A Day to Enjoy

Posted on February 19, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

The sea was so warm. It was a day that needed no hard swimming, but rather a day to enjoy. I got my 2km in and did swim up and down a bit, but I also did a good amount of enjoying the sea and watching the sea gulls swoop over. I also spotted a white medium size crab on the ocean bed.

On our way down to the beach, the cottage guests were leaving, so we helped them with their luggage. Such a nice couple off to Somerset West for a (possibly bowling) competition. Kitty’s cousin is Denis Beckett and when they found one his books on the cottage bookshelf, they took it off for him to sign. Very nice gesture.

On our return from the beach, we bought all the linen up from the cottage, had breakfast and then I went down and prepared the cottage for tomorrow’s guests. The place was left in excellent condition, so it didn’t take as long as usual. The other week one of the guests thanked me for my ‘attention to detail’. All I can imagine is that he was referring to my loo paper trick. This I learned from Memory who helped me about 3 times during December when Courage was away. Courage’s wife Ruth comes in from time to time. Memory had worked for a guesthouse for 17 years before it closed.  She was really good and taught me this trick. No one will think anything untoward when finding toilet roll on the holder.. like this…

But when they see this, they’ll see a little attention to detail…

It’s in the details! Cottage done, I returned home to rest. Mike meantime, was on a mission. He wants to get his doors up at the entrance to the Little Lookout courtyard first thing on Monday.  Today, he painted them. This is the undercoat, but they are now white.

He also gave the already black fittings an extra coat seeing as their life will be outside.

That kept him busy for most of the day.

This evening we had a rare treat for dinner – pizza! We went for a long walk after it and then watched the sobering Boeing documentary – I think it’s called Downfall.

Exodus 34:6

I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and 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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A Few Surprises

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day..

That came with a few surprises. To start with the wind dropped a little overnight, so it turned into a beautiful sunny day. The sea was still a bit choppy and when there are several lines of breakers, it still makes it difficult to swim, so I worked instead.

It was a bit of a train station. A guy from a few doors down came round to chat. He is (in time to be) building at 55 Echo and is going to be staying in our cottage for a few days from 28th. He just came to chat. That was a surprise.

My Little Lookout guest checked out and cleaned the place ahead of new guests who arrived this afternoon. After I had looked at the Little Lookout calendar, I commented to Courage that it was fully vacant next week. Next guest is in on 27th Feb. I came up to my office and there was a ping. You have a new reservation. The Little Lookout will be occupied from Monday 21st until 27th. That was a surprise.

Mike and I were looking back at some old building photos. I couldn’t help but send them onto myself. We can see what is behind these walls. This…

Became this…

While this…

Became this….

Julian and I decided, because the cat walk lights are back on, to take an evening stroll to the beach.  We bumped into John and Avril. That was a nice surprise.

Final photo. This one was posted to Facebook by Ian Bruce. It was taken at 11:40am this morning from 11000ft. Our Fish Hoek Valley, Fish Hoek at the bottom. Noordhoek at the top.

Amazing photo.

Genesis 24:27

The Lord has shown unfailing love and 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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British Heritage

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

We didn’t swim. I started work early and easily worked 7 or more hours.

Yesterday, I was scrolling through news stories when I came across a (sponsored) story on how to get a British passport if you have ancestors who are British. I was born in (what was then) Rhodesia in 1964 to British parents. Due to my parents being born in the UK, I immediately was entitled to a British passport. Initially, I travelled as a minor on my Dad’s passport. The first time a British consulate opened in the country of my birth was after the country became an independent Zimbabwe. The British consulate opened in Salisbury and my Dad lost no time in officially making me a British citizen.

As I wasn’t born in the UK, my children are not entitled to British passports but they can get an ancestral visa and go and live and work in the UK. After about 5  years, they’ll be able to get British citizenship.

But now there seems to be the possibility of a double descent option for them. This was part of the story I read…

That led me to dig out my first passport and inside, I found the date of issue. I was registered as a British citizen on 7th July 1980.

They can try to go that route if they want to make travelling easier.  The other amazing document I found was a copy of what seems to be my Grandfather’s Grandfather’s birth certificate. My great great grandfather was named George – his mother’s maiden name. His father was a labourer.

It’s good to have these documents as well as a copy of my Dad’s birth certificate. Maybe they will be useful in the future. Meantime, I got a notification today that my latest British passport is on its way to me.

We are going into a busy weekend. Tomorrow, one guest leaves and another two arrive. Saturday, the cottage guests leave and Sunday a large family arrive – 2 adults 3 children and 1 infant! I have been enjoying this.

Deuteronomy 7:13

He will love you and bless you.

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 Really Messy Morning

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

That I would have changed early morning events if I could! It was so messy. I had 5 teachers interviewing early in the morning. Yesterday, the interviews went off without a hitch so I didn’t give this morning’s too much thought. Mike and I set off for the beach, stopping at the cottage en route. After leaving, I realised I didn’t have my cell phone with me. (Never a good idea taking it to the beach anyway, but I usually do!). I decided I could live without my cell phone for an hour and a half, especially as most of it I would be in the sea.

On my return, there were a lot of notifications, urgent emails, missed calls. Oh dear! Of the 5 teachers who were supposed to interview, only 1 managed to. All the others couldn’t access the Teams room via the link. It was the interviewing agent’s error, but we didn’t know that at the time. Irate people everywhere. It was so messy.

Anyway, after much emailing, consoling and rescheduling, my stress levels reduced and the day fell into place.

The finer details of the cottage were complete and Jonathan & Kitty have arrived!

Mike and Courage worked on the frame for the doors for the Little Lookout’s courtyard.

Today, a lady called Linzelle posted this amazing photo to a local Whatsapp group.

Now we are home and an almost full moon is rising.

Psalm 106:1

Give thanks for the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.

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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Two Swims

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day..

We had two swims. We went to the beach at about 7:30am and I did my 2km and then joined Mike on the bench. We sat a while, enjoying the sunshine, no wind and the lovely sea breeze. We soon found we had dried out. By then the shark net was on its way out, so we both went back in. I swam to the barrel and back. The water is super at this time of the year. It must be about 20C. Hard to beat. We need to enjoy every moment, because in a few months time, I’ll be back in my spring suit and afterwards be dressing like an Eskimo for the walk home.

The cottage guests checked out. They left the place immaculate, more so than anyone who has gone before – even the family that booked for 5 and bought 8 – they left it pretty sparkling. What these guests did differently was they stripped the bed and left the linen, all of it, folded up neatly and ready to be put in  the laundry basket. That made it so much easier. It was really helpful and it was easy to give them a good review.

The train line to Simon’s Town is open again. After recent strong winds there was sand on the track. That has now been lifted and the rattle and screech of the train rolling past is heard a few times a day.

Julian arrived today, so we are off for a walk.

Psalm 89:2

I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven itself.

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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36 Valentines Later

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

I remembered back to my worst Valentine’s day ever. It was Valentine’s Day 1985 and I had just come out of a horrible heartbreak. I was so miserable that day. I could not wait for the day to pass.

That’s the thing about being miserable. It does pass. Little did I know what was ahead. It would be the last time I celebrated Valentine’s Day alone. 36 Valentines later and there is an appreciation for being happily married. We don’t need one day of the year to remind us of our love.

It was a day we didn’t swim. The wind was howling last night and it was quite windy this morning, but by 8am, it had subsided and a beautiful day followed.

I worked and Mike spent a number of hours in his workshop working on the doors for the courtyards for each unit. They are coming along nicely.

Mike routing..

Courage worked on the top wall.

To follow on yesterday’s blog, photos I emailed myself popped into my inbox. This is our floor. I remember when it was like this. We were waiting to be able to get to the very front of the house and finally on this day we could (exactly two years ago). The concrete lintels had been carried up and put in place.

We gingerly walked across them to the front of the house and admired what would be the view from our bedroom and living area. It was overwhelming. It’s so strange to see it like this. You can see under the house where our workshop is now located.  The entire house has changed from then, but not the view and tonight we have a beautiful rising moon.

Psalm 100:4-5

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

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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Time Slips By

Posted on February 13, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

That Google came up with some of the things that were going down 2 years ago.  This video is a good reminder that our house was built on the shoulders of strong men.

Everything got carried up the steps for the build. The only thing that didn’t was the concrete which got pumped up for each level. But if it wasn’t concrete that could be pumped, it was carried up. And some of the stuff –  like these concrete lintels – were 100kg.

Also two years ago, Covid was  breaking news. No one could predict what would be around the corner.

But time has passed and hopefully things will improve.

It’s a remind of time slipping away. We have come so far. From this…

To this…

Two years ago, the Little Lookout looked like this…

And now…

If we didn’t take the first step, we wouldn’t be where we are today. One step at a time. I so clearly remember thinking that if we didn’t get started, we wouldn’t be in the house in time for Mike’s 70th. We were in just in time and now we are just a couple of weeks away from his 71st. For sure, time just slips by.

As for today, it was super chilled. We swam, we walked, we rested.

I’m ready for the new week.

Psalm 36:5-6

You unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths.

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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Trip to Swellendam

Posted on February 12, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

We went to Swellendam! We stopped off in Riviersonderend for breakfast. The town of singing crickets. Both places we went to there were very loud crickets.

We actually went to Swellendam to pick up plants. Adrian and Stacey have an abundance of cacti which we want to use in our garden. Now we have two buckets of these…

It was wonderful seeing the family. Elsie is a darling. We hope to see them again in a few weeks. It’s an easy day trip and we got back mid-afternoon, feeling we had been away the whole weekend.

The other day, one of our past (Russian) guests posted this picture of the cottage on his Instagram account. So cool. He goes under Klimod.

I’ve just added it to the Airbnb profile.

As I had no exercise today, I went off on a big walk – it probably was about 5km. I went to the end of Fish Hoek beach, back through Fish Hoek, up 5th, up Hillside, crossed to Highway, then to the end of Echo and home. But the news is at the end of Echo, I met the owners of the house that’s being built there. They explained where the stairs will go and about the floor below. We had a good chat. A stunning view they will have.  Altogether a good walk, especially on the beach.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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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He Reversed into the Wall!

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

My new guest reversed into the wall next to the gate! The wall is rock and one of the rocks juts out a bit. The car had no reverse sensors and he just carried on going. I shouted but it was too late. Crunch! The damage was minimal but there was a scratch on the bumper and a ding on the number plate. It is a rental car! Not a good way to start your holiday. Anyway, he is comfortably ensconced in the Little Lookout and hopefully everything will get better from here on. Certainly he arrived on a wonderful summer’s day in Cape Town. This is the view from the cat walk this morning. It’s difficult to improve upon. The water was perfect and the tide was low, so I swam to the barrel, then to the Lighthouse and then back to the barrel. The water was so clear. It’s been quite murky lately, but today it was warm and clear.  It was invigorating.

There will be no swimming tomorrow because, because, because…

We are going to Swellendam for the day! I don’t know who is more excited – Elsie or Me!

I didn’t have too much work to do today, so I touched up the Little Lookout and swept the Seaview Apartment and made up the bed. It is literally one bedroom rug away from being able to go onto Airbnb.

And the huge thing I did today was my tax spreadsheet.

This evening we had fish on the balcony. So still was it, the wind didn’t blow the candle out.

Weekend!

Lamentations 3:22-23

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

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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Polly at the Beach

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

We didn’t go swimming but later in the day, we did walk to Fish Hoek to shop for dinner. Coming back, the cutest sight – Polly at the Beach. Go on, you can write a children’s story.

I’m actually outside as I write and three SA airforce fighter jets have just flown past. They seem to be flying around False Bay. If they come past again, I’ll try get a photo. It’s a beautiful evening.  View from my balcony chair…

I got up and looked through my binoculars but although I could hear them, they seem to be out of sight. I doubt they will return this way and they are so fast, there’s no time to get the prized photo. Actually, I think what I’m hearing is an international Lufthansa plane flying to France. It took off and flew in a big loop around False Bay. Flight Radar showed me…

It’s great to see the international flights arriving. The other one just by Bloubergstrand is a United Airlines flight getting into position to land. It left New York at 8:30pm last night (NY) time and has arrived in Cape Town at 7:15pm our time, which is 12:15pm in New York. Try get your head around those hours!

Now I’m watching the BA flight to London head off into the distance…

Anyway, back to my day, every time Mike and I walk to Fish Hoek beach we pass Sunny Cove station. A lady called Jean has been helping the station staff cultivate the garden both inside the station grounds and on the verge outside it. It’s looking particularly good and this is the latest addition…

After dinner, I walked to the end of Echo Rd to see what progress has been made on the new house going up at the end. I love half built houses. This one has views that are quite spectacular. From their bedroom balcony towards Simon’s Town…

And from the same balcony towards Fish Hoek…

This view won’t change. It was one of the funny things that I did when we were building: I took loads and loads of photos of the view, forgetting that it won’t change once the building is finished.  When I look back over my 100s and 100s of photos, the view ones are the same and I wonder why I took so many!

I spent an hour or two today cleaning the Little Lookout for Graham who arrives tomorrow. As I speak he is en route from London. The Brits are heading south away from the awful weather and in search of sunshine. They have come to the right place.

Friday tomorrow!

1 John 4:10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

The best is yet to come – we are only passing through – even the views – they are all temporary.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

 

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Mike’s Vines

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

Another beautiful day, but the main thing about 9th February is that it’s Avril Thomas’s birthday. That happens every year on this day, except today she turned 60! This afternoon we popped round to sing and eat cake and celebrate her! Can you see the extra eye peaking through?

Great friends!

We swam this morning and then came home to take delivery of 2 cubic metres of sand.  Sand on the kerb…

Was carried up in buckets and bags by two strong men. It’s now on the top step…

So, on Julian’s birthday last year, Mike planted his vines. On the 29th October (the day before Julian’s birthday), Mike drove miles and miles away to beyond Stellenbosch to a specialist vine nursery and bought 6 stems.  He set about planting them. Today is the day I check in with them.  The winner is this one…it’s outside the Seaview Apartment.

But next to it is one that is not doing so well.

I think it needs some time. Maybe another season before it springs to life.

There are two in pots that are doing quite well.

And this one…

This third one in the pot is not so hot.

So now we’ve got one in the ground that’s thriving. One right next to it that’s not. We have three in pots of which two have come to life. And there is the 6th. It’s the ‘agh shame’ one.

But I am still optimistic about these ‘sticks’. The vine nursery is super specialist and sells these stems to wine farmers. So far we have a 50% success rate. My thinking is if only 50% of what the nursery sells, comes to life, he would go out of business. I’m hoping all our stems will eventually bud and blossom. It’s been three months. Perhaps, in three months time, I’ll check in again.

I had a good working day. Tomorrow, we do it all over again.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

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 Lifting Mist

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

We woke up to pea soup outside. We were in a cloud. 6:15am

7:01am.

8:11am

And finally, when it was too late to head beach-wards, it lifted. 8:20am.

The one thing about swimming in the sea. You need to be able to see where you are swimming and you need to be seen, so you don’t get run over by a paddle skiier. In thick mist, neither is possible. We had to stay home. It turned into a beautiful summer’s day with flat seas and hardly a breath of wind. It was to be a busy day. Not only did Courage come, but he came with Elijah and Hard-Life. The job to be done was to clear this spot to make a landing space at the top of the stairs for a load of sand that is arriving tomorrow.

By the end of the day, we had our landing ready for tomorrow’s building sand.

That was a lot of hard work on the part of Elijah and Hard-Life. Mike worked along side them, finishing the balustrade for the courtyard.

My job was to go and find curtain rails for the Seaview Apartment. Mike said they were available at Builder’s Warehouse. I set off just after 1pm with instructions from Mike to also buy a spade.  So I didn’t get it wrong, I was told to take a picture of the kind of spade I had to buy. On the way through Fish Hoek, on a whim, I stopped at Buco on 1st Ave. I knew they would have a spade. To my astonishment they also had the exact curtain rails I needed and they were a third cheaper than Builder’s. I was in my time saving element. This meant that I would be able to get a swim in after all. In super quick time, I arrived home. Both Mike and Courage thought something had happened I was so quick – something like I forgot my mask or wallet! Nope, I just drove really, really fast.  Yay for Buco! Courage put the curtain rails up and this evening I spent close to two hours sorting them all out. Apart from putting up the curtains for the two windows, I also raised the hem of the block out curtains that Stacey had made. It took me about as long to thread the needle as it did to tack the hem! It all looks great now.

Another step closer to it getting onto Airbnb.

The other thing I did today: I was watering the plants on the balcony and looked over the side to see Mike right below on the stairs. What a temptation. I couldn’t resist. I lifted the watering can and took aim. Water poured over the edge and right onto his head – fortunately, he had a hat on.  It was a bull’s eye! I was shocked because more water came out than expected. I ducked inside, sauntered back to my desk and sat down innocently. After a few minutes I got up and went to my bedroom balcony door and looked out. “How’s it going?” I asked. Mike: “Did you pour water on my head?” Who me? Surely not!

Throughout the day, I looked admiringly at the flat sea and at 3pm, I headed for the beach. I swam just over 2.5km in stunningly warm water. It must have been about 20C. It was amazing!

A good busy day.

Jeremiah 31:3

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

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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It’s Going to Be a Busy Week

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

That was busy, but the week is going to get busier. Tomorrow, the bushes at the top of the stairs are going to start being cleared, along with some of the rubble beneath.

We have to make space for a sand and stone delivery which is coming on Wednesday. All that sand and stone is going to be lugged up the 85 steps and stored in the cleared area.  Once it’s there, Courage can continue working on the wall which still has some growing to do. Mike has designed the gates that will be at the entrance to each unit adding another level of privacy and security. That wood will also arrive on Wednesday.

Our guest, Tim, who was in the Little Lookout for the weekend, left today. Such a nice guy. He came from Durban to do some work. His wife joined him for the weekend and they did some sight-seeing.  I’ve blocked the calendar for the Little Lookout for the rest of the week because of all the work that will be in progress. Next guest arrives Friday and is due to stay a week.

Meanwhile, Julian picked this up at a charity shop & will go into the cottage.

We swam today. People said the water was cold. I swim for 30-40 minutes so get used to it, but swimming also warms me up. When I stop, I do get colder. I try get my 2km in every day. The wind this week is going to be really gentle almost every day, so I think we may be down at the beach every day as well – we’ll swim while the water’s flat. That’s the plan anyway.

Right now, a low cloud has moved in and we are in swirling mist. Everything looks very dark outside. Time to wrap up for the night.

Deuteronomy 5:10

I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations to those who love Me and obey My commands.

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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Sleepy Sunday

Posted on February 6, 2022 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

We slept quite a lot! Maybe it was the warmth or perhaps we were unusually tired after our morning swim, but both Mike and I had morning and afternoon naps.

We had got up quite early. Venus is still in the early morning sky. I’m not sure for how much longer but it makes for a grand photo to have the sun rising with Venus there too.

After our swim, Mike slept, while I lay on the couch reading. This lead to me admiring the still, calm warm day. View from the couch.

A few minutes later, I dozed off.

This afternoon, I had another snooze.

Later this afternoon, we took a drive to Simon’s Town. A family walking home after a day out – a snippet of life on a Sunday afternoon.

So it’s been a very restful day & I’m fully recharged for the week ahead.

John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

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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Pea Soup Sea

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

That we did quite a lot. To start with the wind was far less this morning than expected, so around 8am, Mike and I headed to the beach. I was hoping the shark net would be on its way out and I would be able to swim to the barrel, but alas, it only came out when we were leaving. The sea was pea soup. It was green and murky and at one stage I got quite close to a flock of sea gulls, greedily feeding on small amounts of organic matter floating on the surface. It was free food.

I swam to the last breaker and then swam up and down along that line, enjoying going up and down the swells. The fun of  going up and down must have started with swinging on a swing. Up & down. Higher higher! Then I remember as a 11 or 12 year old going on horse back to the ‘dongas’ in part of Harare. These were a long track of mounds of hard earth that went in a hump kind of fashion across a large area. I think they were designed for off-road motorbiking, but they were GREAT for horse back riding as well. My vague recollection was them being at the end of Smuts Rd in Prospect. There is still an open piece of land there. It could have been it.

My friend Debbie and I bolted through the dongas going as fast as the horses could carry us going up and down the hillocks with great delight. Such fun.

Then, of course, as an adult, there was Boyes drive. The sensation of ramping over the little bump was always great fun and carried out almost every time we came over Boyes Drive. We’d come along this section and speed up so by the time we got to the little rise in the distance, we’d ramp over it. It was such fun. It is no surprise that that is the point of the traffic camera these days, so we crawl past at 60km/hour. The kids loved it. They were young in those days.

No longer horse riding, no longer speeding on Boyes Drive, now it’s the waves, I legally ride, catching them just before they break. They carry me high up and then down the other side.  It’s such fun.  Who wouldn’t want to start the day here? (I love the little girls holding hands)

We came home, showered, breakfast then Mike went to his workshop to make a lattice panel for part of the Seaview apartment’s patio.

This is the Little Lookout entrance from above…

And the LL entrance from below. Courage came today and continued with the wall.

I also had a nice long video chat with Stacey and Elsie.

And I checked in with David.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life…nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of 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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