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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Flashing and Crashing

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day someone posted a strange message on our street group of a weird light flashing and crashing on the waves below. In the darkness, all that could be seen was a small light going up and down.

Well in the light of day it turned out it was something being bashed abount on the rocks. Claire posted this photo…

I took a walk to get a close up…it was enormous and apparently is the Roman Rock buoy.

I’m not sure how it will be salvaged but no doubt there are ways and means. The wind has picked up this evening and I’m wondering if the buoy is still there. If so, it will be beaten about a bit. Nigel Riley took this photo of Muizenberg…

The wind is expected to die down overnight, so I may even get a swim in tomorrow.

I finished my latest puzzle today. I always get to the stage where I marvel, “it all comes down to this…” just a tiny bit left.

I start off with a 1000 mixed up pieces and slowly but surely  make sense out of them. Just like life there are hard parts and easier sections. If each piece represents a month, it’s a tapestry of 83 years, that starts off with a multitude of unknown days. The messy parts are untangled to reveal the final perfect picture.

Psalm 60:5
Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

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 Overdid it a Bit

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we both overdid it a bit. You overdid the party food at your friend’s 6th birthday. I’m glad you enjoyed it and it was good to see you on our video call today. Granny overdid it on a run this morning. I didn’t realise how unfit I am and how it would wipe me out for the rest of the day. I didn’t run the whole way either. I jogged down the downhills and walked up the uphills. It was a lovely overcast morning.

I went down Highway, up Hillside to Kommetjie Road, along Kommetjie Rd back to Highway and all the way home. I didn’t feel too bad on my return. I had a shower & breakfast and then took Julian to the airport. The guest in the cottage was also flying, so he tagged along. After doing the dropoff, I stopped by Constantia Emporium on the way home and it was about then, I began to feel very, very tired.

After getting home, Mike made me cappuccino and I went to bed. I slept! That was helpful. I also took a couple of pain pills for my pounding headache and that also helped. I’m feeling better now. I won’t be scampering about like that again in a hurry. I did get an idea of how awful David must feel. If how I felt today is how he feels all the time, it’s horrible to say the least.

I did some puzzle; I read some of the entertaining rabbit book. Mike has made spaghetti bolognaise for dinner.

A quiet evening follows.

Psalm 59:16
I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

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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Sun is Moving

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today we noticed how much the sun is moving west. At the height of summer, the sun rises at about 5.31am and from our house it appears over the mountains closer to Rooi Els.

Now it’s at this point…

And now days the sun is rising at about 6.47am. As winter approaches it will be more challenging swimming. Even this morning, when I stepped out the front door, the cool breeze hit me and I queried my plan to go for a swim. Turns out the water was warmer than the wind. By the time I got out it was sunnier and the wind was warmer, so no jersey was required.

I worked the day and also got some washing done. Now, I’m going to wrap this up and take a walk up Highway to drop off more Claw’d flyers. Maybe someone has seen him and is feeding him. He’s timid and will take some time to lure in. I feel like a planet has moved – I’m discombobulated. I need to persevere a little longer. Tomorrow is 2 weeks. For my Bible verse I turn a page back to yesterday – can’t miss this one…

Luke 1:37
For nothing is impossible for God

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 Parent’s Marriage Certificate

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

In the quest to get all the required documents for future generations, this is one of the ones required – my parent’s (your great-grand parents) original marriage certificate. They married in Toronto, Canada on 13th October 1956, so it was to the Ontario government I appealed for help in getting the original. After a month it was found and I had it posted to the UK – today it arrived!

There is information on this I never knew before. I  never knew my parents said they were Roman Catholic. I never knew my grandfather’s name on my Mom’s side – Thomas Francis Davies. I never knew my grandmother on my Mom’s side as any other name as Mops – she was Ann Calder Hughes.  It was really strange to see my parent’s handwriting from the pen of their 24 year old selves. It is as I remembered it as I grew up. It was witnessed by my Mom’s brother and his wife and it seems that’s where my Mom was staying. A real piece of history.

Today I went to the beach on my own – Mike needed to rest his running legs. I had a lovely 30 minute dip and came home to work. I worked for nearly 8 hours. Julian and I walked and part of it was up Highway.

Wide-angle lens view from Highway.

Home for dinner and now we are winding down.

Psalm 57:1b
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

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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In the Nick of Time

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today there was a massive burst water main in a pipe in one of the neighbouring roads.

It’s going to take several hours to repair and work has only just begun. It’s going to be a long night. So it was in the nick of time that Mike got the back up water supply going. Despite the water outage for the whole neighbourhood, we have water, albeit at a lower pressure. It’s enough to drink, to cook and even to shower.  But what a difference it makes. The only explaining to guests is that the water pressure may be lower. Hopefully, it will be back on by the morning and it can fill up our back-up tank. Well done Mike.

This morning I woke feeling refreshed. My watch told me my sleep was good. It’s not often I get an ‘all normal’ reading but today was such a record. It’s the second one this week, which is unusual.

Sleep, sweet sleep.

We went to the beach and I had a good half hour swim. Seaweed was being collected.

David has had a few torrid days. I think Claw’d disappearance hasn’t helped. I’m still hoping and praying that Clawdy will suddenly reappear.

The next guest arrived for the cottage. He’s here until the end of May, so now we have both the Seaview and the cottage filled for a few months. We will be working on getting the Loft into a rentable state.

I worked for close to 8 hours. It was a busy day, so it was a treat to sit down in my rocking chair.

Phew, end of a really busy day.

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

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 Beach Locals

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

I only took one photo today and it was of sunrise.

It was a given that we would go to the beach. I did some early work and then we set off.  One of the fun and pleasant things about going to the beach regularly is we get to know the locals. There’s Jo – a very well known local who sits on the same bench each day. He holds court speaking to all and sundry. He knows just about everyone. There’s Bernard who comes from Germany every year and slumps dozily on the bench, speaking to Jo and occasionally others between naps and dips. Then there’s Lucille and Norman who are as friendly as can be – always asking after David. Margaret is amazing. She’s 79 but as fit as a fiddle and has been known to play 36 holes of golf in a day and that’s after her morning swim. Carol, Moira, Peggy & Andrienne make up another quartet of ladies. And there are others – Paul and Sally (who loves to bake and often brings her fair), Phillip and his wife and a bunch of others whose names I haven’t learned. A happy, friendly bunch of regular morning swimmers all with one thing in common – our love for swimming at Fish Hoek beach. It’s a special community. These warm still days have us meeting regularly.

Home for breakfast and work before I had a (much needed) hair cut.

I worked this afternoon and then Julian and I walked to Fish Hoek beach and back, and then to the end of the road and back. I encountered some neighbours and had a catch up with them as well.

Our evening activities surround looking at our Norwegian cruise itinerary. Flam and games!

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

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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Not Without Hope

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we weren’t going to go to the beach. The wind was expected to be quite strong, but when we woke up, it wasn’t. Sunrise at 6.49am

By 8am, it was a breeze so off we went. I had a wonderful swim in cool water. We were home by 10am and work began…not quite 8 hours of it.

Later, I went out to drop Claw’d flyers at the local vets and also stopped by one of Fish Hoek’s gems – Berry Express – where I bought 5kg of frozen blueberries for R300.

The neighbour messaged me with a photo of Raiku on her deck, admitting that it was not Claw’d she’d seen but this naughty boy. Caught in the act. Guilty for sure.

When I was on the radio, there was something I used to say quite often and it came to mind today, “nothing is going to happen to you today without the Lord’s presence, permission and purpose.” The Lord has a purpose in every trial, no matter how small or large.  I believe that. We are saddened but not without hope.

This evening we went out for dinner. Julian and I walked part of the way. When I first arrived in Cape Town, I was fascinated by trains. I never went on a train in Zimbabwe, so to see a train coming round the coast was always so picturesque for me. And for good reason.

You will be hard pressed to find a more beautiful setting for a train.

Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains 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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Cycle Race Day

Posted on March 10, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day 35000 cyclists went by. It’s always a very quiet day because they close the roads early. Absolutely no traffic noise. Then the sudden appearance of a helicopter, which swooped low to catch the leaders spinning along the coast. It then circled back to film the next batch. Spot the dot…

Once the leaders were gone, there was hardly a noise – just the sight of the cyclists passing by in droves. With the roads super quiet, I took advantage of the peace and walked up Highway dropping Claw’d flyers in post boxes. Perhaps he has found a friendly old person to feed him and he’s not sure how to get home.  As I turned back, this was what I saw…

The beach looked lovely…perfect day for a bike ride. The organisers would have been super happy.

For the rest of the day, I did some reading, I did some puzzle and I did a little walking. While out walking, I did not see this chap who is said to be in the ‘hood.

The other thing that has happened is my parent’s marriage certificate has (finally) been located in Canada and two copies have been snail mailed – one to me in South Africa – maybe it will get here by the end of the year. The other to the UK – maybe it will get there in a few weeks.

I sure wish they could have scanned it and emailed a digital copy but that’s not how the Government of Ontario works. I think I need to give them a call to  make sure they actually will post them out the country. Otherwise, I’ll have to order another copy and ask a friend in Canada to have it sent to her. I should have done that in the first instance!

This evening we are waiting for guests to arrive. They are driving in from Bloemfontein and the guy is staying until June. They should be here in the next couple of hours.

And so ends the weekend.

Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

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 Lowest Day

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the lowest day since Claw’d went missing. It’s because it’s a week and I think reality has set in that it’s most likely he won’t come back. I spoke to the waste truck people today and they said they were not last week’s team, but they also said they never pick up dead animals and cart them off. It’s just not something they do. So that’s another door closed. The emotional fallout extends to all of us, including poor Raiku who is now a little lonely.

Emotionally, today, I’m finished and haven’t got anything more to give, but we will get over this and move on.

We went to the beach for a swim. Ruth came and cleaned the Seaview Apartment. The new guest comes tomorrow after the Cycle race. He is here for 3 months, excluding Easter.

I went to very busy shops to buy dinner and Julian arrived.

I also managed to have a nap.

And I spoke to Stacey who cheered me up no end.

I started the new puzzle.

David had dinner downstairs. We have  had dinner and are now about to watch a Grand Design.

Tomorrow is another day.

Psalm 52:8
I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

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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Looking

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

The mist hung over the mountains at the start of today. I love this kind of weather…

It resulted in a beautiful sunrise…

Despite some early rain, with the sea so flat and calm, I couldn’t resist going down for a swim. Mike had other work to do, so he stayed behind. With drizzle falling, I left my bag in the change room so it wouldn’t get wet and off I went for a lovely 30 minute swim. It was colder than the air temperature, so must have been about 16. So refreshing. Home by 10am, shower, breakfast, work.

After an early dinner I went looking for Claw’d again. I really wanted to see if there was any signs he had possibly been taken by a caracal, so I bush-bashed through the mountainside behind. I found porcupine scat and deer droppings, but no signs of caracals. I went up to Rob’s plot.

Up to his old shack…

& then right up to the very top of his 1000m2 plot.

While I used his stairs, they only go half way up the land. The rest requires some careful bush-bashing.

A little disturbing – remains of a fire…

I came down the Fish Hoek side of Rob’s plot, where there was an overgrown path. I picked my way down…fortunately I had a stick…

I needed to traverse across towards the blue cottage, in order to get around the dead bush wood.

No indication of caracals. No smell of decay. No sign of Claw’d. But maybe he’s there somewhere, hunkering down, catching mice, sheltering under rocks. Maybe he’ll turn up one day. Yesterday evening, I heard a ginger cat was seen around the derelict house, so I went there…..

It was quite a scramble up, but it’s a perfect hiding place for a cat.

I called & called, but the wrong cat came…

Turns out there was a ginger cat living at the house next door, so that’s another answer found.

Tomorrow, I’m going to try catch the dump truck when it comes past and ask if they happened to remember seeing my cat last week. And I also still need to make flyers for the houses on Highway in case the residents are not on the Whatsapp group.

And so the looking continues.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within 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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Back to the Beach

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day we went back to the beach. The water was cooler than recently but it was very refreshing. The waves were perfect. It felt wonderful being out by the blue barrel. The swim did my head & my heart good. There is a cold front coming in so there will be no swimming tomorrow.

There have been a number of projects going on at the house this week. Julian’s balcony ceiling board has been replaced and is looking good. The birds had been making a complete mess above the space and the builder had forgotten, so yesterday, Mike and Courage got it sorted.

In the night when I woke up, I saw on a local whatsapp group that there was a massive burst water main and so, again, we had no water. This has become an ongoing issue on the mountainside, which has very aging water pipes. Our street has been prioritized and in the next week or two, the road will be dug up and water pipes replaced.

Anyway, we woke up with no water. This spurred Mike into action to get in the plumber to connect a new skinny tank to the hot water cylinder. Through an intricate design, when there is a water outage, we will still have water.

While up there, I took a photo of Courage’s wall which is growing in size and stature for sure.

Still no sign of Claw’d. I went out last night and early this morning before sunrise. On both occasions I didn’t see a single cat. Tomorrow, I may ask Courage to go further up the mountain and see if he can see any signs of him. Today when we went to the beach we were stopped by 2 neighbours asking if we had found him.  The neighbours have been very kind.

Psalm 50:10-11
Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.

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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Waiting for Darkness

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was another good day for you and I. I got to take you to school again. I gave you a big hug and goodbye and left you with your teacher while I headed back to Cape Town. We had such a special time together and I’m so proud of you! Granpa loved his gifts! The fizz pops were a great hit..

And the pajamas were too. Well done Stace!

I got a message this morning that a ginger cat was seen down the road, so I’m waiting for darkness to go have a look. There are not many ginger cats on this road and apparently they have been sightings both up and down the road. I went this morning as soon as I got home. I spoke to a couple of gardeners in the area and was touched that one of the ‘bosses’ had whatsapped the gardener a photo of Claw’d. The ginger cat seen of course, may have been Raiku, but the one from this morning was described as smaller, so I’ll go shine a torch in the bushes and look for cat’s eyes. I’m not optimistic because I feel if he was close by he would have come home, but I’ll go look anyway.

Meantime, the Ruth First is in the bay. It’s the Sea Fisheries Patrol vessel. Also knowing as a fishing guard vessel.

This afternoon, stiff from driving, I also took a walk to Fish Hoek for some shopping.

I hope to swim tomorrow.

I had a lovely couple of days in Swellendam being mainly on Granny duty. Now to change hats. I contacted a couple of guests and we’ll see a couple leave and a couple arrive in the next week.

We miss Claw’d like crazy, but will keep hoping. Off I go to get my torch ready for my night prowl.

Wise advice:

Psalm 49:16-17
Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.

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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Hanging Out With Elsie

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you and I hung out. I hope you remember this day. We had a lot of fun together. Mama and Papa had to go to Worcester, so I got to take you to school.

I handed you over to your  teacher…

I went back to the house and worked until 12.20pm when I then went back to do the pick up.

We had such a fun afternoon. We threw the ball to each other (across the room) over and over and over again. And, couch acrobatics were done…

Then we went for a walk to the S sign. Elsie chose the path – you knew exactly where you wanted to go.  Fascinated by the S sign, we went there….

You climbed over the chain and when you were climbing back, you grazed your leg on a sharp piece of the sign, but you didn’t cry. You were so brave. A little bit of shredded skin is never nice to have.

Do you remember taking this photo?…

It’s one of the first photos you ever took of me. When we got home, you wanted to take more photos on the camera timer, so you lined me up with you behind and you took this photo…

This evening, Adrian and Stacey have gone off to a parent/teacher meeting.

Tomorrow, the plan is for me to take you to school and then drive home. Bye bye Elsie ’til the next time. Thank you for giving me such a lot of fun these last two nights.  It’s also fun having you standing next to me while I’m writing this and getting your running commentary.  One day you will read this and possibly not remember the occasion but I’ve got the photos to prove it! I love you my darling!

Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Elsie has requested hearts here:

 

 

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Very Rainy Road Trip to Swellendam

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today is the day I drove through to your house on a very rainy day. It absolutely poured down but was particularly bad just for about 30km before & after Riviersonderend. That was when I drove at 80km an hour with my windscreen wipers on full speed and my hazard lights on. Granpa has stayed home as he has a couple of important tasks to get done. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but I need to be home by Saturday. I’m here to look after you Elsie darling and so that’s what I’m doing. Tomorrow I get to drop you off at school. How cool is that?

On this rainy afternoon, you are playing with my cell phone stand which has been a number 1, a Y, a torch, a clamp and hair tongs.

I worked this morning and left home at lunchtime.

There is still no news of Claw’d and I am absolutely gutted. I’ve put him on various groups and contacted local vets, Tears and the SPCA. I am hoping he will pitch up but with each passing hour, it is less likely. Not knowing is the worst. It was the most entertaining 7 and a half months we have ever had. I appreciated them both every day. I loved them to bits and now the partnership is broken, it’s hard to see Raiku looking, sniffing, waiting.  God knows.  Maybe he will pitch up. I pray so.

Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

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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