David’s Chess Video Went Viral

Friday

Dear Elsie

Yesterday David had a chess video that went viral.  We were so excited to see this unfold. For two weeks he had laboriously live-streamed the World Chess championship. It ended in dramatic & unexpected fashion yesterday afternoon when, late in the game Ding blundered and Gukesh took advantage and went onto win. It was the last game and suddenly, the tournament over, 18 year old Indian Gukesh was world champion. David made a video of the reactions to the blunder and what followed –  that was the video that immediately got traction.

In two hours it had 44500 views.  By this afternoon, it had gained him 1500 additional subscribers, more than 1000 comments, 15000 likes and over 740 000 views.

In reality it’s more. We don’t see the real figures.  He began to feel that all that work for the live stream had finally been worth it. If yesterday’s game had been drawn, today would have been the decider. Instead, the tournament is over and David has gone away for the weekend, so gets a change of scenery.

Today was a slightly slower day. Mike is better. Maybe this weekend we will get out. We are gearing up for Christmas & have shopping to do.

Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on David’s Chess Video Went Viral

Today This Happened – No More Walking Required in 2024

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you got your Grade R report and passed with flying colours. You are marching confidently into Grade 1 next year and we couldn’t be prouder! Well done! Today, I achieved a milestone I’ve never managed before. In all my 60 years on earth, I’ve never walked 10000 steps a day for a year. Today, I passed 3 million 660000 steps – meaning I’ve walked the equivalent of 10000 steps a day for the 366 days of 2024.

The breakdown is quite interesting…this is what 85 steps to your front door does.

I didn’t walk today. No more walking is required for 2024 – I could become a couch potato! I walked around the house walking my new trail shoes in. I can’t wait to use them on the mountain, but it won’t be for a while. Mike is fully flu-sick. He has a streaming nose and a hacking cough. He doesn’t have a fever, but he sure has got  lurgies and he absolutely is not going running/swimming/hiking until he’s better. While I don’t need to get any more steps, I know I will go walking. It’s such a habit now, I’ll be off stomping the pavement soon.

Today my attention was pulled in many different directions. Guests left. Ruth came. A mountain of laundry was done. Mike sick. And through it all, I worked 10 hours. More guests arrive in an hour.

David completed his streaming of the Chess world cup and it finished in dramatic style. Ding made a blunder, Gukesh took advantage of it and Ding resigned. It was the last day, so it means the 18 year old Indian is the youngest World Chess Champion in history. The Guardian’s Headline:

David really enjoyed the 14 games he covered. It won’t be the last live streaming of chess he does, that’s for sure.

And finally, I found this super photo of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak. We climbed Table Mountain and have now climbed Devil’s Peak.

Lion’s Head must be next. I haven’t done that for years.

Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Today This Happened – No More Walking Required in 2024

Ten Years Ago This Week

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I went for an early morning road walk. As I walk I always imagine what the view is like from some of the houses. There’s this huge complex on Highway that from the beach look like a block of flats but when I identified them from their road, I realised it was two plots, with one massive house that had been subdivided into units. There is also the cutest little cottage. They back onto Daisy Lane which has this fabulous view.

And this is the complex looking up from Daisy Lane…

All the houses along the mountainside have attractive views. Further away from the sea, the views take on a whole new dimension as they become more valley views with the backdrop of the mountain.

Some people prefer mountain views while my preference is by far the sea. Mike and I regularly would stand on the balcony of our old house and say all we need is the sea across the road….never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that one day we would have – it would just be across a different road.  While we desired to be close to the sea we never tried to make it happen. We never said, ‘let’s sell and buy or build next to the sea’. In fact the converse was true. We would see plots close to the sea and say ‘we’d never buy  here’. Why? Because of how difficult it would be to build there and that there would be so much maintenance. We were not wrong! Today I watched Courage through my study window as he did some derusting and painted the woodwork on the balcony. Now it’s looking nice and clean.

We would never be here if it hadn’t been for Julian. It was 10 years ago this week that he put in an offer on a little cottage which had hand drawn plans dated April 1949

As he went to sign the offer, there was a very brief conversation (one question in fact), which led to me also standing in front of the estate agent as he explained the terms of the offer. “The poor tree that gave it’s life for this contract,” I thought. “This offer isn’t going anywhere.” We had put in a very low offer and we were very confident it would not be accepted. The next day when I took the call from the estate agent and he gleefully announced the offer had been accepted, I was bewildered. What would Mike say?! After everyone had got over the shock, financial arrangements were made and we spent 2015 feverishly saving to pay off our bond so Mike could retire debt free in 2016. The Lord had opened the door for me to work and that money became invaluable.

And so the cottage was bought. We didn’t live there. David had the loft and Julian had the downstairs when he was in town. And that’s how it may have stayed if (again) Julian hadn’t come up with an ambitious dream of building on the mountainside behind the cottage. After all, there was 300m2 of mountainside that came with the little house. It would be a waste not to build on it. So Mike got designing and the first step to building, was clearing…. a job that was done on 8th April 2016.

I documented that Red Letter Day – it all began on that day – the blog is here

I was in awe that we would build a house, but big dreams take time. From 8th April 2016, it would be 3 years before we had plans & piles and a further 6 months before ground was broken and earthworks began.

Throughout the build, during 2020, my mantra was the Bible verse we had on our wedding invitation – Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. And it is quite remarkable that the house got built in 11 months during the pandemic year. November 2019 we broke ground – October 2020 we moved in.

I often say we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Julian, but obviously, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Lord.  He poked and prodded around Julian’s mind, giving him ambitious building plans. It was very hard to build and there is a load of maintenance but it’s so worth it.

Revelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you received and heard; keep it, and repent.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Ten Years Ago This Week

I Won’t Slip In These

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we went shopping. I took the morning off and we headed to find an Outdoor Warehouse. Right next door is a Sportsman’s Warehouse and that was helpful because I need trail shoes. When we were climbing Devil’s Peak the other day, I slipped twice. My current walking shoes are shot. There is hardly any tread left on them and they no good for hiking.  On Saturday, the rocks had sand on them and in places were wet – I had no grip and had a couple of close shaves.  I determined that would be the last day my current walking shoes graced the side of a mountain.

So, today I got these…

The one thing I did read online is I mustn’t walk on the road with them. The lugs will wear out. They are designed for trail running, or in my case, trail walking. I’m excited to try them out.

Next, I need to replace my skechers.

Last night, our guests were caught up in the fuel furore at OR Tambo Airport with Safair. Their flight was delayed and then cancelled. I had made an arrangement for them to get in if they arrived in the middle of the night. I had sent them videos and clear directions. When I heard their flight was cancelled, I didn’t expect to see them. When I left for my walk this morning, they had arrived. Later today I met them and what a lovely couple.  They managed to get on a flight and arrived here at 2.30am. The only issue was their luggage got lost in the chaos. Hopefully, it will get here soon. His parents come to Cape Town every year and stay in the area, so they came to join them. There is no space at their parents holiday let at the moment but there will be on Thursday, so they are here until then.

I worked all afternoon and now it’s time to wrap up for the day. My eye is better. Mike has a cold. Not Covid this time, but snotty enough to need to stay away from David.

Revelations 2:2
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on I Won’t Slip In These

The Brazilian Pepper Tree

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today I felt was bitter sweet as we said goodbye to the Brazilian Pepper Tree. It has stood alongside the stairs for years, providing lovely shade, a landing place for birds and other critters. We always knew it would one day have to go and today was the day. We need the space for the gulley that will take both the utilities for the upper plot and also, eventually, the funicular. This is looking down the stairs…

Later in the day, the tree was gone.

It certainly has opened up the view from some spots…this is from inside the Little Lookout before…

And after…

But it’s from the entrance to the Little Lookout that the biggest difference is noticed…

And after…

We’ll get used to it not being there.

We didn’t go to the beach today. You can see it was a peach of a day but Mike was waiting for the tree cutters to come. And I have a few small burst blood vessels in my right eye. I felt if I went swimming, the suction of the goggles may make it worse.  I bought some over the counter eye drops that have a lubricant and that really worked.  I did go for a 5km walk this morning. Ruth came and cleaned the Seaview Apartment and the Loft and just as well as we had last minute bookings for the Seaview for tonight and the Loft for tomorrow.

Today I started the last book of the Bible.

Revelation 1:1
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs, Living on Fish Hoek mountainside | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Brazilian Pepper Tree

Camel on the Cat Walk

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we tried to recover from yesterday’s hike. I am as stiff as two short planks. Devil’s Peak is maybe not such a good one for older hikers – that’s what we concluded. Probably 80% of the hikers we encountered were in their 20s.  A good way to recover is a soak in the ocean.  I spent 40 minutes in a pleasantly warm Fish Hoek sea. Swimming crawl was ok. Swimming breaststroke was harder on my legs. I could feel the inside of my knees…that’s where the stiffness is.

It doesn’t look like it from this picture but the tide was quite high. As we walked home, I spotted a camel on the cat walk. He’s always been there but when the tide is at a certain level, the Skellies Rockpool is transformed by a camel resting on his knees, just waiting for someone to come and climb on his back. Conditions have to be perfect to get this silhouette.

As soon as you walk past, he’s transformed into the skeletal bone formation that gave the pool its name in the first instance.

Camel gone.

Guests left today. The French are on their way back to Paris and Graham is on his way back to London. The French, Mother and son,  I doubt we will see again. They actually originate from New Caledonia and visited Cape Town because they were here 20 years ago. They came here for 4 days after a visit to the Kruger which was a real highlight for them. They hired a car here and drove all over the place, including to Monwabisi Beach, where, as you can imagine (those in the know), they were eyed with great suspicion. The son was HUGE, a hulking 6 foot 7 inch frame. As yesterday was their last evening, they came up for drinks.   He had many complaints about having to fly economy. When you are that size, no regular airline seat is going to be big enough.

The Berettas are coming for dinner and will be here shortly, so time to get ready.

Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Camel on the Cat Walk

Devil’s Peak Hike Was Quite a Challenge

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we hiked up Devil’s Peak and it was quite a challenge! We got to the start at about 6.45am.

I took a photo every kilometer or so….this is 1km.

2km… you can see the large swathe of cloud coming down Table Mountain…

We were walking in the shade. 3km….the rocky path.

but just 200m later, this view appeared….

That was from the saddle. Here’s the deal – that was the warmup! What was to come was very very steep. A 1km vertical climb that bought us out in view of the first (auxiliary) beacon.

4km…very misty with no city views to be seen.

The trip up was 4.3km. At the top we hung around the beacon a bit and took a few photos.

Other photos from around the top…

Yay, I got a view….

High above De Waal Drive….

This was one of the most amazing photos…Cape Town looking like an island..

5km photo….actually 5.4km.

6km…

7km…

8km…

Our hike was 8.72km.

That was the first time we had climbed to the top of Devil’s Peak. This was where we went.

We spent the rest of the day recovering. In the evening, the guests from the Loft came up and we had a bit of a chat. They are French originating from New Caledonia which is a French owned territory between Australia and New Zealand. It was very interesting. But now I eked the marrow out of this day and it’s time to wrap it up.

3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs, Mountain Hikes in Cape Town | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Devil’s Peak Hike Was Quite a Challenge

Rainy Rest Day

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was a rest day for me. I have only been half way down the stairs and have done no walking. It was a good day for a rest day because 100% chance of rain was forecast and indeed it came.

Raiku had the right idea…

I really do need to keep him awake during the day so he sleeps at night. He has been out for large chunks of the night. When he comes back in, there is a thud as he comes through the window, followed by an incessant meow, meow, meow… I’m here, I’m here, I’m here. He then jumps on the bed and if I’m awake, he will headbutt me. He usually will spend a few minutes kneading the duvet, purring loudly, before hopping off the bed to go have a bite to eat. It’s not uncommon for him to then head on out into the night for another hour or two before repeating the same procedure. This is why he needs to stay awake during the day, so he sleeps at night and if common sense prevails, I will close the window so he can’t go out at night. When I do that though, he will piteously plead to be let out at all hours. If I am sleep deprived, it is because of Raiku.  Right now, he is in his bed on my desk and is struggling to keep his eyes open.

But the work week has ended and there is no reason to do too much this weekend. I may do some on Sunday afternoon just to get ahead of the Monday rush. Time to lay down my tools and rest. Tomorrow, we hike.

2 John 1:5
And now I ask you, dear lady— not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning— that we love one another.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Rainy Rest Day

The Stick Insect and the Squirrel

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day of the stick insect and the squirrel. When I woke up this morning and walked into the lounge, there on the inside of the window was a stick insect. I haven’t seen one of these for years. I wonder where it came from.

With Raiku pottering nearby, I set about finding something to transport it outside. Stick insects are not like fast moving  creatures that need a glass or a bowl put over them. They move slowly, so I got an envelop and slid it towards the little fellow. Immediate success, I carried the envelop outside.

And let him go in the lavender.

Raiku didn’t even notice.

At just before 7am, I set off for my walk. Today I walked Highway to Kommetjie, across Kommetjie, down 4th and just walked on until my watch said 2.5km. It was then that I turned for home. I went back via the beach, had a word with a few of the locals before going home our usual route. When I got up the first lot of stairs to the side patio, to my surprise I saw a squirrel in the tree.  It saw me too and scuttled down with no time to waste.

The little critter shot up the stairs. We  have never seen a squirrel on our mountainside before. It was fun to see.

I’m glad Raiku didn’t see him.

So that was the day of the stick insect and the squirrel, two little animals I’ve not seen here before.

I worked for almost 9 hours.  It’s good to be busy.

Tomorrow I am planning to rest ahead of our hike on Saturday.

1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Stick Insect and the Squirrel

The Sea Tricked Us

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today is your Mom’s birthday! I’m sure you had a good time with her, eating cake and celebrating. It was good to see you on the video call today.

We began the day by going to the beach. The sea tricked us. The north wind has been blowing as we are expecting rain tomorrow. The wind has been from the north for a few days and when that happens, the water goes from a lovely 18C to a chilly 15C. I braced myself. It looked cold.

But when I got in, I was in for a lovely surprise. It was as warm and soft, and, when I swam out to the barrel, it was even warmer. I swam up and down a number of times and was in for 40 minutes. The water in places, out at the barrel must have been about 20C. It was amazing.

Fish Hoek water at its best.

There were a number of things to do when we got home. We needed to open the Loft for the new guests and I had a truck-load of work. Once the guests were in, I could focus on work, although I did take a break to go look at the top plot. Courage has done such a lot of excavation…

Mike and Courage…

Looking down the stairs…

The entry courtyard with the vine going mad…

It was a lovely day. Now the clouds are rolling in and tomorrow we should get some rain.

A very productive day today.

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Sea Tricked Us

If It Is To Be…

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day it rained, so we didn’t go to the beach, but I did go for a walk. It was on the walk that I remembered how much of my recent life has been dominated by a couple of phrases: If it is to be, it is up to me, being one of them. If I’m going to walk, I’m the only one who can do it. Just after 7am, I set off down the hill and onto Simon’s Town Rd and walked to Glencairn Beach and back. It was on the way back that light rain began to fall and for a kilometer or two I was the happy recipient of a gentle shower.

Back home, I worked for 8 hours, had multiple meetings which kept me sitting for more than 2 hours.

It was after work that I saw this headline (research done by the British Journal of Sports Medicine last week)

The other word that comes to mind when I think of my daily walks is ‘intentionality’.  I have to make a serious effort to walk 10000 steps a day. It doesn’t just happen by accident. If it is to be, it is up to me. At the beginning of this year, I didn’t focus so much on daily walking. When I decided to try for 10000 steps a day, two things happened. I became much more intentional about achieving it, and it became a habit. After 28 days of walking, it became easier and more embedded in my planning. Now I need it & have so enjoyed its benefits. Hopefully sufficient enough to climb Devil’s Peak soon.

Today Julian returned to Jo’burg.

David live-streamed the chess – the longest game this tournament so far – it ended in a draw. We are getting sucked into (believe it or not) the excitement of it. It’s not like watching paint dry. There is so much more strategy to it. My chess is stuck in the 70s.

Raiku is getting over his Bravecto.

Today is Stacey’s birthday-eve.

Today was better than yesterday – not nearly as much stress & I enjoyed the day.

One of my favourite Bible verses…

1 John 3:20
If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on If It Is To Be…

You Have to be Awake to Enjoy This

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that, at 5.32am, I took this photo..

Since I was young, I was a morning person….a very early morning person. I remember when I was in my teens getting up at around 4am or 4.30am to study. It was the best time of the morning and it’s a hard habit to break.

Today was a tougher day than usual. I had to put Bravecto on Raiku which I did quite early. I found the perfect spot and emptied the container carefully onto his skin. As I let him go, I looked in horror. He clearly had moved as I had chosen a place at the back of his neck and instead of the muti going there, it went onto his right scapula.  As a result it was not that difficult for him to reach it. How did I get that so wrong?! Bravecto does not taste nice, but still cats will lick. I hope it still works. He always feels a little low after Bravecto but he’s eating fine and acting normally.  I’m feeling at least no harm was done. Bravecto is the only thing that really helps keeping ticks at bay as my hunter cat prowls the mountain side and bushy areas. He has settled and he will even spent more than 5 seconds in David’s arms.

The clouds have now gathered and there’s been a bit of drizzle so the sunrise side now looked like this…

Good bye Monday.

1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on You Have to be Awake to Enjoy This

From The Outside Looking In

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was another beautiful sunny day in Cape Town. The wind has been significant enough to cool things and gentle enough to have the doors thrown wide open.  One of the things we have been saying lately is ‘this is as good as it gets’.  From the outside looking in…

And this is from the inside looking out…

As good as it gets. It’s difficult not to feel we’re on a ship, in a very spacious cabin. Cruising without the ship.

No matter where you live in Cape Town, on a day like today, the beach is open to all. From the bench…actually it was the step.

A few steps along the path…perfect sand.

And from the cat walk…

It just doesn’t get better than this no matter where in the world you are.  A perfect day.

David was commentating chess, so we watched. It gets quite gripping at times…which is something you wouldn’t expect in chess, but there is so much strategy. Rest day tomorrow. Today, after more than 4 hours, it was a draw.

It’s been a good restful Sunday with a beautiful sunset…

1st December – Christmas month is upon us.

1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs, Living on Fish Hoek mountainside | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on From The Outside Looking In

The Day in Pictures

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you and I had a nice long chat. Your Mom also sent me the cutest photo of you and Pennie. You having a snack, Pennie at your side….I just love this pic…

She is already bringing much joy and pleasure as she settles in.

For us, we went to the beach this morning. The water was a balmy 18C and I spent 40 minutes in it.

Then we met Julian for breakfast at Chalk & Cheese.

We went for a stroll through Fish Hoek, mainly to take a peek at Cyril’s

Home for a shower and then out to do some shopping before heading to one of the homes up the street for the end of year neighbour’s gathering. It was good to meet some more of the community who I’d seen on the Whatsapp group but never met in person.  there was discussion about the 7th April fire. A couple whose house was badly damaged were there. The view from Sue’s home is majestic. They are on the sea-side of our road so slightly lower and closer to the sea. It’s always good to meet the neighbours.

Later this afternoon, I hauled out the Christmas tree and put it up. It hasn’t been decorated yet, but this evening, it looks beautiful with its built-in lights.

Dinner with the family and now it’s time to get this wrapped up. Raiku wants the light off.

1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Day in Pictures

PENNIE Arrived!

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the most wonderful day of the year for you because PENNIE arrived. Your excitement levels have been at an all time high for this special addition to your life!

She is so adorable and I can’t wait to meet her! Such a cutie pie.

For us the day began with a couple of unexpected events. Quite early this morning, I walked down the passage to see Raiku showing a big interest in something behind the passage door. Very quickly, I saw a striped field mouse had eluded our hunter’s evil intent and was holed up behind the door in the corner. While Mike took the cat out, I kept the mouse trapped. Mike then bought a glass bowl and a clip board for me to try to trap him. These critters are so fast. As I moved the door and tried to put the bowl over it, it rushed past me. I was on my haunches. In my haste, I dropped the bowl and it crashed to the floor. The mouse froze, snuggling against my right (socked)  foot which was leaning on the skirting board. Mike rushed off to find another receptacle while I froze in place. An empty 2l ice cream container was placed in my right hand. In my left I had the clip board and with these two rodent catching devices, I gingerly moved my right foot. The little creature tried to climb the wall using my leg for leverage. I managed to scoop him into the container and slapped the clip board over him. Phew! If he had got away, he would have been able to scuttle into any number of inaccessible hiding places. I took him outside and let him loose. Raiku was let out the study and sniffed hopefully. That was how the day began.

Then, I went walking and while out, I got a message from David saying the internet was down in the cottage. David without internet on a live-streaming day is not a good start. Mike & Courage ran around and got it up and running. The live stream went off without a hitch and now Courage is doing battle with the tree that has been growing over the internet line.

Add to that,  we had a 9-night December Airbnb cancellation. Ouch. I’m hoping to recover because a many time returning guest, Graham, comes in on Sunday and he is thinking of staying on, so I’ve blocked the days in the hope he will decide to do so. He has until Monday to make a decision, but the availability of these days and the fact that he doesn’t have to move makes me think he is more likely to extend than not. Initially, he was only here for a week.

So it’s been ‘that’ kind of day, but apart from Pennie’s marvellous arrival, this also arrived: David’s chess T-Shirts. It’s his Underpromote range!

And so on with the weekend. I have one meeting left  and then I may be able to down tools and call the day done.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on PENNIE Arrived!