I Love the Pastel Colours of Sunset

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

That was busy from sun-up to sun-down.  I worked for 8 hours and had some great success today.

I saw guests into the Sea-View apartment – really nice guests. A South African who once lived on our road and who has been living in the Netherlands for several years. I’m meeting such interesting people.

One of the highlights of the day was the subtle shades of sunset. I love the pastel colours. Just too beautiful.

We are in a season of load-shedding. While it doesn’t affect us too much because of the solar, it does affect the cottage guests because the cottage is not on our solar system. The power was off from 2pm to 4:30pm and soon will go off again from 8pm to 10:30pm. The moon is due to rise at about 8:20pm and with the area in darkness, it’s bound to be a spectacular site.

We are gearing up for our cruise next week. While I am making my lists and have got my flip file with essential documents and health records, we have in the back of our minds, that we will only know for sure this is going to happen once we have got our negative antigen tests, then got to the harbour and passed through their medical testing site which, I believe, includes a second antigen test on the ship at their expense. If that is negative, we will be on our way. So, psychologically, I have prepared myself for worse case scenario.

Time to turn in for the night. Mike has Sense & Sensibility lined up.

2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may 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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Mike’s First Pot

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day..

Two lots of guests checked out. When the second one left from the Sea-View apartment, Mike immediately went down to the workshop to see how his pot project was getting along. It worked! Mike’s first pot is complete!

The very grey top is still wet but once fully dry it will be as white as its base. Mike’s so happy with it.

Today I worked a little while. I also cleaned the Little Lookout with help from both Mike and Julian. It’s looking spic and span.

And ready for the next guest whenever that will be.

I did some computer work and a lot of laundry.

I also had a message from the guest who arrives tomorrow. He’s currently staying in Scarborough and had the incredible experience of seeing two Cape otters! He took this photo. What a rare sighting.

We did our obligatory walk to the end of the street, where the new house is up to roof height.

And now we have settled down for another Agatha Christie – this one on Netflix. A 2022 edition of Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

It’s been a productive day.

Ephesians 2:8

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

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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Easter Sunday 2022

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

We celebrated Easter Sunday. We had an early morning swim in cold, murky water. Mike ran 5km, so my swim was more than 30 minutes. I was cold when I got out, but not so cold as to spend the entire day recovering. I had my jacket with  me which helped.

We came home for breakfast and Easter Eggs.

If you ever come to my house, you may find me in my rocking chair. The only thing is, I often put my legs up on the window-sill. They are so comfortable there.

And the view is not so bad either.

In the early afternoon, we went walking in Tokai forest. It’s such a lovely place to walk and when you go in the heat of the day, there is lots of shade. Dog walkers paradise. Off we go…

The path  goes all the way round the perimeter of the forest…

When we got to the other side, instead of walking in the sun, we cut across through the forest and walked back in the shade of the trees.

Such a super spot. I’d love to come here with Elsie. One day!

We’ll definitely we back.

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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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Meet Paddy

Posted on April 16, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

Paddy arrived in my world!  Paddy is a bit of fun. He actually came down a floor from Julian’s apartment to ours. This year, God willing, we will do a bit of travelling and when we do, Paddy will join us. His name is short for Paddington, but with copyright laws, he’s been abbreviated to Paddy. He will travel with Mike and I and is designed to enthuse an almost 4 year old grand-daughter into waiting with anticipation for where to find Paddy in Granny’s photos. Expect him to appear. He has already been interested in many of the minor  activities in Granny’s world. To start with, he is watching me write my blog…

He enjoys sitting on the window sill watching Granny rock in her rocking chair.

On the rocking horse…

And he likes watching the birds…

When we go cruising, Paddy will go too! Watch out for him and his adventures!

Meanwhile, today, before Paddy arrived, we had breakfast at Chalk & Cheese and managed to do a bit of second hand shopping, including buying a Weber braai for the Sea-View apartment.

Mike did some more work on his pot project, experimenting with making the main bowl.

This afternoon, our next guests arrived. My ‘waiting view’. I always stand here waiting for guests to arrived.

Full house tonight and tomorrow.

And now we are watching a Poirot.

John 14:1 (Jesus said) Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

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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Good Friday

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

That went by gently with not too much activity.

We went out for breakfast and then went for a drive. We went to Simon’s Town to see how Jens’ building is coming on. After we parked and started walking towards the plot, I turned around and saw Jens himself walking his dog! We waved and greeted and he joined us. He showed us around, explaining where everything would be. The drive way is largely paved; excavation done foundations dug for the garage. He took up up the hill to show us where each room would be.  We were joined by an enormous male baboon, who checked us out and then nonchalantly sauntered off.

We also found a number of paintballs the baboon monitors had been firing at the baboons to keep them off residential property. It was great to see Jens and chat to him about his build.

When we got home, I walked through the cottage to check it for this afternoon’s guests. I had a quiet afternoon in my rocking chair. That’s never a bad thing.

Guests are in. And the Sea-View is ready for tomorrow’s couple.

2 Corinthians 5:15

 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

Sunday is coming. 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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Frustrations of the Day

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

That had little frustrations! It’s annoying how little frustrations, while not life threatening or serious can be exasperating and make me crabby. Today there were two of them. First world problems to be sure, but frustrating none the less.

My Covid Vaccination certificate has the last two letters of my surname missing. To get this corrected, I need to do the following:

  1. Go to the site of my first vaccination and get them to fill in an incident report. I have no idea how long that will take.
  2. Take the incident report to the police station with an affidavit to say what happened. Get the police to certify the affidavit, my ID and my incorrect vaccination certificate.
  3. Email the whole lot to a specified email address and, when done, in 72 hours, my  name should be correct.

Or else I can take my original vaccination card to the ship and expect them to accept that. I think they will. So I’ve let that one go.

Then there was this:

I’ve been trying to buy an internet package for our cruise and if you do it beforehand you get 20% off what is an expensive commodity. Shouldn’t be difficult.

Go online, choose what I want, go to pay, put in my details, go through to the VISA gateway, wait for the OTP.

  • Waiting.
  • Waiting.
  • Waiting.

Cancel transaction.

Reboot phone.

Repeat.

Still no OTP.

Give up.

That was two weeks ago. Today, I tried again.

Still no OTP.

Phone MSC. They suggest I do the transaction via EFT or over the phone.

Get cut off.

Decide to do an EFT.

Add MSC/ refuses to be added. First time I didn’t notice. Tried again. Tried a 3rd time.

Realised the only way to get this right was to finally succumb to downloading FNB app and do the transaction through cell phone banking.

Download the app. Get it working.

Try to add MSC/ kept saying there was an error with the reference.

Phone MSC. The lady tells me I  need to put a 0 in front of the booking number. Sigh!

Do the transaction over the phone.

Writing it all down makes it look very insignificant but the amount of wasted time wasn’t. Anyway, we got it done, which was good.

The other good thing that happened today was this:

Mike actually bought it yesterday for the princely sum of R199 from, believe it or not, Pep Stores!

It’s a card machine that, when connected to a cell phone banking app, allows Visa and Mastercard transactions. It  meant that today, our Little Lookout guest could pay using her international credit card in one simple swipe. It was so easy & will make a huge difference to guests who want to stay an extra night or two and don’t have cash.

Another good thing about today is that Ruth came. She cleaned the Sea-View Apartment and the Cottage. Such a help.

So even though some days have more frustrations than others, there are also good things to be had. Also, it’s the weekend. Lots to be thankful for.

Easter.

1 Peter 1:3

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

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 Royal Ball of 1947

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

Summer gave way to Autumn. The mist rolled in last night & we woke up in the clouds…

Mike’s balustrade got completed and painted. It’s the last of the side patio balustrades to be done.

It was a good work day. We chose not to swim amidst the mist, so I worked for 8 hours.

But the thing I want to show you today is something Julian bought last week. It’s part of a set and relates to the Royal Ball of 1947.

In 1947, the British royal family, made up of King George VI, his wife Queen Elizabeth and their two daughters – the then Princesses Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret came to Africa for 3 months. They arrived by ship and travelled many thousands of kilometers by train. While in South Africa, one of the biggest events was a ball given in their honour. It was to be held on 1st April 1947, the month Princess Elizabeth would turn 21. In those days there was a dance card for each attendant. It was on the back of one of these cards that the King, the Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret signed their names. Such a rarity to have the royal family sign these days that to find such a personal treasure was worth the purchase. To have all original signatures on one card is fantastic. A great find.

Julian has had it framed and bought it down here to his Cape Town wall.

This weekend is Easter and I am looking forward to taking all 4 days off.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

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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Days Like Today

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

That was a special day in Cape Town – the free gift of a beautiful day for every Capetonian and everyone else who bathed in her warm wind-free sunshine. Days like today don’t come along often. They are worth enjoying.  A thousand words may do the trick, but nothing like a few photos…6:35am

Looking towards the entrance to False Bay…

And looking towards Kalk Bay..

Just after 3:30pm this afternoon….

We enjoyed our swim – the sea was still quite warm and while it had patches of seaweed, it was clearer on the cat walk side. Such good therapy to go to the beach, swim and then sit in the sun for a time.  The days ahead won’t be quite so still and by the weekend, the wind is forecast to be blowing.

I worked 7 hours. Mike made great progress with the balustrade.

It was a productive day.

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of 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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A Rare Two-Swim Day

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

That was super busy but we made it into a rare two-swim day. We went down early this morning, had a shorter swim than usual. The water was warm but there was a load of seaweed and sea debris, like sea grass and bits of sea plants. Once I got past the murky part, out at the barrel it was much cleaner. I’ve started swimming to the barrel again.  A few sharks were spotted last month in the bay but not Fish Hoek and those seen were bronze whalers.  There was also a lot of seaweed on the beach.

This evening, the sea was also littered with sea vegetation. I enjoyed a quick swim, then waded through the seaweed, had a shower and we sat in the fading sun. Then we walked home.

Between the two swims, our three sets of guests arrived and have all settled in.

It’s been a very balmy evening. Dinner on the balcony was called for.

Meantime, this morning Mike made good progress on the balustrade for our patio.

They will soon be installed.

Psalm 147:11

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in 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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Mike’s Pot Project

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

We got a first look at Mike’s pot project. Not the pot that grows in the ground and people smoke, but rather the pot that people grow plants in and cost a fortune when you want to buy 20 of them and have special shapes. Mike has watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to make your own pots. Here’s the recipe:

  • 3 x Paper pulp
  • 2 x cement
  • 1 x lime

Method

  • Soak the paper in an equal quantity of water for 24 hours.
  • Turn it into paper mulch in whichever way you find easiest. Mike used a paint stirrer attached to a drill.
  • Choose a mold of your choice and coat it with engine oil.
  • Mix all the ingredients together and blend it into a plasticine type consistency, similar to clay.
  • Paste it onto your mold.

Let it dry for 24 hours and it comes out looking like this:

This is the base of Mike’s pot. The bowl will sit on top and that comes next. I’ll let you know what else needs to be done as the project progresses.

Amazing. He’s certainly creative!

Today, we swam. Temperature was about 17C. Mike ran 7.5km. I swam 52 minutes. It was all good.

We came home, cleaned the cottage and tomorrow we have guests arriving for all three units – the Cottage, the Little Lookout and the Sea View Apartment. It’s going to be a busy day.

We went out for this evening & have just got in on what is a beautiful balmy evening. Mike is in for a late night. He has this to watch.

A good, full weekend.

2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may 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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Back from our Overnight Jaunt

Posted on April 9, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

…we woke up in Stanford. We left yesterday afternoon and took the long route round. Through Gordon’s Bay, past Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond, Vermont & Hermanus until we arrived on the outskirts of Stanford. It was a lovely drive with each place holding memories for us. We have not stayed in Pringle Bay before, but we have had coffee there. We once walked on a rainy day from Rooi Els to Pringle Bay along the coast, scrambled to get over the river and ended exhausted in a coffee shop. So tired were we, we had no shame in asking if anyone was heading back towards Cape Town and if they could drop us off at the entrance to Rooi Els.  With my blog history, I could find the story. It was August 2012.

Caught in a storm – Rooi Els

Each town holds good memories and we were happy driving along to Stanford to make new ones. We stayed at a place called Misty Mountain farm. It’s a wine farm with a few units to rent. I thought they would be basic, but one of the reviews said they have lovely views. They do, but just not from inside the unit. Our unit, Sugarbush faces the unit opposite (Pincushion).  The picture below is where we stayed. The window that’s open is the bathroom window which has the best view. It had a lovely bathroom – magnificent shower.

This was the view from the top of the steps…

So lovely view from outside, but very closed in inside. Very well equipped. They’ve done the best with the layout of the building. Would I return? Probably not.

This morning it was off to Swellendam with a stop in Riviersonderend for breakfast… this is the Padloper Cafe which is, in my opinion,  the best breakfast place in the town.

Onto Swellendam where we enjoyed a lovely few hours with the family. My heart is full. Our day included a walk in the nearby nature reserve. So beautiful and peaceful.  With precious people…

All too soon it was time to return. We picked up berries at the berry farm, filled up with petrol and hit the road. A very pleasant uneventful trip passed by very comfortably and now we are home. Mike has gone to buy dinner for himself. I am going to shower and tuck myself into bed.

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

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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Trying Out Airbnb

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

We decided to try out Airbnb as a guest. We have booked Airbnbs a couple of times in the last two years but not as hosts. We thought it would be a good exercise to book again now that we are hosting. The first thing I noticed, which was super strange was there was no Airbnb fee. I’m not sure why. Anyway, I have booked for tonight, hence the very early blog. We are leaving our place in safe hands and disappearing to a place for one night – and it makes it very clear it does not have WIFI. Then tomorrow we get to see the Swellendam family!

My strategy advertising on Facebook holiday pages worked. We have a booking for the Sea-View for Monday. I worked for a few hours this morning and then went and finished cleaning the SV so it’s ready for Monday.

Yeah! Weekend!

Ephesians 4:7

To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

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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All Units Are Empty

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

…that saw all units empty. The Sea-View apartment was vacated early this morning. The cottage gets its next guests tomorrow. The Little Lookout is available. So right at this moment, all units are empty. It is a very strange feeling. It has not been like this for months! We’ve had surprisingly high occupancy and now everyone has shipped on out. From tomorrow, the cottage is busy until after Easter, but the other units are very quiet.

I’ve just posted links to the Sea-View apartment on a couple of Facebook. Hopefully, they will get approved and it will gain some traction.

Sea-View Apartment on Airbnb

I finished all my regular work in 5 hours today which also made it feel quiet. Suddenly, the feverish activity of the last month came to an end and I now seem to have more time. It will take 5 minutes for me to adjust to that.  I took my basket of guesthouse goodies and checked all the units.

The other thing I did today was print out cruise tickets. We have a short (long awaited – double-cancelled-due-to-Covid) cruise coming up. Hopefully, it will all go ahead.

This morning, we got to swim. There was a shower early in the morning, but then it cleared and we went down to a very quiet beach front. A few brave souls came down to the choppy waters. I swam for 25 minutes and then got out. I think the water temperature was about 15C.I was cold going home but soon warmed up. I don’t think there will be swimming tomorrow, if Wind Guru is to be believed.

Mike is watching the Masters Golf. Gary Player looks amazing. He is 86 and so agile & nimble. He was one of the starters – although he’s not playing  the whole tournament.  He played the Par 3 competition and was an inch away from getting a hole in one. He’s absolutely remarkable. This the link – I think it’s on Twitter – Gary Player

A quiet evening ahead.

Lamentations 3:22-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

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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False Bay as a Lake

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day

…of 8 hours of solid work.

We woke to rain – it came down steadily, cleared, then rained some more. We didn’t go to the beach. The sunrise was beautiful. False Bay from our home appears very still and calm when the north wind is blowing – it blows it flat, so it looks like a majestic lake.

Ruth was able to come today, so she did me a huge favour and cleaned both the cottage and the Little Lookout. Win!

Today I  had an inquiry for the Little Lookout for tonight and tomorrow night, but it came in the form of a request for me to send my phone number so they could speak to me before they booked. I emailed back saying I couldn’t send my number at that stage of the booking, but was happy to answer any questions. I didn’t hear from them again. Since that past guest of mine had her Airbnb account suspended, I am very aware of keeping Airbnb protocol.  My Easter guest also asked if she could change her dates to a day later, so she’s doing that. It works better for me, even though it will be 6 nights and not 7.

After I finished work, Mike and I walked into Fish Hoek to buy snacks. We went along the cat walk going…

And the mountainside coming home…

It was great to get out doors, stretch my legs, rest my eyes and get some exercise.

Now we are home and Mike has got some TV to watch.

All downhill to the weekend!

Isaiah 30:18

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. for the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

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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Living for Today

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

It rained. The seasons are changing. Summer has full on given way to autumn – temperatures are dropping, leaves are turning and cold fronts are beginning to drift over the Cape.

When we woke up, it was very overcast and rainy, but by 8am, the sun had come out and it had cleared. It looked like a fabulous swimming day, so we got ready and by 8:30am, we were one foot out the door. That’s where it ended. As we opened our front door, the arctic blast that met us made us have second thoughts. Perhaps today wouldn’t be such a fine day for a dip after all! We scampered back inside and got changed into work clothes.

And so we worked.

Not so long ago, YouTube recommended this YT video for me. I found it fascinating.

It got me thinking ahead about living in the next few decades, but with it came hints of anxiety regarding getting there or not getting there. If I do get there, how physically fit or mentally agile would I be or not be? If I didn’t get there, how old would I be when I galloped off to eternity? Today, it occurred to me the answer is one that we have learnt and lived by for many years – Live for today. It’s wrapped up in the Lord’s prayer – give us this day our daily bread. We can prepare for the future, but we don’t have to keep imagining or fearing what that future will be. I was jumping ahead and it’s not necessary. The road I am on is paved with certainty that as I walk from this day to the next, I do not walk alone. I will try to make today my focus and get to enjoy this one day. And tomorrow, I’ll try to do the same.

This one day is enough.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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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