Saturday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day I slept a little later than usual as I went to bed so late last night. I woke up at 5am to Raiku’s incessant pleas to be let out, so I staggered out of bed and opened the window for him. I then fell asleep until after 7am, which is unusually late for me. I made coffee and did my Bible reading and then had an early chat with you and your Mom! x You are going to Nora’s 6th birthday party this afternoon.
At around 9am, we headed for the beach. The water was considerably warmer than yesterday (I’m thinking 15 or 16C). The shark net was in place. The sea was flat and calm and swimming was easy, so I had a good 30 minute dip with lots of swimming in between. I didn’t take my phone this morning, so have to rely on the photos from yesterday morning.
Today it was much busier. We went later and of course, it’s a Saturday so lots more people had headed down to enjoy the lovely conditions.
Yesterday, when we were walking home, I heard an abundance of chirping in trees just down the street. On closer inspection, there is a wonderful number of newly built homes.
The weaver birds have it easy. No approved plans for them. No occupation certificates required. They look so attractive. Spring is quickly turning into summer.
Today has again been windless and the whales have hung around to bring us much pleasure and intrigue. They sometimes are very close to the the shore. Whales at Fish Hoek are not new. Fish Hoek has an unfortunate history of whale hunting. The Southern Right Whale acquired its name from being the right whale to to catch, having, according to C. Postlethwayte (ref Whaling in False Bay: Then and now) it is said they had an abundance of baleen and oil and moving slowly enough for a rowing boat to approach to make the kill. Then, conveniently their carcasses floated. How glad I am I wasn’t around in the early 1800s when this was going down. Apparently, according to this publication, it was the 3rd highest income earning industry in the Cape Colony between 1820 and 1840. To get more from this publication, it’s easier for me to take a screen shot of the page, so you can read it for yourself.
oldest building in the bay – ‘Uitkyk” – above it was one of the whaling houses where blubber pots used to stand.
You can read the whole booklet here.
Gruesome history of whaling at Fish Hoek. Now we sit on our balcony and admire the giant creatures of our sea knowing they are protected. Amazing to watch them.
Jeremiah 20:13
Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂