The Snake

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today the wind has been howling. Julian arrived & after work I went with him for a 30 minute walk. We strained into the wind for half the walk and were blown merrily along for the other half.

I keep meaning to write about our unexpected encounter with a small red snake. On Saturday afternoon we walked down to the fish shop to buy fish and chips. Fish Hoek fisheries has been an institution on Fish Hoek Main Rd for decades. We  hadn’t been there for a while.

We came out and headed home, but just up the road, right there on the pavement was a snake. Mike just walked right on, but I gasped, especially when I saw its tail move.

I’d never seen anything like it. Mike scoffed and marched on.  “It’s not a snake!” Mike said. “What?!”  My heart was beating a little faster. I’d seen its tail move. I took a closer look, bravely bending right over it to find out exactly what I was looking at.

And then, I laughed and laughed and laughed.

It was a piece of hair weave from the hairdresser two doors down! The wind had blown its ‘tail’ and that was why it moved.  It was so sneaky.  I’m inclined to put the photo on our street’s Whatsapp group on 1st April & ask for an identification. It shows how deceptive something can be.

Another full day of work – tomorrow I take the afternoon off.

I was interested today to read Numbers 18:7. The role of the Priests is being set out and they are instructed to serve. Servants traditionally are the least of the societal levels, but the Bible turns service on its head. We are instructed to be servants. But it is in this verse that we see an unexpected description of service…

Numbers 18:7
I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift.

Service is a gift.

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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Sunscreen Ingredients

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Last night I was online when I got flagged a video on how bad some sun screen is.

Some of these ingredients are not great. Apparently, oxybenzone is harmful to the neuroendocrine system and should be avoided. We have loads of sunblock bottles around our house. We use it a lot because we are in the sun when we are walking & at the beach. I have a little pocket bottle that lives in my backpack, so I was keen to see what was in that one. It’s got one of the baddies.

Apparently Octocrylene is bad for the ocean and that’s where I am when I’ve got it on me.  Then I checked our other sunblocks – the Nivea range and those ones are good.

They have the Ocean Respect sign.

Good to know. I really would have thought the one coming out of the “Sun Lab” would have been one of the better options but that’s the brand that has octocrylene in it. Anyway, we are going out of summer and into autumn.  The days are shorter and the wind cooler. As spring is blooming in the northern hemisphere, it’s cooling in the southern.  The wind is blowing today & we are bracing ourselves for it to get worse. This weather warning has just been released.

I doubt we will be going to the beach for a few days.

Today was the day Raiku got his Bravecto. He was due it on 1st March so it’s a bit late. The urgency arose when I started noticing ticks on him. He does not like Bravecto, so is feeling a little sorry for himself. Mike’s overalls provided some solace!

In a day or two, he’ll be as right as rain.

Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains 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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New Hot Water Cylinder

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day a new hot water cylinder was installed at our old house. It was quite a mission but it was done.

This blog serves the purpose of knowing the date these things are done. The old cylinder has has a long career of heating water. We well remember when the last one blew. It was the night of David’s 21st birthday party on 3rd March 2012. David Beretta was in the middle of his speech for David. The setting was the back garden. Lots of guests were sitting on the side patio when suddenly water started streaming off the roof, cascading down & splashing onto Roy who was the poor recipient of the shower. I remember something else about that evening. It was Granny, old and a little confused she kept tut-tutting about all these people ‘arriving so late!’ I actually found the blog for David’s 21st! – It’s here. It was a happy evening. Stacey didn’t want a party when she turned 21 – we went to Seaforth Restaurant. I hadn’t started blogging in 2008.

The current hot water cylinder has been repaired a number of times. Today, Mike and Courage, discovered that (despite being empty), it was very very heavy, so they needed to muster the forces. They found help in Josh (Sue’s son)  and he and Mike lifted one side, while Courage lifted the other.  This all taking place on the roof of course. They lifted it onto an old expanding security gate which had been partially opened and laid flat. (Pregnant) Hannah stood on the security gate so it wouldn’t move. Once the cylinder had been lowered onto the gate, Hannah stepped off and supervised the 3 guys while they pushed the old geyser off the gate and off the roof. It rolled down fast and furiously fell onto the grass with an enormous thud, followed by a cheer from the crowd. It then rolled across the lawn until it got to the wall where it stopped. I wasn’t there, but apparently it was quite fun to watch!

The new one was put in place, rigged up & Hannah and Ryan should enjoy hot water tonight.

Mike came home exhausted. It had taken the whole day. He’s 74 and still clambering around on a roof. I’m so glad he has Courage to take some of the heavy work.

While all this was happening, I was home with the doors wide open, working.  I did cast my eye out to sea a few times and saw a whale in the distance.

I got my exercise this evening, walking to the shops for some shopping. I went down via the cat walk…

& back via Daisy Lane…

The days are getting shorter. It’s a beautiful evening. End of a profitable day.

Solomon never minced his words…

Proverbs 11:4
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

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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Argus Cycle Sunday

Posted on March 9, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the Argus Cycle race so the roads were alive with the whirring of tyres on tar. We walked down to the beach to have a swim. Crossing the road wasn’t difficult. There was still quite a gap between groups.

The beach was quieter than usual for a Sunday.

The water was about 16.5 – a little chillier than usual but we are going into autumn so can expect a drop. It also has something to do with the north wind, I think.

Last evening, the guest arrived for one night. Raiku and I waited for him in the Loft.

One of the things I’ve been noticing is I’m getting a repetitive strain injury in my right thumb and into my wrist. This is, I think because of how much I use my mouse. Mike suggested I change to using my left hand to move my mouse. That was going to challenge my brain. I worked for a number of hours today and tried it out. It really is amazing how much I move my mouse during the course of my work. It gave my right hand a rest but I don’t want to strain my left hand either, so I’ll rotate between the two. The other thing I think I would benefit from is an ergonomically designed mouse. I had a mouse pad once that provided a cushion for my wrist. That helped. I’ve been typing for decades and doing this job for more than 10 years but I guess the increase in hours has caught up with me.

I’ll take the rest of the day off and give it a break.

Psalm 52:8
I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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A Partial Do-Nothing Day

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I woke up a bit irritated. I was ready to lament. I moaned inwardly that I needed a do-nothing day but today wasn’t going to be it.  The sunrise was majestic.

The sea was flat and calm. We would go to the beach and that would make me happy but we had to come  home and clean the Seaview apartment and I didn’t feel like that. I get comments that my life looks idyllic (which it largely is) and that I only put the good stuff on my blog (which I largely do) but sometimes I do feel work catches up with me,  and need a day to do nothing. It just wasn’t going to be all of today.

We went to the beach and it was lovely. We came home via the shops because we needed snacks for the Seaview Apartment. We got home, forwent an immediate breakfast and got stuck into the cleaning. The young lady who had left early this morning had spent very little time in it, so literally it only took Mike and I about an hour to do the cleaning. I was justified in not wanting Ruth to come in for a Saturday just to do this little bit of work. We gleefully went upstairs. I had a shower, washed my hair, dried it, got dressed and then had breakfast. The do-nothing part of the day could begin. The next guests arrived just after 11am & after they were in and settling, I slept!

There are loft guests also arriving this evening. They have spent their holiday in Kommetjie and leave for the airport at 12 tomorrow. Only thing is they will not be able to get to the airport from Kommetjie. They were panicking when they realised the Argus cyclists will be fully blocking access, so they booked our Loft for 2 nights (as that’s the minimum we have on Airbnb), but literally will only be staying for 18 hours. You win some.

We will have fish for dinner, I think.

I guess if I did have a complete do-nothing day, it would be difficult to fill. What would I do? I thought about that when I was doing nothing today. I ended up thinking, “what can I do today that will make the week ahead easier?” I thought about cleaning our apartment, but I let that thought drift away… I nearly did some of my work-work, but just on principle I thought that was a bad idea. No, I will do the blog, go for a walk and do nothing. I can sit on the balcony and stare at the sea and the mountain. Even that is something, but it doesn’t involve a screen & definitely constitutes doing nothing. I am so unfamiliar with doing nothing, it is a new art I will have to practice. I’m just so used to doing something.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within 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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6km Traipse

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I walked up the hill, across Daisy Lane, down the hill and then decided to walk all the way to the end of Fish Hoek beach & back. It was a round traipse of 6km, but the reward was this beautiful photo of Fish Hoek beach from the Clovelly side.

I didn’t swim. The sea, with the wind, was not unlike a washing machine and because I swim quite far, I am cautious about churning water and strong under currents. The walk was grand. I got home just after 8am and worked from 9am until a few minutes ago.

Today’s work day was very satisfying as it wasn’t as busy as yesterday. I got on top of everything and managed to do some extra catch-up work as well. I made good progress. I am very blessed to have this position. It may be stressful at times, but all in all, I really enjoy it and I find it very fulfilling.

We are going to have a busy weekend with Airbnb as we have 1 guest leave tomorrow and 2 arrive tomorrow, so Mike and I will have to do the change-over of the Seaview Apartment at least once. I’m sure it won’t take us too long.

And it’s Argus Cycle tour weekend, so we will be watching the bikes whizz past on Simon’s Town road.

Early blog today!

Psalm 50:11
I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the filed 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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Today I Remembered Back…

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was a beautiful day which we began at the beach. Look at this…

I had a lovely swim. We came home via the shops and then up the mountain and across Daisy Lane. I was already working on my cell phone. Today was so busy, it was a day I remembered back 40 years when I was a student nurse. There were days on wards that had me on the go from the moment I arrived on the ward to the moment I left. Hardly a spare moment – running from patient to patient, prepping, caring, cleaning and feeding – the tasks didn’t end until the 12 hour shift was done. That was how I felt about today. I went from one thing to another; one call, one inquiry, email, task, meeting – ‘twent on and on and on. And when I thought the work was done, I had Airbnb bookings to contend with. One guest went, one guest arrived, 2 bookings pinged in. Funny how I can equate being a student nurse with being a recruitment consultant 40 years later.  They share common denominators of both being a fulfilling job and helping people. At least now, any mistakes made are not life-threatening. I appreciate that!

Time now for some down time. We have discovered Matlock – I think it’s on DSTV which we got for a month while there was cricket on. Fun series to watch and we are about to do just that. Put the kettle on. Pop the popcorn. TV time.

Psalm 49:15
But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.

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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Is That a Warthog?

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

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

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

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

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

It will still be there next time I pass by.

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

We’ll watch that with interest.

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

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

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

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Medical Test Day

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

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

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

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

From there it was onto the bone density room.

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

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

The entrance…

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

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

I’m grateful for today in so many ways.

Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Seagull Squabbles

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

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

The lady who came to feed them…

The aftermath…

They soon dispersed but it was a challenge walking past!

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

Not a bad view for a digital nomad.

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

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

It’s not been a bad day.

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

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Smoky Valley

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

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

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

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

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

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

Today I finished Leviticus & am up to Mark 10

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

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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David Turns 34

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

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

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

His main performance was this one.

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

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

And your Mom did wheelbarrows with you.

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

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

David blew out his candle and we sang happy birthday.

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

It was such a great unexpected gift.

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

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

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Mike’s Birthday in Pics

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

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

We crossed the railway line, while a train waited.

And met Julian and David for breakfast.

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

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

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

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

And there was cake!

Then Grandpa made a paper airplane…

Which had one or two good flights.

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

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

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God Bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Mike’s Birthday Eve

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

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

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

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

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

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

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

The day is done. Dinner is next.

Psalm 43:3
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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The One That Got Away

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

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

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

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

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

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

Profound words in my Bible reading this morning…

Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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