Vitamin Sea

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the first day of the new month! We started it by going for a swim in ocean water that is cooling. It probably was about 14C. It was still not warm enough for me to put my face in and do a proper swim. I swam for almost 37 minutes and burned 430 calories. What surprised me was my heart rate went up to 165. Sea water swimming is so good for you. It’s my Vitamin Sea!

It’s known to boost the immune system, helps with relaxation and overall health and wellbeing. I find it so exhilarating and a wonderful way to start the day.

I also did some work today. In the afternoon, Peter and Riana came for a visit. It was great to see them. I also had a visit with this little lady! I took another photo of her on Julian’s couch.

Lizzy 13 months.

A final evening with the family draws to an end.

Luke 9:48
Then He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

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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Easter Sunday 2024

Posted on March 31, 2024 by Helga

Dear Elsie

Today is Easter Sunday. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.

We had a quiet day after a morning swim. Grateful for David’s better health and some family time. Jess, Gerrie and Lizzy visited Swellendam on Friday and got to meet Elsie. Jess took some lovely pics.

Gerrie getting Lizzy rocking…

Elsie absolutely loved playing with her.

This afternoon Julian went to visit Valerie-Gail who is in hospital. I’m glad to hear she is in good spirits. Wishing you a speedy recovery V-G.

It’s good to have David feeling stronger and having more energy. Last night he went to a friend’s birthday party and this evening, he is here playing his guitar with Lizzy dancing!

It’s such a blessing to see him with more energy than he’s had in months.  He’s given himself this year to try to fully recover – so the progress is slow but sure. Easter represents new life – that’s what we pray for, for all our family.

Luke 9:23-25
Then He (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

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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Easter Saturday 2024

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Helga

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I started clearing out old papers, doing some shredding and getting some deeper cleaning done. It was a beautiful day, so we went to the beach first. The water is cooling – today was about 14/15C. It was invigorating for sure.

Today marks 4 weeks since Claw’d went missing. Over the last couple of days, while still sad, I’ve found more acceptance. I think the turning point came when someone suggested an animal communicator. They wrote to me offering me a name and contact number. When I googled it, turns out this is like a “medium” who will ‘hear from the animal’ and then be able to tell me where he is. Nah, my trust is in Jesus Christ and the fact that He knows where Claw’d is, is good enough for me. Then yesterday when we were at the Blue Cafe, there were 2 missing cat posters about 100m apart. One of them carried a R1500 reward. Putting a value on a beloved pet is difficult. Why not R2000 or R5000? The grief spectrum is broad and everyone deals differently. Eventually, you have to be philosophical. Somehow, I’ve reached a point of accepting he probably won’t return. While Raiku still has moments of piteous meowing, he too has settled into a routine as an only cat.

He used to find the vacuum cleaner quite entertaining – now he just looks at it and doesn’t care unless it ventures a little too close…

A good, productive day.

Deuteronomy 13:4
It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to 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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Good Friday 2024

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today is Good Friday. Today was the day you, my darling Elsie got to meet Lizzy. Yes!  Jess, Gerrie and Lizzy drove through to Swellendam for the day. You loved meeting Lizzy. She is so cute.

Most importantly, this is the day we remember Jesus died on the cross for us.  God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves (Joni Eareckson Tada) & that’s what happened at the cross. God allowed Jesus’ death on the cross to accomplish salvation for all. Whatever bad happens to us, God has a plan that can turn bad into good. His purpose for us is always for good. Often, we can’t understand it, but God knows the future. He holds us in His hand and He has suffered for us so we know nothing will happen to us without His presence, His permission and His purpose. It’s because He died and rose again that we can have that assurance. And that’s what today is all about. It’s a solemn day, but Sunday is coming.

Above is the Anglican Church of St Peter the Fisherman in Hout Bay. Today we went for a drive and passed it. We went over Chapman’s Peak and enjoyed the beauty of the day. We stopped at Seattle Coffee at Hout Bay start of Chappies.

It has been so windy in Fish Hoek (and still is), so we were surprised to find it still and calm in Hout Bay. We drove on around the coast to the Blue Cafe in Tamboerskloof. Julian and I used to come here often when I was taking him to the airport.  It has Table Mountain as a backdrop…

Riana introduced me to the Blue Cafe in June 2015. Julian and I visited November 2017, February, March, November & December 2018 and August 2019 – that’s what I could find on my blog. In the photo above, you can see the hedge extending from the umbrella to the bottom left…it’s so picturesque to walk through…

Mike took a walk down the road because the Blue Cafe is just round the corner of 29 Carstens Street where Mike lived in about 1976, just before going to BI. He took a photo…it was home at the time to Austen Dundas and Mike stayed in one of the back rooms.

Austen encouraged Mike to go to Bible Institute which he did in 1977. That was a walk back in time.

We had lunch and then it was home via Constantia Emporium.

A peaceful day.

Luke 8:23-25
As they sailed, he (Jesus) fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey 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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Eve of Easter

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today feels like Friday because we are on the eve of Easter. It was a day which unfolded quietly.

It started very differently as Mike took his car to Kenilworth for a service, so our apartment was very quiet. I worked and soon family started arriving from different quarters. Then they all disappeared off to various activities and I continued to work.

Mike soon returned close to noon from his early morning, had a few other things to do and then this happened…

Not a bad afternoon activity. He slept soundly but not for too long.

Not long after he woke up, Gerrie arrived to talk about a maintenance issue he has in Jo’burg. Later Julian arrived along with Lizzy.

She’s so cute. I need to invest in some toddler toys…

The toothpicks were a hit. Eventually, after she managed to get a couple out, so I sealed the lid and closed the holes.

For relaxation, today I’ve done some puzzle.

We are looking forward to the weekend.

Deuteronomy 10:12
What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

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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Credit Card, Certificate & Carpet

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that was always destined to be busy. The guest in the Seaview apartment shipped on out for the long weekend and Ruth arrived to clean three of the units. Apart from Julian, Jess, Gerrie & Lizzy who were all arriving, I also was waiting for a carpet for the loft & my new credit card. To add to the busy day, I had to make time to go to the traffic department to get a replacement car registration certificate. That loomed before me with some degree of foreboding as visits to the traffic department can vary from several hours to several minutes.

But first, at 7am, I walked to Sun Valley to pick up my car. Windy morning…

Half way…

Baboons on Ranger Rd.

My walk was was less than an hour and was exactly 5km. By just after 8am, I was home. In quick succession, my credit card arrived, followed by the carpet people.

It’s looking good…& will dull the sound that carries through the floor to the downstairs.

I did 2 loads of washing and when the second batch was hung out to dry, I turned off my work clock and headed for the traffic department. I timed myself, sitting down at the end of the 15 strong queue at 12.30pm. By 1pm, I was standing at the window and by 1.10pm, I was done and dusted! A good visit.

Job done. Credit Card, Certificate & Carpet all sorted.

Julian arrived in our new (used) car…

And by then, Mike had collected Jess, Gerrie and Lizzy from the airport and they were here too. A family-filled Easter to come. We had dinner together. Lizzy was very keen to trying to catch Raiku. He wasn’t going to entertain her…

So cute!

A full but satisfying day.

Psalm 69:16
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to 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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Today Was a Swimming Day

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

I’m glad you are feeling better today.  Today was the day we went for a swim. It was also the day Courage was not here as he had an appointment, so he swapped a public holiday for today. The wind had turned to the south-east meaning the water which was very cold yesterday should start warming up. Turns out, it hasn’t warmed up yet. We didn’t swim yesterday but others said it was 14C. Today when we went down we were told it was 12C today. Brrrrr. It felt chilly – too cold to do any meaningful swimming. When trying to put my face in the water to swim crawl, my face got too cold. I swam breaststroke out to the barrel and back a couple of times and had a good 32 minute dip. It took me a little while to recover. So glad to have gone. The water was crystal clear. A beautiful autumn day.

On Sunday, when I was in the sea at lunchtime, I had an unexpected and funny thing happen to me. The sea was quiet – there were very few people in the water and even less where I was. I always take myself off to where I am beyond the breakers and out of depth.  I was looking out towards the sea when suddenly I felt a sharp pain on my left arm – something had hit me. I got a fright and yelped in time to see a man emerge from the water, right next to me and full of apologies. He had been swimming and hadn’t seen me. At the long stretch of his stroke his pointed hand had poked sharply into my arm. Easy for it to happen, but very rare when there are only 3 of us in the ocean! It’s unlikely to happen again.

I worked all day today.  Tomorrow will be a busy day as the family all arrive for Easter. I also need to go to the Traffic Department to get a copy of the license registration for my car.

A satisfying day.

This is what I read this morning…

Luke 7:12-15
12 As he (Jesus) approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

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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Designing the Funicular

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you were not well. You woke up last night with a horrible earache. Fortunately, your parents took you to the Doctor and got it treated before it turned into tonsillitis. My poor Poppet you were so tired. I hope you get better soon.

For us, it was the day Mike put his design for the funicular onto the plans. It’s the purple line under the steps with the red boxes depicting the line of the carriages.

And it’s going up here. The red line is where you’ll enter the carriage. There will be a ramp and a number of stairs getting up there – maybe 8 steps, so it a wheelchair user won’t be able to self assist but someone could help them

It’s got a long way to go. We checked measurements to make sure they were accurate.

Mike has plans to change the entrance, create a ramp, increase security and add an extra parking space.

So when will this be built?

Who knows!? Mike is getting the plans done so they can go and chug through Council. They are the last part of the entire house design. After that, there should be no more plans required, or so we hope.

End of the day. We didn’t go to the beach. I worked for almost 8 hours. I went out to get some shopping. All done.

David came for dinner. Today he walked a mile – yup. 1.6km which is the longest he’s walked in a year. He’s going 2 steps forward and 1 step back, but that is still progress.

This morning Raiku came to sit on my lap. This is something he doesn’t generally do. It was a Claw’d thing. He sat for a few minutes and I even was able to take a photo.

Missing Clawdy – both of us.

Deuteronomy 4:7
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to 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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Goodbye & a Front-End Loader

Posted on March 24, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day we said goodbye to you as you headed back to your home. We love you! We love you! We were sad to say goodbye but you are such a darling and we look forward to seeing you on our video chats. This was November 2021….

Now look at you!

After you left, the house was very quiet. David decided to stay downstairs and we will see him tomorrow. At lunchtime, we went for a swim and when we got back, we cooked steaks and had a late lunch.

In the afternoon, we went for a walk. While going to and front he beach, something on the mountainside had caught our eye. A front end digger was on the mountainside excavating a plot. We had to go investigate.

It had excavated a track from Cliff rd at the top. Looking up…

So we walked up the track and this is looking down…

If we hire the same digger, we could dig a track 300m towards Simon’s Town and end up above our house. That would help with the development of Julian’s plot behind. It’s worth thinking about. I am sure Mandy would also be interested (she owns the plot next to Julian).

It’s just about full moon – beautiful pastel colours…quickly fading

A special weekend ends.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to 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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Beach and Higgledy Piggledy Farm

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today you and I had such a fun day together. You had your breakfast and then we went to the beach. You enjoyed that so much running on the beach, splashing in the water, drawing in the sand and climbing on the jungle gym.

We also made sand castles.

We came home for an hour or two and then went to Higgledy Piggledy Farm which was so so fun.

Feeding the ducks was the funniest game of all – throwing the food deep into the water and hoping the ducks would dive down to find it…

Emus…

Piglets…mind your fingers…

Goose…

Feeding the goats. You were so brave…

Rabbits

I loved the rabbit house…Hazel would love it.

The turkey was the first animal we encountered…

Close up…quite a face.

Such a great place to visit, and we will be sure to return.

I am about to go to put veggies on and we will have some steak for dinner.

Proverbs 11:25
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

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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Elsie Came – the Buoy Left

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

You are here! How lovely it is to see you and we had a fabulous time at the beach today and at home afterwards. We parked by the bridge and walked over the bridge and onto the cat walk. I saw the sea from a 5-year old perspective as you investigated options to get into the sea. We spent a lot of time at Skellies. It was high tide and you were very brave getting into the cold water. After that we went to the beach and you drew pictures in the sand – a smiley face and a house and next to both you wrote your name. No photos of the beach as I didn’t have my phone but when we got home,  you had a shower, got clean and dry and then spent time with Granpa…

…and David….you loved it. You played chess..

And lego…

What a joy you are!

The other thing that happened this morning was the navy came to retrieve the buoy. It was a team of 5 men who were on the shore. A tug arrived with a 2-man inflatable…which approached the tug and picked up a long red cable…

The guys on the shore tossed a white rope into the sea. One of the guys on the inflatable dived into the water and swam across to get it…

This was then attached to the red cable and pulled in by the land team. One of the team on the shore clambered on the rock on the left of the buoy and secured the red cable…

Once it was secured, the tug took off. Buoy buoy…

Off it went…back to Simon’s Town.

And so ends the week of watching the buoy bounce on the rocks.

Lovely weekend ahead.

Psalm 65:5
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.

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 Steam Train Passed By

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Tomorrow I get to see you!  Today was a perfect day in Fish Hoek and it was the day the steam train passed by. It was on its way to Simon’s Town. When I heard it coming, I rushed down the stairs to Sunny Cove station and got a shot of it coming…

I managed to flip over to video as it flew past…the engine, the fuel tank and all 10 carriages…

And then it was gone!

It was a perfect day for a train trip and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Later this afternoon, I heard it chugging home on the return trip.

This is the same train we went on to Elgin last year. It’s fun that they have been able to start the Simon’s Town trip again. I’m not sure when the next one will be.

Mike did a big shop today & got most of what is needed to make the Loft ready for guests. The kitchenette was the main area that needed equipping.

It should be ready to be listed on Airbnb by next week. There are guests coming in for 2 nights from Sunday & the first weekend in April is booked but these are friends of our tenant in the Sea View Apartment.

It was a perfect autumn day today – Human Rights Day – the sea was slightly colder than yesterday and there were some waves but it was glorious. We so enjoyed our morning swim and the windless day that followed. The view from the loft…

It’s going to be fun to see how well the Loft does on Airbnb. Surprisingly, when I started working on the listing it raised the price I was thinking of by R200. Anyway, I’m not listing just yet.

I’ve just got in from a walk to the end of Echo & realised I’ve been down to the road or further 6 or 7 times today. I thought that was a lot until I compared myself with Mike. I’ve done 10807 while Mike has done 13000 steps! I.just.can’t.keep.up.with.him!

This news has come in about the beleaguered buoy. Claire from the street WhatsApp group writes,

I wonder if it’s going to be left there to fall apart and be washed away. When I walked to the end of the road, I took a pic and it now is on its side. When a wave washes up, it’s lifted up and crashes down. The residents in the nearby house may be kept awake tonight.

Tomorrow, I’m so excited the family are coming.

Colourful verse from the Bible. Creative words from Solomon…

Proverbs 11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

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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Today I Bought Half a Car

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I bought half a car!

We have a very good thing going in Cape Town. I have my Hyundai i20 which Mike bought me for my 50th birthday. A few years ago, when my brother needed wheels in Cape Town, he bought half of it. Today, my half got sold to him and together we bought this car between us – hence the half a car. It arrives next week. It’s going to be a lovely ride. 😃

It was also the day I went to the beach twice. This morning, Mike and I went down because the wind was a breeze and the water was warm.

Then this afternoon, my work server was super slow which was painful, so I took a break and met friends at the beach. I was in the water for almost an hour. That’s how warm it is right now. Hopefully, it will last through most of the weekend.

Today I didn’t spend the entire day dwelling on Clawd’s absence. I only spent about a quarter of the day doing that. The sting hurts but it will improve with time. I’m still hoping we’ll get a call or he’ll reappear. Greatly missed by all.

I struggle to look at photos of both of them together.

Today in my Bible reading, I encountered one of the prayers in the Psalms that is deeply entrenched in my mind and spirit…

Psalm 63:8
My soul clings to You – Your right hand upholds 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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I’ve Never Seen This Before

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the wind blew. I didn’t go to the beach. I worked from early to late afternoon and then went for a walk along the coast to see  if the buoy was still stranded. It was.

I have a strategy. I think they need a crew on the shore & one in the bay. This needs to be at low tide after the wind drops. The shore crew could get a rope through the top which they will then need to toss to the crew on the vessel and they could tow it off. Sounds easy in theory but with the rocks, it may not be as simple. It may also be damaged. Pity we can’t see it from our house – it will be entertaining watching it being salvaged.

I continued walking towards Glencairn. As I got to 160 Simon’s Town Rd. something on one of the railway poles caught my eye. I hopped over the wall to take a look. It was a memorial. I’ve walked past here so many times and never seen this before.

So sad. There were the remains of many bunches of flowers and I’ve not noticed this before. Two years since he died. I think he was hit by a train, but I couldn’t find the story online. Looking back towards Fish Hoek…

I walked to the Glencairn lookout and back. Dinner was had and now we are having a quiet evening.

We have an unexpected opportunity to buy a new (second-hand) car, so we are busy sorting that out. I am very excited! Mike bought me my car in 2014 as my 50th birthday present. It’s now 10 years old and this amazing chance suddenly arose to replace it. With my 60th birthday at the end of the year, getting a car upgrade sounds very attractive. The only issue is it’s in Johannesburg.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge.

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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That Was Some Sunrise

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today we had quite some sunrise to start the work week.

The wind had dropped and so we went to the beach and had a lovely swim.

The water was warmer this morning than last week – maybe it’s up to 17/18C. Tomorrow, it looks a little windy, but for the rest of the week, it looks like swimming weather….autumnal, but swimming weather non the less.

I worked for the day.

We also made some progress in making the loft Airbnb ready when Mike found the right carpet. We have a deadline as the Dad of the guy in the Seaview apartment is coming for 3 nights next week.

Then this afternoon I took a walk up the road to see if the buoy had been retrieved. It hadn’t, but it is lodged on a rock.

David has had a few ups and downs. It hasn’t been easy since Claw’d left – I certainly spiraled downhill with each passing day he didn’t come home.  We’ve had to pick ourselves up and try to move on, not knowing if Claw’d will reappear of if he is gone for good.  I have to keep reminding myself of David’s message on Clawd’s first night away.

God’s got him.

Psalm 61:1-2
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

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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