We stopped going to gym when the State of Disaster was announced. The gym has since closed. Parkrun had also been suspended, apparently for the first time since its inception in the UK in 2004. It was started in South Africa by Bruce Fordyce in 2011. For the few days before the lockdown came into effect, we tried to go for brisk walks around the suburbs whenever we could but obviously that has now also ended.
On the morning of the day that the State of Disaster was announced by the President, we went for a long walk around The Wilds. It was wonderful; and very timely. All Gauteng parks were closed during the following week.
The Wilds Nature Reserve is an inner-city park in Houghton, Johannesburg. It consists of 16 hectares of indigenous vegetation on the sides of two rocky koppies or hills with views of the city of Johannesburg and its suburbs. It is an old park, opened originally in 1938. At that time the paths were made of stone, which is why they’re still in good shape today. Thanks to artist James Delaney and the Friends of The Wilds the Park is beautifully kept and safe to walk in.
There are laser-cut works of art, created by James, throughout the Park. And a surprise waiting around each corner. I am posting just a few to give you an idea.
So, no more outdoor activities for a while. I guess I will have to devise an indoor training routine of sorts…
Roger walked to the shops in the afternoon to get hot cross buns, which he cannot resist, and a few bricks of butter.
‘I felt guilty’ he said. ‘It felt as if I was being watched! There and back I saw one other pedestrian, two cars and one police van!’
All the shops except the supermarkets and the pharmacies were cordoned off. The isles containing clothing, non-essential goods and alcohol were apparently all off-limits.
I guess he just wanted to see what it was like out there. Not a good idea to go out though and he hopefully won’t be going too often.