Final Clean Up Day

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today the sun rose with the hope of a beautiful new day…

We went to the beach and while the water wasn’t very cold, it was loaded with an enormous amount of kelp. I swam in more seaweed than I’ve ever swum in before. If you google benefits of kelp you find it to be so good for you, I must have looked at least 5 years younger when I got out. Hopefully we’ll be back tomorrow & the kelp would have left.

So today was a day to finish the clean up, reflect, analyse and evaluate the events of Sunday. It was a crazy day. This was posted on the street whatsapp group.

Actually, the first responders arrived 4 minutes earlier at 12.22pm.

Phew, that was shattering. And the devastation very obvious for all to see.

We don’t want this to happen again. Being on the mountain side, we are very wary of fire being a hazard but never in our wildest dreams would we have thought below our road would have been where the fire would be and in 12 minutes it would raze two houses. Mind-boggling.

I had a good day at work. It’s been decided I will take the full three weeks off when we are travelling and I won’t do any work while I’m away, unless I want to dip into email while on the ship. But I won’t attend any meetings and I’ll only check email if I want to. My colleagues will cover for me. I am now very excited. I haven’t had a non-working holiday for years.

One of my favourite verses…

Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

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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Post Fire Clean-up

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day it rained and rained and rained. In fact last night there was quite a storm. It was helpful in that the rain put out any possible chance of more fire.

This morning, as it was still raining,  Mike picked up Courage and Ruth and they got stuck into cleaning. Courage got the power hose out and starting at the top cleaned the outside of the house and got rid of all the ash on the balconies and patios.

While he had the high pressure hose going, he cleaned the ceiling of our balcony and it came out gleaming…

Despite the rain, we did take an afternoon walk towards the end of the road. Earlier in the day a few photos had been posted of one of the houses burnt in yesterday’s fire. Magda posted these…

This is a photo we took from the road looking down…I think this is a different house.

It’s so devastating and as the stories came out this morning, the speed at which it happened was nothing less than astounding. This photo was on News 24. You can see the size of the waves – the wind was so strong. You can also see the trajectory of the smoke which was heading right towards us.

The top arrow points to the first house to start burning. It was very badly damaged. Today the owner wrote on the Whatsapp group…

We often see this couple as they regularly walk their Labrador dogs. We’ll continue to see them as they have moved in 4 houses up the road for the next several months while their house is repaired.

Life can change so quickly, it’s frightening. What also shocked me by the light of day was the sight of a burnt bush at the house across the road. The wind was carrying flaming papers and blowing them right towards us. It was a harrowing few hours for sure. On a lighter note, naturally, everyone is talking about it and when David went to Olympia this morning, the waitresses were talking about the fire. One of them said, “I’m so glad it didn’t happen on my street.” David couldn’t help himself, “It happened on  mine.” That got their attention and within a minute, he had an audience wanting to know the details. When the fire started David was out yesterday and came home to find the road closed. He parked down the road. Later, when the fire was more or less under control,  Mike went to get the car and did some shopping.  While out, he went to the chemist and got a prescription filled.  As the pharmacist was looking up his details, she said in surprise, “Echo Rd? Are you okay?” That was the other thing that became very apparent. The power of social media had carried news of the fire on Echo Rd far and wide. Even last night I had a guest from the UK contact me to find out if we were okay.

It was quite surreal being in the midst of it all.

Luke 12:48
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

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 Day The Fire Came

Posted on April 7, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today started as another very windy day. I took a walk to the shops to buy some essentials. The wind was howling, but the outing was refreshing. I got home and shortly after, I looked out the window and said, “where’s the smoke coming from?” I then took a photo to send to the emergency fire WhatsApp group and I phoned the fire department.  This was at 12.04pm.

The fire department line was busy, but I saw others had phoned it in and emergency was on their way. What followed was nothing less than hair-raising because we didn’t know what was going on and the wind was blowing burning debris towards us. Visibility was so poor we could hardly see anything out the window…

While smoke billowed around us, dreadful photos started appearing. First, that the thatch of the lower guesthouse of 11 Echo (Whale of a Time) was on fire. We couldn’t believe it.

And then, to our horror, Dhiresh’s house at 41 was burning.

Fortunately, he was able to get out with his pets.

Mike and I had been up to  behind our house to see if the fire had jumped the road at all. The air was clear up there as well, so we could get a bit of reprieve from the smoke and we could see where it was coming from….

Gareth in the cottage, was being smoked out, so he came upstairs, followed by a neighbour bringing his cat. Peter was covered in soot and ash and needed to clean up. I put on a mask and went down to the garage to get the cat carrier in case we needed to evacuate. It was a bit unnerving to find fire tenders lined up outside our house. I was glad they were there but their presence made me wonder why they were so close.

I went back up and while looking over the terrace, I noticed smoke coming from bush next to our property on our side of the road. I walked over to take a closer look and there were flames! I shouted down to the firemen on the street and they got to work to put it out. The flames were literally a few metres from the cottage front window. It was an absolute Godincidence that I was there at that moment.

I retreated back upstairs and that’s where I stayed until things were more under control. I kept an eye on Whatsapp for updates.

At about 4pm, Mike and I took a walk to along Simon’s Town Road to see the damage. This was where the fire started.

So  much destruction, but it could have been worse.  So glad it is under control. Fire services remain in the area in case of flareups. The wind remains very strong and rain is expected overnight. In fact tomorrow, we are expecting it to be crazy rainy and stormy.

Right now, it’s time to shower and recover.

Luke 12:32
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

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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Digging Up The Road

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day they dug up the road right outside our house. The workers were so quick. When we got down to the street, this is the sight that met us…they are digging a trench and laying new water pipes…

This big fella has got a scooper at the front and a digger at the back.

The workers were very organised. The truck came along side to receive the sand…

It then got out the way as soon as possible as there were cars coming and going and it was blocking the road. They got the pipes in…

Then they started filling it in again…

Their work was very neat…

Initially, we walked to Sun Valley to pick up Mike’s car. Then we drove home and Mike spoke to the foreman about digging away a bit of the bush next to our house so we have more space to park. Hopefully, they will do that on Monday.

We then went to Canal Walk. We haven’t been there for ages and it was quite a fun way to while away a few relaxing hours. We did a lot of looking and a little buying….for a special birthday coming up for next month someone is turning 6! We went out for ribs and then came home. By the time we arrived, the trench was covered and we were able to park on the kerb.

The wind is still blowing strongly, but worse is still to come. It should start abating sometime on Monday.

Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

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 Wind and the Warning

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today is Friday and I usually try to work only in the morning and take some time off in the afternoon, but this week has been super busy so I worked 8 hours. I still finished slightly early as, because of the wind, there was no swimming this morning, so I started work earlier than usual.

Being chained to my desk for the day means my entertainment comes from what goes down in the neighbourhood. This message popped up on my whatsapp. It will be a wild few days and from late tomorrow evening it will be best to batten down the hatches and lay low.

These black south-easter storms can be particularly brutal. We most likely will have some water coming in, but it will be temporary. We will hunker down for sure.

The other message that went out was this one from a neighbour. My response is in green.

Turns out I was right. A short while later the neighbour said a tourist staying further up the road came looking for it.

And the only other entertainment is from the Raiku department. I was rubbing his chin when he went to give me a gentle bite – in doing so he tasted my skin and liked what he licked, so off he went giving my hand a proper cleaning.

It was tricky taking the photo with my left hand. Poor Raiku, still missing Claw’d. Me too. Everyday. I think the thing Raiku misses the most is Clawd’s affection. Claw’d made it his job to be in charge of feline hygiene and Raiku was the happy recipient. So, to make up for it, several times a day I stroke him, brush him and spend time giving him scratches behind the ears and rubs under his chin and cheeks.

Yay for the weekend!

Psalm 77:14
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

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 Calm Day Before The Wind

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today begins a bit of a countdown for us. Three weeks today we fly to Italy and 1 month today we fly from Italy to Denmark.  I got an email from Easyjet saying we could check-in. The one thing that has come to light for our upcoming trip is how easy it will be to pack. There’s really only one rule – pack for a cold Cape Town winter. It’s going to be cold and possibly rainy – both for Italy and Denmark. What the weather is like on the ship remains to be seen, but it’s still going to be cold. Overall, shorts, t-shirts and summer dresses are not required. I will take my swimming costume though – I hope to swim in Lake Maggiore and maybe, if I’m very brave, Ofelia beach is 750m from our hotel in Copenhagen. The temperature of the water probably won’t be higher than 10C, so my dip will probably be very brief and quite possibly more of a paddle than a swim. But, I may never have another opportunity to get into the Baltic Sea so paddling will be a must. But having said that, look at the weather for the day we are in Copenhagen!  I think I may  have to forgo the treat of a Baltic swim.

Speaking of the weather, today was a lull before the storm – really a calm day before the wind picks up and blows frenetically for 4 days straight. It’s very peaceful now. No howling wind  whistling past, blowing doors and rattling windows. Everything is serene.

We swam this morning. No daily shark exclusion net now that the season has ended. I swam to the blue barrel and back twice.  There have not been great white sharks spotted anywhere in False Bay since late November and then they were miles away. Now the water is cooling, the chance of them frequenting our little bay is even lower, but caution is called for and if there is any sighting at any time, I will be the first to call a halt to my barrel swims.  For the next few days, with the wind expectation looking like this, I don’t think I’ll be going to Fish Hoek Beach

I may venture out to one of the tidal pools. If the tide is medium, even Skellies on the cat walk might be a stopping point. Sunday and Monday are getting the brunt of what looks like a black (thunderous) South-Easter. Yes, summer has been given full notice – winter is waiting in the wings.

Today, Gail came to visit. Gail last visited in about 2016, not long after we had bought the cottage. I had tea with her there. She was instrumental in advising us not to touch the cottage but to build a separate house. It was largely on that advice that we chose not to do anything with the cottage and to build a new house behind. And so here we sit!  It was Gail’s first visit up the 85 steps. We went slowly but she was not out of breath by the time she got to the top. For someone who has had a hip replacement and is almost 76, it was beyond admirable. She’s a lovely person.

Luke 11:9-10
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

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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Truck Traffic

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that saw quite a lot of truck traffic on our road. Contractors are digging up our road to make way for new water pipes. On top of that there are a number of building projects, so we are regularly hearing the beep beep beep of reversing trucks either entering the road or leaving. Sometimes, they meet tail to tail, like these two…the one on the left was arriving (reversing up the street) while the one on the right was leaving and trying to reverse down the street.  

They thought maybe the shorter one could get around the longer one but when they met tail to tail, they realised it wasn’t going to work…

Eventually, the one arriving had to drive back down the street and into Highway, so the reversing one could leave.

The road works are getting closer to our entrance. Gareth, who is in the cottage has a front row seat to all the activity and he is keeping entertained. There is a big container down the road…

But for now, they are just stripping the tar off the line where they will be laying pipes.

Funny story…my  car was parked on the kerb instead of in the garage. We went out for a walk and as we got down to the road, Mike said, ‘ah I forgot the car keys to put the car away.’ We got back from our walk and walked up the 85 steps. Mike then took the keys and went down the 85 steps to put the car away. A short while later, he was back up puffing and panting. He had taken the wrong keys! Ha ha ha ha ha!!  I had mercy and went and put the car away!

Just as well I got that exercise as I was pretty much chained to my computer all day today. More than 9 hours on the clock. There was just tons of work to get through, but I have managed to get on top of it all and possibly tomorrow I’ll get to swim and have a visit from a friend.

Psalm 75:1
We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near;  people tell of your wonderful deeds.

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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Plenty of Movement

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a day of plenty of movement. Julian was up early to start the long trip back to Johannesburg. He lays down his head in the metropolis of Colesberg.

Jess, Gerrie and Lizzy packed up and by 9am were heading down the stairs to go to the airport for their trip home.

Ruth came and cleaned the Seaview Apartment and by 1pm the long term guests had moved in and are now here until mid-June.

I worked 8 hours and then around 4pm, I jumped into my swimming costume and went to the beach for a swim. The water has warmed up. I met Werner and Liesl in the water. Werner’s watch said it was 17C. Yesterday was 14C, so a big difference. The wind is expected to pick up so I’m not sure how many more swims we’ll get this week. We’ll take it day by day.

David had a guitar lesson to teach this evening so he didn’t come up. The hustle and bustle of Easter has passed and a very quiet evening is underway.

The Fish Hoek Museum has been posting historic photos of Fish Hoek on Facebook and this old one grabbed my attention. To think, that’s where I swim.

The author explained the buildings..

It would be interesting to find the exact spot at which this photo was taken and take another for comparison. If the rocks could talk they surely would have stories to tell.

The other thing I did today was finally got hold of MSC and did a cruise move – we were supposed to board the ship tomorrow but they cancelled it because of the Red Sea dangers. God willing, if all goes well, one year from now we will be on the ship in Durban just about to leave for Italy. We’ll see.

Psalm 74:16-17
The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

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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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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