One Step at a Time

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I took an early morning walk. Aloe, aloe, aloe!

I did a 5km loop – an early morning walk is always the best.

Courage has been hard at work on rebuilding our main stairway. This was last night. We went out to Dixies so had to shimmy round the side path.

This was Courage today.

When we went down later, I took these photos after work was done for the day.

Courage is doing such a good job. He’s quite the stonemason…

We went down the steps this afternoon because Anna bought a new (second hand) car and bought it round to show us!

She’s thrilled. It will make such a difference to her and her family. We are so happy for her.

I had a good work day. It is busy! So grateful for work.

A couple of decades ago we used to try have family devotions around the dinner table. I don’t remember many of them, but I do remember this one. It’s Psalm 136 and it has 26 verses. After each verse it has the refrain, “His love endures forever” so that is repeated 26 times. I remember Mike reading the Psalm and us all saying, “His love endures forever” at the end of each verse. If you have young kids, it’s a fun one to remember!

Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures 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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Roaming Raiku

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you got your marks for term 2.

  • Life skills – 82%
  • Maths – 85%
  • Afrikaans- 90%
  • English – 88 %

Well done!!

For us today was another drizzly day. I tried to get some lunchtime exercise but my walk was quickly cut short by water falling from the sky!

Last night I got a WhatsApp from Claire, a lady who lives about 20 houses up the road. She is almost at the very end of the road. I saw her the other day when I was out walking and she mentioned in passing that she had seen my cat in her back garden. No, surely not – she’s miles away. She said not so far as the crow flies and she isn’t wrong, but it still seems a very long way. She said she had even see him cross the road at the end and go down the sea-side of the mountain!

He’s such a naughty boy if it is him. She sent me this photo.

I scrutinized it and compared Raiku’s colouring and markings and concluded it has to be him. The similarities are too close. I took a photo of his back and put the photos side by side. His fur’s a bit disrupted because he’s come through the bush.

Sometimes he does go out for several hours and I wonder where he’s been. Now I know. Claire said they have mongooses and other exotic things up that end! Raiku must be in on them. Anyway, right now he is tucked up in his bed and fast asleep. The cold weather keeps him in.

Julian left to go back to Johannesburg. David is having dinner with Anna, so the house is very quiet. Work has consumed my day. I’m having one more meeting and then calling it a day.

Psalm 135:6-7
The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses.

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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Walking for a Purpose

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today is Youth Day in South Africa so you, Elsie  also didn’t need to go to school. It was very quiet at our house, because Courage wasn’t here, but I still got to work. Rain was due to set in (and we did get a little light rain), but early we decided to go out and get some exercise. First I was just going to go for my usual mountainside walk but then I decided that walking for a purpose was a better option and I set off to the shops for a couple of things. I came back via the beach, where the sun was trying to break through the clouds.

There were several people swimming. A little cold, damp weather doesn’t put them off!

Home for breakfast, coffee with David and a little wait for  Mike who got in from an 8km run.

It wasn’t a super busy work day. I had a bunch of interviews arranged for teachers for today (being a holiday) so I’ve been getting feedback throughout the day as to how they all went. Some went well – others weren’t sure. We should get feedback tomorrow.

With the cloudy skies and drizzly mist, it felt very wintery. Raiku spent several hours right here…

The cat who owns the house!

Now, we are going to go for a little walk so I can get to my 10000 steps. Then it will be a quiet evening. Perhaps we’ll watch another Grand Design.

Every day when I do my Bible reading, I consider which verse to use for my blog. There’s always wisdom from Solomon.

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

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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Father’s Day 2025

Posted on June 15, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was Father’s Day and I’m sure you gave your Papa a great day. I know your Mom made muffins and waffles. It was good to see you today.

For us, I walked to the shops quite early to pick up a few extras for breakfast. On my way home, the sun had risen.

When I got home we had a lovely big cook-up which we all enjoyed.  As we ended breakfast, there was a knock at our front door. This doesn’t happen often. There stood a very well presented lady who I immediately guessed (correctly) was an estate agent. Her name was Margie and she was there because she was interested in buying a plot up the road. She saw our house and just merrily made her way up to have a look! She encountered Gareth in the Seaview apartment who told us where to find us.  She said she is more of a property developer now. We had a long conversation. She has never watched any Grand Designs, so we suggested she look up those on YouTube to get an idea of the pitfalls and obstacles. I told her there would be many vexations, which was a word she didn’t really understand. No doubt our paths will cross again.

For the rest of the day, we rested, I did a smidgen of work, did some washing to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. With a berg wind blowing, the washing got dry in no time at all.

Later, Julian and I went to Harbour Bay and bought pizzas for dinner.

And now, we are watching a Grand Design.  Yep. Great enthusiasm at the start. Exhaustion at the end! It costs more and takes longer. Sometimes, it’s easier to just buy a house!

A good day.

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

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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We Won a Cricket World Cup

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was another glorious winter’s day. We went to the beach early and had a lovely swim. The water is cold, but I’m wearing my spring suit which really helps. I’m not taking my cell phone to the beach these days. It’s just simpler to leave it at home, but it does mean there are no beach photos. I have to rely on one of the hundreds from previous occasions.

We came home and changed and then the 4 of us went to Harbour Bay for breakfast. I had their Larney French toast. Always a winner.

Julian went on to his usual Saturday appointments, while Mike, David and I came home for a relaxing rest of day.

One of my latest photos comes from last night. The full moon with all the amazingness of what was known as the Strawberry moon has passed, but we still had this spectacle last night. It looks like an i.

The most memorable event from today is the historic win South Africa had over Australia in the World Test Championship final played at Lords. We won! We won! We won! We won a Cricket World Cup! It was exciting to see us get the required runs when for most of the match, Australia were the favourites. It’s always a sweet victory to beat Australia at any sport, but to beat them in Cricket at Lord’s is a specially delicious treat.  After such a victory, I always stop by the Sydney Morning Herald website…

It’s our first major cricket title in 27 years. This is to be savoured! After our first innings of a paltry 138, the worst was expected. We won a Cricket World Cup!

A quiet evening at home this evening. Mike has made spaghetti bolognaise.

From my Bible reading this morning, I had this Proverb.

Proverb 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

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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Big Rock Wipes out Street Light

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I woke up to hear of drama on our street last night. I didn’t see all the messages coming in until I got to read them this morning. The city had cleared a piece of the mountain of a lot of bush which was a fire hazard. This was the bush they cleared. Notice the street light.

In doing so they uncovered a number of rocks that were on the hillside. Last night one of them (a very big one) came loose and tumbled down wiping out the street light, which in turn hit a car!

Today the City of Cape Town came to fix the light. Initially they were looking for the owner of the car, but managed to reinstate the light without moving the car.

The blue car belonged to a holiday maker. Oops. That’s an insurance claim. There’s always something!

It’s been another beautiful day in Fish Hoek. We didn’t swim, but we will be heading off for a walk soon.  These stunning, warm windless days don’t come along often so when they do, I really appreciate them.

I’ve had  a really good work week & now I’m able to call it a day.

Today a verse struck me that bought me comfort in 2023. I’m trying to live my life with my palms up.

Psalm 131:2
I have stilled and quieted my soul

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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Fish Hoek 1953

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was a most beautiful winter’s day in Fish Hoek.  This was just before sunrise…

And it was the sight that made me decide a visit to the beach was mandatory. We headed off just before 8am expecting the water to be freezing. I wore my spring-suit for extra cover. It was surprising pleasant. I swam out the barrel a couple of times and ended up spending a full 30 minutes in the water.  I made sure to dress warmly for the walk home.

It was an easy work day with frequent visits to the balcony to lap up the sunshine and windlessness. Julian arrived, so he also got to enjoy the day…

We walked to the end of the road and enjoyed the pretty sunset hues…

This week Mike found some maps of Cape Town in the 40s. This is what Fish Hoek looked like in 1945. This shows the road outlines.

Our road had no houses on it. Our house plans are dated 1948 and the house was built a year or two later. This is 1953 with no roads displayed…the green arrow shows our original cottage…

This is Fish Hoek in 1953.

It’s quite a fun website to visit. Here’s the link. https://citymaps.capetown.gov.za/EGISviewer/

Have fun!

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I 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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The Fillies

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day your Dad celebrated his birthday! Happy birthday Adrian! I’m sure you gave him a good day!

Today was also the day I thought about the Fillies! Elsie, maybe one day you will play netball.  I took a walk to Peer’s Village to drop something off and on the way passed Fish Hoek primary school.

I’m a bit cautious about taking photos of children around schools, but this one is innocuous enough

As I walked past the netball court, a flood of memories came back. Fish Hoek was playing against Reddam. It took me back to when I was 9 years old, in Std 3 and in the Fillies netball team at Frank Johnson Primary school. It was 1974.  We were a great team & for that season we won every single match! Watching the kids playing netball today, with  the coaches advising them, the onlookers cheering for their team – it took me back 50 years to when we were playing interschool netball games. Sometimes we were at home – other times away. It was great playing a team sport and even better that we won. I was never athletic, but somehow, in 1974, I got onto the Fillies Netball team and we won!  That was a fun recollection.

It was also a 7km walk.

Such a beautiful day to be outside. From the balcony, the peach of a day was evident, despite some smog.

More steps were built. Today Courage made 5.

I had a successful work day as well.

The proverb I read today makes me think Solomon, who wrote it, had first hand knowledge. What with 700 wives and 300 concubines, there must have been lots of friction.

Proverbs 17:1
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

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 Fireplace

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day, my ‘fireplace’ arrived. A fireplace in our apartment has been a topic for conversation every winter. As soon as it gets cold, I start grumbling about the need for a fireplace. Today I got one!

I am told, on good authority it costs R3/hour to have on. Raiku was interested in it.

It’s very effective in warming up our little place & it gives great ambience.

The day began like this…

And has ended like this…

It looks like we are in for some more picture perfect days this week.

We went for a 4km run, getting home just after 8am. We showered and jumped straight into work.

Outdoors, a load of sand arrived, which got carried onto the lower patio. Courage started fixing the pump and then got back to building the steps. He made another 2. Gareth arrived for 11 nights.

And another day has swiftly flown by.

Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him.

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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Courage Built 4 Steps

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today Courage built 4 steps in one day. If it was me, I would build one step in 4 days. It’s going to be great to watch this space develop this week, although tomorrow sand is being delivered, so that may slow things down.

I worked the day as usual and then, with the rain behind, I went for a walk. The sea is beginning to behave normally again. The last few days there’s been a fervent north wind bringing lots of rain. Now,  the South Easter is gently beginning to blow the waves towards Fish Hoek beach. It is high tide so the waves are rolling in and crashing against the distant rocks.  It looks like the rain has gone for the moment.

I went up Zoutendyk steps past this Mural.

We have enjoyed David’s company for a couple of hours this evening. He has headed off home. The guest in the Loft has asked to stay until Friday.  Gareth arrives tomorrow for 11 nights in the Seaview apartment.

Psalm 127 for me today. Verse 1 is the one we had on our wedding invitation

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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After the Rain….

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

If there’s ever a lesson I’d love you to learn early, it’s to know that even the hardest of times will pass. I’ve been thinking about that today after my Bible reading, and as I’ve seen the sunshine come out after dark clouds and heavy rain. The sun comes out after the rain.

Every storm ends and easier times are ahead. I don’t know when you will  read these words and be comforted by having hope for the future, but when you do, be reminded that God is with you; His timing is perfect and He knows our every struggle.

I love reading the Bible cover to cover each year. Every single day it feeds me. Over the last few years it’s been particularly meaningful, given the hardships we have endured since Stacey had a miscarriage late in 2022 and David’s health challenges began in February 2023. I have carried the pain and heartache of those two events & found great solace in the comfort the Bible brings.  Time passes and God provides. While David still has a lack of energy, if he manages carefully, he is able to do get out and about and now he has Anna, life is far more rosy.

We never know what is around the  next corner but we know the Lord goes before us. Nothing happens to us without His permission, without His presence and without His purpose.

This year is filled with hope & blessing and we are so grateful for sunshine after the rain.  All these things came to mind when I read these words today. I read them in 2023 when David was really ill. It gave me hope that better times were ahead.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

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 Very Do-Little Day

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was a very do-little day. We had a late lie-in. Around 9am, David came up for coffee and we hung out and chatted. Anna asked him what he was doing, so David took this photo of us. We were enthusiastically waving as if she was face timing with us! Lol.

It was only when I saw the photo, I realised how funny it is – both of us had our cell phones in our left hands, had our right hands waving;  had black pants on and our right legs crossed. We were perfectly synchronized without even trying.

David left, Mike slept, I dozed in my rocking chair and then early afternoon we decided to go walking at Silvermine dam. We turned in to the entrance and immediately found it closed. We were not alone. A couple got a flat tyre going over a rough pot hole on Ou Kaapse Weg, so they had pulled in to change the tyre. We kept them company while they did the change.

Just so you know, coming from Cape Town side,  the pothole is not far after the turn off to Silvermine Military base. It’s closer to the centre of the road, so stay left, almost in the yellow line, while going up that section.

After they were on their way, we went to Tokai forest for a walk.  It was great!

It was also wet, and we needed the umbrella for about half the time.

There were a few trees with the most amazing tree moss.

It looked like paint…and is actually lichen.

The heavens opened and we were glad to get back to the car. Home for coffee and now this is me…rocking chair work…

A good restful day.

I love the fast paced drama that unfolds in the book of Acts in the Bible. The apostles had been jailed.

Acts 5:19-20
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

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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Waiting for the Rain

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today has been an overcast and gloomy day. This morning, the sun struggled to be seen. Those little lights on the water are fishing boats. They were there for most of the night.

Later from my rocking chair, it was still overcast.

I worked. I also did a bit of cleaning. And we got the Loft ready for a guest who will arrive soon. I took a bunch of photos for Airbnb. This is from the bedroom door.

The single bed under the window…

And the view from the single bed.

This is the view from the dining table.

…and what you see when you are sitting on the rocking chair…

With the colder weather, we have an electric blanket and a heater, plus lots of blankets so hopefully the guest won’t be cold.  The weather forecast for the weekend.

It will be a quiet weekend. I need to try and get some steps in.

I’m in the book of Acts now. A fast moving account of the early church & how they followed Jesus.

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

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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Looking Back on the 5th June

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today is 5th June and whenever this date rolls around photos start being thrown up in my Google memories for the time the house was being built 5 years ago. Looking back on the 5th June, it was all about the light steel frame being delivered and installed.

It was piled up on the kerb…

…and carried up the hillside…

And once installed, the house really began to take shape…this is my office window…

Looking down on my bedroom from Julian’s top floor.

Big projects take time but when plodded away bit by bit, they get done. It is remarkable to look at the multitude of rocks that the guys are walking over to carry the light steel frame up the hill. That very part of the hill now has stairs and the channel where the plumbing goes. One day there will be a funicular there. That’s hard to imagine.

Small steps to big achievements. The building of our house was no small feat and the one at the back will also be the same. Pole pole.

Today, 5th June 2025 also has a little mini-celebration going on. David and Anna celebrate a year of dating! That’s a blessing.

Psalm 123:1
I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven.

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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Visiting a Funicular Site

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday 

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the plumber came to put in more plumbing pipes down the channel and we also went to a house where a funicular was being installed. I worked the morning and when my meeting was done, we walked to the funicular site.

Mike was itching to see, measure, question, investigate & discuss.  The motor and cable was a big part of what he wanted to see…

The how and why questions were asked and debated.

We returned with Mike very happy. We are on the right track.  There is a LOT of metalwork and the rails need to be 40m long so that will cost a fair bit.  Anyway, it is something that does not belong to 2025. What does is getting the channel for it filled with plumbing pipes and then backfilled. Enter Brian our trusty plumber. He came today to put in the  next length of pipes..

That done, we now hope Quentin the Building Inspector will be able to drop by tomorrow so we can close up  & start building steps over it. It’s all a carefully thought out process. Mike was wearing his outdoor work jeans. In these he paints and digs and does messy work. In doing so, they have worn thin. The outcome is surprisingly hip. People pay a lot of money for ripped jeans.

Autumn is in full swing. It certainly cools as soon as the sun sets. David came up for dinner and both he and Mike ended up wearing the jackets Stacey made for them. A photo was called for!

They are lined with fleece so are super warm and comfie. Thanks Stace!

Just a useless piece of information to end. Being 4th June 2025, we are now closer to 2050 than 2000! Let that sink in! (Family! Please come back in 2050 to read this!) David has already mentioned he will be 59.

Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

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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