Sunday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day summer & Fish Hoek showed their best side with hardly any wind and beautiful, clear water….not very warm, but not bad. There’s always a debate about when summer starts in Cape Town. September and October are considered spring – some may throw in November to make it a quarter of the year, but today it sure felt like summer. I sensed it’s not going to be long before my 30 minute dips stretch to 45 minutes. The swim was that good.
When we got down to the beach this morning, we noticed a couple on the sand, close to the cat walk with a small whippet or maybe it was an Italian Greyhound. It was not a big dog and looked like a greyhound/whippet kind of breed. Two things: it was altogether gorgeous and it was not supposed to be there. The dog side of the beach is the Clovelly side. From the cat walk to the little yellow and white lighthouse is dog-free. From there to Clovelly, dogs have the run of the beach and it’s about 3/4 of the whole beach, so dogs are far from compromised. The owners of the dog left him sitting on the beach and went to have a dip. He was so cute, staring out to the water keeping an eye on them – running up and down, then sitting and staring, the odd woof – running up and down again.
Fish Hoek people can be a bit picky about dogs on their side of the beach and as I entered the water, I noticed the owners looking a little concerned as their pup attracted ongoing attention. People approached, looked at his collar, looked around him and wondered what he was doing there. “Don’t get involved” I said to myself, but as more people looked at the dog, I decided to swim to the owners who were still not sure if they should continue their swim, and let them know the Fish Hoek rules. There are no big noticeable signs that end of the beach saying “No Dogs”, so it’s understandable that visitors may think they are allowed. I engaged the owners and told them where the dog zone was. They were very appreciative. I went on with my swim, but later saw them walking towards the dog side. They let their dog off his leash and off he went to find an abundance of new friends! There’s always something happening on the beach.
A good relaxing day, spent mainly at home.
I started the book of James today. He doesn’t hesitate. He has something on his heart…. an important message to tell. Twenty words in and he jumps straight to it…
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the test of your faith develops perseverance.
God never wastes pain.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂