Dinner at La Pentola

It was as if the Cape wanted to welcome us back with an unparalleled performance. We enjoyed an early dinner at La Pentola in Hermanus with an excellent interpretation of fusion cooking. The culinary skills was augmented with the most spectacular vistas over Walker bay in the late afternoon sun. As the evening approached, a fire could be seen high on one of the peaks, glowing red in the smokey haze. But then the full moon rose above the horizon, tinted gold by the smoke of the fire.

Some time in the saddle

The mountain bike travelled with us to Gauteng with all intentions to do some time in the saddle. Unfortunately, I had quite a hard fall in Bloemfontein and also picked up a flat front tyre. Both me and the bike only recovered sufficiently in time to explore the dirt roads of the Karoo early in the morning. The desolate tranquility was something to experience.

Transkaroo Country Lodge

We have stayed at the Transkaroo Country Lodge in Britstown before. We like the down to earth hospitality and the buffet dinners that they serve. This time was no different. We booked in, just in time dinner (leg of lamb, venison pie and more) that we shared with about fifty guests. Not bad for an establishment in the middle of the Karoo.

Grandparent Christmas

It was the right thing to do: to travel a thousand miles to be with my aging parents (effectively stuck in their retirement home because of my ailing father). We celebrated Xmas with a great lunch and presents. I shaved my father's beard and helped him into bed a few times. This was a very different Xmas, but in some ways it had much more meaning.

Bloemfontein with Ouma Andre

Me and Annelie spent some precious time with my mother in law. We took the frail old lady shopping in her wheelchair, enjoyed lunch with her and looked at photos in her little room. As one gets older seems like you start to appreciate things that you might have seen as sacrifices in the past.

Karoo clouds

One tends to forget how beautiful the clouds can be over the Karoo. We experienced an exhibition of white clouds organized in a delicate pattern on a blue sky driving north to Bloemfontein.

Final shopping

Managed to finish Xmas presents shopping late afternoon, today. It is something that I hate to do; especially if you have to fight the crowds. Luckily the shopping center was almost empty today... maybe everyone is shopping on-line.

Great dinner at the kids

We had a great dinner at the kids the evening we returned from Heathrow. We were privileged to spend some time with Arden and Nina before they went to bed. Catherine prepared a superb pasta dish that we enjoyed with a bottle of sparkling wine. Afterwards we chatted about life and living. As we drove back to home, I looked at Annelie and saw the thankfulness in her eyes.

Meeting Xander

On a bright, winter Surrey morning, me and Annelie met Xander - Johan and Annelie Diamond's first born. We drove through the wonderful English countryside, stopped at small eateries and talked about the present and the past, remembering memories going back more than twenty years ago. But thinking about it, it was little Xander with his wobbly walk and inquisitive nature, that gave us confidence about the future.

Admiral's lounge at SFO

We are booked in and waiting in the Admiral Lounge in San Francisco. (Yes, we are flying American Airlines to London). If everything goes according to plan, me and Annelie would have been to four continents in less then ten days when we touch down in Cape Town on Monday. The world has shrunk indeed.

Received from Amazon

Friends asked us to buy some items for them while in the US (at Walmart). I convinced Annelie that it is easier, cheaper and more convenient to buy this through Amazon. The packet arrived here at the hotel today. It made me think of Izak.

Busy in San Mateo

Usually this is the slow-down time of the year, but I am busier than ever here in California. Meetings in the day, followed by business dinners and then slogging through all my eMails. Luckily Annelie is here and at least I could start the days having breakfast with my wife.

Last night in Thailand

Rather than eating at the hotel, me and Annelie took a taxi into the heart of Pattaya to experience something of the night-vibe. The streets were filled with noise and lights; lots of wandering people on their way somewhere. Little shops lined the streets and sidewalks, selling anything possible - including promises. Luckily we found a family-run restaurant in a quiet side-street where we enjoyed a proper Indonesian meal.

Gym on the pavement

When in Thailand you kind of expect to be able to buy anything on the pavement. Nonetheless, I was surprised to see a gym ( complete with treadmills and cycles) on the pavement in Pattaya on our way to the hotel.

Corrupted by the good life

As we relaxed on the deck of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, sipping a cold beer, enjoying exquisitely prepared dishes and looking out over the Chao Phraya river, I realized I am corrupted by the good life. I prefer this to having a burger on a busy street. How much have I fallen?

Ernst thirtieth

We celebrated Ernst's thirtieth birthday at de Wijnlanden with a spit-braai. It was such a privilege to host him and Catherine with about forty of their friends at our home. There was lots of laughter, a few speeches, some serious moments and reflection on all the blessings received in his life.

Sippers Year-end

The Sippers wine-club had their year-end celebration at Babel restaurant on Koos Bekker's wine-farm: Babilonstoren. Before lunch we had a guided tour through the gardens and had a wine tasting. The Shiraz was very impressive.

Early morning cycle

After the storm-winds of the past few days, this morning was perfect for a few hours of cycling. We were only a few WannaB's this morning, but had a great Vlaeberg circuit at a good pace.