Covid CHRONICLES
ELIZABETH BAER, 56
Elizabeth grew up in Umhlali and left South Africa 35 years ago to travel. In the UK she married, had two sons and settled in Bath. Her eldest has just started his first job, and the youngest started university this year.
Although she enjoys living in Somerset, Elizabeth came back to South Africa often for family holidays. ‘I love the salty sea air, wide open space and tropical vegetation of the KZN East Coast,’ she says.
When Covid-19 hit, those trips came to an abrupt stop. Like many of us, Liz found the isolation overwhelming. She kept up with her exercise regime, trying to stay grounded. But when she went for a routine check-up and discovered a lump in her breast, her sense of wellbeing was compromised.
As I walked off that plane, the sweet caramel scent of burnt sugar cane transported me straight back to my
