Magic Windows was at Chez Batz.

     

This is the ONLY way to have your windows and solar panels cleaned! Professionally, by a company that cares about the safety of its staff and the environment. 

This is "M", or how I was introduced to him. His name, to some, is difficult to pronounce, so he has figured that M is an easy option for all those who interact with him. That being said, actions speak louder than words, and he says very little and goes about his work like a true professional. 

This is David Smith, the owner of the company and a man who is prepared to get his hands dirty for his clients. Not only has he built a portable reverse osmosis system that he uses to clean the windows when he was done explaining how the system works, but he also picked up his pole and got stuck to the cleaning as well. No sitting in the vehicle scrolling mindlessly through Facebook for this businessman.

Seeing that he was also going to be cleaning our solar panels, the use of an extendable pole meant that he could clean those panels without getting on the roof. 

They are useful for gaining access to top floor windows in multiple storey buildings. 

David prefers to do the roof work himself in order to make certain that his staff is not placed in any danger. 

M got straight to work, making our windows shine so as to attract the attention of our next-door neighbour who will be having his windows and solar panels cleaned soon!

Although they arrived with ladders of every description, only one was used. That was to enable David to access some of the panels which, from the ground could only be accessed from a neighbouring driveway.

Pure water glistening on the window and the wooden frames. Luckily the frames were recently oiled and the water ran off without being absorbed.

En Garde!

This, together with a squeegee were the only tools required. No newspaper, no grimy rags and certainly no liquid soap of any description in sight. 

Even my Executive Assistant was interested in what was going on, but he decided not to leave the comfort of his cushion and venture out to actually engage with either David or M.

 "The cleaning magic happens when the pure water becomes like a sponge and absorbs all dirt, chemicals, and minerals it comes across in an effort to restore molecular order. When this method of window cleaning is used, the final rinse water dries to a perfect finish leaving your windows spotless and streak-free. Not only are the windows clean, but they are also left sterile." 

(Quote for company website)

The pure water that Magic Windows use is not only environmentally friendly, it contains neither no detergents nor added chemicals. Thus posing no threat to either you, your family, your pets or your plants!  

It is really difficult to show JUST how clean these windows are, but trust me when I say that in the 14 years that we have lived in this house, they have never looked so good! 

Looking out is an absolute pleasure and even the window frames got a good clean as that is where the dust and grime can hide.

Perched high on the roof the difference in the panels is already very obvious.

If your windows, like ours, have been cleaned with everything from meths and newspaper to dishwashing liquid and a rag, 

then it might take a couple of sessions before they are dirt 

and streak-free. 

Once this method has been used, your windows will remain spotless for longer. 

Before and after.

The difference is remarkable and because only purified water is utilized, there is no oily film left behind. I have been told that I can expect an improvement in the panel output of up to 40%.

Try them and you will not be sorry.

But you better hustle as the end of winter sees their work diary fill up very quickly. To find out more about how and where they operate and the systems that they use, visit their website:

https://www.magicwindows.co.za/

The Return of Valet-V. An on-site car valet service of distinction.

This is why I had called in Valet-V,

the dust and grime might not look like much, 

but given that this was a new vehicle,

I wanted to try and keep it in showroom condition

 as long as possible.

"Let me take a moment to consider where to begin".

As always the team was punctual and professional.

Once all their cleaning kit had been unpacked,

it was time to get on with the job.

Seeing that the car had been recently purchased,

it was not so much road grime as dust that was 

making the vehicle look 'shabby'.

Let the work begin.

By the time the vacuum was employed on the interior,

the exterior work had almost been completed.

Even though this was a newly purchased vehicle,

the team got stuck in and cleaned both the exterior and the interior.

Leaving the car in a condition far exceeding the one that it was in when it left the showroom floor. 

You have heard the expression

"To put a spring in your step"?

This is the vehicle version of that:

"Put a sparkle on your grill"...

This is how the team usually arrives, with everything they require

stowed in the custom-designed box on the back.

They usually only require an external water source(depending on the cleaning that has been booked) and a power-point.

Reinforcements arrive to speed up the process?

Nope, it turns out that my wife was so impressed by the work that the team was doing, that she decided to have her car cleaned as well.

Again a job well done!

From L-R: Moses, Franck, and Matome.

Looking spic and span. I almost want to wrap the vehicle in plastic so that it does not attract the highveld winter dust.

But sadly, that cannot happen, and almost as soon as the team has completed their work it is time to book them again.

Much like painting the San Fransisco Bay Bridge,

the moment you think that you are finished,

you start all over again.

Luckily, unlike the bridge that takes a year to paint,

this clean only takes a couple of hours!

This is the only way that I can really compare

before and after.

And the difference does show.

             

COVID-19 lockdown has seen our cars been driven less, but they tend to get dusty as they stand idle for long periods of time. However, with some sort of leisure travel allowed, we are going to be out and about shortly, and much like a haircut and a beard trim makes me feel better, driving a sparkling clean vehicle does the same. Just a pity that a day after this clean, I got invited to visit two game parks near Johannesburg. Both facilities are self-drive and on dusty unpaved roads. But, that just gives me an excuse to have Valet-V back again.  Highly recommended for both punctuality and professionalism. Download their app and book your appointment TODAY. You can thank me later...

An International taste in the heart of Linden...Gaucho in 7th Street.

 

It was my wife's birthday recently and we decided to break our self imposed isolation

and eat dinner at an actual local restaurant rather than do take-out yet again.

When we arrived, these flowers from Plantation Revival in 3rd Ave, Linden were waiting for her.

Minette, the owner, produces the most awesome creations with indigenous flowers

and is my wife's go-to florist. You can contact her on  083 257 1678

Supporting two local establishments in one day.

Gaucho on 7th Street is where we would be having the birthday meal.

Although Gaucho has technically been open for more than a year,

then opened just before lockdown in 2020 and as a result

this is the first opportunity we have had to visit the carnivores paradise in our suburb.

This grill is where the magic was to happen during our sojourn at the restaurant.

Understated elegance is the overall theme...

 Who needs too much crockery and cutlery to distract when the star of 

our evening was the food? 

Hand sanitiser on every table and all the required COVID-19 protocols in place.

Temperatures were taken and names and contact phone numbers were also taken on our arrival.

There is an intimate outdoor seating area that has 4 or 5 tables which is where

we decided to enjoy our time together.

Gaucho Loaded Fries. 

A bed of golden crispy fries topped with roasted brisket slices. Drizzled in chimichurri verde.

We shared this as a starter and it was almost an entire meal on its own!

We will certainly be returning to have a second helping of this bowl of deliciousness.

Not something that we have ever had anywhere before.

It was as tasty as the description and although we thought that there would be some

to take home, we finished it all!

Chimichurri Verde, Chimichurri Rojo.

We could not decide which of these we wanted with our mains, 

so we were brought taster portions of both.

And a couple of slices of the tastiest bread we have enjoyed in a long while.

A change from the vast quantity of homemade sourdough bread

that we have been consuming during lockdown.

My choice, a 300g fillet, done medium-rare.

Gaucho does not mess about when it comes to portion sizes! 

Fillet 300g
Rump 300g
Sirloin 200g/300g
Ribeye 400g
Picanha 600g
Tomahawk 600g

Having previously tackled a 300g steak on my own,

I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and

 I split a fillet it with my wife.

(She in turn shared her fish with me, because that is the way we roll)

And each dish comes with a side.

My choice... 

Creamed Spinach with sautéed onion and Parmesan cheese.

Grilled Chilean Sea Bass

Served with toasted almond salsa and a side of  Bean, corn and avocado salad.

I can hear people questioning our choice of fish at a predominantly steak restaurant,

but this particular dish had been recommended by friends who eat here regularly,

and who were we to argue...

Given that it was prepared, like all the meat, over an open flame,

it was done to perfection.

Crispy skin and translucent and succulent flesh, 

it certainly lived up to the hype.

When last did you see an actual fish knife at a restaurant?

If the devil is in the details, then he was certainly involved in the decore.

The kitchen staff were just a blur...

The actual space is very limited and reminded me of a kitchen on a train.

But if space is used correctly then the actual size is relatively unimportant...

This is the man who makes all the magic.

Chef James can manipulate the flame to produce spectacular results.

I am in awe of his talent, and we have to say a big thank you to him

for presenting such a memorable meal that will be remembered

for all the right reasons.

Sopaipilla
Argentinian doughnut holes with dulce de leche.

A dessert that I had not tried before. 

I was rather taken aback by the taste of the dulce de leche

as I was expecting it to be more of a condensed milk caramel,

but I was informed that I was incorrect and my taste buds

took a moment or two to catch up with my brain and

then all fell into place.

Bread and Butter Pudding.

Now, this I have had before and I enjoyed every mouthful.

All the dishes that we had were shared between my wife and me 

as the portions were generous, to say the least.

No meal is complete without a cappuccino,

and this meal was no different.

A big thank you to all the staff who made the evening very memorable.

And especially for NOT singing happy Birthday!

Contact details:

087 655 4480
info@gauchorestaurant.co.za

Trading Hours:
Monday – Friday 09:00 – 21:00
Saturday – 08:00 – 21:00
Sunday – 09:00 – 16:00

The man behind the mask. I chat to the CEO and Founder of eMoyo based in Linden.

 

I recently sat down with Dr Dirk Koekemoer, Founder and CEO of eMoyo, a SouthAfrican company that is at the forefront of COVID-19 mask technology. Based in Linden, he chatted to me about his product and why masks play an important role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. I started by asking him what his masks were made of…

 D.K: The mask is made of Quadrotex®. It is 2-way horizontal stretch microfibre polyester. It is knitted in South Africa and after knitting; the fabric is mechanically stretched under heat to create the soft fibres between the threads that give you that comfortable feeling on the skin, and at the same time the process increases the filtration efficiency.

DB: Of what importance is the CE accreditation that your masks have? 

D.K: So many masks are being sold with false claims. Wearing any cloth mask helps, but it is important to know that the DTI in S.A has established a minimum specification for masks. It is one thing for the filtration rate of a mask to be good, but can you still breathe through the filter? Will the person keep the mask on his face or drop it under his nose? Will the valve of a valve mask filter exhaled air?

The CE mark applied by an accredited medical device manufacturer like eMoyo means you can trust the filtration rate and the quality of the mask. The CE mark means the device was tested by laboratories to check that the filtration rate meets, or exceeds, the applicable standards, that the mask is of good quality and safe fabric.

 DB: What should people consider when buying a mask?

D.K: Virtually any face-covering helps. One does however have to understand the following

Buy a cloth mask with good breathability or else you will not wear it

Do not buy a valve mask, they protect nobody

Do not think a plastic mask or visor works, you need a cloth to filter the exhaled air.

Ensure that the mask you purchase does not retain moisture - this can make it unbreathable and could cause panic and fainting.

When purchasing, make sure it is from someone that had done their homework and understands the reasoning for a mask. 

Preferably buy a mask from an accredited medical device company. Look for the CE mark. Ask for the Declaration of Conformity of the mask.

 

D.B: Over the ears or around the head…which is the best method of keeping the mask on your face?

D.K: The soft lycra headbands of our mask are the best. It is soft to the skin, lasts for years, and does not lose its stretchability.

You can however also opt to tie the straps in such a way that it can hook around the ears instead of around the head,  the decision is up to each individual.

The important thing is that the masks must be comfortable for as long as possible so you do not need a reason to take them off.

 

D.B: Why do people continue to wear their masks incorrectly? Surely you either wear it over your mouth and nose or not at all? Wearing it on your wrist or chin serves no purpose at all.

D.K: There are many reasons why this happens. 

For instance, if the mask is made of multiple layers of cotton, the cotton will get wet and it will become difficult to breathe through. That means the person will have high resistance when breathing, which could cause anxiety. What is great about our masks is that they are moisture management controlled, allowing more air through when moisture builds up.

Another contributing factor is that some masks are designed without the use of stretch fabric and when opening the mouth the chin will pull the mask down under the nose.

Probably the most common reason is that the masks get old quickly and the elastic going around the ears are of low quality. It then loses its stretch and the masks start hanging like a toddler's nappy.

Lack of education on how to wear your mask correctly is also in short supply, people are scared to tell others if the mask is on incorrectly and virtually no education went out on how to wear a mask, just that you must wear a mask. 

 D.B: How often and how should masks be washed correctly?

D.K: You should wash your mask by hand every night using soap in running lukewarm water for 5 minutes. Hand-washed masks also last much longer and if you have a polyester mask with lycra straps like ours, then it will easily dry overnight.

If you are using a cotton mask that builds up moisture, you should have at least three masks with you in 8 hours to swap them out.

 D.B: How many masks should a person purchase?

D.K: If it is a good quality mask that dries quickly like ours that will last 6 months you only need two masks. One you wear and wash every day and one backup for if the masks get dirty through the day or you lose your mask.

 

D.B: N95 masks, are these only for medical/ first responders?

D.K: In the early stages of the pandemic, there was a severe shortage of N95 masks and it was reserved for the frontline workers. It is however important to know that even with N95 masks you are only slightly protected from other people. The spread of the virus is significantly reduced if the source with COVID-19 wears the mask, even a cloth mask.

 D.B: How long does a mask last? Is it a one-off purchase, or should they be replaced regularly?

D.K: The quality of cloth masks differs significantly. The eMoyo mask lasts months for instance. Most masks, however, only last a few weeks or days. That is why it does not make sense to buy a low-quality mask thinking that you will save money. I can remember when we started selling the eMoyo mask. At R84.50 some people thought that our masks were expensive, but those same people have now realized, after buying their 10th R15 mask, that they could have bought 2 eMoyo masks that would last a year.

 

D.B: Your masks contain detailed instructions as to how they should be worn, a year later is this still necessary?

D.K: By now most people know how to wear the mask. Whether they adhere to the guidelines is the main problem. As we are a CE-certified pandemic cloth mask we adhere to the strict ISO regulations of Europe and we need to include the ‘Instructions For Use’ on our masks.

D.B: How can you wear a mask correctly and stop fogging up your spectacles?

D.K: Most masks allow for air to escape through the holes between the skin of the face and the mask. This is a problem as it means unfiltered air can escape, just like when wearing a valve mask. Our masks were designed in such a way that they seal between the skin of the face and the mask. The issue with spectacles is air leaking upwards past the nose that could cause dry eyes and fog up of your spectacles. Our mask has an option to insert a pliable metal nose plate that can be bent to the form of the nose and prevent air from leaking out.

 D.B: As a medical doctor, do you have any advice for those who still refuse to wear a mask in a public space?

D.K: The problem is that people do not understand why they are wearing masks. As long as people think it is their right not to wear a mask because they are not afraid of the virus the habits will not change. Usually, a person will change his habits once s/he understands these two points:

1] You wear a mask to protect those around you from getting COVID-19.

2] If we all wear a mask, we are then protecting each other. 

 D.B: From what age should a mask be worn? Can very young children wear them? What about the elderly who might have breathing issues?

D.K: People of all ages can wear masks as long as it is a good quality mask with excellent breathability. Even If you have breathing issues, find a mask that works for you as getting COVID-19 could prove fatal to those with co-morbidities.

Young people naturally comply with regulations. A child(from as young as 3) will wear a mask contentedly if the parents explain to him/her the benefits and set the example.

 

D.B: How long do you think that compulsory mask-wearing be with us? 

D.K: Personally, I think it should continue until we have herd immunity. With vaccinations being rolled out it might even happen this year in South Africa. We just need to get to about 70% of people with immunity. Even if you had COVID-19 you should continue to wear a mask as staring death in the face makes wearing a mask is a no-brainer.

 

D.B: There is currently a video doing the rounds on social media that shows an extraordinary build-up of carbon dioxide behind a mask. Is this video a correct representation of what actually occurs? Is carbon dioxide behind a mask an issue if worn for an extended period? 

D.K: If you understand science and understand lung functions then you will not even spread a video like this. The infodemic is probably the biggest problem during COVID-19. It is difficult to explain the flaw in these videos without getting technical. There are two major points I want to explain…

A] Dead space:  Is the volume that you re-inhale, the volume of air you already tried to exhaled that is still in your trachea, throat, nose, and mouth that you will re-inhale. Mammals evolved to re-inhale exhaled air. If you put the CO2 sensor in your mouth or nose of the trachea you will get the same results. All that happens with a mask is that the dead space is slightly larger, probably less than 10% larger.

 B] CO2 breathing response: The second important aspect of breathing to understand is that your brain does not control your breathing speed and volume by monitoring oxygen, it does so by monitoring CO2. Your brain evolved to know how to handle this.

Trust the science, and don’t believe the plethora of misinformed videos that now populate every social media platform.

After this chat, it was very clear that the way forward is to make certain that you are wearing your mask correctly and if others are not, then try to educate them politely.

My thanks to Dr. Dirk for his insightful answers and his masks can be purchased in Linden by calling their office on 0872310132/0824400826 or visiting their website, www.emoyo.net.