Daily Goals

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today as we started the new working year in earnest, I thought of my daily goals. They are not really new, but they are ongoing.

  1. Read through the Bible in a  year. I’m still using the Bible Julian found for me. It’s divided into 365 days of Bible readings. Each day has Old & New Testament reading, Psalm and Proverbs.

Normally, I’m out of bed somewhere between 5 & 6am, make a cappuccino for Mike and a flat white for me.  I sit in my rocking chair and that’s where I drink my coffee and do my Bible reading.

2. Pray.

3. Exercise – this usually means either walking to the beach for a 30 minute swim or going on a 5 or 6km walk, depending on if the wind is blowing or not. Over the weekend, it may be walking on the mountain. We so enjoyed the walk over the Glencairn saddle with Julian and Gerrie the other day. Getting 10000 steps is part of this. If I swim for 30 minutes, I need to do an additional walk sometime during the day to get my steps.  It’s beautiful weather this week, so swimming is it.

4. Work – Monday to Friday – 6-8 hours – meet work goals.

5. Write this blog!

6. Have some down time each day. This usually means after work, after dinner, before bedtime.

While these are goals, they have become daily habits.

On the home front, I took two photos today that made me happy. This is David going up the stairs. For at least half the stairs, he was going my speed. The fact that he is not using the hand rail is huge.

I think he was going so fast at this spot because he was trying to catch up with Raiku who is  visible a few steps higher.

The second thing that made me happy is (finally) the contractors for the city came to cut the firebreak behind.

1,2,3,4,5 are done. Time for 6!

Matthew 5:43-44
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute 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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Would You Rather….

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day guests checked out and the family left.

The cutest Lizzy coming down the stairs – determined not to hold a hand and do it all on her own. With Jess and Jen.

Gerrie with Alex

Cousins – Jess & David

We got stuck into the loft as Ruth hadn’t quite arrived. She took over. The Seaview Apartment guests left at 10am and I went in there to strip the bed and gather the towels. I did 4 loads of washing. All the linen is now done from the Loft, the Seaview Apartment and Julian’s floor.  It was very satisfying. Would you rather stay in Fish Hoek and do 4 loads of linen or fly to Johannesburg today?  I would rather do linen.

In the afternoon, I took a walk to Fish Hoek for a few things. I took the direct route there and back. It means passing this view…from Simon’s Town road..

Past the historic 19th milestone.

Up Mossop steps.

Passing Stone Way, up Highway home.

It’s the quickest way home.

All the new guests have arrived and have settled in.

Today was always going to be hard work – as my Mom would say, “I worked my fingers to the bone!”  We did have some down time.

I’m up to the Sermon on the Mount. I’m always interested in this verse in what Jesus doesn’t say -ie hear your good words!

Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran  xx

(If you wondered what happened yesterday, I wrote the blog but got distracted before I hit publish –  Julian whatsapped me at 11.30pm, when I was already asleep – when I woke up at 2.30am, I saw his message and hopped out of bed to hit the publish button!)

 

 

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This Kind of Day

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was a quiet, restful day. We started by going to the beach early. By 7am, it was already buzzing.

Julian left today so we got home at about 8am, so we could have coffee with him before he headed off to the airport.

There was cricket on, which we watched. SA has done very well at Newlands!

But it was this kind of day. Cricket lunch break!

It has been a beautiful day in Cape Town. The cricket broadcasters showed a few photos of Cape Town from the air, including a shot from above Table Mountain. It was just so spectacular. It took me back 42 years to January of 1983 when I first arrived in Cape Town. It was my first Sunday in the city and it was a day like today. Perfect sunny weather with very little wind. I wrote about my first Sunday in Cape Town on my blog in 2016. You can read it here. Part of the first day turned out to be a motorbike ride around the Peninsula. I clearly recall going up Chapman’s Peak from Hout Bay and looking out over the sea – from the back of a bike it was so dramatic. I remember pinching myself and thinking of all the places in the all the world God could bring me, He chose this! I was 18 & 2 months old and was in awe of the incredible views, looming mountains and majestic sea that made up Cape Town. I felt so privileged that I would get to call this city home. That has never changed. How honoured we Capetonians are to live in such a wonderful place.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Hout Bay

City from Table Mountain.

Table Mountain.

Cape Town, the city that keeps on giving! We’ll enjoy the windlessness while it lasts.

Throughout the last couple of years (it will be 2 years on 15th February) since David began his chronic health struggle, my Bible became littered with pencil scrawlings, “David Long Covid “. I knew that the years would pass and while the emotional pain of the moment was intense, it wouldn’t be forever. I want to remember the comfort in suffering the psalmist passed onto me.

Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

God is faithful & now I’m writing thank you Jesus. While David is not completely better, he has seen a great improvement compared to a year ago. How grateful we are. We appreciate each good day.

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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From Snow to Sun

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that we did a morning walk instead of going to the beach. Granpa has run and I have swum every day since 27th December, so a break was welcome. We did a 5km circuit – up to Daisy Lane, down to Simon’s Town Rd to Glencairn and back. Home for breakfast and a day’s work. From time to time my colleagues post pictures of their areas on our whatsapp group. This was the first one that came through today…so beautiful. This is Scotland.

Then my colleague in Dubai posted this – rain.

Cloud in Sydney…

And perfect sunshine in Cape Town! You can see the scar of the fire.

I don’t want to live anywhere else but Cape Town.

David returned home from his trip to Port Owen. Guests arrived. This weekend there is an exodus of our family. Julian leaves tomorrow and Jess, Gerrie, Minette and Jen and the kiddos leave on Sunday. Sunday, Ruth comes. The loft gets cleaned and new guests arrive. Mike and I will clean the Seaview apartment – current guests leave Sunday and new guests also arrive. It’s just that time of the year!

Psalm 3:3
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

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 Have Some Exciting Travel News

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was back to work, but first there was little wind so a swim was in order. The weather was beautiful. The water was warmer. Families were out, young and old, able and not.

On our return home, I had a shower & breakfast and then we cleaned the Seaview Apartment as the guests had left early. Next ones are in tomorrow.

Then I had to work. I got about 6 hours done and have got through hundreds of emails. Tomorrow, I’ll have a bit more catching up to do, so by Monday, I’ll be in full swing again.

We have some exciting travel news.

We have had the last 2 repositioning cruises between South Africa and Italy cancelled due to the Red Sea dangers. I was scrolling through the MSC website at some of their long cruises and to my surprise there was an 18 night cruise from Cape Town to Rome. It’s not a repositioning cruise, but the last leg on a 120 night World Cruise on the MSC Magnifica. It’s due to leave from Rome on Saturday and makes its way round South America to the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Maldives before heading towards Africa.

It has a stop in Cape Town 18 nights before the end and that’s where we will get on for the journey north. We are excited about it & hope that all will go well. From time to time, we will be keeping an eye on where it is in the world.  Once we get to Italy, there may be a little extension. That is still in the planning process.  I am grateful we were able to get the last cabin! We need to make use of Mike’s Schengen, which will have 4 years left on it this year.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge

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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Remember For Next Time x 2

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

New Years Day and we began it with a swim. Mid afternoon, we took a hike over YOUR mountain. Onto Elsie’s Peak we went, walking from home, up Highway, up Contour & onto the mountain. Sweeping views, including Fish Hoek beach on New Year’s Day.

The hike was not going to be all the way up to the top of Elsie’s Peak, but we would go across the saddle and down to Glencairn. Last look at Fish Hoek…

And then over the mountain to the Simon’s Town side.

It’s an easy downhill to the dirt (reservoir) road…

Just before the tar is the official Elsie’s Peak sign.

Last time Mike and I did this hike, we didn’t go onto the tar road, choosing instead to walk along the back of the top houses. It was awkward and messy at times. No proper path and a lot of scrambling. Today we made sure to go onto the tar road.

However, the first thing we need to remember for next time is to turn right onto the road. We turned left and ended up at a dead end. We found a rough path between the houses and had to scramble up and down the same awkward spot we ended with on our first occasion 😏

We got back to Simon’s Town road. When we got to the mountainside at the end of Echo Rd (where the car accident was in December), Julian and I (stupidly) decided to climb the mountain up to Echo, while Mike and Gerrie (wisely) took the long (but quicker) route. Julian and I took our lives in our hands, scrambling up steep loose, sandy patches. Fortunately we both had sticks which helped. No falls, no sprained ankles, but Mike and Gerrie beat us home and we will remember for next time, NEVER to go that route again. It is too dangerous for us to be scrambling up steep mountainsides with no proper path and with recent sightings of  a Cape cobra. It gave me so  much more respect to the emergency services the night of the car accident. It looks much easier than it is.

Home safe and sound.

Gerrie braaied and it was delicious!

Grateful for a New Year. 2025 – the year to thrive! We hope so!

Today I started Genesis. There is a description of the creation of the sun and the moon. Then follows these 5 words.

Genesis 1:16
He also made the stars.

It’s almost as if the author (probably Moses) was reminded ‘don’t forget about the stars! Ah yes, ‘He also made the stars.’

200 billion trillion of them in the observable universe!

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 2024

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today is the last day of 2024. We say goodbye to the year and, I’m so happy to say, it has been a much better year than 2023. A year ago, it was hard. Oupa Ron had just passed away and David was still very unwell. It was difficult. We did not know if 2024 would be any better. We went into the new year without a great deal of excitement, enthusiasm or hope. Whatever would be would be.

Turns out there were some great highlights.  We enjoyed seeing more of the Swellendam family this year, including a special week spent with Stacey.

We had another little holiday with the family – at the hot springs.

David started improving after he had visited a haematologist (end of January), who suggested a few blood tests that hadn’t been done.  Those results revealed he was anaemic. As soon as he started on the right iron tablets (& Vitamin D), his energy levels improved.  Also, he re-met Anna & their friendship has blossomed into romance.

The comparison between 2023 David and 2024 David is is remarkable. We are so grateful and we pray he will get even stronger in 2025.

Staying with family highlights, Elsie you turned 6.

And I turned 60 & that was a super special week with family and friends.

As far as events went, we had a fine time during 2024. We went to Arona Italy in April..

And then met Julian in Copenhagen for a cruise up to Norway.

It was wonderful, with loads of memories.

When we came home, we got into hiking and did a lot of walking.

One of the greatest highlights was John’s birthday. Going on the world’s longest zipline!

That is a fabulous memory.

Thank you to all who were part of our 2024.

With all these experiences, 2025 is going to be hard to beat. Who knows what will happen during it. We ended 2019 saying 2020, year of plenty!  I’m hearing people say 2025, year to thrive! Let’s hope so. Our trust is in the Lord.

My prayer for all who read this:

Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”

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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Clovelly Mountain Fire

Monday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day a fire broke out on Clovelly mountainside. On Saturday evening, a small fire was seen above the fire break and reported. The fire services parked on the road below. Whoever lit it quickly extinguished it, but today, it was lit and with the wind, it let rip across the mountainside.

It took 22 minutes from the time it was reported to the time the helicopters arrived.

We are privileged to have such expertise. Kalk Bay houses must have been smoked out.  

The choppers continued throughout the afternoon, except for a break to refuel. There was a little rain which helped.  A short while ago it was all but out.

Although, having said that, there are  patches which are smoking with the odd flame appearing. Hopefully, there will be some more rain.

These things can happen so quickly.  Julian, Jess and Gerrie were at the beach when it broke out. The fire sped across the mountain and some embers flew downwards, setting alight a patch below the firebreak. The helicopters targeted that spot. Everyone on the beach was watching and when the chopper dowsed that part of the fire, everyone applauded. The helicopter pilots are so skilled. They do an amazing job.

The wind is still quite strong. I see fire trucks are still on the Main Rd between Clovelly and Kalk Bay. They are keeping an eye out for flair-ups. I did see they had got up to the back of one of the properties with a hosepipe to dampen the bushes. There is a lot of brush below the firebreak – it’s a real hazard. I think we need to do some cutting back of brush of our own. Behind our house on the left there is quite a lot of shrubbery.

That was what went down this afternoon. This morning, we swam & cleaned the Seaview apartment. While the fire was burning, the guests arrived and they are now settled in.

It’s the penultimate day of 2024. I finished reading the Bible today. I’ve put my marker back in Genesis 1. Wednesday, I’ll start again.

Revelation 21:6
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of 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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Silvermine Walk

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was a lovely day. We swam, watched cricket (which we won) and in the afternoon, we went to Silvermine.

We didn’t want to do a long walk, so we just went up to the platform (old forester’s cottage foundation) overlooking Noordhoek with sweeping views all around. This is on the way up.

The platform is on this kopje….

The view from the top…

Mike looking at the Kakapo wreck..

Yay! Enjoying the view.

The trip down…

When we got back to the reservoir, we decided to do the 20 minute trail around it. It’s so picturesque…

Water lilies.

Back to the car and home.  A casual dinner, grand design and it’s been a relaxing day.

I’m almost at the end of the Bible. I finished Zechariah today.

Zechariah 14:9
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His Name the only Name.

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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Embracing Summer

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was a day with no stress. We got down to the beach later than usual and found it bustling and busy. And we also bumped into John and Avril as well as Ingrid – all enjoying the lovely sea water. We came home for breakfast and a chat with David who had come up for coffee. Later,  I enjoyed sitting on the balcony embracing summer.

I read, I slept & I did a tricky word puzzle. During the morning, this message came up on our local Whatsapp group.

This year, we have seen snakes up on the building site behind us and Courage is now armed with a picture showing the different ones and how toxic they are. He hasn’t seen any of the really dangerous ones. I would not like him to encounter a Cape Cobra, that’s for sure.  They are distinctive, as seen in this photo from the SANBI.

It gives me the heebie jeebies!

In mid afternoon, we walked to Fish Hoek to buy milk. The beach was buzzing.

It was hot down there.

Mike made spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. It was up to his usual high standard!

Today I also encountered Gary Player’s list of goals towards longevity. Adam Schupak put the list on his Twitter account. Apparently, Gary whipped it out of his wallet.

Those who struggle with his handwriting, as I did, here’s the list:

Undereat
Exercise
Read
Ice Baths
Love
Friends
Gratitude
Meditation and Prayer
Sleep
Laugh a lot
Keep busy

As he turned 90 in 2025, it seems to be effective.

Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Mike’s Lamp Experiment

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day of the great lamp experiment.  The lamp in the Seaview apartment had a really tatty (sticky taped together) lamp shade. It wasn’t great. Mike always had it in mind to replace it. He had seen a well used R150 lamp at Cyril’s and decided it would be a good buy, but only if a renovation of it would work. To that end, he had bought some spray paint the other day and squirreled it away for when he bought the lamp. Today was that day.

The lamp was bought home & cleaned.

About 15 minutes later, I was summoned to take another photo.

Sparkly, upgraded, very blue lamp.

It is certainly better than the sticky-taped one. 😏

The day had dawned with very little wind and a sparkling 6.52am view from the balcony.

The beach was calling. The water was clear and flat. It was a lovely swimming day. As rain was forecast, it wasn’t very busy. It turned out to be rain-free and a lovely day to be at the beach. It’s a nice change from what usually goes down between Christmas and New Year.  Last year, I wrote of a very windy Boxing Day, where the wind blew vigorously, long and hard and strong. It’s great to have some gentler days. Today is one of the perfect ones.

A good day for a braai. The fire has been lit and Gerrie is busy preparing.

Today, we remember Oupa, who passed away a year ago today.

We are all destined to die – it sounds so depressing, except when we know that this life is not our home. Words of Jesus:

John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

It’s why I write this every day: It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Boxing Day 2024

Thursday – Boxing Day 2024

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we said goodbye to you, but not before you came up and we carefully deconstructed your tower and packed it all away. David came to visit and did some chess puzzles before you left. He left you to try figure out the answer…

I took photos of your Mom and Uncle David.

By 8am you were on your way. The day passed quietly with a visit from Julian’s friend Joe and his wife. We also did some shopping & I updated the Airbnb bookings. We have a busy few weeks ahead. The next guests arrive Saturday, leave Monday. Ruth is not available Monday, so Mike and I will do the clean, in time for new guests Monday afternoon. They leave Thursday. The next guests arrive Friday and leave Sunday, with more guests arriving on Sunday afternoon in both the Seaview & the Loft. It’s that time of the year. I’m not complaining.

I ended the day with a walk to the end of the street, back and up the hill and back. The beach has been super busy today. Such a beautiful day.

The fine weather is not forecast to continue. In fact tomorrow is due to only have a high of 20 with rain expected. This is Cape Town!

I’m thinking of my sister today. It’s her birthday! And she’s probably about to board, if she hasn’t already, a plane for the UK. Have a wonderful time, Anne!

I saw this on Facebook today. Good quote.

Psalm 145:17
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.

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 Christmas to Remember

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a special day – a Christmas to remember. Early this morning, we went to the beach…. Elsie and Lizzy got some beach time and both went to the park. Lizzy came off the see-saw and grazed her nose….poor poppet.

We cleaned up, packed up and walked home.

At 10am, Julian and I popped into Courage and Ruth to give their boys a few gifts. It was a privilege being in their home.

We took the absolute easiest route to feed the family this Christmas. Freedom Foods offered a 3 course meal, which we went to collect. There was a little bit of a coordination in getting the table settings sorted, the food heated and arranged, but once that was done, it was easy peasy.  We were all left with full tummies and retreated to our various quarters. I could not keep my eyes open and as I put my head on my pillow, I fell asleep almost immediately. What a treat. I’m not sure how long I slept but it was a perfect afternoon nap.

One of the best moments of the day came next. We decided to walk to the end of the street and back and David joined us. A year ago, for him, getting up the stairs was an issue. Today, he has been up and down the stairs a number of times and did our little walk as well.

We are so grateful. When tough times come, keep going. This was last night’s family photo.

And another precious addition this year… Pennie

Grateful for Christmas and its meaning for us all.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal 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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Christmas Eve 2024

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

You arrived today & we had a fun day together. You got to hang out with Lizzy.

And you met your new cousin Alex, who is just 3 months old.

Raiku met Pennie! Raiku could not believe what he was seeing, finding a puppy in his home!

He was completely spooked, but Pennie is such a darling and Raiku soon calmed down. We had a wonderful family dinner together. David and Anna (who has such a good voice) sang a few songs together. We all enjoyed it.  It was such a special evening.

Els, we got you this set which you are playing with in the photo above. You absolutely loved it.

Anna opening one of David’s gifts to her…this is the moment she saw what they were…

Anna wine glasses!

My heart is full.

And now it’s time for me to quickly wrap up here.  Christmas day tomorrow.

Galatians 4:4-5
But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

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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Last Day of Work

Monday

Dear Elsie,

Today was my last day at work until next year. I’m excited because tomorrow we get to see you!

We started the day by heading to the beach earlier than usual. There was a beach bash for the locals.

I had a good swim and then sat on the bench for a while, chatting to some of the folks and enjoying the sunshine. The wind had dropped enough for it to be pleasant but it’s picked up again and tomorrow it will blow gales.

Home for breakfast & to wrap up work.

Heidi then came for tea. In the afternoon, I went to pick up our Christmas Cake and then went to have tea with Riana. She made me a smoothie.

Great to have a catch up. I followed that up with some last minute shopping. Home for tea and a break before dinner.

Now we are watching Christmas music videos.

Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

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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