Summer 2024 Has Arrived

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we really felt summer had arrived – the first real signs of it. The golden orb of sunrise.

I left for an early morning walk. It was close to 7am and already there were a dozen or more swimmers and the trek fishermen were back in action.

I went up Contour and along the lower peak path. The mountain had bouquets of flowers.

Then I went a little way along Berg Rd, embracing the day.

I was home before 8am. I got to work. I think soon, when the UK clocks turn back an hour (27th October), on days like today, we’ll head for the beach. It seems crazy not to have swum today. The beach is calling my name.

Right now, I’m sitting outside on the balcony and this is my view…perfect windless evening.

Tomorrow, we’re  hoping to get up really early and climb the mountain. I plan to be back by about 7.45am, so we can shower ahead of the guests coming up for coffee at 8.30am. The weather this weekend looks full summer!

A productive week comes to an end. Today I started Colossians.

Colossians 1:15-17
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

We are safe!

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Is There a Ship On Fire in the Bay?

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that while I was working, this message popped up on our street whatsapp group…it certainly got our attention.

We rushed outside onto the balcony and looked through binoculars and the telescope. We then decided it was a good time to go for a walk, so we headed off down Simon’s Town road in time to see a couple of tugs accompanying the ship back to the harbour. Mike took this photo..

We couldn’t see any flames and all the sailors were just standing on deck and not rushing around, so we figured it was just an exercise.  It was very dramatic though and with the south-easter blowing the smoke was quite acrid. Later a guy called Gary added, “Russian naval vessels use a cheaper, thick, tar-like fuel called mazut, that emits lots of smoke”. So that was that then. We headed home.

A lovely sunny day. The wind didn’t drop as much as expected, but the next 3 days are forecast to be windless. We wait to see.

I worked the rest of the day, only stopping at 4.55pm because every Thursday at that time, our work server has some maintenance done on it and we get booted off. It was an ideal time to stop.

Dinner and then a walk down the road and back via Daisy Lane

Not a bad day – certainly better than yesterday!

Paul’s secret to contentment…

Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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I Preferred Yesterday!

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day when work dominated. I worked for 9 hours and 43 minutes. I preferred yesterday.  At least the first three weeks of this month are going to be very busy and I can expect more days like today. Despite the craziness of my work day, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m grateful for my work, everyday, regardless of how demanding it sometimes is.

After work, we walked to the shops for a few supplies, going along the cat walk and taking in the sea air. There is a fresh south-easter blowing, but it is expected to drop by tomorrow.

Seaweed and seagulls.

Home for dinner and a slice of Mike’s awesome bread.  The walk and the bread saved made the day better…oh and also the chocolate from the guests downstairs!

I’ve been thinking why I want to live life to the absolute fullest – it’s because there’s way more earthly life behind me than ahead.

And with that, the reason why, everyday, I write, “It’s not about now – we are only passing through”:

Philippians 3:20-21
Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

One day.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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A Fabulously Memorable Day – Longest Zip Line in the World

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a fabulously memorable day.  John celebrated his birthday and invited us to join him and Avril to a brand new exciting zip line just outside Caledon. We have passed the building many times and wondered what it was all about. Today we found out.

We arrived, signed our indemnities against injury or death, wild animals or predators (!), got our safety equipment and had pics at the base. The K3 team are very professional and safety conscious. Photos by a number of people but mainly Avril.

This is our whole group, Mark, Linda, John, Avril, Me, Mike. Avril and Linda stayed at the base to watch us come in.

We took a ride in a tractor/trailer to the top of the mountain.

And the top platform soon came into view…

When we got up there, the landing site looked a very, very long way down.

This was John’s stunning shot…

There have been about 100 paying customers so far. About another 300 have tested it. Each day before anyone goes on it, it is tested. The team that drove us up and got us sorted were amazing. They were very reassuring that it was safe. The 4 of us at the top platform.

John was the first ‘birthday boy’ down.

He was hooked up and sent flying!

 

Mike went next. He’s the oldest person to have gone down it so far.

I went next. It was an amazing experience.  Most of us didn’t quite reach the landing platform and had to be retrieved…

Altogether a remarkable experience. I’d do it again. Here I am coming down from the tower.

We had coffee and a muffin from the coffee shop and enjoyed the beautiful view.

And once we were all down, we headed off to Caledon Hot springs for a dip. That was also a lot of relaxing fun.

I had a sauna & then a dip in the cold pool. It was really cold!

We said goodbye to Mark and Linda. Then the 4 of us went to Houw Hoek Farmstall for lunch.

Milkshakes all round!

Milk shakes all round! We also had their specialist pies. We arrived home very satisfied with a day well lived. Thank you John for inviting us to celebrate your birthday with you. We had a very memorable day.

As we get older, this is a good verse to bring to mind:

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

 

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My Angels

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I got my angels!  Probably about a month or so ago, I spotted 2 concrete angles in Cyril’s in Fish Hoek. I just wanted the angels but as they each came with a largish plinth, I decided not to buy them. Every time I went in, I saw they were still there and they were still there on Saturday. When I mentioned them to Julian, he decided angels for my birthday were a good idea so off he went today and bought them. Courage had to lug them up the 85 steps, but now they are happily installed at our front door, plinths and all. This is the right side of the front door…

And this is the left…

I love them! Thank you Julian. Future generations may stumble upon this post and learn they arrived today Monday 30th September 2024! Everything has history.

Julian also picked up my child’s chair which I saw the other day and loved. It will be great for when children are visiting. It’s meranti.

Couldn’t make that for R300!

After work we walked to the end of the beach and back. There were some big waves.

Apparently the surf is expected to be very big tomorrow. Talking of tomorrow – it’s an exciting day for us. I’ve taken the day off work and we are heading for the hills. Hopefully, there will be some interesting pics to share on tomorrow’s blog!

Today I finished the book of Isaiah. This is from the second last chapter.

Isaiah 65:17
See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Why I Love to Walk in the Morning

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I set off for an early morning walk. I had checked the weather and saw rain would be coming. An early walk may miss the rain. I set off for Glencairn. It was very low tide and so I got to walk on the beach. It’s a perfect distance to Glencairn and back (5.4km). I was reminded why I love to walk in the morning.

Not long after I got back, we had breakfast and in the middle of coffee afterwards, we got a message from the guests to say they had left. That spurred us into action. We went downstairs and found a pretty clean apartment (which helped). An hour and a half later, it was spotlessly clean & whipped into readiness for the next visitors. They are the previous guests who have returned and they are so happy to be back after vacating for a week while these guests were in. They are such a delightful couple and are a pleasure to host. They are here until 17th October.

While waiting for them to arrive, I did all the washing and got that up on indoor lines. I did try it outside but the wind was a bit too strong and occasional squalls had me running in and out to prevent it from getting rained upon. In fact, right now, I have the clothes horse out on the sunny side and am currently keeping a close eye on what looks like an impending shower. I will soon bring it in permanently, so I can forget about it.

Washing done, we went shopping. One of my favourite meals is salmon trout with salad, so that’s dinner for tonight. It’s so easy to make. Only difference is this evening, Mike will make his marvellous mashed potato.

It has been a very satisfying day.

Psalm 71:14
As for me, I will always have hope;

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Rabbit and the Rooster

Posted on September 28, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you headed home. I’m glad you got home before the rain came. It was wonderful having you. You said goodbye to everyone & were on your way around 9am.

We walked to Fish Hoek for some shopping. On our return, we walked past the historic 19th Milestone. 19 miles to the Cape Town townhouse – this is by carriage or on horseback! There are lots of historic sites between Muizenberg and Simon’s Town. I think it will be worthwhile me knowing a little more about them. Julian is reading a book about the history of this stretch of land and sea, so I’ll read it after him.

Back home, I was reminded of the rabbit who has been joined by a rooster. Remember this:

It was bought leap year 2024. Rabbit now has a friend. A very handsome, one-eyed, beaded rooster. They are perched on the edge of the gabion baskets.

And have a pretty good view.

Julian is always finding these treasures in charity shops, so they may get some more companions in time to come. The rooster rocks back and forth in the wind.

Rain is falling now and the rugby is on, so that’s what we are watching. Mike is making spagbol for dinner, so it’s all happening  now.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

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Noordhoek Farm Village Fun

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

As I sit here writing, you are downstairs fast asleep (I hope) after a very eventful day. You and I had a fun time today at Noordhoek Farm Village. You loved their playground and we spent almost 2 happy hours there. You easily conquered the climbing wall, wasting no time shimmying up it with easy…over & over again! Up…

Up…

& over….

It’s part of the Rooster Jungle Gym…

Pink slide

The slide you love the most is the orange ‘pipe’ slide.

Afterwards, we found snacks at the Foodbarn Deli. On the way home,  you really didn’t want to stop at Checkers so I had to make it into a game of speed. We dashed into Checkers to see how fast we could buy milk. I grabbed  flings on the way to the milk. We got the milk and rushed to the checkout, getting straight to the teller. By the time we left the till, my stopwatch said 4 minutes, 15 seconds. Trying to beat 5 minutes, you ran, pulling me along. We got to the car 30 seconds later. Shew! 5 minutes to buy milk in the big Checkers store. That must be a record!

We returned a little while ago from a lovely family dinner at Barracudas. It was great to have you and your Mom, David & Anna, Julian and us altogether. Hopefully next time your Dad will come too.

We finished the evening with you playing Chess with David and you won! It’s been a treat having you. Tomorrow, you go home, but it won’t be long before we see each other again, because your graduation from Grade R is around the corner. I love being your Gran.

Ephesians 5:2
Live a life of love

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Look Who Came Today

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you arrived for a couple of nights. I was so excited. You came like a whirlwind ready for fun!  There was some drawing with Granpa…

And chess with Uncle David…

You won (after switching sides in the middle of the game!). You are getting good at chess.

When I was working you and your Mom went fabric shopping.  Then you saw the beach was close by and you walked there. Now, you are telling me exactly what you did at the beach. In your own words:  You drew a house in the sand. You ran in the water a little bit, running in and out.  Then you built a bit of a sand castle & some wall made out of sand. Then you went to the jungle gym by the playground and played there. Then you went home to our house. And now you want  hearts

While looking for the hearts, I found a photo of our family many years ago.  20th Jan 2012.

That was fun. I took the photo.

I love it when you are here when I write the blog.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Burnt House Rebuilt

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we had a lovely morning walk, which included a gander up the start of your peak! This is from the path on the way up…

And then looking the other way, the new house is making grand progress…

We didn’t climb the mountain, but took the path left towards Contour Rd.  The view from up there is stunning on a cloudy Fish Hoek morning…

Maybe one day soon, we’ll climb Elsie’s Peak again. We haven’t done that for a while.

Meanwhile, yesterday, on our way back from our Glencairn walk, I took a photo of the house that was burnt in the dreadful April fire.

Now they are getting close to completion…

It makes me so happy to see. There is something very encouraging seeing a new building rising from the ashes. On 7th October, it will be 6 months since the fire. The burnt section is still very barren, but there are signs of life sprouting up amidst the charred mountainside.

Julian arrived today and tomorrow, guess who is also coming? More exciting visitors!

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Braai and Bring

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday – Heritage Day

Dear Elsie

Today, being our national Braai day, braaied meat was just what we felt like. We are not big braai-ers! But we had a plan. Freedom Foods had a braai option where they would braai and bring us the food, so that’s what they did. It wasn’t a bring and braai – it was a braai and bring.

Yum! No fuss. Just loved it!

For me, as my company is not South African, I worked the whole day, although we did get a 5km walk in before the day began. We also got some shopping done.

The weather today has been beautiful again. There’s been high cloud but still not much wind. The sea has been flat and for the first time in a long while, I saw a pod of dolphins. They were quite frequent visitors before the whale season began. For a number of months now, we haven’t seen them, until today.

Tomorrow, Julian arrives. He has had his hands full up in Jo’burg.

So precious!

Ephesians 3:12
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Solo Hiking

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today I was reminded how important it is to try avoid solo hiking. I was so saddened to hear of the death of a young American hiker who went hiking on the same day we did (but a different part of the Table Mountain range). She was on her own and must have fallen. When she didn’t return, her friends and family became frantic and search parties were sent out. Those on foot couldn’t find her, but eventually on Sunday, a helicopter spotter saw her and she was retrieved.  News of Brook Cheuvront’s death has swept across the world. When we were climbing the other day, I saw some treacherous parts that made me shudder at how easy it is to have a fatal fall. Falling off a ledge on the mountain can of course happen in a group, but when you are alone, you don’t have someone watching over you. Here are some of the scary spots…

Looking down at Camps Bay – there’s a vertical cliff.

In this photo below, Mike looks safe – but if he overbalanced and took a step back, he could have fallen into Platteklip Gorge.

And this is the view from the path. Scary for sure.

On the open mountain, there are no barriers or guard rails. You have to be so careful. And one of the biggest issues is there is so much beauty before you, there is the temptation to take photos, get a little closer and get distracted by looking at your cell phone.

So sobering. We are eager to go climbing again, but I will be even more careful than Saturday. I’m praying for the Cheuvront family today. What a tragedy.

Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the Lord says— He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Changeover Day

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we saw one set of guests leave and the next arrive. The first ones left early so by just after 8am we were downstairs pulling the Seaview Apartment back into shape. It is good that we sometimes do the clean because it gets us in there to see how things are. The place wasn’t too bad. Ruth had given it a good clean on Wednesday, so under the bed and behind the headboard had already been done. Courage had cleaned the windows, the balcony and the shower drain as well, so we just had to do the basics. By 1pm when the new guests rolled in everything was ready for them.

I was amazed I could get up and walk after yesterday’s marathon hike. My watch app advised me that my exercise yesterday was extreme and could lead to injury and I needed until Tuesday lunchtime to recover!  My feet were quite sore, but I still took a walk to Fish Hoek beach and back. On my return, there was a little mole snake in the road. It looked injured, so I carefully used a stick to get it to the grass verge.  Emphasis on little. I wouldn’t do try moving anything bigger!

The rest of the day was spent resting.

I quite marvelled that I  managed yesterday’s climb. It was 9th August 2022 that we last walked to the reservoirs.  On that day, Mike was eager to go further, to try for Table Mountain, but my feet were so sore, I just couldn’t manage it. I remember sitting next to one of the dams and putting my feet in the water to relieve the pain. To think over the last 2 years, I have got so much fitter that I was able to climb Table Mountain is really amazing. I haven’t been doing any specific training. All I’ve been doing is trying to walk 10000 steps a day.  We are eager to try a different route, but for now, it’s time to rest my legs and go back to gentle walking around the ‘hood!

I have a super busy week ahead.

Today was the start of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Many blessings to come.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Today We Climbed Table Mountain

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we climbed Table Mountain. We didn’t begin the day planning to do this. We planned walking to the reservoirs but as we got nearer, we got bolder. Little did we know the trauma our legs would suffer after making this decision! We parked at Constantia Nek and at 8.08am set off up the Constantia Nek Jeep Track. I took a photo every kilometer. 1km 8-39am

2km – 9.06am

It was the long but easy road up…we had NO idea of what was to come. This road, albeit long and steep looks like a walk in the park in hindsight!

3km – 9.28am

4km – 9.45am

5km – 9-59am – Alexandra Dam

We stopped at the end of this for breakfast – we had walked 5km before breakfast.

After breakfast, we were a little sluggish while our breakfast settled. The next kilometer bought us to a massive landmark. It was at this point, it may have been wise to turn around and say, ‘that was a great 12km hike,’ but no. Instead, I called David and told him we were walking to the Cable Car station and could he pick us up from there. We’d be there between 1 & 2. He was fine with that. We didn’t have a clue how hard the next 4km would be.

6km – 10.32am – very historic Woodhead Dam.

Built between 1893 and 1897.

Massive stones that make up the bridge.

Last one laid…

The gorge the other side of the dam…

We got to this map at 10.45am we were at 6 on the map and I put red lines on the route we went. (Next time, we’ll take the green route – I put those lines there too)

7km mark 10.57am

The going got very rough. It was so steep. The path was narrow and there were a lot of rocks to climb up. In some spots it was wet and pretty treacherous. There were quite a few people coming down but not too many going up.

8km – 11.41am – it took us 44minutes to climb a kilometer. I did have to take regular breaks because my heart rate was pushing 170. Valley of the Red gods. Hout Bay is in the distance in the middle.

The next kilometer was going to take us 54 minutes because it involved crossing Platteklip gorge. We did get a modicum of enthusiasm as we summited one of the grueling peaks because suddenly we saw this…so close and yet so far.

The joys of Platteklip Gorge…

Ladder 1…

Ladder 2…

We didn’t take too many photos because quite often the path was tricky and needed my full attention.

9km – 12.35pm –

Upwards and onwards..

Feeling confident!

And finally, 10km bought us to a more reasonable path…

It wasn’t long after that we hit the crowds and got to enjoy the amazing view.

We caught the cable car down…5 hours after leaving Constantia Nek.

And met David on Table Mountain Rd.

He took us back to Constantia Nek.

Home exhausted, but satisfied with our achievement. Next time, we’ll take the easier route.  Tomorrow we need to do a changeover of the Seaview Apartment. I don’t even know if we’re going to be able to walk, let alone work, but it was worth it.

Psalm 65:5-6
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,  who formed the mountains by your power…

What mountains we saw today.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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My New Green Card

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that I got a new Green Card. It gets me 12 entries into a number of local national parks, like Cape Point, which is by far the most expensive. That makes the R190 card worth R1200. One of the best things about it is you can take SA family & friends with you and they also get in for free using one of my entries. To get the card, you need ID photos, proof of residence and your ID. For the pics, I went to the photo place by the library.

The very nice man quickly sorted me out and I then went to Tokai to the TMNP sales office.

That also took 2 ticks.

I’m ready to go. It had taken just over an hour and a half from leaving home, getting the photos, driving to Tokai, getting the card and getting home again. Not bad at all.

Early this morning, my walk took me to the end of my road and back and then all the way along Hillside to Kommetjie Rd. but walking along Kom road is really unpleasant, so I went up the last lane on Hillside, which is this one…

It comes out at Highway and cuts off all Kommetjie Rd. To achieve 5km, I had to go up Ravine Steps and onto the mountain.

Then I walked to the end of Mountain Rd to just below the Shark Spotters’ Hut to enjoy this view…

And all the way home again. It was a very pleasant route and was more than 5km which was great. It also was a good test as to how much I’m up for walking in the wind. It was fine, because half was into the wind and the other half was with it at my back.

After I got home, I heard a helicopter flying quite low. In this wind? Something was going on, on the mountain behind.

I never found out what the reason for it was.

Now it’s the end of the week.

Apart from Isaiah, I’ve been lapping up Galatians.

This is a profound statement:

Galatians 5:6
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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