The madness has started

I picked up my access badge to the biggest business show in the world: Mobile World Congress Barcelona today. With 75 000 attendees and huge halls full of exhibitions it is something spectacular to behold. The week will be full of announcements, new product releases, panel sessions and meetings. It is likely that I will see old friends and meet lots of new ones. I will be busy from early till late after business dinners each night; the madness has started.

Movies at 30 000 ft

Watching a movie is about the only thing that one can do during a meal on a plane. Reading is too difficult and striking up a conversation with a total stranger just doesn't work. So I watched Ides of March on the flight to London, sipping a second growth Medoc and it struck me how one has an opportunity to consider the implications and themes of a movie up in the air: in this case the balance between ethics and power.

At the top of Chapman's Peak

The club had a great ride on a part of the Argus route today. We cycled up Smitswinkel and Chapman's Peak in perfect weather. As I came round the corner out of Noordhoek and the Hout Bay vista opened up in front of me, I once again realised how fortunate I am to live in the most beautiful Cape.

Lamb ribs and Merlot

f asked what food I like best, I would probably settle on lamb ribs slowly barbecued on the coals only salted with nothing else on it. This should be accompanied by a great Merlot. We did just that this week (the Merlot being from a small Tulbach wine-maker; Manleys). Food for kings.

The Fundamo garden

Gardens do add a special quality to a work environment. I think it is the break in structure that makes the difference. Not having to constantly sit in a cubicle or meet around a table looking at a screen is definitely conducive to certain types if meetings. We are blessed at Fundamo with a lovely garden and teams make use of it; sometimes even having a meeting sitting on the lawns under the shade of the trees.

Lunch at La Pineta with Peter

There is something special to catch up with old friends. We managed to find time to enjoy the cuisine at La Pineta with Peter and his new friend, Michele, today. The food, the wine and the setting was brilliant, but what made the day special was to reminiscence about our work at Sanlam, trips into Mozambique, attending the Moody Blues concert and drinking too much on a trip to the Wild coast.

The aroma of fermentation in the house

I love the smell of grapes fermenting in the process being turned into wine. The second harvest has been taken off the vines and the fermentation has just started, filling the house with the wonderful aroma of yeast working. Because of the travel, the grapes were harvested late with a much too high balling; so we are either going to have a very bold wine or we will stop the fermentation and try and make some sort of sweet wine.

Valentine Methode Champenoise tasting

Old friends celebrated Valentine's day with a special meal and an array of the best bubblies in the country. We were treated on a starter consisting of asparagus, avocado and goats milk cheese, with mains of salmon and prawns, completed with strawberries and cream. The wine was award-winning MCC's and good French (both white and pink); mixed up with good friends, turned this 14th into a very special day.

King Shaka International

The soccer world club has left us with a legacy of world-class airports. The brand-new airport close to Durban is no exception, but if I compare it to Cape Town International it is not in the same class: from the general service, the shops and restaurants to the layout and parking. I was sure that nothing could compare, until I heard the public address system. Nothing that I have ever heard at any airport could compare to the clarity and reproduction of the speakers at King Shaka.

My third Midmar mile

The oldest person that completed this year's Midmar oper water swim mile was 88 years old. However, judging from the number of fifty plus men in my group, this was more of an exception. It was with a lot of thanks that I managed to complete this year's mile again. The conditions were not ideal with a wind and choppy water that highlighted my lack of skills. Nevertheless, I completed another mile and will be back next year for more.

Dinner at Mo-zam-bik

We are staying in Ballito (on KZN north coast) for the weekend. This evening me and Annelie walked across the street for some Afro-portuguese food at this local eatery. We enjoyed the prawns and spicy espetadas washed down with perennial favorite white from Haute Cabriere.

Spectacular clouds over Cape Town

As I stepped out on the balcony at home (after a long trip back from California), I was confronted with the most spectacular view. The sun was partially obscured by layers of clouds stretching all the way to the western horizon, creating different hues of white and grey. One could see Cape Point in the distance through a late afternoon haze. It was as if nature was welcoming me back.

A new Emirates lounge

One thing that was frustrating about flying out of San Francisco with Emirates was the business lounge provided. Emirates shared an ancient, tired lounge with United and it was not a positive experience. When I booked in today, I was informed that Emirates have opened a dedicated Emirates lounge and the contrast was spectacular. Proper food, attentive staff and a relaxing environment complemented by boarding directly out of the lounge. Few airlines can compete with Emirates and it was proved again today.

Geocaching morning

It was a stunning winter's morning in San Mateo. While the air still had a nip, the sun was burning brightly and the lack of wind resulted in water without a ripple in the bay. It was a perfect day to do some Geocaching. I was up early and managed to retreive eight caches in and around Seal Point Nature Reserve. It helped took my mind off a busy week with many events and implications.

Canadian Geese

I took a shortcut to the hotel after work through a patch of grass. Quite a few fat and lazy birds (later identified to be Canadian geese) were strutting around on the grass. I walked briskly towards one only to realise that the bird did not seem to care. Even when I got real close, there was very little attempt to get out of the way or to start flying away. Clearly goose-pie is not popular in California.

Go Fans

I saw this poster in the Visa head office in San Francisco. It had the following words on it: "go fans - thank you South Africa for hosting a Fifa World Cup to remember". It triggered such good memories.