Feeding the Flocks

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I found the perfect 5km route. It’s from our house down to the Sunny Cove traffic lights, across the road, along Simon’s Town Rd to the Glencairn lookout. Turn around, all the way back to the lights, then up Hillside to Daisy Lane and back home again. 5km. There’s always something to see and usually someone to talk to. This morning, I saw a seal in the kelp. He had caught a big fish and was slapping it on the surface of the water. Once done, he let it go and then dove down to get it. He bought it to the surface, slapped it about a bit. Meanwhile, a flock of seagulls, hovered expectantly. As soon as the fish hit the water, they swooped in. You have to look very carefully to see the birds. The seal’s tail is disappearing in the middle of the photo. Very difficult to get a good photo.

That’s how the flocks get fed. Breakfast for the seal and the seagulls.

While I was watching, an elderly gent came up and watched with me. “Never seen anything like it”, he said. We spoke for a while about the whales and the orcas. He said he lived above the graveyard, close to Harbour Bay.

I walked  past one of the houses on Simon’s Town Rd that is being renovated. In 2018, when we were not sure if building was a good idea, I visited a show house in the area. When the estate agent heard I was not sure about building, he enthusiastically suggested we buy this house on Simon’s Town road. For me it wasn’t even a consideration.  Eventually, it got sold and the new owners have renovated the floor above the garages and are living there while the upper floors are done.

They are busy taking off the roof, so it will be interesting to see if they plan on building up, or just replacing  the roof.  There is lots of building going on in the ‘hood.

From the estate agent we also found this out…twas the day a massive boulder came tumbling down the mountain and right through the cottage roof. It was the estate agent’s grandparents & he emailed me the newspaper story. Amazing! It happened 65 years ago yesterday!

The wind has already dropped this evening and we will have a brief reprieve from the south-easter. Tomorrow, we should get in a morning swim.  Julian arrives Wednesday in time for another couple of days of the Cape Doctor, but after Thursday, it shouldn’t be too bad.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

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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Tafelberg Rd to the Blockhouse

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was another very windy day in Cape Town. David came up for coffee and we had leftover cake for breakfast.  Later in the morning, we decided to head for Cape Town to go and walk to the Blockhouse. We are planning a longer 14km walk in a few weeks time and decided to try the end part of it. We drove into town and right to the very end of Tafelberg Rd (the Cable Car road). There are a couple of car parks, mainly for the route up Platteklip Gorge, so we parked about 200m after this sign where the road is closed.

We just walked along Tafelberg Road above the city. It was a really easy walk along tar for 2.5km. The views are amazing. One day I want to climb Lion’s Head.

Looking back along the road we had walked…

After the tar ends, a broad dirt track continues.

This path would have been in the line of the April 2021 fire that burned down UCT Library.  Rhodes Memorial and UCT…

It is a bit stony in places,  but easy walking until eventually it takes hairpin bend right and and then left up to the Kings Blockhouse. Before arrival, is this wall – part of a house built in 1895.

The memorial stone…

And this was his view…although back then, there would have been more mountain and trees than roads and buildings…

The King’s Blockhouse is just above.

And along the road is one of the canons…

We decided to loop above the Blockhouse and return on the upper contour path, which is also an easy walk with an abundance of beautiful spring flowers and fauna.

Lovely city and bay views

Woodstock cave is above.

We passed a copse of trees.

A little further along a track veers right and that goes down a very short distance to Tafelberg Rd. In a strong south-easter, the walk is mostly protected. It was only on our return as we approached the car that we were out of the lee of the mountain and walking into the teeth of the wind.  A 9km return walk. My watch told me I only maintained my fitness and didn’t improve it! It wasn’t steep enough to get my heart rate up.

Home for an hour long chat with Stacey.

Mike is busy watching rugby.

A lovely weekend.

Psalm 108:4
For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

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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Special Friends Day

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I had special friends visit, making it a very special day. I am so sorry I didn’t get more photos. Most of these friends go back decades. I have been in their homes, have prayed with them and for them, cried with them and they are people I run to for prayer and support. The last couple to arrive came from Melkbosstrand. I got a photo of them. Paul and Nadine.

Riana made an amazing Carrot Cake. Thanks John for the photo…

Freedom Foods platter and then Courage made me a chocolate cake!

My heart (& tummy) are full.

At 5ish I went for a long windy walk, passing one of my favourite views of Fish Hoek. This is from Berg Rd.

A busy but fulfilling day comes to an end.  I think I sucked the marrow out of turning 60.

Psalm 107:1
Given 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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The Best Things About My 50s

Friday

Dear Elsie

I’ve been thinking about the best thing about my 50s and of course you make the top of the list! Born on the 21 May 2018, you immediately became the very best thing that happened in my 50s.  Precious one…

I’m sure Julian says the best thing that’s ever happened is the arrival of Elizabeth and Alexander and Anne says the same about Ella. Our parents in heaven have 4 great grandchildren they never met. They would love that!

There were other things that made my 50s special…travel! Overseas…

Africa…

And here in SA – Drakensburg

And lots of fun with the family…at home…

And away…this was the Drakensberg….

This Christmas we hope to all be together.

In the last decade rich friendships have been fostered & more recently, there’s been the fun of a whole new beach community who we love to mingle with.

There have been many blessings between 2014 and 2024. We bought the cottage a month after I turned 50 and built the big house behind it 5 years later.  We never in our wildest dreams ever imagined living this close to the sea – or having 85 steps to our front door!

The blessing of  a very fulfilling new occupation also came in my 50s.

One of the best things I laboriously did in my 50s was get my teeth sorted. The other day I came across some of my (dreadful) braces photos. What a prolonged, 2 year journey, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been so worth it.

Of course, the last decade has not been all smooth sailing.   Stacey’s miscarriage, David’s long Covid, the sudden loss of Adrian’s Dad and the passing of Mike’s sister  left us all with lingering sadness. All 4  happened within a 13 month period from December 2022 to December 2023.  Also, on 2nd March this year, we lost our sweet cat, Claw’d. Raiku still misses him.  But this is life and we get through these trials one day at a time.  The Lord goes before us.  He makes the rough places smooth. We have His salvation as a solid foundation.

This year, each day,  I’ve taken a Bible verse from my daily reading.

Psalm 106:44
He took note of their distress when He heard their cry.

The next 10 years is sure to be full and rewarding. I’ll enjoy each day as it comes.

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 Trees Got Cut

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the trees (finally) got cut. They were obstructing the main electricity line into our house. More than a year ago I reported it. Nothing was done. This year I reported it again, especially after the 7th April fire. The main neighbourhood watch chairlady raised it with the local counsellor and she took it up with the electricity department. Today a truck rolled up. I got a call and half an hour later the job was done.

They also cut down a massive dead bush just off our balcony.

They loaded it up and took it all away.

One big job done. After all the winter rains, there is quite a lot of trimming that needs to be done. We’ll have to have a discussion about when and who…it may be a Courage job but there is still so much of it, there will need to be a bakkie that carries off all the branches.

The wind continued to blow today, churning the sea into a milky green.

Looking in the other direction, you can see where the colour changes. I’m not sure why.

Tomorrow, the wind is forecast to drop in the morning, so we may get out for a swim. That’s the goal at any rate. This morning, I went for a 6km windy walk which got me all my exercise and steps up front.

One of the Bible verses I encounter every November on this day…words are not minced here…

Ezekiel 16:49
“’Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

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’m 60 Now – Here Are My 6 Tips For Happiness

Wednesday

Dear Elsie,

Now that I’m 60, here are my 6 Tips for Happiness.

  1. Have faith. See the bigger picture – it’s not about now – we are only passing through. Everything we have is temporary. That’s an unsettling thought but it’s true. From the homes we live in, to the body in which we spend our lives – they will both be replaced. Heaven awaits and with it a new home and a new body. We don’t know how it works but we know that it will be beyond our wildest imagination.
  2. Keep the smile going – I am always amazed at the drop of dopamine that gets released along with a smile. It’s just a healthy thing to do.

3. Do stuff that makes you happy! For me it’s walking – walking has so many benefits. Gets me away from my screens, clears my head, relaxes my shoulders and keeps me  fit. I also love swimming.

4. Let past regrets be gone – you can’t change the past – you can live better putting regrets behind you and moving forward.

5. Make the most of your relationships with family and friends. One of my favourite photos of this year…these are precious moments.

6. Have a positive attitude, and especially an attitude of gratitude.  This has to be practised. It doesn’t necessarily come naturally. I try beginning each day being grateful.

Keep on keeping on!

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore, He (Jesus)  is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for 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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Hello 60s

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today is the day I entered the 60s. My 60th birthday began early. I woke up at the crack of dawn. By 5.11am on 5.11.2024, I was enjoying my first morning cappuccino.

Today we went to Kirstenbosch for breakfast and Cattle Baron for dinner. I took no photos at dinner, but got all the fun and beauty of Kirstenbosch. Tuesdays are free for pensioners.

We went to Moyo for breakfast which also has a pensioner’s rate along with a free coffee. Good to know.

After brekkie, we went to the Boomslang (Tree Canopy Walkway)

And then through the Enchanted forest…

We rested at the events area…

We went down to the stage and had some fun. David nailed it.

I had my moment too….

Hello 60! It’s great to be here.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for 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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Good Bye 50s

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was Granny’s last day in her 50s. I tried going for an early morning walk. I got to the start of the street when some big, swollen rain drops began to fall. I saw trouble coming and scuttled home. Whenever I thought it was clear enough for a walk, the next squall would blow through. After I finished work, Julian and I decided to give it another go. We started off on a walk to the beach. The south-easter is blowing, which usually means it will be fair weather, but when I looked towards the south, there was a very ominous cloud, yet on we went. We got to the start of the road and again, it began to spit. We changed our plans and walked closer to home, passing our house and onwards. By then the drops had become more frequent until eventually there was a steady shower, which got stronger as the moments passed. We turned around and rushed home, getting very wet in the process!

I had a shower and got into dry clothes and am now sitting in my rocking chair enjoying this view…

So maybe today is the day I won’t have walked 10000 steps, nor got 30 minutes of exercise. It may clear after dinner and I might give it one more shot. You have to be intentional about getting these things done.

Mike went out to buy me a very fancy birthday gift. He’s been thinking about it for some time and with it being November, he managed to wangle an early bird Black Friday special. To get it ready for my birthday, it needed to have things installed which is what he is doing now. It’s a new laptop, that will comply with my company’s revised needs. It will make working easier that’s for sure.

When we were out on the bus-boat on Saturday, John took a series of photos of me. Nice to have a reminder of final photos of my 50s…my favourite is the one in the middle.

Goodbye to the 50s. I am grateful for them.

Tomorrow, it’s hello to an exciting new decade.

Hebrews 6:19
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.

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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Trying To Keep The Cat Awake

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we said good bye to you but not before some morning chess.

At 9am, you left and by lunchtime you were home. I love you all madly.

We had a quiet day & this afternoon, I even had a nap. I was woken up by Raiku meowing. The cat has a way of waking me up, mainly at some very unearthly hour of the morning. Last night, we left his cat flap open. I’ve always wanted to keep him in at night for fear of a mountainside encounter with a caracal, but we are pretty enclosed now and I don’t think caracals come this far down. Also, the internet tells me cats can smell the scent of a predator. So, while he did meow at 3am, it wasn’t for long. He found his exit and went outside, but I still prefer him to be awake, so I’ve been trying to prevent him from sleeping. Here he is a short while ago, struggling to stay awake…

Then this…

Then dreaming of mice…

Mike, Julian and David are all watching the Grand Prix. A dinner of wors rolls is about to happen.

A very restful day.

Psalm 105:4
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.

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 Quacking Day

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was a quacking day! . I hope these photos will remind you of all the fun we had today.  We went to the beach first thing this morning and had some fun there…

We came home, had a lovely cooked breakfast and then we drove into Cape Town to go on the Duck! It’s an amphibious bus that goes on land and sea. It was such fun!

David and Anna and John and Avril…

Stacey, Adrian and  Elsie on the bus…

It first drives around the waterfront with amusing Dan giving history of some of the buildings. Then it’s onto the sea, which brings with it a whole new dimension of fun and interest.

We went past the Two Oceans Aquarium with all the seals and under the 2 pedestrian bridges.  John and Avril on the duck.

The Jolly Roger passing by…

David and Anna,

Peter and Riana…

It was such an interesting experience going for a drive and then for a chug across the water. Literally a bus that becomes a boat.  This is all of us…

And a lovely family photo…

Three of us…

From there we all went through to Little Stream, where Adrian and Stacey were married in 2009. We had a late lunch.

We had some fun on the swings and we walked around to reminiscing where the wedding took place.

In the evening, we had cake and I opened the family gifts. My birthday is only on Tuesday but it’s started early.  Such a lovely memorable day with my closest family and friends.

Grateful. Appreciative. Blessed.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.

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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Family Weekend

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you came to visit! I have thought of what to do this weekend for a long time. I pondered if we should go away for it, but then thought that wasn’t necessary if we had everyone come here for a family weekend at home.  And so you came. Not long after your arrival, you played chess with David. He set up a position and you had to try to check mate him.

You played with your Dad.

And  you practiced the rolling can game, which you are getting pretty good at.

We had fun with David. We sent a photo to Anna saying David was having a fling.

Tonight we are having dinner and games and then tomorrow we have a bunch more activities planned. It’s going to be a fun weekend. We have lots to be grateful for.

Hebrews 3:6
Christ is faithful

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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Heading For The Hills

Thursday

Dear Elsie,

Today feels like Friday but that’s because I’m taking most of tomorrow off, so I tried to finish all my work today. Tomorrow I get to see you! I am so excited.

Today I headed for the hills. I have found the best walking exercise is climbing hills, so I did 3km in one direction, a little loop at the end and then retraced my steps. Here are some of the hills. Highway is a massive hill on its own, but when I get to the top, there’s still this one – Contour Way.

Once I’ve gone across the mountain to the bottom of Mountain Rd, Berg Rd looms…

Coming back up Berg road is harder work.

It was really good for mind, body and soul.

Work was done. The end of the month. It’s been a really busy one. November will be less busy, I think.

Courage’s Gabion baskets are marching up the hill. They are looking fabulous.

Every single stone has come out of the mountain. So many rocks this mountain has.

Julian has arrived. Let the celebrations begin!

Psalm 103:2-5
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Words to remember.

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 Personal Shark Spotters

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today it was too windy to swim, so I walked. I had a really good walk too. I walked up Contour to Mountain and then up to the shark spotters hut. Only, it was not the Shark Spotters I wanted to speak to, it was the Trek fishermen. When I’m swimming to the barrel, I often look up to see if the Trek fishermen spotters are there. They have a white bakkie and are clearly visible from the water.

They are there early in the morning before the official shark spotter arrives. I can never take a photo of them from below because I’m always in the sea and  I can’t see them from the cat walk.  Walking up the mountain today, I got to have a very interesting conversation with these very knowledgeable experts on fish. They said they can clearly see shoals and sharks and would alert the trek fishermen on the beach. In fact, they once did. I was swimming towards the lighthouse when I saw a guy running down the beach. I then noticed him waving frantically. I stopped swimming and he gesticulated for me to get out the water. A bronze whaler had been spotted so they got all the swimmers out the water. This happened early in the morning before the shark spotters came on duty. Really helpful team are the Trek Fisherman. One of them gave me his glasses and told me to look at the sea. They were polaroid and got rid of all the glare. They were quite happy for me to take their photo.

Then we spoke about the shark bite incident off Strandfontein and they said it was most likely to be a ragged tooth shark, if a shark at all. That would have done some damage but they are generally not aggressive. The man may have swum through a shoal of fish that the shark had its eye on and snapped at the wrong swimmer. The Trekkies said they had not seen any Great White sharks for more than 5 years. So, my confidence is buoyed that when I’m swimming, and the bakkie is there, I will have my own set of personal shark spotters. I appreciate them.

View from Mountain Rd.

I walked 6km, got home just before 8.30am. A good day’s work followed.

Now we are settling in for the evening. Mike & I have been watching some of our favourite romcoms. The other day it was Serena. Last night it was You’ve Got Mail.

Tomorrow Julian arrives for my birthday weekend and it will be great for him to be here for my birthday as well. We’ve got some celebrating to do!

Psalm 102:18
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.

That’s us!

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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Afternoon Off

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I had a couple of ours off this afternoon! It’s been the first weekday  this has happened in a long while, so I went shopping – that was fun.

The day began with sunshine and only a little wind so we went to the beach, but I forgot my cap and goggles so didn’t do any crawl, but bobbed out to the barrel and back a couple of times, so got my 30 minutes.

What always surprises me is how flat the sea can look in these photos but in reality the waves were quite intense this morning. They came in with power and it was easy to be completely bowled over. Yet, looking at the picture above, the sea looks flat and harmless.

Back home to work and as my UK colleagues woke up (2 hours behind us now), I started getting happy birthday messages!  It was incorrectly put on the calendar for today instead of next Tuesday. I’m always up for early birthday celebrations!

Meantime, Mike was out in the sunshine getting the levels & positioning right for the growing line of gabion baskets.

A good balanced day.

Oh, and here’s one more photo…it’s Raiku yesterday morning greeting Cybil who is the next door cat.

A year ago when David’s condition had worsened, I took great comfort from these words…

Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for 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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Cat Walk More Than 130 Years Ago

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I went looking for particular rocks on the cat walk that were reflected in the book I recently read. This is the cat walk more than 130 years ago. It was prior to the train line from Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town. That came in 1890. Prior to that, this is what the cat walk looked like.

And this is it today…we think those rocks are the ones, although, the big one on the right seems to have been broken up. Also the picture above is a painting. The bushes conceal what is going on behind, but the mountains seem to line up.

That was fun to find. We must take the book with us and look up other scenes.

Meantime, we had a good laugh over dinner this evening. We recalled a time about 10 years ago when I went for a brief time onto Cape Town TV to help them raise money for the station. I was supposed to train the presenters to do the fundraising but in the end, I was dragged on set and had to do the presenting as well. Dutifully, Mike and David sat down to watch. They tuned in a few minutes before the appointed hour and were pretty much staring blankly at the very amateur interview that was taking place. The TV show host was not wildly articulate and he was interviewing a very accomplished, well spoken head boy of a local high school.  The topic was leadership and something was said, which led to the TV presenter blurting out with enthusiasm, “yes because too many cooks spoil the brothel!”  

Never forgotten and always howled over when relating the story.

Work was accomplished and now it’s time to turn off for the night.

A Psalm I should be trying to learn…

Psalm 100:1-5
1.Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
5 For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

It’s now about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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