Thursday
Dear Elsie
Today I realised we have been in our house for 2 years and 4 months. We are still enjoying each day, admiring the abundance of nature around us, listening to the wind howling and the sea churning roughly towards the coast. One day Elsie, you may scroll through these daily journals and work backwards to discover we moved into this house on 16th October 2020. It is probably the only house you will remember us living in. Today was exciting for you parents too as the plans for the extension to your house were passed! Yesterday your Mom sent me this photo…with your explanation: “I know how to clean the floor! You get the sponge wet and then you press elbow grease onto the floor!” Yup – get that elbow grease going!
We surely didn’t go swimming today. The sea was like a washing machine. But at lunchtime, we did take on the strong south-easter and walked to the shops.
On the way back, knowing our water supply was off (again), we went up Ravine steps to Highway to see if the burst water main was up there. There are about 150 steps on that stairway. I count steps. The main reason that I count steps these days is because I’m trying to get so fit, I will manage this stairway… It’s Jacob’s Ladder, St Helena Island. 699 steps.
Putting Jacob’s Ladder, St James to shame (with only 141 steps), this Jacob’s Ladder is one of the 7 wonders of Saint Helena Island. (The pic comes from sainthelenaisland.info).
In 2008, the 7 wonders of St. Helena Island were said to be:
1: Jacobs Ladder.
2: The heart-shaped waterfall.
3: Diana’s Peak national park.
4: High-Knoll Fort.
5: Jonathon the tortoise.
6: Longwood House.
7: Swimming with whale sharks.
Now I love swimming but swimming with any kind of unpredictable wild sea animal doesn’t sit easily with me! However, I do read that whale sharks are harmless to humans. It remains to be seen if I will get to do number 7. I’m not promising I will. I’m not promising I won’t, but I will take my swimming costume, just in case.
So the water went off twice today. After the lunchtime session was fixed, the neighbour’s leak at the water meter was finally repaired. Riana came for tea and when I walked her to her car, I left my cell phone up top, so she took some pics… The Council were there to fix it..
Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to repair.
The south-easter remains strong and robust with the possibility of rain tomorrow making us think it will turn into a black south-easter. Watch out Johannesburg – more rain can be expected.
And so tonight I lay down my head feeling grateful, yet undeserving. Undeserved favour – that’s grace.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂