Seal breeze

Joan Wiggens is a soul-winemaker, making small quantities of quality wines in her small cellar close to Lutzville: Seal Breeze. All the grapes grow close to the sea and the wines show well-balanced, maritime influence of which the many awards are a testament of. As we got on the bus, some of us were still wiping tears from our eyes. Who said that wine-tasting cannot be an emotional affair.

Muisbosskerm

Muisbosskerm is a famous eatery on the beach, close to Lambertsbay. Various types of fish are cooked on open fires and guests help themselves to all the wares. There is no cutlery; only mussel-shells are provided, to scoop up the sweet potatoes and the rice. Another stop on the Official Kurktrekker Westcoast Winetour, where we paired local wines with food till late.

Cederberg Wines

Forty years ago, the Niewoudt's planted the first vines in the rugged wilderness of the Ceder-mountains, today, we traversed two passes to taste the award-winning wines. The new cellar now processes 800 tons of wine a year, the walls of the tasting-room are lined with accolades and trophies... but the unique style and quality remained.

Zipline

All wine tasting and no play will make a wine tour dull. This afternoon we zip-lined down the Piekenierskloof to escape from wine-tasting.

SIW

The Swartland Independent Winemakers (SIW) is a group of young, dynamic winemakers. They have developed a new exciting style of winemaking, unique to this region. We attended a SIW festival in RiebeekKasteel to discover their wines. Sometimes we had to sit down to discuss the merits of a specific wine.

Bills

At time when I receive almost all my correspondence electronically, some institutions still distribute their bills through the ancient paper posts. It struck me, when paying bills tonight, that it is mostly municipalities that have not changed.

Andre at R&V

What we like about the winemakers lunch at Rust and Vrede is the simplicity of it: a good steak and a glass of Shiraz. That is why Andre and I have had a standing arrangement here, once a month, to discuss business and the meaning of life. Lately they have complicated matters by also offering salmon and a glass if Steen. Not that we would ever succumb to fish.

Patricia and Tim

My brother's oldest son, Timmy, married his sweetheart, Patricia. It is always special to see two young people commit themselves to each other for a lifetime. What struck me about tonight was the diversity of languages, cultures and practices. It is a celebration of diversity.

Annelie and Kirby

About a year ago Annelie and I visited Andri and Wessel's new restaurant in Pretoria: Salt. Today we were there again to enjoy some of the exquisite dishes and a few of the craft beers in stock. We also met Kirby, the newest addition to the van Jaarsveldt family.

GIBS Panel

I was invited for a panel discussion on the economic impact of mobile payments at the Gordon Institute of Business Science. It turned out to be a lively discussion with a lot of participation from the audience. It was also an opportunity to see some very special friends, like Dare Oukoudjou.

Ansie

Our road-trip to visit family that we have not seen for ages continues with memorable visits to Frans and Nico. In Volksrust we stopped for a night at the home of Eugen and Ansie (a cousin of Annelie's). We talked a lot about the past and our children. They shared their world with us in a special way. Our last stop was at Koppie-T, a coffee shop in town that Ansie is involved with.

Cheetau Lodge

We stayed over in Bethlehem at Bok van Zyl's Cheetah Lodge. The accommodation is set in beautiful surroundings amongst many big cats. There is a sense of safety knowing that it is unlikely that intruders would scale fences in this property.

Goodbye dad

When my dad was about as old as I am now, he built the Wildebeest walking trial through Wolhuterskop nature reserve close to Bethlehem. Today, in a small private ceremony we said a final goodbye to him at the trial (now in dis-use). As we listened to the wind in the trees and the birds, we remembered.

Magda and Botha

We are at that age where we make an effort to visit as many of our family as possible. We have not seen Botha and Magda as a couple ever. The dinner that we had with them on their farm, Driefontein, near Bainsvlei and the chats that we had, will remain memories for a long time.

Credit risk

I collected a rental car at Avis in Bloemfontein. The system highlighted me as a credit risk and I watched as a young agent tried his best to resolve a very uncomfortable situation (The system was wrong). My tribe (system developers) do not realize what we do to the innocent that use our creations.

Tewie, Engela en Trienks

Tewie is a special cousin of Annelie. They stayed at de Wijnlanden for Easter, supporting their oldest daughter completing her third Two Oceans, amongst others. We had a wonderful time.

Hartenberg

Hartenberg is one of those wineries that does not have to be boastful to be recognized for their amazing achievements. Wines made on this farm have won international acclaim. We were fortunate to experience the wines with food and good friends. We ended the evening in the underground private cellar amongst some of the world's best wines.

Spasie

Spasie is a place that could be called a restaurant. It is a long table where young chefs are invited to present their art for a few evenings. Annelie and I experienced Nic Charambolous present a menu influenced by his Greek heritage that just blew us away. From the marinated octopus starters grilled on an open fire in the street outside to the desert finale.

Miedie and I

I have known Miedie for ages. It is almost as if we grew up together. For some time we went our separate ways, but today we had lunch together and agreed that we should do it more often.

Early morning beach

I love an early morning walk on the MeerenSee beach. A hazy fog filter the early sun and the sound of the surf is interspersed with the gulls screeching their anxious messages. Just a few human foot-prints provide evidence that people do come here. For the rest it feels surreal almost mystical. There must be unicorns here.

Fire behind Afdaksriver

Veld fires at night is both beautiful and scary. We watched a fire behind Afdaksriver glow in the dark, flaring up as it hits thicker vegetation. Deep inside of me, I can feel the primeval fascination with fire.

Gnocchi and Liver

I have never really cooked in my life. I always thought that it is sufficient for a man to be able to only braai. But now that I have discovered the fun of planning of a total meal, the use of fresh herbs and the combination of tastes a whole new world opened up for me. Tonight I experimented with Gnocchi with calf's liver in a tomato stew. Sure it was a bit dry, and the gnocchi's texture collapsed, but it was a lot of fun to prepare.

Skype on Sundays

Sometimes we are spoiled on Sundays to see our children in the US and to listen to them telling us about their world. This time we connected to them at their home in Indianapolis and enjoyed listening to their stories and their dreams.

Maritha birthday

We were privileged to celebrate Maritha's birthday with friends at Warwick during the weekend. JP and Maritha are such special friends. I am always amazed at how easy-going and comfortable our relationship is, yet how this is supported by depth and seriousness.

Stellenbosch burning

The sun is fighting to penetrate through the thick smoke this morning. Ash gathering on tables and cars in the street. There is an eerie glow in the sky over Stellenbosch today as the mountains burn.

Charles Back

As part of the 21st year birthday celebrations of the Kurktrekkers wine-club we are blessed to visit some of the most impressive wine-personalities in South Africa: wine-icons. Last night we were entertained by the great Charles Back (IWC personality of the year for 2014). He took us on a tour of his vision for the future of wine in South Africa, culminating the wine tasting with the beer that is now brewed on the Estate. 

Eighth Argus

Definitely not as tough or as painful as in previous years, but even more spirit and camaraderie. As was the case with some previous memorable tours, I will remember my eighth "Argus", albeit for different reasons.

Mini Argus 2015

I was fortunate to accompany Arden on the mini Cape Town cycle ride this morning. When I told him we should let the fast ones go first before we start, he looked at me and said: "But Oupa, we are the fast ones." (Picture from the GoPro at the start).

Geocaching with grandkids

I enjoyed a geocaching expedition with Arden and Nina this morning. Nina fell and cut her lip on a dead branch and a wasp stung Arden on his leg, but in the end we prevailed and managed to uncovered three caches. I am so blessed that they are prepared to spend time with oupa.

Tyre burning pastime

There is a culture amongst some people in this beautiful country of mine, to create a disruption for other innocent people if you are unhappy with your situation. Today, as we drove on the N2 we saw a blockade created by burning tyres. How do we help educate these people: they stand to lose even more through their own actions?

Oom David is ninety

What privilege to celebrate Oom David's ninety year birthday with family at Liberty Park near Stellenbosch. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then participated in a ceremony full of thankfulness and praise to God. Afterwards, as we drove home, we could not help but evaluate talk about the mysteries of life and of families.

Chika and Kresten

I spent time with some of the most interesting and capable entrepreneurs and investors on the continent during Dealweek in Cape Town. We deliberated the merits of investing into a selection of start-ups, but also had some leisure time together; like having great wine and food at Potluck Club with Chika and Kresten.

Wheel clamp

How often do we see signs saying that unauthorized vehicles will be clamped, but drivers nevertheless just park there with impunity. That is why I enjoyed it so much to see a car actually clamped in a parking lot of a company that J visited recently.

Mathys and Anna

Annelie and me enjoyed an evening of good, honest Afrikaans music at Die Boer in Durbanville. Mathys Roets and Anna Davel performed some of their own songs, but mostly interpreted some of our biggest song-writers: Johannes Kerkorrel, Gert Vlok Nel, Koos Kombuis... and the evening conjured up a lot of memories.

Post Midmar

It has become tradition now to evaluate the completion of the Midmar mile at the brewery in Nottingham road. Annelie and Narien agreed that the local pale ale was of a superior quality.

Cousins doing the Midmar

Ready for another Midmar mile. This time I am swimming with my "cousin" in a family relay. Looking forward to the fifth mile.

Ngqwara lagoon

I took the mountain bike for an early morning cycle to the Ngqwara lagoon. The dirt tracks took me past rural Transkei waking up for a new day. I encountered some early souls watching the sun rise and later school children starting to queue for the bus and herdboys collecting the stray cattle. Then as I cleared another hill, right in front of me, lay the lagoon, still virgin territory - with no obscene development, or jetties and motorized water sport... just nature - the way that it was created.

Danie and Xandre

Only the sounds of nightlife in Addo, interspersed with our laughter, while we enjoyed a grand meal of steak and corn-on-the-cob. It was a special evening with Danie and Xandre at our over-night chalet at Matyholweni.

Play wine-maker

I played wine-maker last night as I tried out the basket press that Annelie gave me for Christmas. It was a lot of fun and the wine will now definitely have more body and tannins as I was able to squeeze more out of the must... but it is still unlikely that it will be drinkable.

Fixing the stove

In the past, when I was in full-time employment, we usually just got an expert to fix stuff when needed. Today, I decided to fix a minor problem on the oven without the need to call an expert. After a complex dis-assembly and re-assembly, I managed to fix the problem, but now I just cannot attach the oven door anymore.

2015 Harvest

I harvested the 2015 Pinotage today. The grapes were still of very bad quality and is an indication of me still being a novice in the art of wine-making. I combated the Erinose mite successfully this year, but the vines are suffering severe nematode infections. The Semillon produced well this year and I left a lot on the vines to over-ripen - maybe there is a sweet wine in the making? If I don't loose the battle against all these diseases, I will get to know wine-making stuff much better.

Francolins on the doorstep

One of the things that I really love about Meerenbosch is the many species of birds that made their home here. We are entertained by a large flock Flamingoes, some Pelicans and even a breeding pair of black Oystercatchers. Today a family of Francolins visited us, walking fearlessly on the stoep in front of the house.

Wim and Heather

Sometimes in life one bumps into a person that turns into a friend for always. In the past, Wim and me have had interactions in Cape Town, on a yacht out of Houtbay, in Indonesia, Lankowi and Kuala Lumpur, in complex negotiations in San Diego, making food in Fourways and Ballito. I had breakfast with him and his wife, Heather, this morning at Spier... what a privilege to share what has happened since.

Thingking

One of the fun things that I do with my days at the moment is to meet young, brilliant entrepreneurs, busy building exciting new businesses here in Cape Town. I recently met Paul from Thingking. He showed me around their workshops in Woodstock where they are crafting wonderful inventions. Afterwards we had an ice cream at Sorbetiere.

Pumpkin harvest

We harvested one of the pumpkins out of the vegetable garden today. Arden and Nina were eager participants in the whole exercise. Such a privilege to have them at de Wijnlanden for a sleepover.

Willem and Gardielle

To see a new marriage partnership unfold is indeed a privilege. Not only do you pray for prosperity for the new young couple, but you also consider your own journey and remember. I experienced many emotions of hope and gratitude as we attended the wedding of Willem and Gardielle.

Rooiels

Rooiels is a small village on the R44 about 40km from Somerset-West. The road hugs rugged mountains with sheer cliffs that drop down to the ocean below on the way there. It is a most spectacular bicycle ride on a beautiful morning like today. I joined the club on a brisk ride to Rooiels and back and once again realized how fortunate I am to live here.

Cape Genet

We woke up early in the morning with a strange growling sound downstairs. Upon investigating, I found two rather scared Cape Genets (a nocturnal wild cat) hiding under furniture. It seemed as they entered into the house through an open window in the bathroom, but could not find the exit again. I opened one of the doors and they fled into the cool of the night like a flash.

Watching TV

Xavier sat so attentively in the green chair that I thought I should hand him a remote control. He grabbed it so dexterously that it seemed that he is a natural with a remote in hand.

Moon over Lake

I have seen this scene so many times from the porch of Huijsiki at Meerenbosch, but this evening was ultra-special with the moon guarding the sunset over the lake.