Saturday
Today was the day…
That was a good day. The plan was not to swim, but to have a lazy early morning and then go out for breakfast with Julian. Instead, Mike woke early, feeling as fresh as a daisy and immediately suggested we go down to the beach for a quick dip. The wind was blowing, the waves were crashing, the breakers were breaking and there were many of them. But still, if we are going to walk down, have a quick dip and walk back, why not? I wouldn’t be swimming just dipping! So off we went. Only half way down, Mike announced he wouldn’t be able to swim without warming up so he was still going to be doing his run. I told Mike he was moving the goal post! It meant that I’d be in the water for 16 minutes before he arrived and if that happened, I’d be swimming. And on a day like today, that wouldn’t be a good idea because to swim, I would need to get beyond the breakers and there I am out of depth. Being out of depth is not a problem for me, it’s what else is out of depth that is the problem, especially as it’s summer and a few more bronze whalers have been spotted. As a result, Mike went for a very fast 2km run and was in the water in record time – just over 10 minutes! I had indeed got beyond the breakers and even though I started in depth, I soon found myself swimming in deep water. Visibility was quite clear, so being able to see the sea bed made me think I wasn’t so deep but when I stopped to check, I was far out and too deep. I really did enjoy the swim though, even though I cut it short. It’s quite fun swimming in slightly choppy water & it was oh so worth it. We got home just after 8am and went out for breakfast with Julian.
Mid-morning, home with full tummies, Mike & I went to clean the cottage. We spent about an hour sprucing it up for tomorrow’s guests.
Then, I got to video chat with both Stacey and later David. Stacey sent me this adorable photo of Elsie with a new friend. They walked hand in hand around the neighbourhood with their parents in tow. It was too cute. Elsie really enjoyed it. And the other special thing is tonight Elsie sleeps in her big girl – (adult size) bed for the first time. She’s growing up for sure.
This afternoon, I did some work and then Julian and I decided to go for a drive. We went to Tokai – the plan was to go to Tokai Arboretum, but when we got there, the place was entirely deserted. It looks like it’s a casualty of Covid. We were not altogether alone though. Plenty of baboons about.
So from there, we went to Little Stream!
Where we had scones with jam and cream, a cappuccino, a walk and a swing…
One day when Stacey and Adrian are in town again, we must come back here. It’s a great place for children as they have a lovely play area now. Sadly, the oak tree that provided a beautiful backdrop to Stacey and Adrian’s wedding reception has been chopped to just below the bottom branches. It has started to grow again, but is not the splendid specimen we remember.
This copse of bamboo is still there.
Such a happy day!
Home again, trout for dinner, an evening walk to the end of the road on what is a beautiful balmy night. Yes, it’s been a good Saturday.
The world is in turmoil – that’s for sure. We need to dig deep to find peace within.
Psalm 89:26
“He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.'”
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂