Category Archives: Day to Day Blogs

750 Year Old Castle

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday Dear Elsie Today was the day we visited a 750 year old castle. When we arrived in Arona, one of the buildings that dominated the view was the Castle at the neighbouring town of Angera. Yesterday, when we arrived … Continue reading →

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Going to Zermatt, Switzerland

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday Dear Elsie It is the strangest thing that we arrived in Italy on Friday and today is only Tuesday. It feels we have been here for much longer than the 4 nights we have slept under Italian sky. We … Continue reading →

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Stresa and Isola Bella

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Helga

Monday Dear Elsie Today the sun shone, so we were quickly out and about to enjoy the pleasure of some Italian spring. We took a ferry from Arona to a town 16km further along the lake, called Stresa. It’s always … Continue reading →

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Shopping Where the Locals Shop

Posted on April 28, 2024 by Helga

Sunday Dear Elsie Today was the day I got over my shyness and went confidently into an all-Italian, no-English speaking coffee shop and boldly asked for 2 cappuccino and 2 croissants. I didn’t even ask the price. It had been … Continue reading →

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Trolley-Car, Castle, Ginormous Statue and a Park Walk

Posted on April 27, 2024 by Helga

Saturday Dear Elsie Today was the first full day in Arona and we made good use of it. We had two main things to do today. One was to get to TIM which is the cell phone shop to buy … Continue reading →

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Flying Ethiopian Airlines & Arriving in Italy

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Helga

Friday  Dear Elsie Today was the day we arrived safely in Italy and, after leaving home at 11.30am yesterday morning, we arrived at our holiday apartment just after 9.30am today! It’s probably the quickest we’ve ever got to Italy & … Continue reading →

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At Cape Town Airport

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Helga

Thursday Dear Elsie Today is the day we hop on a plane and fly to Italy. We split our luggage between a roller bag and a backpack. It makes carrying it easier. Julian dropped us at the airport and we … Continue reading →

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Teddy Ready

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday Dear Elsie Today was the day I took off so we could get fully ready for our holiday. It was such a good idea. The day began very gloomy…fancourt slate kind of day…all grey from sea to sky. Mid … Continue reading →

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Another White Night

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday Dear Elsie Today began in mist and this evening will be another white night as cloud descends on the town in a very autumnal manner. Today I had a haircut. It was arranged for last Tuesday at 9am and … Continue reading →

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Sunrise From Simon’s Town Rd

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Helga

Monday Dear Elsie Today is my second last day at work before I take a 3 week break. I got up early and did an early morning walk . I’m still coughing so not swimming, which is a shame because … Continue reading →

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Exercise With A Purpose

Posted on April 21, 2024 by Helga

Sunday Dear Elsie Today was the day, I left home not long after 7am and drove the big car back to the garage. It was a chilly morning. I was eager to experience 10 degrees walking home, as that’s the … Continue reading →

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Swellendam & Back

Posted on April 20, 2024 by Helga

Saturday Dear Elsie Today we visited you in Swellendam! We left early in the morning when it was still dark. After the sun rose, we drove through a lot of mist. Because it was so misty, we ended up going … Continue reading →

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Out With The Old Coffee Machines

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Helga

Friday Dear Elsie I was happy to get voice notes from you today! I am looking forward to seeing you. One thing I haven’t yet written about relates to our coffee machine we bought exactly 5 years ago. It suddenly … Continue reading →

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1 Out Of 8 Women Will Get Breast Cancer

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Helga

Thursday Dear Elsie Today was the day Riana & I went for our annual Mammograms. It is a shocking statistic that 1 out of 8 women will get breast cancer during the course of their life. My mother had breast … Continue reading →

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Sleep Deprived

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday Dear Elsie Today I woke up still feeling a bit under the weather. I’m not completely better, but my throat is no longer sore. I now have a streaming nose. I am also sleep deprived. I haven’t slept well … Continue reading →

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