It’s a night to stay indoors and batten down the hatches. It looks like a storm is brewing – it’s going to sweep in over the Cape, dump a decent amount of rain and blow on out.
A little earlier, I was sitting at my desk working when all of a sudden our house alarm went off. When I looked at the keypad it said it was the cottage bedroom. Mike and I dashed outside. It must have been the cat, I thought. But there was Truffles sunning herself in the front garden. I knew the security company would phone so I went back inside and then looked out my study window to see if there was any movement at the cottage bedroom window. Mike came back saying it must have been the wind. The window had been open and the curtains blew across the alarm sensor setting it off. Mike pushed the window closed.
Today, Mike and I walked to Peak cafe for breakfast with David and Julian. They all had the granola, which is wonderful with loads of nuts. But nuts don’t go down well with braces, so I am working my way through the softer menu. Today I had sweet corn fritters which were really good.
We didn’t have to walk back. David gave us a ride. I worked for 5 and a half hours and am now doing an early blog.
Nugget from my journey. Early in 1989, we started looking for a house back in Cape Town. Previously we had lived quite close to the city centre – me in Green Point and Mike at the Y. After we got married, we lived in Tamboerskloof. Mike was drawn to Fish Hoek, but he was keen to only get a bond for what we could afford on his salary. Our top budget was R72000. In those days, with their being no internet, we scanned the newspaper property section for options. I went into town and looked at some Plumstead houses. Finally, we decided we’d try for the Fish Hoek area. They were selling plots in San Michelle and we put in an offer for one -R28000. We thought it would be accepted, but eventually the estate agent came back to us to say that plot and the one next door was being kept by the developer, so that door closed. We looked a number of properties in Capri, but were not wildly happy about them. Then one day we saw this house in the newspaper and we drove into Sun Valley on showhouse day. It was the worst house in the street.
But it was solid and it was below our budget. They asked for R69000. The kitchen was in ruins and so we offered them R67000 and leave the kitchen as it is. It was accepted. We bought a house. We drove back to Paarl and then for the next five weeks had buyers remorse! What had we done?!
We needed to get a bond. Mike had been with Nedbank for years, so he went to ask if they would give him a bond for R72000. Mike was now working for the city and got a housing subsidy. None, the less, with no debt to his name and no credit history, Nedbank said no. Now what were we to do? It was at that time that we visited the Minister who had married Mike and I. Murray and Stella Hofmeyer had been very kind to us. It was their holiday houses that we stayed in on honeymoon. We stopped by for a visit one day and had tea with them. During the course of the conversation, the house we were planning to buy came up. Mike told them how Nedbank had turned him down. Murray got up. “Come with me,” he said to Mike. Mike and him left the lounge and went to Murray’s study. I chatted on with Stella and in time, Mike returned and we left.
As soon as I was in the car, “What happened? What did he say?”
Murray had sat down at his desk and taken out a sheet of paper. He proceeded to write a letter to his bank manager (who was with Standard Bank). He wrote a letter of recommendation regarding Mike, saying how long he had known him and to please help him in any way he could. If he needed to know anything more, to contact him. Signing it, he put it in an envelop, wrote the bank manager’s name on the front, sealed it and handed it over to Mike.
As soon as Mike had an opportunity, he walked into Standard Bank and asked to speak to the manager. He was taken through to his office and sat down before him. Mike had a file full of personal documents proving worthiness. He handed the bank manager the letter and got ready to make his case. The bank manager, opened the letter and read it. Ignoring Mike’s bulging file, he called one of his consultants and instructed him to give Mike a bond. No questions asked. One letter from Murray Hofmeyer did the trick.
We were so grateful to the Lord for that letter!
Psalm 31:20
In the shelter of Your presence You hide them from all human intrigues; You keep them safe in Your dwelling from accusing tongues.
Wonderful words.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
The walk to Fish Hoek and another one this evening.
Braces:
Day 226.