Surprise in Safaga, Egypt

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie,

Sometimes you go places and don’t expect much and then you get a big surprise when you find some good thing about it. That’s what happened today is Safaga, Egypt. We arrived to a majestic sunrise.

I’m sad to say that Egypt altogether is a bit run down and lacking in finished buildings. Every city and town we have gone to or passed through seems to have buildings that are really badly built. Safaga is no different. Today we docked here and then went on a coach tour through to Hurghada, a coastal town an hour north. We had been to Hurghada before as well when we went to Egypt in 2019/2020. We swam in the Red Sea…this was 4th January 2020…

Today we went to a different beach in Hurghada and the biggest surprise that welcomed me were the FISH! There were little outcrops of coral and as I swam, I saw loads of fish in the most amazing array of colours. There were black fish and multi-coloured fish – fish that were green and purple and amazingly smart looking fish. The smart ones were the ones that got my attention They were corporate fish – they looked like they were going to the office. They had pin striped bodies with blue outlines to their tails and orange under their fins. I found out they are surgeon fish. There is a website that has documented most of the fish in the Red Sea and they posted these photos…there were lots of surgeon fish.

And there was this weird one as well. It was nudging the ocean floor with the side of its mouth. It’s called a broomtail wrasse.

Very peculiar. It was a different world down there! I was so excited. I did a fair bit of swimming and in the process I got STUNG! This time there was something on a rope that was in the sea. I swam under it and my back touched the rope & I immediately felt something scratch the area over my left shoulder blade. It was very uncomfortable – worse than when I’m stung by itchy things in Fish Hoek. This was painful. I carried on swimming and had a wonderful time –  I swam out to this boat which was called Scorpio…

Meantime, Granpa had a swim and then spent his time enjoying the sunshine.

Now, sweet Elsie, I’m going to tell everyone what happened next. I got the biggest surprise of the day.

We got back to the ship just after 3pm and I was keen to see what was going on on my back, so I took my shirt off and Mike had a look. There was a big welt about 20cm by 10cm filled with bumps and inflammation – he says it was like a big welt. And we nothing to put on it, so Mike went to the reception to ask if they had some cream for an insect bite. They said I’d have to see the doctor and that would cost 100 Euro! So Mike googled chemists in Safaga, found one 2km away and off we walked, off the ship and down to the dusty, smelly Main Rd of Safaga. We dodged endless taxi drivers offering us lifts and walked determinedly in the direction of the chemist. Before we got to the one on the map, we found another. We walked inside and asked for the cream and the shop keeper bought it along and announced it was 5 Egyptian pounds (R4.71). It was 20g tube of Allergex. We didn’t have 5 Egyptian pounds and the chemist didn’t have a machine. This meant we’d have to go look for an ATM. But then the Lord sent a couple of angels! As we left the chemist to look for an ATM, we saw two Westerners and thought they must be people from the ship. Maybe they would have 5 Egyptian pounds, so we approached them and asked if they were from the ship and did they have local currency. ‘Ah you are from the ship?’ said the lovely lady. ‘No, we are not from the ship, we are living here. We are from Holland!’ I told her my story and she opened her purse and pulled out 10 Egyptian pounds – that was all she had. We asked what they were doing in Safaga (a dreadful place to be honest) – they said they were staying at a resort around the corner (in the nice coastal part) to escape the Dutch winter.  We thanked them profusely and returned to the chemist triumphantly presenting our 10 Egyptian pounds. I had noticed the couple walk into the vegetable shop a few doors down, so once our transaction was complete, we rushed over there and gave them their change. They laughed and Mike got the photo, although the wife is hidden behind her husband…

We walked back to the ship, saying a prayer that the Lord would bless these two sweet people with an abundance of life.  That was a great surprise in Safaga. Mike put the cream on my back and it has certainly helped.

R4.71! I won’t get it at that price in South Africa.

It was a real blessing.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

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Camel Rides in the Sinai Desert

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we went on a camel ride! We arrived in Sharm El-Sheik, which is a sunny holiday resort on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It looked rather grand when we arrived this morning with lots of yachts and tourist boats in the harbour.

It is also very close to the edge of the Sinai desert. When you read the Bible, you learn all about the desert. It’s described as vast and dreadful & we got to visit a little piece of it to see just how arid, dry, featureless, dusty and hot it is. It couldn’t have been an easy place for the Israelites to spend 40 years. We were much further South than the Israelites went, but just to be on the Sinai Peninsula was an experience we won’t quickly forget.

We imagined hundreds of thousands of people. We imagined manna being on the floor and the need for water for both the people and their flocks.  Today the weather was not very hot, but come summer, it must be boiling.  No wonder the Israelites grumbled. It’s just kilometer after kilometer of dry and arid landscape. Dusty and sand-swept. We cannot begin to imagine what they went through. If these mountains could speak, they would have lots of stories to tell.

Before long we had arrived at the camels. We met young Ahmed who was our camel minder. Our camels went by the names Ferrari and Whisper.

The camels were ready for us to get on, so we did!

Ahmed led us on our journey…

View from the camels…

We went to a Bedouin camp site where we had sweet black tea and some flat bread. By mid-afternoon, we had returned to the ship. We cooled off in the pool and will soon be going to dinner.

It’s been a memorable day. We are a long way from home and still have 3 more exciting weeks on the ship.

Colossians 2:6-7
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran  xx 🙂

 

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Sooty Sokhna, Egypt

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today we have been on the ship a week!

Overnight, we arrived in a small city on the coast of Egypt called Sokhna. I have to say it did not come with great first impressions. When we woke up this morning, we had already arrived and were in port. We looked out the balcony to a pretty dismal sight.

I’m not sure who lives in the tents but they look like dwellings on a construction site. The other side of the ship was not much better. It is a working container port with these huge crane like structures that move up and down lifting containers on and off trucks. The engines of these machines are diesel and throughout the day they have acrid smoke coming out their exhausts. It really makes for a sooty, smelly, polluted port.

But as the day wore on, the pollution seemed to improve. Sokhna is 120km from Cairo, so those on the ship who hadn’t seen the pyramids, the Nile or the other highlights of Egypt, today was the day to do it. They left at 6am and got back a short while ago. We had planned on walking into Sokhna but shortly after arrival, the message came through to say that no one could leave the ship unless they were on an MSC excursion or had a taxi or other company picking them up. Having neither, we stayed aboard, finding a quiet spot in the dining room and working.

To enforce the no passengers on the Port policy, three police vehicles arrived and stayed in front of the ship for most of the day.

The smog lifted as the day progressed and it was a little easier to be on deck watching the containers being lifted on and off trucks. Truck arrives…

Big clamp thing (in yellow) goes down to pick up the container….

Lifts it up…

And up and up until it finds the spot to put it.. (truck has already driven away and the next one is waiting to be loaded up)

 

And this went on and on and on until way after dark.

I slept for a couple of hours this afternoon! What a treat that was.

Then I went walking at the gym and this is the view from there…

So that is Sokhna. Tomorrow we go to the Sinai desert!

Now we are wide awake so are going to listen to a pianist.

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran! xxx 🙂

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Suez Canal 2022

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today we passed through the Suez Canal. There are lots of things that happen along this waterway….

The friendship bridge…

One of many Egyptian towns..

A tug tearing past.

Fishermen…

At the back of the ship…

In the morning, we went downstairs to one of the quiet lounges and I worked for three hours. This was my view…

When I reflect back on this day in the future, I will remember swimming in salty pool water and then doing what I used to do when I was a child. I lay down on my stomach on a warm wooden deck to dry off.  The sun was not boiling hot but it was comfortably warm – enough to feel I was sunbathing, but not enough to burn. The other thing I will remember are the FLIES! The Suez Canal is close to land and the flies thought dinner had arrived. They came in droves and settled on damp legs and arms, annoying everyone who flicked and flapped them away. Teddy didn’t mind.

The other thing I will remember is the fun shower I got under the orange bucket! Remember this:

I stood under it…this was just before the water came and I was anticipating it…

Down came the water! It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be…

Yay!

There’s lots of fun to be had on a cruise. Maybe, Elsie, darling, one day you will get to go on a cruise too!

This afternoon we rested and watched the world go by.

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will work out His plans for my life – for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

That is very comforting to know.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Jeans Washing Day

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

We had a good time last night at the gala dinner. Everyone dressed up quite smartly and we all sat down to dinner.

Today was the day I washed my jeans. When you are on a ship out at sea, there is no washing machine that’s easy to use. We left Cape Town on 6th November and today is 21st November. I wore these jeans pretty much none stop from 6th to 16th November! Ten days straight. Urgh! When we got on the ship, I threw them into the cupboard for washing. Today it was hot enough to get them out and wash them by hand in the bathroom sink.

I gave them a good wash and then squeezed them out. Just look at the water! Most of that I have to admit is blue dye.

The afternoon sun pours onto the balcony of our cabin and now that we are close to Egypt, the sun is warm and the balcony hot. It’s a perfect place to hang washing. My jeans will be like cardboard before long.

Meanwhile, as we get closer to Egypt, we are beginning to see more water traffic. This was a fishing boat that was miles away from land but actually quite close to us. Through the binoculars I could watch it bobbing up and down. I couldn’t see anyone on board but it did have a lot of netting in the water.

The internet has been a bit spotty today, but I did manage to get 3 hours of work done and had a meeting on Teams albeit without the video. They say the satellite connection may get a bit more unreliable over the next few days. If you don’t hear from me, that will be why.

Another happy day at sea. We are grateful to be in good health!

Psalm 120:1
I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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A Special Ship Night

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today is an exciting night on the ship because it’s Gala Night. That means that everyone dresses up in their very nice clothes and go and have a very nice dinner. So we are preparing for that and Gran and Granpa have cleaned up pretty well!

I hope to post more photos tomorrow.

For the rest of the day, we had a quiet one at sea. There is no land to be seen. Just water all around. This is from the bridge on the top deck…there is a water park with a huge orange bucket of water that fills up and then falls over and will splash anyone who is below. We definitely will try that out as we cross the tropics. The orange bucket is in the middle of the photo below…

Granpa and Teddy watching all the activities…mainly people lying in the sun and eating!

We got to swim in the beautifully warm swimming pool.

And we rested in our cabin, did some washing and slept. It’s been a peaceful day at sea. Tomorrow, I will try to do some work, although the internet has been a bit spotty & we should enter the Suez Canal tomorrow as well. This is the back of the ship….

We went to gym this morning and while walking I listened to all of Psalm 119. This verse jumped out at me…

Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

 

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Katakolon Greece

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

The first thing about Katakolon in Greece is we have been mis-pronouncing it. We came here in 2017 and went to Olympia which is about 30km away. Having done that main excursion, the next best thing was to walk around the little village and see the sights. It’s not pronounced Kata-kolon, but rather Ka-takalong.

We walked up the donkey track….

To the Katakolon lighthouse which was built in 1865.

The donkey track has a good view of the port and the ship.

Along the port road…

One of the other things along the donkey track was a junk-yard. Apart from a lot of rubbish there were a lot of mangy cats and three chickens.

This was the prettiest cottage in Katakolon…

The streets of Katakolon…this is the backstreet which is older….

Tourist centre…

On our return to the ship, the crew had checked out one of the life-boats, lowering it, taking it for a spin and then returning it to the ship. It was interesting to watch…

And there was this weird swarm of something – it made no noise but there were millions of tiny birds being driven by the wind…

Elsie, Granpa LOVES pizza. Here he is eating his first piece of the day.

And the other thing we have just done is had a nice chat with you Elsie and with your Mom. It’s good see you looking so well and busy.

We are now going to head up to the top deck because the ship is about to leave Katakolon. From here we head towards the Suez Canal.

Psalm 116:5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

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Getting Some Relaxing Done

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we were able to start enjoying the cruise and get some relaxing done.  The biggest surprise I have seen on the ship so far is the lack of Covid protocol. It’s all but gone. I’ve seen one or two passengers wearing masks & the crew have to wear them, but that’s where it ends. No temperatures are taken and there’s no enforcement of hand washing at the entrances to the dining areas.  We also were told that there are 1400 passengers, while the ship can carry 2000.

Today we were at sea, slowly cruising through the Adriatic ocean towards Greece. It was a lovely day for watching the world go by…

And also getting a little work done…

We woke late. We also had the clocks put forward an hour so we are now back on your South African time. This meant waking up at 6am, made it 7am. So confusing! We got up late as a result and while I went off to gym, Mike went to the exercise deck. I walked/jogged 3km, did a bit of other exercise and rode the bike before skipping joyfully back to the cabin dripping with pheromones!

Breakfast followed. We were too late for the fancy breakfast (I was after eggs benedict with salmon) so went to the crowded buffet and had muesli,  flap jacks and a croissant instead. We sat at a table with other Capetonians. They live in Pinelands and have a holiday house in Scarborough.

This afternoon, I did what every good cruiser should do, I napped. There is no stress here. We are both in good health. I have purposefully not eaten since breakfast and in an hour we will beetle off to the main dining room and take our seats for the proper ship dinner.

This is the flow of life. Most days are good. Some days are hard. Elsie, my kind, may all your good days strengthen you for the hard ones & may those be few. I love you my darling!

Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xxx 🙂

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A Different Persective

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we arrived in Split, Croatia. It was the day I was reminded of life always having more than one perspective. This was the view from our cabin as we arrived.

A beautiful view indeed, but it was only when I went to the other side of the ship that I saw a completely different perspective.

The harbour and the city of Split beyond. We couldn’t see this view from our cabin but it was there. It was a good reminder that things are always happening outside of our line of sight. It’s the things we cannot see but are there. The Bible says,

1 Corinthians 13:12 (The New Living Translation)
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

A trip up to the top deck…

Breakfast..

This is a hill known as Marjan – we took this photo from the ship. We walked from the ship all the way round the bay and up to where the lines are…the line on the left is where the cross is. The line of the right is where the flag is.

This is the ship from the top…

At the top, there is this most wonderful cross.

The flag at the top…

I’m so glad they put the cross back. We do not lose hope.

Back at the big ship.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx

 

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When Negative is Positive

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was quite the roller coaster ride. After a week of anxiety that Granpa may have Covid, today he tested negative and we were able to get on the ship. We left our apartment early in search of a place that will do Covid tests. After going from one (closed forever) place to another, we soon learned the inaccuracy of the internet information we had been reading (Covid testing places on just about every corner). Eventually, at 7:30am, we found a chemist but it only opened at 8am. We walked through the streets of Venice pondering whether our tests would be positive or not. By 8am, we were back at the chemist. The pharmacist opened the doors and we told her what we needed. She explained the process:

  • We would fill in the form.
  • She would photocopy our passports.
  • Then we would go to a testing site at a church a short walk away.
  • They would test us.
  • We would walk back with the results.
  • She would issue us with a formal certificate with a QR code.

It was all very official. We filled in the forms and handed them in. Suddenly, she burst into smiles – 28th February, she said to Mike – same birthday as me. It lightened our anxiety. The fact that we were going to church for a Covid test was also surprising. We walked to the church venue. Massive church in a square. This was the door.

We were the only ones and the attendants were super friendly. Mike did his test first. I watched as the lady performed the test, then put the swab in the gel and swished it around, before dropping the drops onto the testing pad. Then it was my turn. After she had taken my swab, I returned to my seat and watched them looking at Mike’s test. My heart sank. Surely his would be positive. We waited a few minutes longer and then the lovely lady looked across at us and gave us a thumbs up. Everything was fine. It was such a surreal moment. We were so sure Mike and maybe even I would have some lurgy lurking in the recesses of our nose! She came across and gave us the papers with the results.

We were jubilant and thankful. The negative antigen test trumped the medical form and we could board the ship.  We let family and friends know & returned to our apartment to check out.  We packed up and checked out at 10am. We headed for the people carrier and were whisked off to the Cruise Terminal. The process was smooth and painless, with very little waiting at each point. Checking in…

After checking in, going through security and then passport control, we had to board a bus to be taken to the ship. I thought it would be a proper bus, but it wasn’t. This is Venice after all. Elsie, do you know you can have a water bus?! It doesn’t even look like a bus. It’s a boat!

This was on the water bus…

It took about 20 minutes for us to reach the ship. It was cramped and hot in the water bus & we were glad when the ship came into sight…

What was interesting is we didn’t go onto the dock again. We went straight onto the ship from a boarding platform. Before we even got to our cabin, we got internet loaded on our phones and my computer and were up and running. It was 1pm. We couldn’t believe we had made it. So grateful.  We settled into our cabin. I always enjoy views from the dock.

By 5:13pm, with the sun already set, we were slowly cruising out of Venice.

We are now exhausted and ready for bed.

John 1:16

For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Undeserved favour for sure.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny  xx 🙂

 

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Venice!

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday..

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we arrived in Venice but there were a few tense moments! We woke up in Milan, had breakfast and then I chilled while Mike went and collected Julian. Then we wondered around Milan for a bit before heading for Milan station which is an imposing building. Look how big it is!

We said goodbye to Julian.  That’s always a poignant moment. He went off to catch his train to the airport and we went to our platform to catch a train to Venice.

The train was red and very very fast.

Teddy was tucked into the pocket behind the seat..

We arrived in Venice and then needed to find WIFI. The WIFI on the train was down, so we went to KFC (yes KFC in Venice!). Mike ordered the only coffee then had which was expresso and we knocked back black strong coffee shots! I sent a message to my host for our Airbnb digs for tonight to say we were on our way. It was wonderful to see Venice again….

It was raining! We got to the building within a few minutes. It’s the reason why I booked it. It was really close to the station, but it was then the drama began. There was no host. There was no way we could get inside the very locked door. An English /American couple came past and they kindly messaged our host to say we were waiting at the door. Then someone came through the door and left it open for us. This was the way in so at least we had reprieve from the rain…

We had no WIFI so eventually I left Mike and returned towards the station. I stopped at a restaurant and told them my problem so they gave me WIFI access. The host had messaged back, so I returned and tried to follow his instructions without success, so back I went to the restaurant and sent more messages! Can you imagine how frustrating this all was? Elsie! These are things that can go wrong. My battery was beginning to die. I told Francesco who then said he would be there in 3 minutes! I rushed back to the building and told Mike the guy was coming. Then he was going to quickly show us what we were doing wrong and guess what? He couldn’t access it either. The whole system was down. 

Anyway, eventually we got in. He went and got actual KEYS for us to use to enter the gloomy part, the apartment part and the room part. Three keys. To access this Airbnb, you need WIFI. That needs to clearly be said. Don’t use this place unless you have an Italian sim card with WIFI.

So grateful to be in and to celebrate we went out for dinner.

Now I’ve on the bed typing. Look at the lovely room. It’s really very comfortable.

And now this is done, I’m off to shower and then to bed!

Tomorrow, we face other adventures/opportunities/obstacles. We need to test negative for Covid to get on the ship.  With Mike sick last week, we are not sure if that will happen! Our holiday may be cut short, but we are both feeling good so if one does test positive we will be grateful that we are asymptomatic and be joyful for good health. Also, after today, I’m not sure how much WIFI I am going to get, so there may not be a blog tomorrow night, but I’ll update as soon as I am able.

I love you Elsie my girl. I’m sorry today has been a little rough for you and you’ve had a temperature. Get better soon.

Psalm 139:13 & 14
For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran  xx 🙂

 

 

 

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Milan!

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Dearest Elsie

Today was the day we all arrived in Milan. We got up early in Varenna and went to the local coffee shop for cappuccino and then went for a last walk around this beautiful little village. Surely, it is one I would like to return to. 1 hour out of Milan, it’s easy to get to and easy to navigate around. For our last visit we went to the ancient church of St John the Baptist. There is a record of it 880 years ago

Inside…

From there we returned home via the waterfront. I took this picture because it shows where we walked yesterday afternoon. We went up the Wayfarers Path…it was quite a hike.

And Teddy came too yesterday afternoon…

Back to today…by 10:30am we were at the station. The train arrived and we climbed aboard a very full train. Just over an hour later, we disembarked into an extremely busy city, overflowing with tourists and locals alike. We found our hotel and then Julian’s and from there we went sight-seeing. I have walked 21000 steps today. We walked through a park and to the most amazing shopping mall where all the big names have a presence. This is where everyone wants to go…

When you walk out this end….

This is what you see….THE DUOMO!

They say construction began in 1386 and it apparently took 600 years to complete. Ongoing maintenance and cleaning continues day and night. See the big crane on the left. It’s an awesome building with intricate carvings all over it.

We had to see inside. The columns are massive. There are hundreds of stained glass windows each depicting a different scene. Each intricately & individually painted. There are many paintings and carvings.

Centuries of people have sat beneath this roof. Millions of prayers have been prayed. Joy and grief, happiness and pain, all manner of emotions. All the ups and downs of lives lived – all trusting and seeking an ever living God. And today, in a moment of time, I sat there too soaking it all in. God has seen every person. He has heard every prayer. He meets us in our time of need and that, my sweet Elsie is an important lesson to remember.

Teddy didn’t go sight-seeing with us today but he is tired! He has his own bed tonight…

Tomorrow, we go to Venice. I think I am going to stay at the hotel until it’s time to go to the station. I am tired!

Psalm 139:5
You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny xxx 🙂

 

 

 

 

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Last Day in Varenna

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was our last day in Varenna. We went out early as we had no milk so we took a walk to the village. We bought milk and croissants which are fresh daily at the little convenience store a short walk away. We then came home via the walk way next to Lake Como.

Varenna is 1000 years old. Cape Town is only 300 years old so the ancientness of this town makes Cape Town seem young. There are very old walls and buildings and signs of a very old time gone by. The pace of life is slow here and you won’t believe that a number of hotels and shops close for 4 months of the year. There are signs everywhere that say they are closed for winter and will reopen in the spring. The other thing they do is close shop for a few hours every lunchtime.

Granpa is feeling better. He went out in the morning and took a long walk up to Perledo which is on the mountainside behind where we have been staying.  This is the view from my bedroom window. And it is from this window that I watched a red fire engine zig zag its way up the mountain. I couldn’t see the fire, but the very loud, blaring siren echoed across the valley warning everyone ahead to move over and to let the people in distress know that it was on its way.

Tomorrow, we leave for Milan on the 10:35am train. The pinky/peach building in the photo above is the train station, so we will be walking there and catching the train which goes over the bridge with the arches & takes just over an hour to get to Milan. Varenna is a wonderful little place and I would definitely return if the opportunity presented itself.  Lake Como is very beautiful.

One night in Milan. Then to Venice for one night. It’s then that things will get interesting because we need a negative Covid antigen test to get on the ship. We are all okay but who knows if we have had the dreaded lurgy and will get a positive test back. So grateful for good health.

Super Sunday & a very early blog.

I love you my sweet Elsie. Lots of love and hugs to you.

Psalm 139:3
You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny xx 🙂

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Walking and Varenna Botanical Gardens

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we went walking! We walked up a very steep stairway to what we hoped was going to be the monastery but it was closed. We did find some other fun places though and the walk was interesting. Teddy had a free ride.

We came to a chapel…

And passed through lots of courtyards and passages…

And the view from the top was amazing…

Then we took another way home – first along a track and then down a steep hill. Walking down ancient paths…

We got to the first road above Varenna and it had a wonderful view of the village…well they call it a commune…

We came home and had a little rest before going to the Botanical Gardens. This is below all the trees in the photo above. It is a beautifully kept garden attached to a museum and it has some lovely view points which we enjoyed. There was this one really fun spot. It was a tree stump that had been carved into a chair. What a good idea!

Here are some of the other photos we took. It has so many pretty spots..

Afterwards, we walked back down through the water front area. The biggest thing we noticed was just how many people there were. There were loads of visitors. And they were all after the same thing…enjoying the special spaces and views through historic  arches.

Altogether, it was a super day with enough activity to keep us busy but not too  much to wear us out!

There are lots of things going on behind the scenes. We have booked our tickets to Milan on Monday and are planning what we will do there. Also, Granny has made a mess-up. I didn’t know there were two Ibis hotels in close proximity to the main train station. I’ve booked us at one of them and Julian at the other.

Never mind! These things happen. When we arrive at ours, I can ask if he can have his reservation moved over. I’ve also booked train tickets to Venice for Tuesday.

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

The Lord knows everything! This, Elsie, is a comforting truth.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny!  xx 🙂

 

 

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Teddy Goes to Switzerland

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that Teddy went to Switzerland! We were very sad that Granpa couldn’t come with us. He stayed behind to get better. We caught the Bernina Express which is a big red train that winds its way up the mountains from Italy to Switzerland. There were some spectacular views along the way. This is the red train …

There are lots of little towns in the valleys…

The train soon reached the snow…

Beautiful Alpine lake…

We had lunch at St Moritz!

There was a little patch of snow by the lake…Teddy had fun.

And a horse on the way home…

The drama came when we were on the train back to Varenna. We had left at 7:25am this morning and were due back at 6:34pm. It had been a long day and I was tired. It was dark outside and the train wasn’t stopping at every station so we were dependent on the train announcements for our stop. The train stopped with no announcement. The station sign said Peredo. That’s not our stop, so we didn’t get off. As the train pulled away we saw another sign, Varenna-Espino-Peredo. It was our stop! I had a cadenza because I knew Mike would be wondering where we were. We waited 12 painful minutes for the train to get to the next station. We hopped off and rushed to find when the next train back was leaving. Fortunately it was only about 15 minutes away, so we got on that one and got off at Varenna.

So that was a crazy end to a good day.

And Elsie, Granpa is beginning to feel better.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny! xxx 🙂

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