It is quite amazing :- nature. A few days ago, the vines were just dry twigs, looking like something without any life in it. Today it was full of bright green buds and leafs that have grown almost overnight. Spring is here for sure and it symbolizes renewal, youth, energy and hope. I suppose that is why I enjoy having a small vineyard at home.
We walked to find a cache on Keurboom's beach today and found this rock formation. It is only possible to get to this place at low tide after walking through a small stream flowing into the sea on a beach seldom seen by people. One could not see any development and only a few people were around. We loved it.
I cycled the red route through the forest today and what a special experience! Sure, the route was just above my skill levels and I fell off the bike a few times and had to walk other times, but nobody can prepare one for the scenery. The route goes through dense forest and then traverse through more open vegetation on top of a cliff looking out over the sea. In addition, the track is maintained well and in very good condition.
We visited the Robberg Reserve today and explored this beautiful place. The views and sites just confirmed again how spectacular our country is. It was also great for us to experience this together.
On our way to Plettenbergbay, we stopped over at one of Annelie's cousins: Maggie. She is married to Kallie and live in a stunning house overlooking the beach at Heraldsbay. We intended stopping for a few minutes, but ended up staying for two bottles of Chardonnay and lovely pasta. It was great hospitality and we invited them to visit us when they are in the Cape.
Ah, the memories. I spoke at an innovation conference at Sanlam today. It has been more than ten years since I left Sanlam. So it was with a bit melancholy that I walked into the auditorium. Luckily, I bumped into many old friends. Hennie and Frikkie, are two guys that I worked with at Sanlam and it was great to see them again.
Me and Annelie had the most fantastic dinner with Bryan and Zi at Deli Delish in Houtbay. The dinner was a cook-out competition between two chefs and we had absolute jewels of food. The lamb with rosemary and cherry tomatoes (supported by a Painted Wolf Madach 2008) or the cheesecake (with a great Nederberg Noble Late Harvest) were some of the highlights. Great conversation, lots of memories and ambiance contributed to make this a almost perfect evening.
I was at the church early this morning (as usual on a Tuesday). As I entered the office, I saw these beautiful flowers. (Maybe a bouquet that remained after a wedding or another event?) For me it symbolised the beauty of God's creation and how thankful we should be for what He gives us and how we are blessed. Tuesday mornings are prayer time for me with a handful of faithful others. We spend an hour to just think of others in prayer. It is a time to be confronted by the responsibility to care for people that worry, that suffer, people in pain or in ill-health. So many people that need our prayers.
I placed my 6th geocache in this beautiful setting just off Badel Powell drive. I enjoy finding places like this within easy driving distance, but not well-known and then placing a cache there for others to find.
I took a training ride with the cycle club this morning. We cycled all the way to Rooi-els and back. It was a spectacularly beautiful morning and I enjoyed the workout a lot.
I am at one of my shareholders this afternoon. I really like their style. To have two golf-courses on both sides of the property, lots of world-class restaurants in close proximity and this kind of view does say something of the company. We had a good meeting.
What fun we had. Ernst and Catherine visited today. We were joined by JP and Maritha and their three daughters. We talked, laughed, built a big fire, made sushi and drank wine. We watched Arden walking around in the house. Even the dogs started making friends with the little boy. I am truly blessed with such family and friends.
We attended the produce market at Lourensford this morning. We sampled some of the cheese and toffees and bought some of the food. We marveled at the beauty of the estate and the surroundings. It was also great just to be out and to be in each other's company.
On our way to Cavendish to watch one of the first screenings of "Moa's last Dancer", me and Annelie had this view of the sun setting directly in front of us as we headed in to town.
Leon is one of those guys that knows about everything about mobile products and he has been around. He is visiting family in Cape Town, and I could not miss the opportunity to meet him. We had coffee at the Waterfront and spoke about the past, but also where the future will take us. I really enjoyed it.
We had a most enjoyable wine-tasting experience with Albertus and his wife from Avondrood winery close to Rawsonville. This was one of the tastings that we had with the wine-club during the weekend. He show-cased his excellent wines with small food tit-bits prepared by his wife in the mountain-cabin on his farm. More so than the wine and food, it was his passion and energy that we really enjoyed.
I saw this poster at Dasbosch winery. I felt a lot of responsibility...
Part of the implications of Fundamo's growth is the exposure to many different cultures from all over the world. We decided on Friday to invite all the different people to prepare food from their country for all of us to share. It was a celebration of many different people and one of the many events that I will hold close to my heart. In the spirit of the day, I dressed in my Nigerian outfit: one of the the many countries that I got to know and love.
It was quite overcast as I was driving to the office this morning. Then out of the blue the sun broke through the dark cloud cover. And at the same time, I saw a plane switch on its landing lights in the clouds for long approach to Cape Town International. There was something special about this.
