Dinner at La Pentola

It was as if the Cape wanted to welcome us back with an unparalleled performance. We enjoyed an early dinner at La Pentola in Hermanus with an excellent interpretation of fusion cooking. The culinary skills was augmented with the most spectacular vistas over Walker bay in the late afternoon sun. As the evening approached, a fire could be seen high on one of the peaks, glowing red in the smokey haze. But then the full moon rose above the horizon, tinted gold by the smoke of the fire.

Some time in the saddle

The mountain bike travelled with us to Gauteng with all intentions to do some time in the saddle. Unfortunately, I had quite a hard fall in Bloemfontein and also picked up a flat front tyre. Both me and the bike only recovered sufficiently in time to explore the dirt roads of the Karoo early in the morning. The desolate tranquility was something to experience.

Transkaroo Country Lodge

We have stayed at the Transkaroo Country Lodge in Britstown before. We like the down to earth hospitality and the buffet dinners that they serve. This time was no different. We booked in, just in time dinner (leg of lamb, venison pie and more) that we shared with about fifty guests. Not bad for an establishment in the middle of the Karoo.

Grandparent Christmas

It was the right thing to do: to travel a thousand miles to be with my aging parents (effectively stuck in their retirement home because of my ailing father). We celebrated Xmas with a great lunch and presents. I shaved my father's beard and helped him into bed a few times. This was a very different Xmas, but in some ways it had much more meaning.

Bloemfontein with Ouma Andre

Me and Annelie spent some precious time with my mother in law. We took the frail old lady shopping in her wheelchair, enjoyed lunch with her and looked at photos in her little room. As one gets older seems like you start to appreciate things that you might have seen as sacrifices in the past.

Karoo clouds

One tends to forget how beautiful the clouds can be over the Karoo. We experienced an exhibition of white clouds organized in a delicate pattern on a blue sky driving north to Bloemfontein.

Final shopping

Managed to finish Xmas presents shopping late afternoon, today. It is something that I hate to do; especially if you have to fight the crowds. Luckily the shopping center was almost empty today... maybe everyone is shopping on-line.

Great dinner at the kids

We had a great dinner at the kids the evening we returned from Heathrow. We were privileged to spend some time with Arden and Nina before they went to bed. Catherine prepared a superb pasta dish that we enjoyed with a bottle of sparkling wine. Afterwards we chatted about life and living. As we drove back to home, I looked at Annelie and saw the thankfulness in her eyes.

Meeting Xander

On a bright, winter Surrey morning, me and Annelie met Xander - Johan and Annelie Diamond's first born. We drove through the wonderful English countryside, stopped at small eateries and talked about the present and the past, remembering memories going back more than twenty years ago. But thinking about it, it was little Xander with his wobbly walk and inquisitive nature, that gave us confidence about the future.

Admiral's lounge at SFO

We are booked in and waiting in the Admiral Lounge in San Francisco. (Yes, we are flying American Airlines to London). If everything goes according to plan, me and Annelie would have been to four continents in less then ten days when we touch down in Cape Town on Monday. The world has shrunk indeed.

Received from Amazon

Friends asked us to buy some items for them while in the US (at Walmart). I convinced Annelie that it is easier, cheaper and more convenient to buy this through Amazon. The packet arrived here at the hotel today. It made me think of Izak.

Busy in San Mateo

Usually this is the slow-down time of the year, but I am busier than ever here in California. Meetings in the day, followed by business dinners and then slogging through all my eMails. Luckily Annelie is here and at least I could start the days having breakfast with my wife.

Last night in Thailand

Rather than eating at the hotel, me and Annelie took a taxi into the heart of Pattaya to experience something of the night-vibe. The streets were filled with noise and lights; lots of wandering people on their way somewhere. Little shops lined the streets and sidewalks, selling anything possible - including promises. Luckily we found a family-run restaurant in a quiet side-street where we enjoyed a proper Indonesian meal.

Gym on the pavement

When in Thailand you kind of expect to be able to buy anything on the pavement. Nonetheless, I was surprised to see a gym ( complete with treadmills and cycles) on the pavement in Pattaya on our way to the hotel.

Corrupted by the good life

As we relaxed on the deck of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, sipping a cold beer, enjoying exquisitely prepared dishes and looking out over the Chao Phraya river, I realized I am corrupted by the good life. I prefer this to having a burger on a busy street. How much have I fallen?

Ernst thirtieth

We celebrated Ernst's thirtieth birthday at de Wijnlanden with a spit-braai. It was such a privilege to host him and Catherine with about forty of their friends at our home. There was lots of laughter, a few speeches, some serious moments and reflection on all the blessings received in his life.

Sippers Year-end

The Sippers wine-club had their year-end celebration at Babel restaurant on Koos Bekker's wine-farm: Babilonstoren. Before lunch we had a guided tour through the gardens and had a wine tasting. The Shiraz was very impressive.

Early morning cycle

After the storm-winds of the past few days, this morning was perfect for a few hours of cycling. We were only a few WannaB's this morning, but had a great Vlaeberg circuit at a good pace.

Koi harvest

The landlord decided to clean the Koi pond at the offices today, tens-, if not hundreds- of small Koi fishes were discarded to make room for the bigger fish. Everyone with a pond at home took fish home today.

Sunday lunch at Cape to Cuba

Cape to Cuba is a quaint restaurant situated on the Kalk Bay Harbour, serving Cuban inspired food here in Cape Town. Me and Annelie enjoyed the tapas, fish and paella-type dishes with a good bottle of Chardonnay on Sunday for lunch.

Kloofzicht Lodge

Kloofzicht Lodge is a five star establishment close to Muldersdrif in the Cradle of Mankind. I was scheduled to give a talk on the story of Fundamo in the morning so booked into the lodge the night before. I appreciated waking up with the sound of early morning birds and water flowing into the dams, especially after the hurly burly of Luanda

Visa Billboard in Luanda

Daniel Nascimento (the son of famous MPLA leader) is a well-known entertainer here in Angola, but also in Portugal. He features in an advertising campaign for one of the local bank's Visa pre-paid card. I saw a huge billboard of him in one of the streets of Luanda.

Arrived in Luanda

Rushed from the Luanda airport to my hotel, the Epic Sana, in order to change into a suit, so that I can be in time for my first meeting. I glanced through the window at the city's mix of old and new buildings, shiny cars and shacks. In the distance boats were waiting to enter the port.

Year-end at Waterkloof

Waterkloof is a new winery and restaurant set high on the hills outside Somerset West with spectacular views over False Bay. We had the year-end of the Kurktrekkers wine-club at this venue and it was once again one of the highlights of the year. Good friends, good food and wine, a perfect setting: all of this made it a perfect evening... again.

Jetlag

It is 03:00 in the morning and I am wide awake. Tired, but awake. I am back in South Africa after ten days on the US West Coast, watching CNN in a Protea Hotel in Johannesburg. One of those things, I suppose.

Great lunch at Emirates lounge

It is not often that one can enjoy a great lunch in an airline's lounge. I just had a great lunch at Emirates lounge at San Francisco International. The meal consisted of a Chinese duck salad starter with a good Viognier followed by a traditional Indian Chicken Tika Tika supported by great Californian Cab. This is why I prefer Emirates.

Techonomy12 Conference

I attended the Techonomy12 conference close to Tucson in Arizona. Participants were limited to a few hundred and speakers and panelists were entrepreneurs, execs from large companies academics and venture fund managers, as well as a few artists. The topics ranged from robotics to weather manipulation - all asking the question how are/or will technology impact our lives. During the social events, I met some very special people and made new friends. A worthwhile few days spent in the Arizona desert.

Giant cacti in Arizona

Arrived in Dove Mountain (north of Tucson in Arizona) for Techonomy12 conference at the Ritz Carlton hotel. I elected to do a guided mountain-bike ride after I arrived and it was such an amazing experience. The track was interesting with some technical descends and sand patches. The sun was setting in an orange glow and the air had a sharp, cold bite, but it was the vegetation that was the most spectacular. These huge cacti was everywhere also with a wide variety of other cacti and trees.

Pebble to San Francisco

I travelled back from Pebble to San Francisco in a rented Merc E350. The first stage of the route winded through a beautiful part of California and ended with the Multi-lane 280 towards the city. During the two and a half hour journey I enjoyed the balanced power of the luxury German car.

Passionfish

Who would have thought that a brussels sprout salad could be one of the best meals ever. I had this as a starter with business colleagues at a Monterrey seafood restaurant (Passionfish) and it was exquisite, well supported with a local Californian chardonnay.

Beautiful day in Pebble

It is such a peach of day at Pebble Beach. I am here for the annual executive off site meeting, but broke away for a two hour cycle today to appreciate the weather and environment. I cycled through Carmel and Monterrey on the famous 17-mile drive. It was a breath-taking experience.

Early morning Dubai Skyline

There is something beautiful (in a surreal way) to sit in the Emirates lounge in terminal two and watch the sun paint the Dubai skyline in the distance. Skyscrapers disappears into the murky, early morning air with buildings on the airport perimeter bright in the sunlight.

Pat Lambie

Pat Lambie, one of the finalists for SARU rugby player of the year sat at our table at the award ceremony. The ceremony was a spectacular event that show-cased a very successful rugby year for South Africa, but it was also special to get the opportunity to meet young stars like Pat.

No ties at the airport

I was trying to buy a tie at the airport and could not get one shop selling ties. The only tie I saw was the picture on the cover of Fifty shades of gray at CNA.

Garden office

The gardens of the Fundamo office are really special: trees, big lawns, lush plants, a gazebo and even a koi pond. On a beautiful day like today, some people (like Richard) do their eMails and telephone calls from benches in the garden.

Flamingos in the morning

Me and Annelie spent the night at MeerenBosch. In the early morning light we saw the flamingos feeding in the shallow water close to the shore. A very light rain added to the tranquility of the picture.

Coenie de Villiers live

Coenie de Villiers is probably one of the greatest Afrikaans song writers and performers. Me and Annelie were fortunately to listen to him in a small, intimate theatre tonight. His special lyrics and absolute control of the piano touched my heart.

Admin

Some of the times, one just has to take a break and do your admin. With tax return deadlines looming, bills to be paid and filing to be done, I could not postpone anymore. Notwithstanding the brilliant weather, I did the mundane stuff. But at least my life is a bit more organised now.

Wannabe cycling club

I joined the club this morning for a fast fifty km cycle through Stellenbosch. Afterwards we had a quick coffee at Dolce's as is customary.

Car wash entrepreneur

A few years ago, Alphonse walked into the office asking if he could wash some of our cars in the parking lot. He did such a good job that, when he arrived again, more staff joined the queue to get their cars washed. Today he employs three guys to wash all the cars to be washed in a day and the quality has not reduced.

Rainbow road

Returning from the airport to home, I was greeted by a spectacular rainbow. It started right in front of the taxi in the road on the horizon, encircled the Helderberg and ended in the distant Somerset West.

My proud dad

I could see that it took my dad a lot of exertion to take the few steps from his seat to the table for lunch. Bent-over and wheezing, he refused any help. You can take a lot away from this man (his strength, health and balance), but he will hang on to pride till the end.

I slept on the equator

It seems that the Mount Kenya Safari Club was built on the equator and it so happened that my bed was placed on 0.00 degrees. I did not experience anything different with one part of me in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern.

Agent cash-out points

On our way to the Mount Kenya park, we stopped at a small village. I counted at least five mobile money agents, representing mPesa, Equity and others. I witnessed a transaction (Cash-in) in real life and once again realized how this industry has transformed society fundamentally.

Passing by Bafana playing

On my way from the airport in Nairobi, stuck in traffic as is the case often here, we passed the stadium where Bafana Bafana was playing Kenya. It was brightly lit and created a lot of congestion. One day, I will travel to these exotic places to follow SA sport teams.

Ecclesiastes

As always, I started my day with scripture this morning and (as always) I was just amazed at how relevant the Words are even for today: "And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my portion and reward for all my toil. Then I looked on all that my hands had done ... all was vanity and striving after wind... "

As if it was written for the realities of today.

Perfect Cape morning

The Cape's ocean this morning was very special, again. I joined the club for a brisk cycle to Kogelbay and back and once again realized how amazing the sea can be. The vista towards Rooiels with low clouds on the horizon in the early morning air was something to behold.

Protea at work

I noticed this huge protea fully in bloom at work today. We have such a special garden that often goes unnoticed, yet is full of jewels. It requires a few minutes to just stop and experience all the hidden treasures... a little like life, I suppose.

Early morning routine

With a bit more time in country and with summer on us with longer days, I started an early morning routine that I enjoy. I get on the bike for a 25km cycle and then in the pool for half a Km swim, before breakfast. I hope I can keep it up.

Laibach Claypot

Sometimes one should just open a great wine for no apparent reason. Tonight I did just that. I spotted a lonely bottle of Laibach Claypot Merlot in the cellar and decided there and then that it is cork-extraction time. The fruit-driven, meaty wine complimented the lamb that Annelie prepared perfectly!