We had lunch at NICE on the R44 on Saturday. It was one of these perfect Cape winter days. We selected a table with a view onto the Helderberg and ordered a glass of the local Rose to celebrate the sun. Annelie had a huge omelet with additional mushrooms and I had the Tjakalaka burger - truly South Africa.
It was Arden's birthday on the 24th. Catherine arranged for a birthday party with an insect theme. Many of Arden's friends attended and Annelie was also present. I joined after work and we had a great dinner with the kids. I had so much fun to see Arden play with his new toys, interact with his parents and just experience life. While I laughed a lot, I also thanked the Lord for all His blessings that he pours out into our kids' life.
We celebrated Annelie's birthday by witnessing how Portugal won 7-0 against North Korea and then had an early dinner at an Italian restaurant close-by.
Me and Annelie took some time off to go to Meerenbosch for one night. We just chilled, braai-ed with friends, took a long cycle ride in the morning and left re-plenished. We always promise ourselves that we should do this more, but don't do it enough.
On my way to the airport from Sandton and I am catching as modern a train as one could expect. I am proud to be a South African.
Watching soccer at Soccer City (The Calabash) with Reg and Pieter. This is an amazing stadium - definitely on par with the best in the world. The whole stadium is abuzz with excitement and it is so great to be here and to experience the occasion. South Africa pulled the arrangements for hosting the World Cup off and it is a roaring success. I also enjoyed to see the passion with which Argentina played and the difference Maradonna makes in the whole approach of the team.
We are on our way to Soccer City as guests of MTN and meeting with them at their Head Office in Fairlands. They had this picture of a goal and I could not help myself...
After a good Sunday lunch at Ben's on the Beach, we decided to go for a stroll on the beach. The sky was overcast and the see a deep green. It was spectacularly beautiful. When I saw my son, Ernsts with his son, Arden walking towards me, I couldn't help but feel blessed and thankful for all the special things that I can experience.
This is the new stadium built in Cape Town as one of the eight venues for the world-cup. Me and Annelie saw the second game in this tournament at the Greenpoint Stadium (Uruguay against France). This is truly a world class facility and we enjoyed being part of this big event. Everything was almost perfect. The catering was however too little for the big number of spectators and one could only buy Budweisser.
Today, wherever you look, even at work, everybody is dressed in yellow. It is so amazing to experience soccer fever in South Africa. It is a privilege to be part of the excitement and it is so gratifying to feel proud of our young democracy.
I got the soccer-tickets for the World Cup just now. I had to drive in to the city, but now I am stuck in the afternoon rush to get home and it is raining. I suppose there is nothing I can do about it, but still, it is such time-wasting to sit in traffic and crawl forward.
We entertained some guests at the new Delaire Restaurant. We are blessed with some great restaurants in and around Stellenbosch. The quality of the architecture, the food, the wine and the service are of international standards. Sometimes I feel as if it is just a bit too over the top - trying to make too much of an impression and as a result some of the good old basic "feel-at-home" eateries are under pressure to compete for the limited number of guests.
As I finished a meeting with my shareholders this evening, I was confronted with this spectacular sunset. It was out of this world.
We were privileged to have Arden stay with us for two days. It was such a great experience to see how he evolved from a baby to a small boy. He is making intelligent noises (some that can be interpreted as words), he is so attentive and full of energy. In addition to an inquisitive mind, he also has a most charming smile. We cherished the time that we could spend with him and build a relationship.
