Nuweland

As the two proud teams lined up for the national anthems on the green Newland's pitch, one could see a banner of one of the non-sponsors being pulled by a light aircraft, advertising: Mavericks.

First class lounge

This is probably the best way to spend three hours waiting for your connecting flight in Terminal A, Dubai. The first class lounge only serve the best of the best, with showers, business centre, massage and quiet rooms, it is suppose to create a nurturing, relaxing environment for the traveller in transit. So what is wrong with me, that I feel that I miss something?

Singapore GP

I experienced the Singapore F1 Grand Prix from a distance. While enjoying a great dinner with Stephen at Abesinthe Restaurant, one could hear the engines as the race started and then saw the fire-works as it ended.

Boarding the A380

As I boarded the A380 (flight EK354 from Dubai to Singapore), I had to stop for a second to just marvel at the amazing engineering again. A few hours later, I was safely tucked away in the metal hull at over 35 thousand feet above the sea, sipping best Australian Shiraz at the pub in the back.

Organized departure

The departure procedures for Emirates at Cape Town International has been taken to a new level. Passengers are now placed in specific designated areas (depending on the priority of boarding). It almost feel like entering your chute prior to the start of the Argus.

Storm approaching

Heavy rain and snow are being predicted for the Cape today. By midday wind-gusts of thirty knots are expected with downpours in the region of 3mm per hour. Yet, when I looked north this morning, the rolling clouds and the first drops of rain, with the spring bloom in the foreground were quite beautiful.

Windscreen cracked

I am getting the cracked windscreen on the Mercedes replaced. Two things that struck me: the degree that the claim-process has been automated and mundaneness of getting routine things done. However, it must be done.

Birds welcoming the day

As I left for gym this morning, it struck me how the birds were welcoming the new day. The day was still only a glimmer on the horizon, but it was as if the birds were competing to be heard, after the rain.

Cheese and Wine and Lego

Experienced a different dimension to a Friday evening with cheese, wine and Lego, when I helped my grandson build an intricate model. The cheese was a natured cheddar, the wine a 2004 Diemersdal Shiraz and the model the Ultimate Race Set in the Cars Series.

That time of year again

It is that time of the year again: fresh shoots are visible on the vines again, a new beginning of a new harvest. It is as if everything that happened last year in the vineyards are in the past and this is a brand new beginning... or is it?

Ouma Andre's funeral

We attended a funeral service in memory of Andre, my mother-in-law. Through the grace of God I considered how perfect her life was for her: full of compassion and in service of her fellow human being. I realized why I loved her: because there is so much of her in my wife that I adore. She lived a life that was absolutely true to who she was. I considered the challenges of living an authentic life - one is given only one chance. Which is why there was something special about having my grandson (her oldest grandchild) there. His life is still to be lived: a clean slate with so much potential.

Hennenman detour

We made a detour back from Aldam to visit Jaco in Hennenman. After a delicious Ox-tail "potjie" dish for Sunday lunch, we visited his feeding stations on the farm. Here cattle are prepared for the abattoir in three months adding at least 200kg before they are shipped to be turned into steaks.

Aldam braai

There are few things that bond South Africans like an open fire at night, lots of red meat and some liquid refreshments. It is a time to strengthen old friendships and make new ones, huddling together, sharing stories about the past. We had such a memorable family gathering at Aldam over the weekend.

Breakfast with a view

It has been some time since I have been to The Ambassador in Bantry Bay. I met some business associates for breakfast and my breath were taken away by the location... again.

Sprained ankle

I stepped off the last step of the stairs in an awkward way, lost my balance, fell and sprained my ankle. At six o'clock the next morning I sat in 14D on my way to Jozie for a meeting, my walking stick in the luggage compartment, ankle heavily strapped and already digesting the first pain killer. During the rest of the day, I realized how important a healthy ankle is... even to do business.