Solo Hiking

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today I was reminded how important it is to try avoid solo hiking. I was so saddened to hear of the death of a young American hiker who went hiking on the same day we did (but a different part of the Table Mountain range). She was on her own and must have fallen. When she didn’t return, her friends and family became frantic and search parties were sent out. Those on foot couldn’t find her, but eventually on Sunday, a helicopter spotter saw her and she was retrieved.  News of Brook Cheuvront’s death has swept across the world. When we were climbing the other day, I saw some treacherous parts that made me shudder at how easy it is to have a fatal fall. Falling off a ledge on the mountain can of course happen in a group, but when you are alone, you don’t have someone watching over you. Here are some of the scary spots…

Looking down at Camps Bay – there’s a vertical cliff.

In this photo below, Mike looks safe – but if he overbalanced and took a step back, he could have fallen into Platteklip Gorge.

And this is the view from the path. Scary for sure.

On the open mountain, there are no barriers or guard rails. You have to be so careful. And one of the biggest issues is there is so much beauty before you, there is the temptation to take photos, get a little closer and get distracted by looking at your cell phone.

So sobering. We are eager to go climbing again, but I will be even more careful than Saturday. I’m praying for the Cheuvront family today. What a tragedy.

Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the Lord says— He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

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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Changeover Day

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we saw one set of guests leave and the next arrive. The first ones left early so by just after 8am we were downstairs pulling the Seaview Apartment back into shape. It is good that we sometimes do the clean because it gets us in there to see how things are. The place wasn’t too bad. Ruth had given it a good clean on Wednesday, so under the bed and behind the headboard had already been done. Courage had cleaned the windows, the balcony and the shower drain as well, so we just had to do the basics. By 1pm when the new guests rolled in everything was ready for them.

I was amazed I could get up and walk after yesterday’s marathon hike. My watch app advised me that my exercise yesterday was extreme and could lead to injury and I needed until Tuesday lunchtime to recover!  My feet were quite sore, but I still took a walk to Fish Hoek beach and back. On my return, there was a little mole snake in the road. It looked injured, so I carefully used a stick to get it to the grass verge.  Emphasis on little. I wouldn’t do try moving anything bigger!

The rest of the day was spent resting.

I quite marvelled that I  managed yesterday’s climb. It was 9th August 2022 that we last walked to the reservoirs.  On that day, Mike was eager to go further, to try for Table Mountain, but my feet were so sore, I just couldn’t manage it. I remember sitting next to one of the dams and putting my feet in the water to relieve the pain. To think over the last 2 years, I have got so much fitter that I was able to climb Table Mountain is really amazing. I haven’t been doing any specific training. All I’ve been doing is trying to walk 10000 steps a day.  We are eager to try a different route, but for now, it’s time to rest my legs and go back to gentle walking around the ‘hood!

I have a super busy week ahead.

Today was the start of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Many blessings to come.

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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Today We Climbed Table Mountain

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we climbed Table Mountain. We didn’t begin the day planning to do this. We planned walking to the reservoirs but as we got nearer, we got bolder. Little did we know the trauma our legs would suffer after making this decision! We parked at Constantia Nek and at 8.08am set off up the Constantia Nek Jeep Track. I took a photo every kilometer. 1km 8-39am

2km – 9.06am

It was the long but easy road up…we had NO idea of what was to come. This road, albeit long and steep looks like a walk in the park in hindsight!

3km – 9.28am

4km – 9.45am

5km – 9-59am – Alexandra Dam

We stopped at the end of this for breakfast – we had walked 5km before breakfast.

After breakfast, we were a little sluggish while our breakfast settled. The next kilometer bought us to a massive landmark. It was at this point, it may have been wise to turn around and say, ‘that was a great 12km hike,’ but no. Instead, I called David and told him we were walking to the Cable Car station and could he pick us up from there. We’d be there between 1 & 2. He was fine with that. We didn’t have a clue how hard the next 4km would be.

6km – 10.32am – very historic Woodhead Dam.

Built between 1893 and 1897.

Massive stones that make up the bridge.

Last one laid…

The gorge the other side of the dam…

We got to this map at 10.45am we were at 6 on the map and I put red lines on the route we went. (Next time, we’ll take the green route – I put those lines there too)

7km mark 10.57am

The going got very rough. It was so steep. The path was narrow and there were a lot of rocks to climb up. In some spots it was wet and pretty treacherous. There were quite a few people coming down but not too many going up.

8km – 11.41am – it took us 44minutes to climb a kilometer. I did have to take regular breaks because my heart rate was pushing 170. Valley of the Red gods. Hout Bay is in the distance in the middle.

The next kilometer was going to take us 54 minutes because it involved crossing Platteklip gorge. We did get a modicum of enthusiasm as we summited one of the grueling peaks because suddenly we saw this…so close and yet so far.

The joys of Platteklip Gorge…

Ladder 1…

Ladder 2…

We didn’t take too many photos because quite often the path was tricky and needed my full attention.

9km – 12.35pm –

Upwards and onwards..

Feeling confident!

And finally, 10km bought us to a more reasonable path…

It wasn’t long after that we hit the crowds and got to enjoy the amazing view.

We caught the cable car down…5 hours after leaving Constantia Nek.

And met David on Table Mountain Rd.

He took us back to Constantia Nek.

Home exhausted, but satisfied with our achievement. Next time, we’ll take the easier route.  Tomorrow we need to do a changeover of the Seaview Apartment. I don’t even know if we’re going to be able to walk, let alone work, but it was worth it.

Psalm 65:5-6
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,  who formed the mountains by your power…

What mountains we saw today.

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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My New Green Card

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that I got a new Green Card. It gets me 12 entries into a number of local national parks, like Cape Point, which is by far the most expensive. That makes the R190 card worth R1200. One of the best things about it is you can take SA family & friends with you and they also get in for free using one of my entries. To get the card, you need ID photos, proof of residence and your ID. For the pics, I went to the photo place by the library.

The very nice man quickly sorted me out and I then went to Tokai to the TMNP sales office.

That also took 2 ticks.

I’m ready to go. It had taken just over an hour and a half from leaving home, getting the photos, driving to Tokai, getting the card and getting home again. Not bad at all.

Early this morning, my walk took me to the end of my road and back and then all the way along Hillside to Kommetjie Rd. but walking along Kom road is really unpleasant, so I went up the last lane on Hillside, which is this one…

It comes out at Highway and cuts off all Kommetjie Rd. To achieve 5km, I had to go up Ravine Steps and onto the mountain.

Then I walked to the end of Mountain Rd to just below the Shark Spotters’ Hut to enjoy this view…

And all the way home again. It was a very pleasant route and was more than 5km which was great. It also was a good test as to how much I’m up for walking in the wind. It was fine, because half was into the wind and the other half was with it at my back.

After I got home, I heard a helicopter flying quite low. In this wind? Something was going on, on the mountain behind.

I never found out what the reason for it was.

Now it’s the end of the week.

Apart from Isaiah, I’ve been lapping up Galatians.

This is a profound statement:

Galatians 5:6
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

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 Perfect 5km Route

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I got news of your upcoming graduation from Grade R. It’s early this year because the primary school is so very busy at the end of the year, so they’ve scheduled it for next month. I’m excited to see the celebrations &  be there to cheer you on.

Today I was up early and thinking there may be rain, I set off to try the perfect 5km route. It was not today’s! I walked to the end of our road and then back down Highway, all the way along Hillside to Kommetjie Rd as far as this turn off…

Along Rickart Lane to Highway.

And home again. The only problem was by the time I got back up to my front door, I still had about 200m to go so I had to walk around and around a bit to get to 5km. So far I think the best 5km walk is going the other way – to the end of Glencairn Beach and back.  This route along Kommetjie Rd with lots of morning traffic isn’t great. But on the way home along Highway, I did pass the Drain Surgeon’s stretched VW Beetle which is quirky.

That took a bit of work. I saw him driving it the other day and it did look a bit clumsy. Amazing that it works.

The wind is howling tonight and is forecast to blow through tomorrow as well, but maybe I’ll try the walk to the end of Glencairn Beach and back….although having said that, the beach and the wind are not a good combination – exfoliation and sand in my eyes comes to mind. Maybe I’ll do a couple of short walks.

A full and busy day at work today. David joined us for dinner.

A Bible verse that’s a prayer, I have often said but can never remember where it comes from. Today I read Psalm 63 and there it was. Verse 8 – My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds 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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Alexander Arrived!

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day your second cousin was born! Alexander entered the world around 2.45am. My phone pinged at about 3.15am and I stirred enough to reach for it. I woke up quick enough as I saw the happy news. Two very tired parents and a newborn baby. Later, more photos arrived. His length is 52cm & he weighed a healthy 4.135 kg. Such a huge advantage to come into the world that size. Well done Jess!

So precious.

Huge congratulations!  Everyone loves a baby.

For us, we went walking, this time to Valyland and back – just a few meters less than 6km. I have to tell you one of the most unusual things I’ve ever seen in this day and age. I was so surprised. We were walking back from Valyland along one of the nearby streets when I heard the truck (big bakkie) we were approaching had its engine running.  As I got to it, I noticed the window was open and there was no one inside. It was really strange, but I thought the driver was in the closest house’s garden, so we continued walking. There were a number of people on the street. We crossed to the other side and it was then that I stopped and looked back to see if I could see any owner. I couldn’t. We walked to the corner of the road and I stopped again. Still no one. I said to Mike it must be his battery is flat and he’s charging it but it’s a bit odd he’s just left it unattended. “I have to take a photo of this!” So here’s the truck. I guess the one on the left has been the jump starter of the one on the right that had its engine running. Possibly the pal was inside the house having coffee.

Maybe they were inside watching me take photos & ready to pounce if anyone dared get in. Here is my photo through the open window with the keys inside and the engine running.

On St Helena Island, this is the kind of thing that you would see all the time. In Cape Town 2024, it’s risky! Anyway, that’s what we saw on our walk today!

End of Wednesday 18th September 2024 – the day Alexander was born. Praying for you guys!

Isaiah 30:15
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.

I love that.

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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Walking to End of Fish Hoek Beach

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

With the tide low this morning and the sun rising earlier and earlier, it was a good opportunity to measure how far it is from our house to the end of Fish Hoek Beach and back. This is from the cat walk looking towards the end of the beach…

Very low tide making the walk easy. At the end of the beach there is the Silvermine River which is still flowing steadily, so I didn’t cross it.

This is looking back…

It took me 27 minutes to walk to the end of the beach. On the way back, I stopped to talk to Joe, who was enjoying the early morning. Train to Simon’s Town…

My watch indicated the walk was going to be less than 5km, so I came up Hillside Rd instead of Sunny Cove steps. In order to clock 5km, I had to go as far as the gate of number 38. Back home – 5km done and dusted on what was a quite spectacular spring morning. View of Fish Hoek Beach from my balcony.

Home for breakfast, shower and work which took the rest of the day. I did have a little humour break in between. I put a dish towel on Raiku. He’s not so sure what to do, so he walks off.

He asks “What did you do? Why are you following me?”

He’s absolutely not sure about this strange feeling…

I’ll just lie down.

Funny boy!

Mike intends to work this evening.  I will watch some some You Tube videos.

Isaiah 26:3 caught my eye this morning
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts 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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Just Another Busy Monday

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Whew! Today was just another busy Monday. I did get news that you are doing so well at school and the teacher only had good things to say about you. Keep going! Also we are waiting for your cousin Alexander to make an appearance. It’s any day now.

Work consumed most of the day although I did get out early for my walk. I have been measuring different routes. Today I walked Highway and came back all of Hillside. To get 5km, I needed to walk to the end of my road which ended up close to 5.5km. This is the view from Hillside with the DRC church steeple.

When I arrived home, Mike was finishing dressing for the day when Raiku walked past. He tossed his socks onto Raiku’s back. Ginger Ninja didn’t seem to notice and went to have some breakfast.

He figured something was off, but left the socks there until they finally fell off one by one.

I’m trying to figure out the difference between the whales we see in False Bay and today I learned something. The noisy ones which are very active, breaching and lob-tailing, grunting and playing are humpback whales. At least I know that now. The ones that are very big with callosities behind their blowholes no dorsal fin – those are Southern Right whales. They have V-shaped blows, are black or dark in colour. The ones that have a porpoise action are either going to be Orcas or Brydes whales. Next time I see a whale dancing in the sea, I’ll know it’s a humpback. When I see a massive one glide by, it’s a Southern Right. So much to learn.

End of Monday.

I’m in Galatians now.

Galatians 2:20
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for 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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Walk to the end of a Different Beach

Posted on September 15, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I walked to the end of a different beach. If we are going to walk to the end of a beach, it usually is Fish Hoek, but today I decided to go to Glencairn. But first, this is what sunrise looked like…

There were 4 whales very close to shore this morning. With the sea so flat and calm, they were easily seen.  The first two slowly glided past, very near the surface of the water and just amazing to see.  The second pair seemed to be mother and calf and they spent a lot of time in one area before moving further into the bay. That was when I decided to walk towards Glencairn to see if I could see the first two. I couldn’t. They were gone, so I chose to walk to the end of a different beach. Glencairn from the Fish Hoek side…

The river…still flowing strongly, even though it was low tide.

And the view from the river back towards Fish Hoek.

I discovered that from our house to the end of Glencairn Beach and back is 5km. Good to know.

Something else significant happened today. My goal for 2024 was to walk 3 million steps, which is about 8000 steps a day. Not long ago I noticed my average had gone up significantly and that with a little more walking I may be able to get to 3.66 million steps by the end of the year. I had to get my average up to 10000 steps a day and today I crossed that milestone. With 3 and a half months to go, I should make my goal.

A little rain was forecast – there was a tiny bit. And we also had a rainbow.

The little line in the water is a whale at the end of the rainbow – and we all thought there was a pot of gold. Maybe the whale swallowed it up.

A lovely day. We enjoy these windless ones so much. Summer is coming and summer & windless don’t go together.

Psalm 59:9
God will go before 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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Making Soap

Posted on September 14, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I made a new cake of soap from old slivers. This has a back story. Decades ago when there was no internet, we had Christmas catalogues – advertising magazines. I used to order a few things, diligently sending off a money order or cheque. One of the things they sold and I always thought would be fun was a ‘soap saver’. I never ordered it, but always thought it looked a good idea. So imagine my surprise when I walked into a charity shop the other month and there was one of these 1980s soap savers.

I kept old bits of soap and today was the day I got to try it out.

All that needs to be done is for the bits of soap to be soaked in hot water for about 10 minutes. Then I put the softened soap in the molder, put the covers back on and let it cool.

And out came the cake of soap.

These days you can melt the soap down in the microwave (I didn’t think of that) and you can buy silicon shapes that make really fun soap for kids. Something to think about!

I’ve just watched the Whale boat come flying by.

I’m not sure why as I haven’t seen any whales this afternoon, not like yesterday. What a display. To start with a yacht was chugging across the bay when suddenly right next to it, a whale breached. Mike and I both saw it. I took a photo afterwards – you can see the flat water right behind the yacht – that’s where it went down.  The displacement of water is at least double the length of the yacht.

Later we had a message on our group to say there were whales right in front of us. They were super close and very active. I think they were Brydes Whales. There were two of them. Not only were they breaching, but they were also grunting, not unlike the bellowing of an elephant, albeit not as loud. It was quite a spectacle which ended as darkness fell and we lost sight of them.

I cleaned house and we walked to the shops for a few supplies. Even though I’ve clocked 10000 steps, it’s been a day that was much easier on my legs than yesterday – but not quite as memorable.

Isaiah 16:5
In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of 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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Making a Super Memory

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we made a ‘super memory’. We have lots of memories from our travels, but from time to time there are  unexpected super memories, like cruising out of Venice at sunset and making angels in the snow in Switzerland. Today we made a super memory and it was very close to home. Because it is National Parks week and South Africans can enter for free, I took some time off work and we went to Cape Point.  An ostrich to welcome us, although he didn’t look very friendly.

We parked at the most SW point of Africa (Cape of Good Hope) and took a hike.

Mike setting off…

At the first lookout point…

But the fun really began here…

We decided to go down to Dias Beach…206 steps down..

With ramps in between…

Mike coming down….

When we got to the bottom, there was also a massive dune to climb down. I took my shoes off and went bare foot. We took photos..

And then Mike had a grand idea. He started writing his name in the sand, so I moved along and did the same. We used our feet to stomp out the letters. Mike went over the lines. We then hot footed it up the dune and the stairs to see if we could take a photo of it before the sea washed it away. We didn’t know how much time we had. This was the photo from the top of the dune…

We didn’t realise it would work so well. This was from half way up the stairs…

When we got to the top, it was still visible…. 

We asked a passer by to take our photo…

A super memory indeed. We’ll remember this for many years to come.

What was really funny was a tourist stopped to speak to us and we said we were Mike and Helga. He said ‘oh wow! I’m so honoured!’  He also pointed out a small herd of eland. They were hard to spot.

So after our fun on the beach and after we had caught our breath from labouring back up the 206 steps, we continued to the car park where there were loads and loads of coaches and tourists.

We bought some refreshments at the (very busy) restaurant and then I convinced a dubious Mike to continue walking up to the lighthouse.  We passed the Flying Dutchman

Looking back from where we had walked.

We checked out the view of Cape Point…

Took a photo of the lighthouse…

And retraced alllllll our steps until eventually we were back where we began…

Mike with his favourite car of all time.

Home we went and to my horror, the meeting I thought I had at 4pm turned out to be at 3pm and I was 20 minutes late for it! My apologies were profuse! Never done that before, but it was worth it! We’ll not forget this day.

Make super memories.

Today I finished 2 Corinthians – last verse.

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you 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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The Cloud & the Butterfly

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I passed under a ginormous cloud and saw a delicate butterfly. I had worked all day and it was time for my walk. The day  had been partly cloudy but when I left it was sunny enough for me to put on sun block and off I went. No sooner had I got to the top of Highway, there was an unexpectedly chilly breeze.  A massive cloud has obliterated the sun – its warmth was gone & it looked decidedly ominous & I wondered if I was going to get rained upon.

I walked beneath it all the way down to the shops, did my little bit of shopping and returned up the mountainside by the way of Daisy Lane. By then the cloud had moved north and the sun was out again. On the path, where I was about to step, I spotted a butterfly. Seldom do I get the chance to take a photo of one of those, so I whipped out my cell phone and quickly took a photo. Now you see it…

I leaned over to get a closer photo but it sensed me coming. Snap! It shut its wings. Nicely camouflaged.

And in a split second, it flew away. I was glad to have seen it. Today, I looked out my study window and saw a massive bird on one of the neighbouring rooves. It was big – the size of an Egyptian goose. I rushed to get my binoculars & called Mike to see. As I got to the lounge window, it rose into the sky and swept away over the houses. We couldn’t guess what kind of bird of prey it was. It could have been a falcon or a massive eagle. Whatever it was, it was quite a sight.

Also, I didn’t mention earlier this week that when we were in the West Coast National Park, we saw a majestic eland. It was big and not afraid of the traffic. It sauntered through the fields of flowers ignoring droves of gawking onlookers feverishly snapping their pics.

Today someone posted some photos on Facebook from Arderne Tredgold’s book “Bay between the mountains”. You can just see the cottage.

I found this online.

I walk past that tombstone often. Next time, I’ll have a closer look.

Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid I will trust 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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Nothing is Ever Perfect

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a beautiful summery day with not too much wind and lots of whale activity in the sea. I’ve learned the ones I thought were orcas are probably Bryde’s whales. That’s what I was told on my evening walk to the end of the road. It was the second walk I did. The first was at lunchtime, when I turned my work clock off and went for a walk around Hillside and Highway. Now that we have been to see the flowers, I’m seeing the same kind of wild flowers all over the place….just in random spots along the roadside.

Such a happy bunch…

Beautiful day in Fish Hoek…

As I walk, I often look up at the houses and imagine the view from their windows. The mountainside houses all come with special views of hills and sea. But nothing is ever perfect. There are often obstacles that obstruct windows – massive tall trees like the one in the photo above, block out sunshine or part of the view. I tried to think of the perfect place to live – right opposite the ocean and the first place that popped into my head was Misty Cliffs. The houses on the sea side of the mountain have amazing views and the sea is right there. It’s just steps from their front door. But nothing is every perfect – it’s not the sea I’d want to swim in – it’s the cold side. So then I thought about being below Simon’s Town golf course – that’s the warm side. Houses there have unobstructed views of the water. Surely those are perfect. But then I thought of how far it is from town and how many tourists there are. Nothing is perfect this side of eternity  – there’s always a compromise.

When I got home, I put my sunglasses down on the shell basket and as I did so, I noticed a shell with writing inside. I’d never noticed it before. I concluded Julian must have picked it up at a charity shop and left it in the basket. I read the message – an African proverb.

Contentment certainly is something to strive for.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake 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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Blooming Flowers

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today we went to see the famous flowers. I don’t think there are pictures that can capture the abundance of flowers that blossom across acres and acres of the West Coast National Park. They are prolific and beautiful but to get there is a mission! That’s the short story. We left home at about 7am and drove to Darling, where we had breakfast. That was a surprise because we got there before anything opened. While driving around, we found a wine farm with a beautiful farmhouse. 

They were open for breakfast. As it hadn’t quite warmed up, we opted for inside & ended up having breakfast in the wine cellar

It was an unexpected treat.

Onward we went until we got to the start of our final destination. It was the West Coast National Park. It’s 21km from the R27 gate to the Postberg entrance which is where most of the flowers are. This week entry is free. Yay! But there was a price to pay after all : E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E knew this week was free and there were hundreds of visitors. We stopped and went for a 3km walk. Photos can’t do justice to the beauty of the landscape and flowers. There are acres and acres of them.

We then went to where there is a food stall and picnic spot. We followed a path to some rocks.

The rocks were huge and we went up a couple of different ones.

They both had spectacular views over Langebaan lagoon.

That was quite a highlight. After some refreshments, we returned the way we came.

If you don’t want to travel quite so far, there are loads of flowers along the R27. On the way home we were noticing all the flowers. The closest, most amazing display was at the entrance to Grassy Park on the M5!

They looked amazing!

We saw the abundant, expansive, joyous flowers and appreciated the day!

Matthew 6:28-30
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

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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Work, Enjoy Life, Be Grateful

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I woke up early and went for  a walk. With summer coming, the days are beginning earlier. The sun popping up over the distant mountains before 7am now. It means I can get some steps in before I start work at 8am. It’s a 30 minute walk to the top of our road, back again and then the Daisy Lane loop. Sunrise from the mountainside.

Quite often I am answering emails on my cell phone any time from 6am, but it’s sitting down at my desk that happens around 8am. Raiku is now my regular desk companion, taking up more than a third of it and I am only to happy to have him.

He has been a little too excited recently. Twice over the last 3 days, later in the evening while we are preparing for bed, he has enthusiastically arrived with a little (dead) field mouse. He kills, brings it in and then meows and meows to say, ‘look what I bought you.’ Last night when I arrived at his catch, he stood back, and it was if he was putting out his paws and proudly announced, ‘for you!’ He watched while I scooped up the poor little thing and removed it from the house. There was no attempt to stop me. His job was done. His keep was earned. 🐱

Tomorrow is for us to make the most of life and so we are taking the day off (working from my cell phone) and we are heading for the flowers.  We are looking forward to that. Mike is busy doing research on which route to take and where to go. Sun is expected so flowers should be open.

The 9th of the 9th is always a sad-heart day as it’s the day Arnie passed away – this year 17 years ago. While the ache dulls, it never disappears and twil only be gone when we meet again. My solution is to focus on something else. Work, enjoy life, be grateful.

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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