only look forward to a vastly diminished revenue due to lack of sales, and the wide range of artists and crafters who rely on the show for increased sales will be seriously hurt …… they don’t even have alternative opportunities as markets everywhere have been cancelled. Also, a great many residents of our local township rely substantially on the work that the show provides for them ……… it is going to be a very lean winter.

Our restaurants, pubs and accommodation providers all rely heavily on the Agri Show, the Book Fair, the Easter Holidays and the annual Dog show as revenue earners to help them limp through the winter months. Unfortunately not this year…………….and the restrictions on trading hours are further going to impact their losses. We really do feel for them, and for ourselves .......... what started out as a really profitable April for us in terms of accommodation bookings at No.6 York Road has dwindled to a big fat zero as a result of cancellations, ably assisted by our decision to cancel the one or two bookings that weren’t cancelled purely from a “stop the risk of infection” point of view in an effort to keep the house free of potential contamination.

We have also taken the decision to forego any domestic or gardening assistance until this thing blows over and rather tackle everything ourselves in the interim, and have further decided to also forego all and any extra-mural activities that can’t be enjoyed in the open air and at an adequate distance from any possible threat.

We know that many of our friends consider this to be ridiculously OCD, but this virus doesn’t take any prisoners, and the very nature of our South African society with its townships and informal settlements where people often live anything up to eight or more in a ten square metre space precludes anything that smacks of voluntary (or forced) isolation, and testing facilities too are woefully inadequate in the event of suspected contamination ……… these people are normally an everyday part of all our lives - we really do feel for them, but why take the chance.

Rather safe than sorry ………. and we would encourage all our fellow citizens to give very serious thought to the consequences of carelessness, not just for ourselves, but moreso for the domino effect that might result from innocent and unsolicited contact with people and objects that just a few weeks ago we all took forgranted.

But……………….. all of this has a bright side too. It gives us time to meditate - to think about the roller-coaster ride that is life, and allows us (in our isolation), to take the time to once again smell the roses - to listen and look at the birds and the beauty that surrounds us - to get our hands covered in clean dirt as we sort and plant what we want in our gardens - to revel in the smell of new-cut grass as we toil with the lawn mower. Then ……….. when totally knocked out by all this unfamiliar effort, it allows us the time to sit back without interruption and enjoy a tipple as we marvel at the sunset and the sounds of the evening as the crickets and other insects begin their night-time choir. Moreover - we are very fortunate that the virus has chosen this time of the year to present itself ………… take the time, as evening approaches, and simply enjoy the light, it really is very special around about now as we move into our southern hemisphere autumn.

To all our friends and family - wherever you might be - this, right now, is World War 3 ………………. be mindful - take great care and above all, be safe……………let’s all be sure to survive it.

Herewith some of those things we now have a little more time to contemplate - ENJOY!