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.