White beach

This is just one of the joys of Meerenbosch. Unpolluted, wide, white beach, without even one footprint in the middle of peak season. And within one hour from our home.

Cycle trip up Afdak mountain

Not the best weather to cycle up a mountain - driving South Easter with a light rain. Nevertheless, the payback was worthwhile with a wonderful view over Sandown bay, a rainbow in the sky and peace around me.

Great wine and cheese

I opened an old Burgundy (Chambolle Musigny 1996) with old Amsterdam Cheddar. Loved it!

Izak leaving for the US

We dropped Izak off at Cape Town International for a thirty six hour flight to the north west US. He is on his way to spend time with Julia and meet her family and friends. I suppose it was fitting that he wore a Springbok jersey and I in a Bafana Bafana shirt.

Xmas with Arden the toddler

We had a great Christmas with both the boys and Catherine at de Wijnlanden for lunch. Having Arden here too, with his walk and talk was very special.

Sunday lunch at MeerenBosc

To really enjoy life, general wisdom dictates that one tries the best restaurants, goes to the most exotic locations and participates in out-of-this-world thrills. Then why is it that I enjoy so much having my family with me, savoring a good (not great) wine, making a fire on the ground, cooking simple food and just enjoying each others company?

Perfect day at Onrus Beach

The thing about Cape Town's weather is that when you get a perfect day, it cannot be better. We spend such a day with the kids and Arden on Onrus's beach. The sun was shining, people everywhere and a surfing competition in one corner. At one stage I just stood back and thanked the Lord for this perfect day.

Day in Wine Country

We don't do this enough. We live right here in Wine Country and don't make the time to visit our own winefarms. Me and Annelie decided to go and taste our own Stellenbosch wines and we had a great experience. Visits to Warwick, Ridgemore and Laibach was concluded with a light lunch at Morgenhof. Ernst and Catherine picked up the key for Meerenbosch and we had the privilege to see our grandson too. We had such a lovely time.

Early morning swim

I did a few lengths swimming before leaving for the airport this morning. The pool at the Intercontinental is on the 32nd floor and provides arguably the best view of the Sydney harbour. Looking at the Operahouse in the early morning sun was a fitting goodbye to a great stay.

Sydney bridge

Now I know why people rave about Sydney. The setting and layout is beautiful, there is a happiness in the air and lots to enjoy. I had very positive business meetings and made good friends. Only one thing that was a shock to my system: the price of the excellent Aussie wines.

Celebrating thirty years

Just returned from Cathedral Peak after a few memorable days with my lady. We spent our honeymoon here thirty years ago and have been coming back every decade. The old world style remains in this classic hotel and the good memories are everywhere.

Beautiful things in the morning

As I drove out of the estate this morning early, I decided to observe the beautiful things that I see on my way into the city. After an hour of driving, I realised how privileged I am to be alive: from the green vineyards, to an aircraft climbing after take-off. Scurrying people in all kinds of transport on the N2, Devils Peak covered in early morning mist. Just such a lot of things to saviour.

Hosting the Mobey Forum

The Mobey Forum is the leading global industry body for mobile banking. Fundamo is hosting the last meeting of the year here in Cape Town. We are blessed with visitors from three continents and an excellent line-up of speakers. Sharing the magic of the Mother City with our visitors was very special.

I completed the Double Century

This was in so many ways a special experience. To cycle for 200 km, to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, to experience teamwork and dedicated support, to learn so much about yourself is truely a privilege. The satisfaction of crossing the finishing line (an amazing experience on its own) is no comparison to everything that happened ten hours before that.

I am wealthy with friends

We meet every Monday evening. A few Christian friends to share and care for each other. We talk and we pray and relish the time together. It stuck me yesterday how blessed I am to have such friends. In a world driven by material wealth, I am more wealthy with friendship than money could possibly buy.

View from a Shopping Center Restaurant

Me and Annelie had Sushi and Seafood at the CTFM in Somerset Mall on Sunday. If you ignore the traffic on the N2, the view of the Helderberg from the restaurant was pretty impressive.

Winetasting with JC Martin from Creation

There is no substitute for experience blended with passion. During our visit to Creation winery (close to Hermanus), we found plenty of both in wine-maker/owner JC Martin. We loved the philosophy and style of this young winery.

Pizza-evening with the Streichers

Dirk and Marieke invited us to enjoy a pizza-evening at their home. They have an old-fashioned, wood-burning pizza-oven. Part of the fun is to create gourmet pizzas with ingredients never thought of. We talked about our kids and the new world that they have to brave. Something really special to sustain a friendship for more than three decades.

La Pineta Lamb Shank and Shiraz

Pineta means (I am told) pine forest. La Pineta is a restaurant close to de Wijnlanden. On Wednesday they have a special of two glasses of Shiraz with a lambshank. Afterwards the lights in the forest painted a pretty picture.

Staying over in Assendelft

Returning from Bloemfontein, me and Annelie decided to sleep over rather than completing the trip in one go. We found Assendelft (near Prince Albert Road) and booked into the lodge. We had a great dinner and a long chat with the owner; Wally. A night experiencing the tranquility of the Karoo was good for us.

Visit to Bloemfontein

We spend a memorable few days in Bloemfontein with Izak and Sanet. We talked, ate, watched rugby and reminiscence about the past. Me and Izak also completed the OFM Classic successfully.

Fun in the Karoo National Park

While traveling by road to Bloemfontein, we decided to stay over at the Karoo National Park. I was up at the break of dawn for a 2km walk to the top of a nearby hill to retrieve a geocache. It was great to see the sun rise and to walk amongst wild animals (zebras, hartebeest and more). It was only at the top of the hill that I read on my iPhone that a pride of lions were also roaming in the reserve!

Our quarterly Sushi and Chardonnay

I always look forward to my quarterly dinner with Craig. This appointment has now fallen into a comfortable rhythm. The place, the time and the menu is settled, leaving our minds clear to think about the more important things in life: like working with a vision, unification of messaging, the prioritisation of info streams and the American Dream... to name but a few.

Happiness

Julia visited us from Illinois. She is the special lady in my youngest son's life and Izak arranged a birthday party for her here at our home. It was with a lot of thankfulness that I watched their happiness.

My grandson, Arden, at de Wijnlanden

He is now more of a little boy than a baby. He walks around and actively engage with object in his vicinity. He talks a language that actually sounds real, smiles all the time. I had the pleasure to spend time with him, today. It is such an amazing privilege to have him in our home.

Attending SIBOS in Amsterdam

Attending SIBOS - the fountain of the banking industry wisdom. There are so many brilliant people here, so many ideas and inventions. It is as if one feels the heart-throb of banking listening to the panel discussions and walking through the exhibitions.

Lunch in Winchester

I rented a car and drove down to Winchester from Heathrow to have lunch with a good friend and business associate. The old town was bathed in crisp sunlight, creating a medieval magic set-up that is somehow unique to England. It was good to experience this.

A large cappuccino after a long cycle

It is what we do after a long cycle run with the club: we sit down to discuss the outing with a large cappuccino at Dulce's. Sometimes it is the small little things that make life special.

The cornerstone on St Marks District Six

We have such a rich history in Cape Town. Some good news stories and some terrible ones, but nevertheless all of this contribute to making Cape Town the special place that it is. I presented at the WTF10 at the CPUT today and saw the old St Marks church. In one of the walls was this cornerstone "All who pass". Made me think...

Cat on the carport's roof at work

When I parked for work this morning, I saw a
movement on the roof of the carport opposite my parking space. Closer examination showed that this was a large ginger cat - feeling a bit agitated with my attention. I took a picture on my phone and left him/her to carry on with the grooming exercise in the sun.

Finished the tough One Tonner with friends

I completed this hundred miles bike race on Sunday. It was really difficult for me. It was very hot and I did not manage my water in-take well. If it was not for friends that stuck with me and helped me, I would not have made it. That is why this race symbolizes the importance of friends to me.

The beautiful sandstone caves at Wolfgat

I discovered this amazing place five minutes from my home. Spectacular cliffs of eroded sandstone on some of the most beautiful coastline, right in the middle of Cape Town. But the best thing about this place is that very few people actually come here.

Its fish and chips tonight

Kariba fisheries is known in the Northern Suburbs as a source of good old fashioned fish and chips. One can have either Snoek or "Stock Fish". Tonight I am buying dinner to be enjoyed with a good bottle of Viognier.

5am at OR Tambo

Here I am walking in an almost deserted corridor from the new City Lodge at the airport to departures. I am on my way back to Cape Town and a few other people are starting to gather at International departures. I marvel at the new airport; how impressive it really is compared to most others....

The Apple madness in the big apple

I wanted to get one of the new Apple TV's. So me and Hein visited one of the Apple Stores in New York. We were confronted with a scene that bordered on a religious frenzy. The sales-guy was so well-trained, that I had difficulty to distinguishing him from a robot. People everywhere were browsing Macbooks and iPods and everyone looked in a trance. I did buy the new streaming Apple TV and I am happy.

Manhattan skyline from my hotelroom

What a spectacular view from my hotel room this evening. With the lights reflecting on the swirling mist, the skyline almost had an eerie feeling to it. I am not particularly fond of New York because of all the hustle and bustle, but this picture did say something of the style and character of the big apple.

On a transatlantic Jumbo

It does not matter how many times you do this, all the things that you learn or all of the gadgets that you carry - these trips are tough. Here I am again braving bad airline food, cramps in my legs and sleep deprivation.

Esthea and kids visit from downunder

There is something special about having family visit us. This is why we enjoyed it so much that Esthea, Willem jr. and Salomi stopped by for a few days during their visit to South Africa. We tried to impress them with Calvinia lamb and a good bottle of South African Shiraz (Kevin Arnold 2007).

How to put management books to use

I always wondered why we had so many management books in the Fundamo library. I was sure that nobody read them. Then I saw Frans BC propping up his PC so that his neck would not be straining. That is when I understood the need for these books.

Productive stay in Islamabad

Another productive visit to Pakistan has come to an end. I am packed and ready to take the long trip back home. I am always inspired by the opportunity and optimism in Pakistan and leave motivated to make a difference. Why is it that the media can influence us so much, to view certain countries so differently to others when, actually, the reality is much more similar?

Meat and more meat

This weekend was official braai weekend. (I tend to remember that it started off as a braai-day). We had meat and then more meat. On Saturday-evening I attempted a 800g T-bone supported by a great Beaumont Shiraz 2006, but the steak won in the end.

At the top of Du Toitskloof Pass

What a cycle we had with the bike club today! The route took us from Waterstone Village through Paarl and all the way to the top of the Du Toitskloof Pass and back. Almost 135 km with a very long climb in the middle. This time everyone completed the trip and we savoured a great sense of achievement.

At the top of Franchhoek pass

I cycled all the way up Franschhoek pass today. It was a stiff climb, but the feeling of accomplishment when one stands on the summit is worth all the pain. Next week, the plan is to attempt duToitskloof pass.

My brother staying with me

My only brother, Ado, attended a conference at Stellenbosch this week. Because we live so close to the venue, he elected to stay with us. I really enjoyed having him at our place. The special bond that exist between brothers is something that one cannot change.

Arden visits Fundamo

Annelie brought Arden to my office today to see where I work and to meet my colleagues. It was great to share my grandson with the people that I work with. I also enjoyed experiencing aspects of my grandson that I did not know. For instance how he reacts to environments that is unfamiliar to him or when he feels a little shy.
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Wild flower show in front of the house

Something is just amazing about this year's spring. It is as if mother earth is just bursting with exuberance. One can see the joy everywhere. The patches and patches wild flowers (even in front of the house) is an orchestration of celebration. Great time to live in Africa.
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My cycle friends training for the DC

The Double Century (DC) is a tough race (200km)... well at least for old people like us. Our team of twelve are planning to participate and at least complete the race at the end of November. For this we have to spend a lot of time in the saddle. Today we did 120km all the way to Agter Paarl and back. It was hard, but a lot of fun.
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Gordon's bay beach early in the morning

What beautiful days we have in the Cape at the moment. Wonderfully clear days with no wind! Yet, no pollution! It is as if all the forces in nature is working together to show how beautiful creation can be. I had to stop and get off the bike to take this photo. The beauty was just overwhelming.
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Walked on the beach on a perfect day

Today was just one of those perfect days. I left work a bit earlier to take out some time to go for a walk on the beach with my lovely wife, Annelie. The sea was calm and one could smell the freshness of False Bay in the air. We do live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
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Weekend breakaway at The Baths

It was early on Sunday morning. The morning was still cold in the valley and only the birds were celebrating the break of dawn. I got out of bed and walked briskly up the hill close to the resort to get the first rays of sunshine and see into the distance. We are spending the weekend with Ernst, Catherine and Arden at The Baths (close to Citrusdal). Even though I have a lot of work to do, the time away was special.
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