Afternoon Off

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I had a couple of ours off this afternoon! It’s been the first weekday  this has happened in a long while, so I went shopping – that was fun.

The day began with sunshine and only a little wind so we went to the beach, but I forgot my cap and goggles so didn’t do any crawl, but bobbed out to the barrel and back a couple of times, so got my 30 minutes.

What always surprises me is how flat the sea can look in these photos but in reality the waves were quite intense this morning. They came in with power and it was easy to be completely bowled over. Yet, looking at the picture above, the sea looks flat and harmless.

Back home to work and as my UK colleagues woke up (2 hours behind us now), I started getting happy birthday messages!  It was incorrectly put on the calendar for today instead of next Tuesday. I’m always up for early birthday celebrations!

Meantime, Mike was out in the sunshine getting the levels & positioning right for the growing line of gabion baskets.

A good balanced day.

Oh, and here’s one more photo…it’s Raiku yesterday morning greeting Cybil who is the next door cat.

A year ago when David’s condition had worsened, I took great comfort from these words…

Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Cat Walk More Than 130 Years Ago

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I went looking for particular rocks on the cat walk that were reflected in the book I recently read. This is the cat walk more than 130 years ago. It was prior to the train line from Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town. That came in 1890. Prior to that, this is what the cat walk looked like.

And this is it today…we think those rocks are the ones, although, the big one on the right seems to have been broken up. Also the picture above is a painting. The bushes conceal what is going on behind, but the mountains seem to line up.

That was fun to find. We must take the book with us and look up other scenes.

Meantime, we had a good laugh over dinner this evening. We recalled a time about 10 years ago when I went for a brief time onto Cape Town TV to help them raise money for the station. I was supposed to train the presenters to do the fundraising but in the end, I was dragged on set and had to do the presenting as well. Dutifully, Mike and David sat down to watch. They tuned in a few minutes before the appointed hour and were pretty much staring blankly at the very amateur interview that was taking place. The TV show host was not wildly articulate and he was interviewing a very accomplished, well spoken head boy of a local high school.  The topic was leadership and something was said, which led to the TV presenter blurting out with enthusiasm, “yes because too many cooks spoil the brothel!”  

Never forgotten and always howled over when relating the story.

Work was accomplished and now it’s time to turn off for the night.

A Psalm I should be trying to learn…

Psalm 100:1-5
1.Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
5 For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

It’s now about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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A Bit of Everything, Including ‘Shark’ Bite Update

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie,

Today there was a bit of everything, but let me start with an update to yesterday’s so-called Shark bite incident. CapeTownetc.com was the only place I found any news. They published this late yesterday….read the last sentence! It may have been a seal!

I’ve often said there is a greater danger of being bitten by a seal than a shark in our waters, but you never know.  I do keep an eye out for them. Anyway, I’m glad the injuries were not life-threatening.

Today I went for an early morning walk. I went up the hill in time to enjoy a mountainside rainbow…

I came down along the secret lanes below Ranger Rd

Down Rice Lane…

Which arrives here…

I stopped at PnP to pick up eggs and bacon and then came home via a rainy Fish Hoek beach.

I encountered Mr Cool!  Sharp haircut, headphones, snazzy shades, beaded necklace, sparkling trainers – he had it all for his trip to the cat walk! I had to take a photo of him…he put on all the attitude and the pic came out like this…

He loved the photo, so I sent it to him via Bluetooth. (I don’t know why I do these things, but he appreciated it!)

Home to find Raiku looking smug. He had caught a little field mouse & felt he had done us a great service in doing so. His prowess, his hunting skill, his pounce and capture, all summed up in this look – aren’t I clever!?

David dealt with the remains.

Bacon and eggs were consumed.  I did some reading. I watched YT and went shopping.  And, I did some work, so I’m going into the week fully on top of things.

The rain has arrived.

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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News of a Shark Bite at Strandfontein

Posted on October 26, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

I was writing today’s blog on a glorious October day when a story came up on my Facebook feed that a shark bit someone at Blue Water beach which is by Strandfontein.

Apparently the victim had minor injuries, but it leaves more questions than answers. This post was put out at 4.24pm

Where was he when he was bitten – was he swimming, fishing, paddling? What kind of shark was it? Apparently, they didn’t close the beach at Muizenberg, so I’m not sure what is going on. Shark bite but it doesn’t seem to have been by a great white. I’m sure more news will come out soon.

Meanwhile, tomorrow, rain is forecast, so we were very happy to have an opportunity to head to Fish Hoek beach today.

I did things a little differently today. Instead of going straight into the water, I joined Mike on his run. He ran much slower than usual so that I could keep up! I conclude I’m not a runner. Swimming is far more my thing, along with walking. I love walking. After the run, I swam out to the barrel and back. If you could bottle the feeling I felt after getting out the water, and sell it, a lot of money would be made. It’s a buzz of heightened well-being – endorphin central.

There were loads of people on the beach. The surf-ski club was packed. Dog walkers, cyclists, swimmers, sun-tanners all enjoying the beautiful day.

We walked home under the middle sub-way. The view from that spot…

As soon as we got home, we did a quick clean up and then Anna’s parents arrived for coffee. We had a good chat. They are marvellous gardeners and had lots of advice for what we could plant in the spots we do have available.

The afternoon was restful. I had a lovely chat with Stace and am looking forward to seeing the family next weekend as the birthday celebrations begin.

I’ll be watching for more news on the shark bite.

Psalm 98:7
Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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The Porcupine Quills

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I got my steps done upfront. Leaving at around 7am I walked to Valyland and came home the long way round, racking up 6.73km. Home for breakfast and a visit from David …

…and then I got stuck into work.

The other day, Jonathan, the neighbour was telling me the awful story of how his dog, Badger came too close to a very angry porcupine. The quillpig wasted no time in shooting his sharp spikes into Badger’s hind leg. Jonathan spent a grueling evening trying to get them out. It’s not that easy. It seems when a porcupine quill pierces the skin, it has tiny little hooks that penetrate and it makes it very difficult to get them out. It’s almost always the case that the point gets left behind. As a result Badger was taken off to the vet and expensive surgical removal followed. Now he has stitches. There is a porcupine that has been seen on several occasions scuttling up the ditch next to our stairs. It was with amusement that I listened to the account of the Russian guests before they left explaining with awe the very big hedgehog they had seen.

Raiku loves porcupine quills. We often wave them in front of him and he goes into full hunting mode, attacking with great gusto. When Jonathan told me his porcupine story, I asked him for the quills, which he was very happy to part with.

This afternoon, while I was on my final video call of the week, I was aimlessly playing with one of these quills when I inadvertently had it poke my finger. It didn’t draw blood, but to  my surprise, my finger immediately swelled up and a little welt appeared.

I put some antihistamine cream on it (always have tons of that around seeing as I’m regularly being stung in the sea) and to be sure, I also took an antihistamine pill. It is fine now, but it did take me by surprise. I’ll be a bit more circumspect with them in the future.

We had Mike’s spagbol as an early dinner and now we are going to watch Sabrina and eat popcorn.

2 months til Christmas. Also today I remembered with fondness my precious Aunty Wyn Beale who passed away on this day in 2018.

2 Timothy 4:5
Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Paul’s Showers

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

So now it’s called Paul’s showers! Turns out Paul spoke to the beach manager and he gave Paul keys for the communal bathrooms at the beach so the early risers can have access. Paul then went and bought two really nice shower heads and he comes prepared with extra loo paper and cleaning materials. Paul’s showers. I think there should be a sign!

But, I have to add, that Paul is at the beach really early and if you get there too long after 8am, he would have taken them down and you’ll have to wait for the city workers to arrive with their ones. Paul was very happy for me to take his photo!

Great community spirit and a motivation for us to get down there early enough to enjoy them.

Beautiful day for the beach. I had a good swim today. I’m getting back into it.

There was another unusual happening at the beach today. It had to do with the trek fishermen who own a couple of these boats…

We encountered the fishermen on the cat walk on the way down. They had tied rope around a stack of brand new strips of meranti wood. It looked wonderful, yet they were about to throw it into the sea.

Whatever for? They explained they were adding to one of the boats to make it bigger and the only way to bend the wood was to soak it for a couple of days. So in it went & a guard was posted for the duration of the day.

Back home, I finally caught up with all my work and tomorrow should be an easier day. Almost the end of the week.

Last year when David’s health was particularly bad, I took comfort from so  many verses in the Bible.  This was one of them.

Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

When things fall apart, we still have a solid Foundation.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Peach of a Day

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a peach of a day. The wind had dropped and this was what it looked like from our balcony at 6.55am.

Yup, it was just the most majestic day. A visit to the beach was imperative. The water is warming up and the tide was high. I swam to the barrel and back, then up and down a bit to make up 30 minutes. Then it was out and off to the shower. There are many regulars at the beach: Paul and Sally being one couple. They are always there early, while the City workers are not. As a result, the change rooms and the removable shower heads (which were regularly getting nicked when left on the showers) only arrive around 9am. Paul to the rescue. He got a key for the change rooms and he has purchased two wonderful shower heads, which he puts on for the duration of his visit. If other swimmers are there when Paul and Sally are there, we all get the benefit of an amazing shower. When Paul leaves, the shower heads go too. Moral of the story – get there in time for a swim and a shower before 8am.  Good on Paul. Sally is an amazing cook and regularly brings down treats. Such a lovely couple.

We got home just after 8.30am, breakfast was had and work was done. The guest left. Ruth cleaned the loft. The next guest is about to arrive. Washing got dried in no time.

After work, I went to a house up the road to see their extensions. This is their view.

Twil be a quiet evening. I’m up for it. I’ve just turned the page of my diary. It looks wonderful.

Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Old and the Recent

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

I’ve been reading Travels Along the Coastal Road (Simon’s Town to Muizenberg 1743 – 1890) and it’s fascinating to take a trip into the past and see how life was lived in Fish Hoek all those years ago. There are many old photos in the book.  The road between Muizenberg and St James looked like this in 1858…

A few month’s ago when I walked back from the hairdresser, I took this photo…not from exactly the same place but you can see the difference.

One day I’ll have to take the book with me to try get a photo of the exact spot of some of these photos. This next one is Clovelly corner. Back in the day it was called Kepple’s Folly and was one of the most treacherous parts of the route from Muizenberg to Simon’s Town.

It’s not really recognisable from today’s Clovelly corner. If the rocks could talk!

It wasn’t only the steepness of the bank they had to worry about. They were then met by the Silvermine River which regularly had sinking sand. Getting across was often really difficult and time consuming. Once across this river, along the beach was Fish Hoek’s southern side…1895

And in 2024…

Time moves on. One wonders what our mountain will look like in 100 years time. We need to make the most of every day and try to enjoy it.

Today I worked, I walked and this evening David and Anna came for dinner, so that was a treat.

Psalm 91:2
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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A New Cross in Town

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I discovered a new cross in town. The other day we were out walking and passed this exact point & it wasn’t there. This morning, my early morning walk was practical, in that we needed milk. I left home at just after 7am and walked up Highway, down Daisy Lane, down Hillside to the shops and returned along the service road behind Fish Hoek Beach. That lane leads to Dolphin Park and there, standing tall on what was an old sundial, is a new cross.

On closer inspection, it’s been put up by this organisation…

A great initiative.

The wind continued to blow today. This didn’t seem to deter the early morning beach faithful, who were out by about the dozen with their body boards. The waves were relentless and I was glad to not be one of them swimming in these conditions.

Windy days are also for kite surfers. There were two that were far from the beach and at times far from the coast too.

When I got home from my shopping trip, I cooked breakfast which is very unusual for a Monday.  I worked from 9am to 5pm & then finished up with a short walk with Julian.

It was a day without whales!

1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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We Nearly Jumped Out of Our Skin

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

A quiet Sunday morning was shattered by an enormously loud sound passing right overhead. It sounded like a jet was hurtling towards the earth and was about to plunge dramatically into our house. And then suddenly, as quickly as the sound came, it left and peace returned. All that remained were shattered nerves & a rush of adrenaline. We nearly jumped out of our skin. The street whatsapp group immediate sprang to life.

Apparently it was a Saab JAS 30 Gripen. Henriette managed to get a video. Difficult to get but gives you the idea.

No sooner had my heart rate come back down to normal, there was more to see out the window as an incessant knocking had me looking to see what I was hearing. There was a whale slapping his tail. Another resident, Tamara managed to get this video.

All I got was the tail…

After a while, it made a huge splash and disappeared under the water, not to be seen again. You can see from the video how windy it is today.

Later in the day we decided to go out for scones. We decided Little Stream would be a good place to visit.  The photos speak for themselves. Such a lovely spot – as spring has spring it’s absolutely enchanting.

After tea, we went for a walk…

 

Little stream at Little Stream!

Altogether a lovely day despite the wind.

Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before You.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Unparalleled Whale Season

Posted on October 19, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I woke up really early. I went out on the balcony in time to hear a whale  slap its tail. As the sun rose, I was in for a treat. I spotted 6 whales cavorting, snorting, breaching and blowing. One after the other there were tell-tale signs, if I missed them leaping, they left behind concentric circles and foamy water. I felt I was on holiday and seeing exciting things for the very first time.

At the beginning of this whale season, there was no forecast of what was to come. No one was watching or monitoring the great migration of whales to False Bay. We would never have guessed it would be unparalleled & what a lovely surprise it has been. Suddenly, they were there in droves, Brydes, Humpbacks & Southern Right Whales. Their once rare distant breaches have turned into leaping and porpoising, with extravagant exuberant tale slapping, all  very close to the shoreline.  They have moved in! Fish Hoek Bay seems to have become their  holiday home with all of False Bay their back yard. I went walking to Fish Hoek this morning and spoke to one of the regulars who said there are at least 30 whales in the bay & more on the Hout Bay side. There is no reason to go to Hermanus – they are right here on our doorstep. It’s been such a treat to behold & up early, I got first dibs on their morning activities. 2024 will go down as having an unparalleled whale season. Hopefully, it will be the start of many.

David came up for breakfast. He is doing better and trying to build up his strength. LDN has really helped. If you have any form of chronic fatigue, LDN could be a solution. We get it from Integrow.

Courage came today. He did some work with 2 other workers on the top plot. Also, a package arrived for him and he was thrilled. We gave him money for his birthday and he bought a new jacket and hat.

And, Elsie,  I got to have a video call with you and see my gift! My birthday is coming soon and I’m looking forward to seeing you!

I cleaned the house and did the washing. A satisfying day.

One of the famous verses of the Old Testament

Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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The Flowers are Smiling

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that was very busy at the start but will end well. The guests left the Seaview Apartment early this morning, leaving behind this beautiful gift.

Ruth cleaned the apartment and the neighbours have moved in for 6 weeks (while the German owners are in town). Meanwhile, a new guest arrived to go into the Loft. That was the business of the day.

At lunchtime, I set out for a walk, not realising how hot it would be.  When the sun is shining brightly, the flowers are wildly smiling..

I went up to the Mountain path (it joins two Mountain Rds) The start of the path…

The view…

And the last piece of the path…

From the path, it’s interesting to look at the houses on the mountainside. Some of them have amazing back gardens.

Selfie…

I got home and chatted to the neighbours who were busy moving in. They come with Badger, their dog and Basil and Cybil, their two cats. Basil was already settling in and Raiku joined him.

The cats have settled on a frosty situationship!

Dinner with the family.

No plans for this weekend, so we’ll see how it turns out.

Jeremiah 32:26-27
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Tranquility at the Beach

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we planned to not go to the beach as the weather was forecast to be a little chilly. As it turned out, the sea was so flat and the sun tried to peep through the clouds, so off we went. It was beautiful down there. The tide was very low. The water was about 16C.

The highlight was the presence of a Southern right whale with her calf who quietly and slowly glided towards Clovelly from the Sunny Cove side.

Those in the sea were able to watch the long silhouette of the great beast of the sea as it moved on the surface of the sea. It is the most amazing way to start the day.

Later, the whales set their sights on Simon’s Town, passing our house along the way.

Sad news today is the passing one of the much loved cats of the Jo’burg family. So sorry to hear that Athena took a bad turn yesterday, deteriorated fast and passed away this morning. So sad and this precious beauty Athena, will be missed. I’m so sorry.

Life can be so fragile.

Jeremiahs 31:3
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

God’s plan is always for salvation.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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4 Years of Beautiful Sunrises

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today, 4 years ago, we moved to our new home. Time has flown by and we have been the very blessed recipients of 4 years of beautiful sunrises. This morning’s did not disappoint.

The wind had dropped and I went out on the balcony in time to see two whales frolicking in the early morning light.  Such a treat. This doesn’t get old.

I did some work and then at 8am, we headed to the beach. It’s full moon tonight and there is a spring tide, so low tide is very very low and high tide is very very high. It was low tide at Fish Hoek.

After a 30 minute dip with not too much swimming (the sea was murky and the swells were large), we walked to the shops for pawpaw and bananas. Then home via the cat walk again. A train at Sunny Cove station.

Very blessed to have spent 4 years here and hopeful for many more to come.

I am grateful.

Today I read Jeremiah 29 and encountered this famous verse.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Sometimes things don’t go well, so it’s good to embrace the days that do.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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A Whale Washed Up

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Tuesdays are always a little less chaotic than Mondays. Although I worked the whole day, I also fitted in a couple of walks, getting my 10000 steps for the day. Yesterday, I had to settle for 8000.

Today was the day a whale washed up at Longbeach in Simon’s Town. Nigel Riley was there to get the story & take some photos…

It’s not often you get to see these giants of deep  up close. There have been so many whales in the bay, it is not really surprising that every now and then one will die in our waters.  Sad that it’s so young. I remember a Brydes Whale washing up at Long Beach,  Kommetjie  and being loaded onto an enormous truck to be taken for disposal. Weighing something like 14 tonnes, the going was slow. We got caught behind the convoy of cars on Ou Kaapse Weg. On arriving at the other side we soon found out what the delay was…(this was August 2020)

Always very sad to see.

A short while ago, three navy frigates cruised across False Bay, moving in formation, apparently from Brazil, India and South Africa.

The wind has continued but not quite at the velocity of yesterday. We are looking forward to calmer days ahead. Who knows, perhaps tomorrow, we’ll get a swim in.

Psalm 85:8
I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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