Author Archives: Helga

Seagull Squabbles

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Helga

Monday Dear Elsie Today was the perfect day to start the week with a swim. The water was a degree or two cooler than recently but it was clear and flat. I did my 30 minutes and, after getting changed … Continue reading →

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Smoky Valley

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Helga

Sunday Dear Elsie Today was the day you returned to Swellendam and suddenly the house became very, very quiet. It was such a lovely weekend & the joy of it will stay with me for a long time to come. … Continue reading →

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David Turns 34

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Helga

Saturday Dear Elsie Today it was your Uncle David’s 34th birthday & we are all together to celebrate. We started off having breakfast at the Blue Kiwi. We went home and then a few things happened. Stacey went to have … Continue reading →

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Mike’s Birthday in Pics

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Helga

Friday Dear Elsie Today you came! It is Grandpa’s birthday and we had a wonderful time together. I’ve got his birthday in pictures. We started off by going to the beach, where there was a photo shoot on the cat … Continue reading →

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Mike’s Birthday Eve

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Helga

Thursday Dear Elsie I am excited to see you tomorrow! We are going to have a fun time together with all the family. Granny’s excitement knows no bounds! Today was full and busy. My head spun and throbbed at the … Continue reading →

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The One That Got Away

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday Dear Elsie Raiku sleeps by day and after dark goes off to hunt. While it drives us all nutty, it’s hard to stop him from finding little critters and bringing them inside. Last night, as we were about to … Continue reading →

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A Very Windy Walk

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday Dear Elsie Sometimes, when I don’t get to walk in the morning, I will walk after work, which is what I did today. It wasn’t the best call because the wind had gone from fresh in the morning to … Continue reading →

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Raiku Didn’t Get the Memo

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Helga

Monday Dear Elsie, There is a phrase that’s being bandied about “sitting is the new smoking”. Smoking is scientifically proven to be detrimental to health. Cigarettes are a well documented cause of lung cancer, heart disease and a whole lot … Continue reading →

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Seagull’s Smorgasbord

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Helga

Sunday Dear Elsie I love birds – even the owls. When we go down to the beach in the morning, there are plenty of birds to be seen. Most recently, there have been a number of oyster catchers, with their … Continue reading →

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Change of Tenant

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Helga

Saturday Dear Elsie Today it was great to see you on our video call. You are so smart playing noughts & crosses, chess and Chinese checkers. You’ve got those games all down. We are so looking forward to seeing you … Continue reading →

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Beware the Owls

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Helga

Friday Dear Elsie We have been living here for 4 years and 4 months and last night we saw something for the first time. Owls! I heard a very strange bird call – one I’d never heard before. It wasn’t … Continue reading →

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Sun is Moving Over

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Helga

Thursday Dear Elsie Today was the day we had a majestic sunrise and it is very evident the days are getting slightly shorter & the sun is moving over the distant mountains.  This was this morning… This was 2nd December…the … Continue reading →

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Way Too Much Screen Time

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday Dear Elsie Today was the day I had way too much screen time. By the time I stopped work, I felt punch drunk. Dazed or stupefied sums it up. What I did do was get out! I took myself … Continue reading →

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Roll-Over Kerbs Again

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday Dear Elsie Today was the day that Courage made a roll-over kerb. The story of the roll-over kerbs goes back at least 6 years when one of the neighbours said they would only sign our building plans if we … Continue reading →

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Guest Medical Drama

Posted on February 17, 2025 by Helga

Monday Dear Elsie Today was the day you got a reward star at school for being a good example to your classmates! Well done! We are so proud of you! For us it’s been a busy Monday. I have worked … Continue reading →

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