We haven't had a break - as in a holiday away from the village - for I don't know how long. We used to try to have at least a week away each year, but that stopped when my "original" day job[day job] ended. Although we never travel(led) over the festive season, I used to "shut up shop" around mid-December, and not later than about the 20th until anywhere between the 2nd and 5th of January. Now, because of my involvement in the McGregor market, that has not happened for nine years.
No, this is not a pity party: I consciously decided to can that day job and to join the market. I am not unhappy with those choices even though they came with a significant reduction in income which was knocked even further when the world economy started tanking and the pandemic hit.
I had seen the signs in the economy and was beginning to shift focus from what had become my day job, to something else because it would clearly not sustain us into the near, let alone distant, future. Then the pandemic hit: tourism and hospitality virtually died - for two years - making that an even more profound realisation. It took a few months, to work out that I had to sharpen my focus even more. I also changed direction a bit and embarked on what has become a third, perhaps, fourth career. It's been a slog over the last two, going on three years, and a slog which has been lightened in no small measure by the Hive community and my small posse of peeps. That, and the discipline, as far as possible, of posting every day.
When I penned typed the post marking my fifth year anniversary on the blockchain, among the things I celebrated was the friendship and care that I'd found via this crypto-social community. Then, in November, I discussed how these friendships can be compared with yesteryear's pen pal.
It is through one such friendship that this getaway gift happened. Last May, 
Hubby & I have been chatting & we'd like to book you & The Husband a midweek getaway through xxx as we have a ton of points to use. You can check on their website and let me know which resorts you like but more importantly, when you'd be able to slip away. All their resorts we've been to have been top class.
I'm really hoping you can squeeze some time in just to get away!
Needless to say that I was blown away. I won't lie. I shed a tear or two at the kindness. The Husband:
We can't. How can we?
As it turns out, and with hindsight, May 2022 was a turning point for me and my new career. Come this May, I'll have been working with/for my key client for a full year, and the indications are that I shall be working with them for the next few months and probably years.
Anyway, timing is everything and I said "thank you" and put it out of my mind. Except. Every so often, Lizelle would gently prod me with -
You need to take a break too Fiona & remember my offer...
So, when our young friends decided to get married in Cape Town, and not in the valley, and when I realised it was a week after my birthday, it seemed like the planets were aligning. Then, two weeks prior suddenly included not just my birthday, but a birthday thrash (someone else's) and two markets to prepare for - on one Saturday...
I decided that the universe was telling me that a break was essential and to accept Lizelle's generosity. Lizelle moved like lightening before I could change my mind. She found the closest spot she could to Cape Town - I know that was not just a simple online booking.
It was, though, the most fabulous 60th birthday gift.
We left late on a Monday morning, and I confess I was exhausted from the week before's activities which had also included winding things up for month-end and my day job. So exhausted was I, that I took no photographs of our scenic (and it was) drive. Or of our lunch and the spectacular view. The first photo that I took was of the view from our apartment, and which is the very first photo of this post. It went to Lizelle, unedited, and with two words:
Thank you.
They had arranged a studio apartment for us - with everything we needed, from the view, to a decent kitchen which was separate from the sleeping area - essential for me.
As you gathered, we had a balcony that overlooked the sea - literally - and the communal braai area.
Yes, I sat on that stoep with wine. The Husband braaied - twice. One of those occasions will feature in another post. The evening I took that photo, was our last and we (happily) had the place to ourselves. In the mornings when the tide was high (sorry, not sorry, Blondie), the sea lapped under our feet.
We heard the sea - all the time. We watched and walked (a little) on the beach.
We had the occasional visitor.
I don't sleep well the first night (or two) in a strange place, and I loved wandering to our windows and looking at the night sea and skyline. One forgets that the sea is never the same. Even when it's motionless, it moves incessantly.
This last photo, I took from the beach and if you look from the right of the building, our apartment was the third pair of windows from the right, and on the bottom row. It was perfect. It was also the perfect base for exploring - and for the country pumpkins to catch up on some (year's) overdue essential (an not so essential) shopping.
Even though neither of us was well when we came home, we have returned renewed and refreshed. I actually did stop. I put my feet up. I stared at the sea. I drank wine. I read a book.
I sat at my computer and checked email just once and that was on March 1st. To pay bills and to power up. I feel no guilt saying that I didn't miss the village. I didn't miss Hive. I missed the people. And the cats. I resisted checking in. On everyone. I figured that if I was needed, people would call. They didn't.
So, out of sight was not out of mind, and in my mind - a lot - Lizelle. I shall be eternally grateful for this getaway gift as I have come home with much more than just memories of a trip to the seaside.
Thank you.
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:
@artywink
@hive.blog and Canva.