Electricity Fixed

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the electricity got fixed. In fact, last night, after 8pm, I got a call to say the electricity department was downstairs to fix the problem. When they found out where the problem was and that it needed a very tall ladder, they decided to come back this morning. They bought with them their ladder and sent one of the guys up to make the fix.

We were super happy that’s been fixed. Our solar performed well but it’s good to have the backup of Eskom.

Today the cats went to the vet for their final shots. Apart from trying to track Raiku down before leaving, it was without drama. They have settled so well and were very quiet with only the odd wail coming and going. Home again and we let them out the box on the stairs. I was interested to see where they would head. They both ran up the stairs and were waiting for me to arrive to open the door for them. They were a little ticked off with me, but soon settled back into normalcy.

Work = 8 hours +. Tomorrow, I’ve kept my calendar clear for regular work and for watching cricket.

The day was super springy! Someone posted this…

It did come with red tide…all the pink bits close to the coast.

Across the bay, after the storm, Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els will remain closed for a while. The storm damage was surprising…

Apparently, more than 2 months worth of rain fell over the weekend in the Western Cape. A storm of note.

Isaiah 6:3

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

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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Davide the Developer

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a work day. There were quite a few things that happened and one of them was I spoke to Davide the developer of the big 3200 square meter plot on the mountain. One of the things he told me was there were already plans for Gleneagles Rd – road plans that had gone through Council and were passed. They have now been extended and are grinding their way through the process. He said he’s expecting the cost of the road which will start on Highway Rd and get as far as his plot to be R3.5 million – maybe more depending on how many rocks they encounter. He said for the road to go further will probably cost another R750k and he will want to get a preliminary commitment from other landowners  as to how much cash they can put forward in the end to get it done. I asked him if he had a time line. He feels construction may begin in a year.  Davide says he buys land for overseas investors. He’s working on an estate in Hout Bay. I think he’s Swiss but he’s in the US at the moment, so he really gets around. Anyway, we’ll stay in touch. We’ll see what becomes of this. I’m a little cynical because we know how slow things can be.

Apart from my regular work, today more laundry got done. We don’t have a washing line, so washing day looks like this…

The sun did its job, both in drying the washing and keeping our electricity supply on tap. The City of Cape Town still hasn’t sent the electricity department round to see to the one phase that’s down. Apparently, it’s been escalated to the supervisor, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

The Amaryllis is bringing us great joy with another bloom.

Claw’d is in charge of Raiku hygiene.

And so that was the day, which is ending watching Namibia playing Uruguay and leading at the moment.

Isaiah 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted and the train of His robe filled the temple.

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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12 Years Later

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I found the picture we had computer generated in 2011. It was also done in the booth at Caledon Hot Springs. This last month, we had this one drawn…

This next is from September 2011…

Most importantly, we look happy and healthy! I also think Rembrandt has improved over the years!

I took Julian to the airport today. After the weekend storm, there was a huge amount of water pouring off the mountain, but I it was otherwise, a clear run. On the way home, I stopped at Constantia Emporium to pick up some shopping. From there it was to drop the car back at the Sun Valley garage. I went Spaanschemat river road and there encountered a lot of water on the road with council workers trying to fix a burst water main. There was also a big troop of baboons which provided entertainment for passers by. When I got to the traffic light at the bottom of Ou Kaapse Weg, the lights were off while a whole class of trainee signal men & women were put through their paces, one by one.

It must come with a combination of fear and power!

It was while dropping the car, I found the 12 year old picture of the two of us.

The other exciting news of the day is we made contact with the owners of a large tract of land behind the blue cottage. They are apparently developers who are planning to build Gleneagles Rd. This is helpful for us, but we will wait for it to be proven before getting too excited. They have added us to their Whatsapp group, so we can follow their plans. The red line is roughly where the road could possibly go.

Roads are always noisy, dusty and difficult to build – add that 10 times over when you are building on a steep mountainside laden with rocks.

Today, I haven’t done too much work. On my return from the airport trip, my email wasn’t working and so I’ve had to log a fault. The IT department are on it, but have not had any success. Hence the early blog.

Isaiah 5:16

The Lord Almighty will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy by His righteousness.

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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Mopping Up Day

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we encountered some storm issues. There was water blowing in under our bedroom door. Also, because the rain was swept in from the south-east there was water coming under the flashing on one of the joins above us, so there were some drips down a cross beam. These were relatively small leaks. Julian had some on his floor as well, but the biggest issue is we had one phase of electricity knocked out so we are currently entirely dependent on our solar system. We have logged a fault with the electricity department but we are sure with major flooding issues across the city, we are low down on their priority list. We’ve managed to scramble up to 100% solar despite the day looking like this…

The other surprising thing was two of the shrubs alongside the stairs blew over onto the steps.

Mike had to saw them up into pieces.

This was the second most significant storm this winter, even though it’s now spring. The one just before Father’s Day back in June was also big enough for the train trip to be cancelled. We are very glad it got rescheduled to this past Saturday and not yesterday.

Tomorrow, sunshine is forecast from late morning, so we should start drying out.

Meantime, despite it being a public holiday, I worked for 7 hours. Mondays have a way of being super busy. The first 2 weeks of October are going to see me working long hours as I cover for one of the directors who is on a business trip visiting clients.

Isaiah 3:10

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their 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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One of the Rainiest Days

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was one of the rainiest days in Cape Town. It began with a strong black south-easter that blew in a serious cold front. Just before the rain began, I noticed the NSRI Rescue Boat 10 out in the bay. It seemed to be circling and I wondered what was happening, but no one on the WhatsApp groups seemed to know. Eventually, it circled back to a yellow buoy that was bobbing erratically up and down. They spent some time bouncing around that, until I noticed they had got it onboard. It was then that they headed off to Simon’s Town. There was no emergency. They were out to recover the buoy.

This morning I did some shopping, but after the rain set in, I pretty much rotated between my rocking chair and my bed!

Yesterday’s train trip ended well. After the initial spluttering and chugging  over Sir Lowry’s Pass, we gained some momentum and apart from a very short stop just outside Somerset West, it was a smooth journey back to the Waterfront station. This was the view of the N1 from the train line.

We made good time and were home shortly after 6pm.

This morning, this greeted us…

It looks beautiful…and there is the promise of more to come….

And on the topic of nature, when Julian and I were scrambling around the mountain the other day, we encountered a tortoise buried in its nest.

So, on a rainy, stormy evening like tonight, if you don’t have a fireplace & you want some ambiance, this is how it’s done…

Lol. All the ambiance, but no heat…& now no TV to watch!

Isaiah 2:22

Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

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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Trip to Elgin by Steam Train

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we caught a steam train! We left early this morning from Cape Town and this was the train we were on…

The journey is divided into three. The first hour takes us to Bellville station. We got there in 45 minutes and spent 15 minutes for the train pilot to guide the train across to a different line to head south. Another 45 minutes and we stopped at Somerset West station – another 15 minute stop before heading up towards Sir Lowry’s Pass. First we went through Sir Lowry’s village…a higgledy piggledy conglomeration of houses with lots of waving children.

Approaching Sir Lowry’s pass….Mike and Julian watching the world go by…

It was amazing to see Sir Lowry’s Pass from the train…After leaving Cape Town at 8.05am, we arrived in Elgin at 11.15am.Elgin has an amazing market that stands out as being busy, but also very well run.

Lots of food stalls and local produce and also an artist doing caricatures.

Live music…

And lots of people…

The building is amazing. As we had 3 hours, we decided to take a walk through the area. While the road was unexpectedly busy, it was very pretty.

On our way back to the market for lunch, we stopped at the train engine and took a few photos…real steam train…this is the fire in the engine.

They did say they supplemented it with diesel to get it up the hill. I got a chance in the driver’s seat…

Mike and I in front of the train at Elgin Station.

We had lunch and by the time that was done, it was just about time to return to the train. Having a hot spot and my lap top, I have been able to do this blog on the train, so while we are creeping over Sir Lowry’s Pass towards Cape Town, I am now almost done. We should get back to the city at about 6pm. The train is creaking and cranking a little, with a few unsuspecting lurches which we didn’t have on the way here. We are hoping we don’t have engine trouble! The train driver told Julian the train is 76 years old, having been built in 1947, so I guess some clunking may be expected. The difference between our outward journey and the homeward one is they changed the order of the engines, so at the front is not the black and red steam engine in my first photo but an old red diesel carriage that it was originally attached to. I don’t think they can do it any differently because there was no place to turn around in Elgin. The host in our carriage tells us the slow unruly swaying and stumbling is because the tracks are wet from the rain and they are struggling to get traction on them. We are going very slowly right now – 9km hour! Old school train travel. Anyway, eventually, we will get home.

A great day out.

When we do get home, we look forward to the rugby tonight. SA vss Ireland. It should be a cracker of a match.

I’ve been reading Isaiah this month, so thought I would take selected verses from this mammoth book.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

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 Snapshot of Friday

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that began with no wind and no rain. A beautiful day.

David came up for breakfast and when he left, we went to the beach! It was wonderful to swim again. The water wasn’t too cold – Rose said it was 14/15C. Perfect day for a swim.

I came home, had breakfast and went to work. Then Mike said, ‘oh no, the cats have caught something!’ I went to investigate and it was a fat, scaly, black lizard. At first I thought it was dead, but as I shoo’ed the cats away, I saw it breathing. We trapped it in a bowl.

Poor little thing…and let it go…

Quite a tough skin – I don’t think it was hurt.

Butter won’t melt in their mouths…bottom on is the main hunter.

At lunchtime, David dropped me in Glencairn for a facial. He went to have a haircut, bought some lunch and sat at the beach before returning to pick me up. Got home fairly tired, but said he’ll come up for dinner.

And finally, the Amaryllis is on the verge of blossom.

A lot to be grateful for.

The last verse of the Psalms. Tomorrow I’ll start with the gems in Isaiah.

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

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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Tiny Improvement

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was a rainy, misty drizzly day in Cape Town. Spring Solstice where the city should be warming, but instead the maximum temperature scrambled up to 15C and we all were in jackets and scarves. Julian and I walked to the shops for mince for spaghetti bolognaise this evening.

Not many people but lots of seaweed.

Work was relatively quiet. I worked less than 6 hours. Back at catland, Raiku had the right idea.

Claw’d wasn’t quite so well tucked up.

They hardly went out today.

Someone else who didn’t go out today was David, but that’s nothing new. He did go out on Tuesday. He went to Kommetjie Lighthouse and did the 900m walk/jog – but more walk. He has recovered well. When we reflect back, we are realising we are seeing a tiny improvement. We don’t want to get too excited.  We learned a while ago this isn’t going to be David waking up one day and being 100% better – sure, God can do that, but the improvement is going to take time – it’s a very slow process.  But, when I looked back on my blog, I found that on 3rd April, before he started his triple therapy anticoagulant treatment, we went to the same place (Kom Lighthouse). It was a sunny day but our hearts were bleak because it was the day David was initially due to leave for China. Stuart left and David didn’t. It was just a hard reality kind of day.  David wanted to try to walk 250m & it was painfully slow.  On that day, I wrote, “He did it but it was exhausting. He had to sit down half way and when we got home he was finished.” He slept for 2 hours.  This  photo was taken on that day…

On Tuesday 19th September (yes 2 days ago)  when he went to Kom Lighthouse, he drove himself;  he left his stick in the car and he mostly walked, with intermittent 1 minute jogs, getting his heart rate up to more than 150bpm. He did 900m. When he got back, he was tired to be sure, but he climbed the 100 steps back up to the house and he rested. In the evening he was okay. The next day (yesterday), his legs were very heavy, but he was okay. He even had a friend visit in the afternoon. This morning, he came up for coffee and he was fine. And even though he has had a very busy day today and this evening he is tired, he hasn’t had the devastating crash that came after dawdling a painstaking 250m on 3rd April. In comparison to 3rd April, he’s a bit better, but compared to his normal self, there is a tiny improvement.

And we’ll take that!  He has been much better at managing his energy levels, so rest is key to his recovery and he’s focusing on that. He’ll go for his next round of blood tests in a few weeks time to see if the microclots in his platelets are any smaller. That will be another indicator that better health is ahead. Meantime, he’s off sugar and most dairy which has been tough, but he’s determined to try anything.

I read an excellent quote from CS Lewis today. “You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Psalm 150:3

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,  praise Him with the harp and lyre…

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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Spring Inside and Out

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a busy, busy Wednesday. It was the first day that the weather was sunny enough to catch up with washing and there was tons of it. So we got that done. I also had a couple of work meetings so was kept busy for most of the day.

One of the things we have been enjoying is seeing the spring flowers blossoming. We had an Amaryllis in a pot in February last year and it died off and to be honest we completely forgot about it. This was it when we got it…

It was outside the front door and suddenly it began to grow, so we bought it inside to protect it from the wind and put it in front of the sun-filled balcony doors. It shot up…this was yesterday…

And this was today…

I’m looking forward to seeing it come into full bloom.

Meanwhile, yesterday evening, Mike and I took a walk in the drizzly weather. Our route took us towards the start of Elsie’s Peak past more spring flowers…

I just love walking on the mountain, even if it’s just the edge of it.

I hope to walk more this summer.

Today’s blog with not a cat in sight!

Psalm 150:2

Praise Him for His acts of power;  praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

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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Morning Observations

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the cats woke up around 5.45am and they were meowing loudly. Clearly they were hungry. I got up, let them out the study and fed them. It wasn’t only the cats making a noise. The day began with the tweeting of rising birds and when I opened my bedroom door, my mind went back about 53 years to when I was a tiny tot & we went to visit the Vumba in Zimbabwe. The first morning of our holiday there was the fresh smell of newly fallen rain and the chirping of the birds and the same sounds and smells greeted me today. The combination always makes me think of the Vumba.

The cats went out but soon returned and then the focus of their attention was what was going on outside. They like to look. They watch the birds flitting across the sky.

After I took this photo, I went outside to take one from the balcony. They completely ignored me and fixed their gaze on something far more interesting. My handsome pair.

Then later, it was off to my bedroom door to view the goings on from there.

They see things I can’t see and they hear things I miss. So cute. With the weather drizzly, they’ve spent most of the time indoors.

David, meanwhile, decided to go and ‘do some exercise’. Since his visit to the cardiologist where he learned his heart is in fine order, it has calmed his concern about whether he is able to get his heart rate up without causing any damage. He drove to Kommetjie and walked/jogged about 900m. He got his heart rate up to about 155. When he came home, his legs were super tired but that’s not surprising because he also had the stairs to climb. At least now he can fully rest for another couple of weeks before trying again.

I’ve worked for close to 7 hours which is a nice day.

Psalm 150:1

Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.

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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Cats & the Gecko

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was a good day for you! You got a special treats for doing so well at school and you were beyond excited! We are all so proud of you.

Back at our house, I had a busy day. Work was very busy. In the afternoon we had guests arriving and I had just checked the apartment to make sure it was ready. When I got back to our apartment, there were the cats circling around a hissing gecko!

I am pretty sure one of them bought it in. I put a glass bowl over it…

Then we got a piece of card and shuffled it onto it…

We took it out onto the mountainside and let it go…

And off it went…

The cats were ticked off that I took away their toy! I’m sure the gecko was  happy we’d saved him. I went back later to see if he was gone and he had disappeared.

The guests arrived from Germany – first visit to South Africa. They are young and here until Sunday. Very sweet couple, who seemed very excited to have arrived and love the view.

David released a new chess video the other day and it seems to be going semi-viral which is encouraging. In the future, David wants to look back & see that during this time, he made good use of his time.

It won’t be forever.

Psalm 149:5
Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

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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On the Menu

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that had a number of things on the menu. David taught. We walked and when we got home, David had finished his first lesson and was already downstairs watching the start of the cricket. I then cooked egg & bacon rolls for breakfast. We watched South Africa labour and then smash their way through their innings against Australia. It was the 5th match of a ODI competition that saw Australia thrash SA in the first two. SA came back to do the same against the visitors in the next two. Today was the decider. The cricket would last most of the day, starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm. Brunch were the egg and bacon rolls and lupper was at 3.30pm. My view while cooking…TV was on – just can’t be seen.

Lupper on the go…

Not only was their cricket, but there was also rugby, so it was a bumper afternoon. The cricket outcome was very satisfying.

We won both convincingly with the Springboks thrashing Romania 76-0.

A very satisfying day of sport. Who knew we’d win the ODI series!

In between all of this, I was doing laundry and took some towels down to the guest in the cottage and arranged his next 3 visits. He’s coming for  close to 4 weeks up to 23rd December, part of February and then again a month from March to April. This is someone who usefully plans ahead.

Then I went for a walk. The mountains are alive with spring flowers. A beautiful picture.

Thank you Lord for this day. We have today.

Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.

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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High, High Tide

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you and I had a fine chat and you showed me how you swing on your indoor hammock. It will be interesting when you read this in the future, what your adult self remembers of the indoor hammock. You can make it rock! You watched the cats and showed me your book and I also saw the new part of your house, which is so exciting. I did 2 loads of washing, which in hindsight was a bit too much as the day was gloomy and the scullery is now taken over by all of it.

In the afternoon, I had a snooze on my rocking chair which was wonderful and then I went for a walk during high, high tide. I went down to the coast, crossing the bridge and then turning back just below Sunnycove Station.

The tide was high and the sea was boisterous. This beacon I can see from my desk.

Looking up to our house…

The beacon from our house…it’s on that outcrop of rocks.

The busy sea today…

Then I hopped and skipped along the cat walk. Skellies pool fill to the brim…

I had to pick my moment to get past here…

The flooded subway…

The sea had been right up to the restaurant…

Not wanting to return along the cat walk, I walked home the mountain route. Enthusiastic surfers were taking on the waves…this is from Daisy Lane.

Home along the very overgrown mountainside and back down through the new part of the build. Remember this photo…

Well this is looking down from the other side…

Stairs will start appearing soon.

And now, there’s pizza for dinner and it has just arrived. Time to go!

Psalm 149:1
Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song..

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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What Grabbed our Attention Today

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I did half a day’s work, had an important meeting, visited friends, welcomed guests and watched cricket!

And that’s it! I could end the blog here, but I’d better unpack it a little. The important meeting was work related and would affect my income for the year ahead. It went well and I should be employed for the next 12 months. I’m grateful for the work that God provides. I enjoy it, find satisfaction in it and am appreciated for it. This is a gift from God.

I went to Riana’s for tea for a couple of hours, stopped at the shops and then zipped home to put finishing touches in the Seaview Apartment. I have childhood friends arrive – they grew up in the Eastern Cape I think. One still lives in PE and the other in Johannesburg. They met in Cape Town for the weekend before they both fly back to Joburg on Sunday and they are staying at hour place for the weekend. They are a breath of fresh air. They were so enthusiastic about everything & were a joy to have.

Now, the cricket is what has grabbed our attention today. Flip, South Africa were chugging along doing their best when suddenly Klaasen full on got his eye in, started seeing the cricket ball like it was a soccer ball and started hitting the ball all over the park!

174 off 83 balls – out on the last ball and the home team had rushed to an incredible 416/5. As I write, it looks like this.

What makes us so happy is that we won the last game and that was after losing 5 cricket games against Australia. Whitewashed in the T20, we lost 3-0 and then the first 2 of this ODI series of 5. This is game 4 and if we win this one, we’ll be even on 2-2 with one to play.

One other thing that happened today – the cats were back to fighting! Claw’d with Raiku’s head in a firm paw grip

It was good to see them completely back to normal.

Back to watch the game.

Psalm 148:13
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

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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Fighting is on Hold

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the cats returned to normal except the fighting is on hold. They still have a trace of the icky flea killer on their coats and they don’t want to engage in neck biting, head butting or ear scratching, not that they actually harm each other. They both still smell a little like super glue. But everyone is happy in the hood. Raiku went out today and I had a hilarious few moments watching him desperately trying to catch a butterfly. It led him on a merry dance and had him jumping and twisting to try get to it – all fruitless – completely outwitted by a moth!

The last couple of days have been hard on David. He’s had more than usual fatigue. He could be a lot worse, but this is so hard. It’s hard for us to see him like this and it’s hard for him to be like this. I wish, oh how I wish, I could swap places. Let me be the one with the struggle. If only I could take this burden from him. But that’s not how it works. It’s a horrible journey that  cannot be avoided. It’s a test in faith and a workout in resilience. What adds to the pain is he is off all dairy and sugar, so none of the things that may have bought comfort are on the list of food to eat. Even sugar-free cookies are off the snack menu.  Anyway, he keeps his sense of humour and has had friends visiting this week which is helpful. He’s gone upstairs to talk to Jack.

Meanwhile, the wall at the top of the stairs is coming along.

This is where the next stairs will go…

All built by Courage and Brian. Amazing how much, given time, can be achieved by just 2 strong men.

Psalm 148:1 – Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise Him in the heights above.

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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