Is That a Warthog?

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I went walking on the firebreak – not the one behind us but the little stretch of firebreak close to the start of (your) Elsie’s Peak. I walked from the top of Contour, up the firebreak, along the path a little way and down to the start.  I met a lady called Cathy who was walking her dog. He was full of beans.

There will soon be houses built on this part of the mountain. Here is one largely built and then there is the little yellow site office of another.

I walked down the mountain and saw what looked like a warthog…is that a warthog?

I waited for it to move off. When it didn’t I took a closer look.  The spotted rock is the ‘warthog’!

It will still be there next time I pass by.

And here are the foundations of the house with the site office.

We’ll watch that with interest.

I did a good 4.5km walk, got home a tad before 8am and got stuck into work. 9 hours later, I stopped. Dinner has been eaten and now I’m going to take a short walk to knock my watch over 10000 steps.

I was spoiled for choice of meaningful Bible verses from my reading today, but I settled with these…

Mark 12:29-31
‘The most important one’, answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.”

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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Medical Test Day

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a medical test day. The day dawned with cloud and mist. It was ethereal.

I left for Constantiaberg just after 7.15am, giving myself plenty of time to get caught in traffic. All the tests went off well.  They have a new mammogram machine. It’s called the Mammomat B Brilliant –

I don’t know who decided upon that as a name but it is quicker than the previous one. Apparently the images are better quality.

From there it was onto the bone density room.

That took about 15 minutes. You lie on the x-ray table on your back. The radiographer sets you up in a certain positions. The arm going over the bed takes the images. It runs the length of the bed.  One hip is done and then the other. Then your spine while you are still on your back before rolling onto the right side and doing your spine from that angle. I’ll get the results when I see the gynae later this month.

With the routine tests done and with Riana and I both with no problems, we went off to celebrate. I hadn’t had breakfast so I was ready. Riana knew of this place and it was like being in a little Italian courtyard- hidden away. You’d never guess where it is. If you know, you know! I’ll come back here for sure.

The entrance…

Apart from the lovely surroundings, it was even better catching up with Riana.

I got home and worked from about 12 to 6pm. I got through a lot of work and feel I’m getting on top of things.

I’m grateful for today in so many ways.

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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Seagull Squabbles

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the perfect day to start the week with a swim. The water was a degree or two cooler than recently but it was clear and flat. I did my 30 minutes and, after getting changed enjoyed sitting on the bench, soaking up some early morning sun. The feature of the morning were the seagulls. They gathered for some free food. Seagulls getting together.

The lady who came to feed them…

The aftermath…

They soon dispersed but it was a challenge walking past!

Today was the day Mike bought a new desk/table for the Seaview Apartment.

Not a bad view for a digital nomad.

I worked the day. I also got the washing done. The wind tricked us though. It was a perfect light south-easter at the start but mid morning, it turned to the north. My washing stand blew over and some socks went over the balcony edge. I was the brave one that went to retrieve them. On Friday, Courage showed me which route he took, so I followed suit.

Julian reminded me that I was much older (and heavier) than Courage and suggested I wait until he comes in tomorrow, but I was not deterred. Just walk where the beams are. I could see where the bolts went into the beams below, so it was no problem.  Socks were retrieved and no injuries were incurred during the process!

It’s not been a bad day.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in 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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Smoky Valley

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you returned to Swellendam and suddenly the house became very, very quiet. It was such a lovely weekend & the joy of it will stay with me for a long time to come.

We had a quiet day and then later this afternoon Julian and I went for a walk down to the beach and home via Daisy Lane. This evening is beautiful but there has been a pungent smoky smell drifting by. I spotted this on FB which could be the cause.

It makes sense because from our house you can see the line of smoke across the bay.

Tomorrow, the wind is forecast to drop, so maybe they will be able to get the fire under control & the smoke will disperse. And, we should get to the beach.

It’s been a lovely little break, with me having taken Friday off.

Today I finished Leviticus & am up to Mark 10

Mark 10:43
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant

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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David Turns 34

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today it was your Uncle David’s 34th birthday & we are all together to celebrate. We started off having breakfast at the Blue Kiwi.

We went home and then a few things happened. Stacey went to have tea with Carol. Mike and Adrian went the shooting range & Julian went to a charity shop and Simon’s Town library. He had David and Anna with him when they went to the charity shop and that’s when David spotted this DVD – it’s from his matric year and he feature a few times:

His main performance was this one.

He is still in touch with all three of these friends. It’s 17 years ago, when he was 17.  Immediately Julian wanted to buy it but David didn’t want to. Later, when Julian was passing by again, he stopped and for the princely sum of R10, he bought the treasure and came home with it.

Elsie, you and I had a fun time together. You have an abundance of energy and when you needed to get it out, here’s what you did…ran down the stairs and back up again…

And your Mom did wheelbarrows with you.

That went some way to tiring you out.  David played guitar for you.

And we had Raiku spend some wary time in the presence of Pennie.

David blew out his candle and we sang happy birthday.

And then came the evening’s feature. After pizza and burgers for dinner, the DVD machine was plugged in and the settings sorted to get it to work. Success! We watched various parts of the Fish Hoek High Variety concert of 2008. It was received with great joviality and for David a touch of nostalgia. Anna was highly amused.  So were we.

It was such a great unexpected gift.

Now everyone has gone to settle in for the night.  Wonderful family time this weekend. My heart is full.

Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

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 Birthday in Pics

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today you came! It is Grandpa’s birthday and we had a wonderful time together. I’ve got his birthday in pictures. We started off by going to the beach, where there was a photo shoot on the cat walk. The water was lovely and warm, although clouds came in as we were leaving and it got quite chilly.

We crossed the railway line, while a train waited.

And met Julian and David for breakfast.

After we got home, we got changed and went shopping. That was fun. On the way home, we stopped off at our old house. It’s always nostalgic walking through it. My study where I spent many, many hours working.

Mike checking to see how heavy the fridge is. It needed to be moved into the garage.

Not long after we got home, the family arrived. It was wonderful to see you all. David explaining to you Elsie, how much older than you Grandpa is!

We had a wonderful dinner together. Grandpa blew out his candle.

And there was cake!

Then Grandpa made a paper airplane…

Which had one or two good flights.

Now everyone has gone to bed and we too are going to call it a day. It’s been a wonderful day and we are grateful. My heart is full. Tomorrow, we do it all again for David’s birthday.

Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

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 Birthday Eve

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

I am excited to see you tomorrow! We are going to have a fun time together with all the family. Granny’s excitement knows no bounds!

Today was full and busy. My head spun and throbbed at the end of it. With it being Granpa’s birthday eve, there was still shopping to be done, so I got my things together and headed off to the shops. With the wind blowing, my head started to clear. I left the burdens of the day at the foot of the stairs and went to do battle with the tills. They turned out not to be busy. My plan was to buy a leg of lamb for the birthday dinner, but, so I discovered, while leg of lambs are abundant in December, they are a scarcity at the end of February. Another plan was made and I was soon sailing home feeling better for the outing.

This morning, we had woken up to the wind having dropped. We chose the best way to start the day.

From there, we nipped into Fish Hoek to buy milk and cream. Every day, my first coffee is a flat white. I have it with cream, but this week, while the cream has not been sour, the coffee hasn’t tasted right. I can’t even tell you what is wrong with it, but both yesterday morning and this morning, I only had half the cup. After this morning’s I concluded it has to be the cream. This afternoon, I made Julian a flat white with new cream and tasted it before I gave it to him. Yup! That was the problem – the cream must have been turning, just ever so slightly. Tomorrow, I will get a decent caffeine boost again.

For Mike’s birthday this year, he gets an all expenses paid cruise to Europe – that’s pretty hard to beat! But I do need to buy him something, so this is what I got for him to open tomorrow morning.

He reads my blog occasionally, especially when he’s wanting to find out information about past holidays, so I don’t think he’ll swing by here tonight and spoil the (tobler)one surprise I have for him.

The day is done. Dinner is next.

Psalm 43:3
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide 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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The One That Got Away

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Raiku sleeps by day and after dark goes off to hunt. While it drives us all nutty, it’s hard to stop him from finding little critters and bringing them inside. Last night, as we were about to settle in for the night, I found him prowling around the bottom of a large pot plant in the lounge. The dish that usually went under the pot had broken and was next to it.

Raiku was sniffing and pawing at the gap between the two pieces. As I turned the lights on and took a closer look, I heard a mouse squeaking and spotted a tail. This smart little mouse had found a spot where Raiku couldn’t get him. Raiku was duly locked away and I threw a dishtowel over the two pieces,  scooped up the porcelain and the mouse and took it all outside. It was dark, but as I put the pot pieces down & lifted the dishtowel, I heard a scuffle and the pitter patter of mouse feet dashing off into the night. He was the one that got away.

The most significant thing about 26th Feb is that it’s the day Lizzy was born 2 years ago. I’m sure she had a good day and that many gifts have been showered on her. Such a cutie pie…

I have this thought that one day the next generations will scroll through my endless days looking for their birthdays, to see what I wrote. There you go Lizzy – this was the day you turned 2 and you got a fun water toy to play with.

Today Julian arrived and we are gearing up for more birthdays.

Profound words in my Bible reading this morning…

Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his 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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A Very Windy Walk

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Sometimes, when I don’t get to walk in the morning, I will walk after work, which is what I did today. It wasn’t the best call because the wind had gone from fresh in the morning to almost gale force by the time I took to the streets. It’s always difficult to get a photo that shows just how windy it is, but this one, taken up on the bridge gives a good indication!

The waves were crashing against the rocks.

But there were still a few brave souls in the sea.

When it’s like a washing machine, I avoid going in. I blew down and strained into the wind coming home, but managed a 4km route.

There is a fire burning this evening & I watched a couple of aircraft being buffeted about in the wind as they went to inspect. I think they have stepped down for the night but all other services are on the scene. With the very strong winds, it must be difficult to get under control. This was the latest on the Fire Group

Apparently it broke out above Da Gama Park.

It’s absolutely terrifying when there is an out of control fire & the wind is as strong as it is. Praying for all those who are on the scene. It’s going to be a long night.

Tuesday is over. The days are flying by. Tomorrow, our special Lizzy turns 2!  Happy Happy Birthday Lizzy from Great Auntie Helga!

Mark 7:37
People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said.

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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Raiku Didn’t Get the Memo

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie,

There is a phrase that’s being bandied about “sitting is the new smoking”. Smoking is scientifically proven to be detrimental to health. Cigarettes are a well documented cause of lung cancer, heart disease and a whole lot of other nasties, due to the dangerous chemicals they contain. It was Dr. James Levine who coined the phrase ‘sitting is the new smoking’.

I think it really became a thing when remote working took off during Covid. Everyone was sitting at their desks, chained to their computers and doing far less activity. So the premise is that being inactive is as detrimental as smoking.

My watch reminds me on a regular basis to get up and move and so, once an hour, I try walk 100 steps and now days when I’m walking those steps inside,  I carry my weights as well. Going to the beach in the morning & swimming for 30 minutes gets me  exercise, but to get 10000 steps, I need to walk at least another 3km at some other time of the day. If I don’t I may end on only 6000 steps. It’s not the end of the world if it’s only a couple of times a week.

The one household dweller who didn’t get the memo is Raiku. He spends an inordinate amount of time reclining.

He is sitting/lying for about 20 hours of the day!

We didn’t go to the beach today, but I did walk. A guest left. Tomorrow Graham leaves. Two guests arrive on Wednesday. They all leave Friday, when the family arrives for the birthday weekend.

8 hours of work done – but I moved enough.

Now I can sit all I want, but I need to try to do it all again tomorrow.

Out of Psalm 40:17
You are my help and my deliverer.

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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Seagull’s Smorgasbord

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

I love birds – even the owls. When we go down to the beach in the morning, there are plenty of birds to be seen. Most recently, there have been a number of oyster catchers, with their distinct red beaks. While I was in the water, out by the barrel one flew to a nearby rock with it’s breakfast firmly in its beak. It settled down to dismantle it.

Seagulls are often attracted to my pink swimming cap and may swoop down to take a closer look. I get to get a closer look at them too.  There have been a number of terns at the beach. They are grey with black over their eye and forked tails. They are smaller framed than normal seagulls – more petite.  What has surprised me as they have flown directly above me is how wide their wing span is. You never really get to see it unless you are below them. (Royalty free pic)

From our house it’s the seagulls who have regular water-top parties, especially today when there seemed to be an abundance of shoals of small fish. They provided a smorgasbord.  It’s difficult to see the birds or the fish from a photo, so you need to use your imagination. All the little dots are birds and the displaced (different coloured)  water is filled with fish. Maybe you need to zoom in to see the seagulls.

What is visible in the photo above is a fire in the Vrygrond area.

This photo is better (glad the fire is under control) and I put arrows to show what I’m talking about. The arrow on the left points to the shoals. The other arrows are pointing to some of the birds. All those white dots are seagulls.

There were hundreds of hungry seagulls today. There are less of them now – the bulk having flown home, no doubt with full tummies. The hunting of the fish is a permanent occupation.

We’ve had a very restful day. I even sat on the balcony reading a book & I had an afternoon snooze. It was very civil and a good way to be prepared for the week ahead.

God is always listening.

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.

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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Change of Tenant

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today it was great to see you on our video call. You are so smart playing noughts & crosses, chess and Chinese checkers. You’ve got those games all down. We are so looking forward to seeing you next weekend!

This morning was a lovely day for the beach. It started off quite overcast but this afternoon the sun has come out and there’s a gentle north wind blowing.

There’s been quite a lot of activity on the water and in the sea. There are many little fishing boats, yachts and divers, as well as the regular surf-skis that are regular passers-by. When we were at the beach this morning, the sea was dead flat. It was like silk and swimming was a treat.

What sets today apart is that we are having a change of tenant at our old family home. Valerie-Gail has moved into her own home and Mike has gone over to get the keys. This was me when I said goodbye to it 4 years and 4 months ago.

I appreciate our old family home so much. I think I’ve said before I arrived in that home aged 24 and left aged almost 56. I grew up there. We arrived when Stacey was 18  months old, bought David home from the hospital to that house. I clearly remember when we moved into what was the worst house in the street, having this deep feeling of appreciation and stability. It was a sound root – we had a home that we owned. It was May 1989. We had paid R67000 for it and I remember one of our friends who helped us move from Paarl. His first impression, “Wow, is this all you can get in Cape Town for R67000?” House prices in Paarl were a lot less.  It was in a sorry state, but brilliant, talented Mike set about renovating, extending, building up and building more. It went from 3 beds, one bathroom, living room,  kitchen with 1 garage to 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dining room, lounge + 2 bed cottage, double garage and carport. And Mike feels he’s not done yet. We are blessed to still own it.

Mike’s just arrived home – the new tenants were also there and are ecstatic. Valerie-Gail looked after the place very well. Thanks Val.

Burgers are on the menu tonight. John & Avril are coming. We also have a guest arriving for the loft, so need to go make sure it’s all ready for her.

Psalm 39:7
But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in 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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Beware the Owls

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

We have been living here for 4 years and 4 months and last night we saw something for the first time. Owls! I heard a very strange bird call – one I’d never heard before. It wasn’t the hoot of a regular owl. It was almost a brey. I opened our bedroom door to look and in the darkness I could just make out a bird on the corner of the roof of the neighbour’s house. And then another, much bigger one appeared and landed on the roof of the cottage. It was quite a sight.

Raiku completely ignored them. The one on the cottage roof was enormous…

They called to one another for a short while and then, when we tried going onto the balcony, they flew away.

I sent a message to Jonathan who lives next door and this is what he wrote back…Cybil is one of his two cats…

Wow! I was shocked. And then I got a sinking realisation that this was possibly what happened to Claw’d. It’s a year ago this coming Sunday that Claw’d disappeared without a trace. Being taken by a raptor is plausible. I always get a sense of sadness thinking about Claw’d. We never had him for long enough – only 7 months. I am hoping that when we get back from our holiday, in time for winter,  we will get a kitten for Raiku. He needs a friend.  It’s time.

This morning, I walked to just beyond Glencairn and back.

There are thousands of tomatoes growing alongside the railway line. It was remarkable how abundant they are.

Coming home, I took a photo of a passing train and it whistled to me.

Today we had a last minute booking for the loft for tomorrow and Sunday.

We ended the work week well. It was a good day and evening.

Such a tender moment in  my Bible reading this morning…

Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

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 Over

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we had a majestic sunrise and it is very evident the days are getting slightly shorter & the sun is moving over the distant mountains.  This was this morning…

This was 2nd December…the roof on the left is a good reference point.

This was …April…in a couple of months time, that’s where it will be.

It was a lovely day and we got to the beach. The day is always better when the beach is involved.  We got home just after 8am. The guests had left the lights on of their car, so Mike helped jump start it.

My work day was altogether easier than yesterday. I had a call with our MD and she will find someone else to take a (tedious and time consuming) chunk of the work off me. I’m thrilled! Help is on the way!

We don’t really get dramatic sunsets being on the side where the sun rises, but they still look pretty good.

Today has been a good day & I am grateful. I usually take a Bible verse from my daily reading, but this one is appropriate for today.

Psalm 113:3
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

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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Way Too Much Screen Time

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I had way too much screen time. By the time I stopped work, I felt punch drunk.

Dazed or stupefied sums it up. What I did do was get out! I took myself off for a long afternoon walk.

There is more building going on at the foot of the mountain. The site office already has graffiti on it – it is easily accessible.  The graffiti is on the left side.

Meanwhile, the house that is largely built, but not now finished has this steep driveway.

That 4.5km walk did all that was required to clear my brain, soften the eye strain and blow away the tiredness. It was great! Home now.

I’m regularly commenting on how I enjoy watching the planes taken off from Cape Town airport. The other day John was in the air and he managed to get this super duper photo of our house – if you can spot it – from the plane. Fantastic photo. Thanks John.

Time now to get off the screen and go and veg out.

Lessons from Mark

Mark 4:24
“Consider carefully what you hear”, He continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more.”

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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