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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A Rough Night

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Some days are harder than others. I’m sure you have found that too. Some days you have a rough day and last night was a rough night for Granpa. He coughed so much and then eventually fell asleep. When he woke up this morning, he was feeling better.  We have a coffee routine in the morning. We boil the kettle on the stove and also put a coffee percolator on the stove as well. Much easier with my coffee machine back home, but this also tastes good.

A little later we went down the street to a coffee shop and had their cappuccino and croissants. The cappuccino was quite close to a South African cappuccino.

Granpa got up and was feeling better so the three of us went to the train station and caught a train all the way up to Colico, the most northern town on Lake Como. The train trip was great. Colico had a lovely walk way that took us in front of the lake. There were swans!

The view from the walk way was beautiful. These are the foothills of the Alps and they are high enough to be sprinkled with snow.

We caught a bus back but not the whole way. We got off at the town just before ours to do some shopping at the supermarket.  And then we walked home.

We spent the rest of the afternoon resting. Tomorrow we are going to catch a train into the Alps.

Elsie, with Granpa not 100% our trip is not working out quite as we planned. Sometimes things do go wrong and we need to trust the Lord and know that He has His hand on all things.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

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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Varenna and Bellagio

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie,

Today it was expected to pour with rain in Varenna but it hardly rained at all. We went out early, armed with umbrellas to the convenience shop a little way down the road. It is a tiny little cafe with a small range of useful groceries. We bought breakfast items and then took a walk through the lake front of Varenna.

 

The church in Varenna…

Italy is an amazing place. It is so historic and this is a very old church!

While we were out, we went via the very quiet laid back Ferry terminal and bought return tickets to Bellagio for later today.

After breakfast I got some work done which was helpful. I was able to join my weekly meeting. Then it was time to catch the ferry. Everything looks amazing from the water. The rain held off and leaving Varenna we could see the block of flats we are staying in.

Varenna from the lake…it looks like something out of a storybook, doesn’t it?

Uncle Julian and Granpa on the ferry…

We walked around Belaggio and then had lunch at a little restaurant close to the ferry port. It was a good excursion.

When we got back we went to the train station and bought tickets for our trip tomorrow. We are going to the very top of the lake to a place called Colico!

We had a great day, even though Granpa has picked up a terrible cough. He slept well last night and today was well enough to go out but this afternoon he has been coughing a lot. Let’s hope he feels better soon.

We have had a great first day in Varenna.  It’s a tiny little place and so difficult to get lost. It only has a permanent population of 400. It’s very clean and the water feels so warm, I may even get to swim in it.

Tomorrow there are more exciting things to explore.

Elsie, I’m glad to hear you had a good day at school and were able to voice your opinion when someone pushed you. Well done!

Psalm 20:4
May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

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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We Arrived in Italy

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we arrived in Italy! Your Mom will show you where that is and where we are. Once day, Elsie you’ll get to go on a plane ride and it will be super exciting.

First we flew from Cape Town to Doha. I got to sleep quite a lot and the trip went quickly. Then today we flew from Doha to Milan and it was long and tiring. It also began with a scary little incident. We had just taken off. The steward and stewardess were still in their jump-seats when suddenly billows of smoke poured out of the airline kitchen. We had seats by the emergency exit so could see exactly what went on. The stewardess jumped out of her seat (the plane was still climbing) and went to see what was going on. The smoke stopped and she said it was just oil, but then a smoke detector alarm went off and that freaked out all the cabin crew. The cockpit called through and spoke to three of the cabin assistants and then when the plane had ascended to a safe height, other more senior cabin crew came to investigate. My heart sank. We may need to return to Doha & if we did that, it would delay us by hours. Fortunately, it was ‘just oil’ that had overheated and caused a lot of smoke and the flight was completed without further incident.

Photos of the day…

Granpa hardly slept on the flight, so he took a nap while waiting for the next flight.

On the bus to the plane

We arrived in Milan and Uncle Julian was there to meet us. Then a really nice man came to pick us up and took us to the place we are staying.

In the taxi on the way to Varenna…

Varenna is lovely! It’s 1000 years old and is on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy.

Uncle Julian came in on a flight via Paris so his trip to Milan was over the Alps… amazing. What a view!

So now we are settled here until Monday. Tomorrow rain is forecast so we will need ot unpack our umbrellas! We will be walking in the rain!

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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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Teddy Getting Ready

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today is the day Granny and Granpa get on a big aeroplane and fly across the world. It’s been a busy day for sure. There are always things going on behind the scenes that I don’t often tell you about. Granpa has been rushing around getting last minute technology sorted, mainly so I use my computer while I am away.

Also, Uncle David has been sick. He doesn’t want us to get his germs so he has been sleeping upstairs where you slept and staying away from us. Hopefully, he will feel better tomorrow.

I have been cleaning the house and am finishing writing this to you so I can clear my desk for Uncle David to use. Your Mama showed me the picture of the house you drew and I was so impressed! You really have understood what it looks like.

Four floors with steps at the side. That’s absolutely right!

Yesterday the neighbour’s cat came to visit. Remember Badger the big black dog who barked at you? Well he’s gone home to his house next door now and the cats have gone too. They have two cats Sybil and Basil! Basil is the grey one and he came into our house last night and didn’t want to leave. We had to physically carry him out. It was fun to have him visit. He was very curious and looked around and sniffed the furniture and carpet. I think he could smell Meggy, Riana’s dog who visits from time to time.

We are excited about going away. Most importantly Teddy is getting ready! Remember when I send photos to be on the lookout for teddy. He’ll be somewhere!

Time for me to go!

I love you my darling and will write again soon!

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny! xxxx 🙂

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One More Night

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today you left to go home. You got up very early and were soon in the car driving home. The house was so quiet after you left! You are a bundle of energy!

Today was a busy day for us because tomorrow we go on a long holiday. I didn’t realise it would take so much work to get us all ready, but now we are. Our bags are packed. These are mine:

What’s interesting about today is that yesterday we had 13 people on the property. Everyone vacated today except 3, so now we are left with Glanpa, me and Uncle David! The weather was lovely and I got a lot of washing done. Ruth came and cleaned the Little Lookout and the Seaview Apartment. Tomorrow, guests arrive for the Seaview Apartment just for two nights. More come for the weekend.

I think tomorrow, I will write to you early, just before we go to the airport. After that, God willing the next letter from Glanny to Elsie will be from Varenna on the shores of Lake Como! That is a long way away!

I’ll be telling you all about it!

Psalm 23:1-2
The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.

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

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Granny! xx 🙂

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58

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Helga

Saturday 

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I turned 58 and you were there to celebrate with me. You love birthdays and couldn’t wait to give me my present, bake a cake and sing to me! We went to the beach and had a wonderful time playing in the rockpools.

We made sand castles and wrote your name in the sand.

Then we went to the play park and had fun on the jungle gym and the very high slide. You enjoyed that and didn’t really want to go home!

The beach was really busy.

We had a lovely day. David has a new camera and he took some really good family photos. He also took this one of me and Glampa!

You helped your Mom bake me a cake and we had a lovely dinner together. You have boundless energy! And when I said that you ran around and around in circles saying, “I have boundless energy!”

Once of the things I also did while you were running around is I booked the tickets for the long train trip up to the Swiss Alps for Friday next week. The weather looks look on that day, even though it will be chilly up there.

Tomorrow you go home. I will miss you but will be sure to keep you updated on our holiday!

I love you my girl!

Psalm 105:4

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.

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

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Love Granny!

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Special Visitor

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Helga

Friday 4th November

Today is the day…

The blog changes slightly! From now on it’s going to be a letter to Elsie! It will still give insight into my day and life in general in my lifetime, but it will be addressed to Elsie and will be in the context of a Grandmother writing to her Granddaughter. It all begins today!

Dear Elsie,

Today was the most special day because YOU came to visit. You arrived with your parents at lunchtime and it was amazing to see you and to see how much you have grown. You have shot up and you are so strong. You marched up the stairs taking them in your stride and were hardly tired at the top.

You were so excited to be here and we were more than excited to see you and your parents. Later we walked down the road and you commented about the wind blowing all around you. The wind was strong and cold, but you didn’t complain. In fact when we turned around, you ran part of the way back to the house. You also enjoyed looking at the sea.

When we got back, Uncle David spent some time teaching you more about chess. Mama and Papa had been teaching you and David set up the board and took you through a few moves. You got it. You also enjoyed playing pick up sticks. That was fun too.

Now you have gone off to bed and you know that you are sleeping above us. When you were in our bedroom, you pointed to the ceiling and said ‘ we are up there!’ Yes you are!

It was lovely speaking to your parents and hearing all their news.  Thank you for coming to visit Glanny and Glanpa! We are loving having you.

Ephesians 3:20

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by His power at work within us.

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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Fixing the Beach Clock

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

The beach clock got fixed…we hope. One of the things that happens with the  group of Fish Hoek beach locals is they get to know the crafts of each other. One of them, named Richard, has a history of repairing clocks. When the beach clock stops working, Richard is the man to call.

Here’s Jo, directing Richard which way to move the hands. He’s holding his watch in his right hand so he gets the time right.

This is all eyes up as others, including Mike, try to decide if the clock is actually ticking!

I’m not sure if they got it right. Soon after this, we were dressed and ready for the walk home.

Beach cleaners…

The day started off calm but soon the wind picked up and now it’s back to a blustery south-easter.

Our new guests arrived in the Seaview Apartment. Such a nice couple – one from Belgium and his girlfriend from Germany. They are here until Sunday.

Work calmed down to a storm with only a 7 hour day today. Tomorrow, I’m hoping to take time off in the afternoon because a certainly family are coming to visit.

And, right now, I think I can also call it a day. A nice early blog.

4 more dinners. 4 more breakfasts!

Ephesians 2:10

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

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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Live Life Like the Dog

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was a long working day and at the end of it, I had to go for a walk. I walked to the end of the beach and there was a man with his dog. This dog just loved the water and it was so fun to watch.  I was amazed at how far out he swam…beyond the first couple of lines of breakers. Then he would turn around and start swimming back. On one occasion, just as he got to the shore, a sea duck appeared bobbing on the surface of the waves. Too much fun right there for the dog. He bounded back into the water. The bird flew off but the dog decided he had it in him to try catch him. That was a lost cause. The bird beat him by a country mile, but he was up for trying. Eventually, he gave up and came swimming back to the shore. A little canter around his owner and he was back in again. Living life to the full. We should all live life like the dog. Enjoy every moment of the wind and the waves. Make a lot out of little things and just keep going.

Today the land surveyor was here bright and early. He spent some time taking measurements.

To be honest, I don’t know what it was all about but Mike and Julian do.

The other thing that happened today was a storm! So seldom to we actually have thunder and lightening but today that’s what happened. It was quite close by too and there some huge claps of thunder. It also rained which was great. Sometime in the afternoon it had blown over and the sun came out.

We have 5 breakfasts and 4 dinners left before we fly away. Tomorrow, I will start the handover of the rental units to David and Courage.

Ephesians 1:4-5

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.

God wants us to be happy.

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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The Gabion Baskets Have Grown

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

I worked 8-9 hours, so it was a busy work day and it will continue to be tomorrow. I’m grateful for lots of work!

It was a month ago (just about) when I put up the last pictures of the gabion basket retaining wall that Courage and Brian have been working on. Look at before and what they are like now!

August 26th…

August 30th…

September 16th…

October 3rd…

Last week…

And they have grown since then. Courage and Brian are strong! They source massive rocks from the mountain and they break them up to create these big rectangular rocks. We had the engineer out and he approves.

Tomorrow the land surveyor will be here bright and early. He has some levels to measure so we get the funicular lane right.

Meantime, today was the film shoot at the beach. The wind was blowing, but from early massive film trucks lined the beach road, although it was later in the day that we saw bunches of surfers running into the surf. Repeat! Run into the surf. Repeat! I watched through the binoculars for a few minutes but couldn’t spot the cameramen. I can’t see the beach in front of the restaurant from our balcony so I’m not sure what was happening there. There was a lot of lining up of surfers and running into the water, getting out and doing it again. I’m not sure if they will continue tomorrow. I’ll be watching to see.

And that’s that for today.

1 Peter 2:9

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

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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The Day of the Empty Beach

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

That every time I looked down to the beach, it was empty. A vicious south-easter, pumping through at about 40km per hour has something to do with the beach being abandoned by regular walkers and swimmers. Stand-by ‘up-country’ folks – expect rain. If the belief is right that for it to rain in Johannesburg, you need wind in Cape Town, you can expect some heavy downpours. Checking the weather, it looks plausible.

It’s always difficult to take a picture of the wind. The best I can do is to photograph the massive amount of surf crashing against the rocks below. Certainly not a swimming day.

Tomorrow & for most of the week,  it’s still expected to be windy. It will be interesting to see if the surfing film shoot goes ahead on Fish Hoek beach tomorrow. This weather feels a little hostile to be filming.

Today I worked more than 9 hours. At 6pm, I suddenly remembered I had said I’d go and pick up biscuits from Aunty Ivy. I was supposed to be there at 4:30pm. Oops! We rushed off to pick them up and then did a bit of shopping.

Now I’ve got sucked into a little more work. Let me get that done!

Psalm 103:2

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

The bests 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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Itinerary

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

We began a real countdown to our almost 6 weeks out the country. We leave a week tomorrow. While MSC’s portal tells  me this…

As quickly as it’s coming it’s going to pass by, so we need to enjoy each day.

I did a trial run of packing and am now sure I can take one 15kg soft roller bag and my backpack. If I pack my regular Bible, it will add 1 additional kilogram! It’s so difficult for me to read any other Bible, so given my light packing, I may add it. So the itinerary is:

  • Monday 7th November – Cape Town to Doha/ Doha to Milan
  • Tuesday 8th – Arrive in Milan and transfer to Varenna, Lombardy.
  •  Monday 14th November – Train to Milan, where we spend the night.
  • Tuesday 15th November – Julian heads for the airport to fly back to SA. We catch a train to Venice.
  • Wednesday 16th November – board the ship.

Today we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise. 30th October – Julian’s birthday! So he was at the forefront of our mind.

The local surf-skiers were out in force. More than 60 of them…

Swimming conditions were great, so we went down for a swim after 8am and had a lovely swim.

Came home, phoned Julian, had a restful day and this afternoon, I went for a 7km walk.

It’s been a good day.

Happy Birthday Brother Dearest! We have loads and loads of fun memories…

Remember this crazy scramble down Chapman’s Peak?….

This next was in Pompeii…

And this was your birthday two years ago…

And finally, Christmas 1991….David was 9 months and Stacey was 4.

Good to have you as a brother. Thank you for everything! More memories to come.

Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

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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Swell Sea

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

We got to swim. There was a bit of wind, so the sea was buoyant, but not rough enough to prevent the shark exclusion net from being put out. It was great to swim with a bit of swell. A pic from Fish Hoek Beach, so not my photo, but a good indication of the swell sea.

Talking of Fish Hoek, it looks like we  may have some entertainment to watch on Tuesday.

I wonder how many people will arrive. I’ll keep an eye out.

We came home for breakfast and then went to do a bit of shopping.

In the afternoon, I had a good call with Stacey and then we cleaned the house ahead of friends coming for dinner.

The wind has dropped and it’s a balmy evening.  Clean house, full tummy, great Saturday.

Romans 12:1
I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.

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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There’s a Bike in my Lounge

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

We got a few more things done.

  1. Bought foreign currency
  2. Got some meds ie new Stugeron for sea sickness.
  3. Bought 50 medical masks

And now I’m going to start, with Mike’s help, constructing our itinerary for Varenna, because, LOOK at the weather! It’s been updated. I know this still may change (and maybe even for the worse) but for now, it’s looking promising. Just need the temperature to go up a degree or two.

Meanwhile, today there was a bike in my lounge. David bought this bike in Thailand and then used it to cycle 600km across South Korea. Quite an achievement.

It took him about a minute to fold it up.

Until eventually, it was this…

He picked it up and took it upstairs! It is super nifty. He can cycle down to the shop, fold it up and put it in a trolley while he does the shopping. He can cycle across town, feel tired, fold it up and Uber back.  He really has enjoyed it.

It’s weekend!

Titus 3:4-5

When the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.

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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