Unexpected Rain

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day after a terrible night sleep! I had too much sugar last night and I ended up not being able to fall asleep to start with and when I finally did, I woke up 2 hours later with terrible heartburn and boiling hot. I slugged down some Gaviscon and tried to go back to sleep. Then I was tormented because I couldn’t remember the word Gaviscon. That was so annoying. I could remember crepuscular but not Gaviscon. It’s crazy how my mind works or doesn’t work – however way I want to feel about it. Eventually, I remembered it and finally fell asleep only to wake up at 5.21am. I had 6 hours of what felt like poor sleep. Tonight will be better.

I looked at my weather app and it said there would be rain this afternoon, so I decided to go for a walk to the end of the road & then do the Daisy Lane loop. Just before we left, I went out of the balcony and saw rain coming in. Too late. We set off with a blustery shower and that was our lot for most of the walk. We decided to to to the end of Daisy Lane and then turn back, so we didn’t have to go down Hillside and up Highway.

Despite the rain, swimmers were swimming.

When I got home, I turned my computer on and worked for 9 hours. It has been my most successful month with this company but on Tuesday 1st July, we draw a line under June  and start at naught again.

Today I was reminded of unwavering faith. 2 Kings is filled with the miracles of Elisha. Yesterday, I mentioned the Shunammite woman who was blessed with a son.  That son was a young boy when he got sick & died. Devastated, the woman set off to find Elisha.

2 Kings 4:25-26
So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite!  Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” “Everything is all right,” she said.

Everything is all right? How can she say that? When everything is not all right, God sees the bigger picture.

Elisha returns with her and after praying to God the boy comes back to life.

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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Hiking in Our Own Back Yard

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we went hiking in our own back yard. Elsie, we climbed ‘your’ peak before breakfast!  It is something I have wanted to do for a long time but just haven’t had the opportunity. One day Elsie, when you visit, we’ll take you up here.  We left not long after 7.30am. On the way up the sunrise was quite beautiful.

We climbed up the regular route, past this stile

Mike coming up the hill…

There is a lot of beauty on the mountainside this winter. A king protea.

And lots of winter fynbos

Approaching the top…

And finally at the top…

…with beautiful views of Simon’s Town…

….and Fish Hoek…

Hiking in our own backyard.

We were home a few hours later, a tiny bit damp from some passing showers, but happy to have conquered the hill before breaking the fast.

I have a new big screen attached to my desk and it’s going to make all the difference to how I work. I think, largely, it will improve my posture as I am immediately not hunched over my laptop.

Last night we went to Anna’s home and had a very nice dinner with her and her parents.  They have some beautiful pieces of furniture, antiques of note including an 1860s ornate, with bird carving dresser. It’s got so much detail.  We had a lovely evening together. We also got to meet her cats, one of which was very affectionate. Meet Cat-Cat with his black and ginger splotches. So sweet.

This evening, the Berettas are coming for spaghetti bolognaise, hence the early blog.

Every year on 22nd June I read this verse. A heart-warming prophecy by Elisha to the Shunammite woman.

2 Kings 4:16-17
“About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord, ” she objected. “Don’t mislead your servant, O man of God!” But the woman became pregnant and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

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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Winter Solstice 2025

Posted on June 21, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the winter solstice for 2025 – the shortest day of the year and the longest night. This was the sun coming up behind the clouds. It was going to be a sunny day.

And so we decided to go for a winter solstice swim. The beach was very quiet. The sea was very cold – today it felt like 12. I spent my 30 minutes dawdling out to the barrel and swimming back. The sea, while flat and the wind, while low, belied the strength of the waves and the power of the undercurrent. The tide was coming in, but whenever there is a weird kind of riptide, it’s best to swim parallel to the coast – along the line of the wave. Mike arrived from his run and came into the water for a few minutes. A massive wave came and we both got dunked. Usually diving beneath them is the safest option, but this one was big and strong and I didn’t dive deep enough so as it broke over my head, it swirled me around, making me disorientated for a moment before I came up and broke the surface of the water. I’ve always thought I have more to fear of the sea than of sharks. And Fish Hoek waters are generally tame.  Despite being able to swim & confident in the sea, I am careful.

We came home and had breakfast and a rest before getting stuck into housework.

Today I told Mike, with work ramping up to new levels, it may be time to go back to having two monitors…a big one and my laptop. He jumped all over that idea and has gone off to make the purchase!  I’ve taken the printer out my workspace as I wasn’t using it and I’m going to rearrange my desk area. I’m spending so much time there, I want it as comfortable and functional as possible. The reward for work is more work!

I’m off to get the washing off the line. I have a bad habit of not pegging the socks to the clothes horse but just hanging them over the washing basket. A gust of wind took some of them over the balcony and I needed to go retrieve them from 3 stories down. Two of them had landed on the ground and two on the laundry roof. The ones on the roof needed a stick and a stretch to hook em up. I announced out loud (to nobody) that I was quite proud of myself in being successful! Some family members accuse me of reducing the impact of excitement by being excited about everything. When pointed out to me, it did highlight the number of times a day I say, “I’m excited”. How can one be excited about being successful in retrieving socks from the laundry roof? I think it was because I didn’t break any bones in completing the task.

Today is Riana’s birthday!

The poignancy of Psalm 139 was before me this morning.

Psalm 139:1-2
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

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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16 Years

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today is the day of your parent’s wedding anniversary! 16 years and you have been a precious part for 7 of those. It’s a warm and fuzzy day that brings back lots of happy memories.

At their wedding, I read a poem I’d written for your Mom, who was 21 at the time! Here it is…(it’s not very good poetry but it tells the story)

“More than 21 years have come and gone, I’m so privileged to be your mom.

From the time you were a tiny tot, we saw an amazing talent you got.
To see how they work, you’d break apart, David’s toys, it became an art.
Putting them back together again, was really the problem when you’re just 10.
So Dad would come and try to help, Twas no good – the thing was broke.
Little did we know it would be, how things work would be your degree.

More than 21 years have come and gone, I’m so privileged to be your mom.

Now let me say, it’s just not cool, to throw stones in the neighbour’s pool!
But this you did with Dave in tow – it would make Mom mad – how were you to know?
Twas a winters day I do recall – you were about 4 foot tall
And David was only 3 – to get them stones out was up to me.
And so into the pool I dived and swam – you sat on the edge with bucket in hand.
I got them all and you said sorry – and off home we went without a worry!

More than 21 years have come and gone, I’m so privileged to be your mom.

Stacey you also loved to read – and this you did with mighty speed.
100s of books – how’s that for size – it also got you the readers prize!
The teens they came in a heartbeat, and your baking became a treat.
Selling biscuits at school, you rose to fame, but banking the money was the name of the game.

More than 21 years have come and gone, I’m so privileged to be your mom.

And then one day, you met a boy – and that  has given us much joy.
Adrian, we love you and I am sure you shall, take care of our Stacey – she’s our only gal.
We’re so thrilled she’s found “the one” – we don’t feel we’re losing her, we’re gaining a son.
And so Adrian & Stacey we say to you, may the good days be many and the bad days few
Let the Lord go before you, make Him your Light and come what may, it will turn out right.

More than 21 years have come and gone, I’m so privileged to be your mom.”

Still so privileged and it’s now 37 years of blessings and more to come.

Happy Anniversary Adrian and Stacey!

We have found this to be true:

Psalm 138:8
The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.

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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Perfect Time to Walk to the End of Fish Hoek Beach

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we walked to the end of Fish Hoek beach and picked the perfect time to do it.  It was very low tide.

There was a fresh northwesterly wind blowing and was quite chilly.

We walked as far as we could. The Silvermine river is now flowing.

David sent me a photo of Fish Hoek a very long time ago…

I happened to have taken a photo of Fish Hoek mountain on the way back home.

Back on the cat walk, there were body- paddlers coming in.

This was the winner!

We arrived home just before the rain came.

Home for dinner and a quiet evening with David.  The days are short right now with long winter nights. Saturday is the winter solstice for the southern hemisphere. After that, slowly but surely the days will get longer.

Today, in the Bible, I encountered a very descriptive verse. Today we may say, ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’ Back then this was the creative way of saying it…

1Kings 20:11
The king of Israel answered, “Tell him: ‘One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.’”

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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One Step at a Time

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I took an early morning walk. Aloe, aloe, aloe!

I did a 5km loop – an early morning walk is always the best.

Courage has been hard at work on rebuilding our main stairway. This was last night. We went out to Dixies so had to shimmy round the side path.

This was Courage today.

When we went down later, I took these photos after work was done for the day.

Courage is doing such a good job. He’s quite the stonemason…

We went down the steps this afternoon because Anna bought a new (second hand) car and bought it round to show us!

She’s thrilled. It will make such a difference to her and her family. We are so happy for her.

I had a good work day. It is busy! So grateful for work.

A couple of decades ago we used to try have family devotions around the dinner table. I don’t remember many of them, but I do remember this one. It’s Psalm 136 and it has 26 verses. After each verse it has the refrain, “His love endures forever” so that is repeated 26 times. I remember Mike reading the Psalm and us all saying, “His love endures forever” at the end of each verse. If you have young kids, it’s a fun one to remember!

Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.

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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Roaming Raiku

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you got your marks for term 2.

  • Life skills – 82%
  • Maths – 85%
  • Afrikaans- 90%
  • English – 88 %

Well done!!

For us today was another drizzly day. I tried to get some lunchtime exercise but my walk was quickly cut short by water falling from the sky!

Last night I got a WhatsApp from Claire, a lady who lives about 20 houses up the road. She is almost at the very end of the road. I saw her the other day when I was out walking and she mentioned in passing that she had seen my cat in her back garden. No, surely not – she’s miles away. She said not so far as the crow flies and she isn’t wrong, but it still seems a very long way. She said she had even see him cross the road at the end and go down the sea-side of the mountain!

He’s such a naughty boy if it is him. She sent me this photo.

I scrutinized it and compared Raiku’s colouring and markings and concluded it has to be him. The similarities are too close. I took a photo of his back and put the photos side by side. His fur’s a bit disrupted because he’s come through the bush.

Sometimes he does go out for several hours and I wonder where he’s been. Now I know. Claire said they have mongooses and other exotic things up that end! Raiku must be in on them. Anyway, right now he is tucked up in his bed and fast asleep. The cold weather keeps him in.

Julian left to go back to Johannesburg. David is having dinner with Anna, so the house is very quiet. Work has consumed my day. I’m having one more meeting and then calling it a day.

Psalm 135:6-7
The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses.

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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Walking for a Purpose

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today is Youth Day in South Africa so you, Elsie  also didn’t need to go to school. It was very quiet at our house, because Courage wasn’t here, but I still got to work. Rain was due to set in (and we did get a little light rain), but early we decided to go out and get some exercise. First I was just going to go for my usual mountainside walk but then I decided that walking for a purpose was a better option and I set off to the shops for a couple of things. I came back via the beach, where the sun was trying to break through the clouds.

There were several people swimming. A little cold, damp weather doesn’t put them off!

Home for breakfast, coffee with David and a little wait for  Mike who got in from an 8km run.

It wasn’t a super busy work day. I had a bunch of interviews arranged for teachers for today (being a holiday) so I’ve been getting feedback throughout the day as to how they all went. Some went well – others weren’t sure. We should get feedback tomorrow.

With the cloudy skies and drizzly mist, it felt very wintery. Raiku spent several hours right here…

The cat who owns the house!

Now, we are going to go for a little walk so I can get to my 10000 steps. Then it will be a quiet evening. Perhaps we’ll watch another Grand Design.

Every day when I do my Bible reading, I consider which verse to use for my blog. There’s always wisdom from Solomon.

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

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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Father’s Day 2025

Posted on June 15, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was Father’s Day and I’m sure you gave your Papa a great day. I know your Mom made muffins and waffles. It was good to see you today.

For us, I walked to the shops quite early to pick up a few extras for breakfast. On my way home, the sun had risen.

When I got home we had a lovely big cook-up which we all enjoyed.  As we ended breakfast, there was a knock at our front door. This doesn’t happen often. There stood a very well presented lady who I immediately guessed (correctly) was an estate agent. Her name was Margie and she was there because she was interested in buying a plot up the road. She saw our house and just merrily made her way up to have a look! She encountered Gareth in the Seaview apartment who told us where to find us.  She said she is more of a property developer now. We had a long conversation. She has never watched any Grand Designs, so we suggested she look up those on YouTube to get an idea of the pitfalls and obstacles. I told her there would be many vexations, which was a word she didn’t really understand. No doubt our paths will cross again.

For the rest of the day, we rested, I did a smidgen of work, did some washing to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. With a berg wind blowing, the washing got dry in no time at all.

Later, Julian and I went to Harbour Bay and bought pizzas for dinner.

And now, we are watching a Grand Design.  Yep. Great enthusiasm at the start. Exhaustion at the end! It costs more and takes longer. Sometimes, it’s easier to just buy a house!

A good day.

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

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 Won a Cricket World Cup

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was another glorious winter’s day. We went to the beach early and had a lovely swim. The water is cold, but I’m wearing my spring suit which really helps. I’m not taking my cell phone to the beach these days. It’s just simpler to leave it at home, but it does mean there are no beach photos. I have to rely on one of the hundreds from previous occasions.

We came home and changed and then the 4 of us went to Harbour Bay for breakfast. I had their Larney French toast. Always a winner.

Julian went on to his usual Saturday appointments, while Mike, David and I came home for a relaxing rest of day.

One of my latest photos comes from last night. The full moon with all the amazingness of what was known as the Strawberry moon has passed, but we still had this spectacle last night. It looks like an i.

The most memorable event from today is the historic win South Africa had over Australia in the World Test Championship final played at Lords. We won! We won! We won! We won a Cricket World Cup! It was exciting to see us get the required runs when for most of the match, Australia were the favourites. It’s always a sweet victory to beat Australia at any sport, but to beat them in Cricket at Lord’s is a specially delicious treat.  After such a victory, I always stop by the Sydney Morning Herald website…

It’s our first major cricket title in 27 years. This is to be savoured! After our first innings of a paltry 138, the worst was expected. We won a Cricket World Cup!

A quiet evening at home this evening. Mike has made spaghetti bolognaise.

From my Bible reading this morning, I had this Proverb.

Proverb 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

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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Big Rock Wipes out Street Light

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I woke up to hear of drama on our street last night. I didn’t see all the messages coming in until I got to read them this morning. The city had cleared a piece of the mountain of a lot of bush which was a fire hazard. This was the bush they cleared. Notice the street light.

In doing so they uncovered a number of rocks that were on the hillside. Last night one of them (a very big one) came loose and tumbled down wiping out the street light, which in turn hit a car!

Today the City of Cape Town came to fix the light. Initially they were looking for the owner of the car, but managed to reinstate the light without moving the car.

The blue car belonged to a holiday maker. Oops. That’s an insurance claim. There’s always something!

It’s been another beautiful day in Fish Hoek. We didn’t swim, but we will be heading off for a walk soon.  These stunning, warm windless days don’t come along often so when they do, I really appreciate them.

I’ve had  a really good work week & now I’m able to call it a day.

Today a verse struck me that bought me comfort in 2023. I’m trying to live my life with my palms up.

Psalm 131:2
I have stilled and quieted my 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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Fish Hoek 1953

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was a most beautiful winter’s day in Fish Hoek.  This was just before sunrise…

And it was the sight that made me decide a visit to the beach was mandatory. We headed off just before 8am expecting the water to be freezing. I wore my spring-suit for extra cover. It was surprising pleasant. I swam out the barrel a couple of times and ended up spending a full 30 minutes in the water.  I made sure to dress warmly for the walk home.

It was an easy work day with frequent visits to the balcony to lap up the sunshine and windlessness. Julian arrived, so he also got to enjoy the day…

We walked to the end of the road and enjoyed the pretty sunset hues…

This week Mike found some maps of Cape Town in the 40s. This is what Fish Hoek looked like in 1945. This shows the road outlines.

Our road had no houses on it. Our house plans are dated 1948 and the house was built a year or two later. This is 1953 with no roads displayed…the green arrow shows our original cottage…

This is Fish Hoek in 1953.

It’s quite a fun website to visit. Here’s the link. https://citymaps.capetown.gov.za/EGISviewer/

Have fun!

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope.

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 Fillies

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day your Dad celebrated his birthday! Happy birthday Adrian! I’m sure you gave him a good day!

Today was also the day I thought about the Fillies! Elsie, maybe one day you will play netball.  I took a walk to Peer’s Village to drop something off and on the way passed Fish Hoek primary school.

I’m a bit cautious about taking photos of children around schools, but this one is innocuous enough

As I walked past the netball court, a flood of memories came back. Fish Hoek was playing against Reddam. It took me back to when I was 9 years old, in Std 3 and in the Fillies netball team at Frank Johnson Primary school. It was 1974.  We were a great team & for that season we won every single match! Watching the kids playing netball today, with  the coaches advising them, the onlookers cheering for their team – it took me back 50 years to when we were playing interschool netball games. Sometimes we were at home – other times away. It was great playing a team sport and even better that we won. I was never athletic, but somehow, in 1974, I got onto the Fillies Netball team and we won!  That was a fun recollection.

It was also a 7km walk.

Such a beautiful day to be outside. From the balcony, the peach of a day was evident, despite some smog.

More steps were built. Today Courage made 5.

I had a successful work day as well.

The proverb I read today makes me think Solomon, who wrote it, had first hand knowledge. What with 700 wives and 300 concubines, there must have been lots of friction.

Proverbs 17:1
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

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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My New Fireplace

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day, my ‘fireplace’ arrived. A fireplace in our apartment has been a topic for conversation every winter. As soon as it gets cold, I start grumbling about the need for a fireplace. Today I got one!

I am told, on good authority it costs R3/hour to have on. Raiku was interested in it.

It’s very effective in warming up our little place & it gives great ambience.

The day began like this…

And has ended like this…

It looks like we are in for some more picture perfect days this week.

We went for a 4km run, getting home just after 8am. We showered and jumped straight into work.

Outdoors, a load of sand arrived, which got carried onto the lower patio. Courage started fixing the pump and then got back to building the steps. He made another 2. Gareth arrived for 11 nights.

And another day has swiftly flown by.

Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience 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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Courage Built 4 Steps

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today Courage built 4 steps in one day. If it was me, I would build one step in 4 days. It’s going to be great to watch this space develop this week, although tomorrow sand is being delivered, so that may slow things down.

I worked the day as usual and then, with the rain behind, I went for a walk. The sea is beginning to behave normally again. The last few days there’s been a fervent north wind bringing lots of rain. Now,  the South Easter is gently beginning to blow the waves towards Fish Hoek beach. It is high tide so the waves are rolling in and crashing against the distant rocks.  It looks like the rain has gone for the moment.

I went up Zoutendyk steps past this Mural.

We have enjoyed David’s company for a couple of hours this evening. He has headed off home. The guest in the Loft has asked to stay until Friday.  Gareth arrives tomorrow for 11 nights in the Seaview apartment.

Psalm 127 for me today. Verse 1 is the one we had on our wedding invitation

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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