Eateries in and out

Enjoyed seeing Richard again and discovering the Coffee Bloc Deli at Buitenverwachting. We chatted about life, the universe, our US family and friends and the direction of the technology industry. The glass of Chardonnay and the Chicken breast was also good.

Double Rainbow

Does not matter how many rainbows you have seen... they are always magic. This one was particularly spectacular, inside a patch of sun right in front of the house. Both me and Annelie stood on the lawn for a few minutes: spellbound.

Average Sunday at Home

Just an average Sunday-afternoon, preparing lunch at home. I can't help noticing all the signs of spring being visible everywhere. From the bees in the lavender garden, to the carpet of wild flowers outside the fence. Even the goldfish in the pond have parked themselves in the top layer of the water - soaking up the glorious sun.

Zenaptix big data lab

I attended the launch of the Zenaptix Big Data Lab in Stellenbosch. I love it to see some-one doing something that they feel passionate about. Ian is definitely such a person. Everything that I have seen him do in the past two decades, were pushing boundaries - contributing in his unassuming way to the quality of the Cape's IT scene. I wish him all the best.

Freedom copter

The beauty of technology is that it is now at a point where software are starting to integrate with real things seamlessly. This is demonstrated well with the advances being made with quadcopter drones. I enjoyed witnessing Daniel launching his Freedom copter at the office, flying it outside the range of the controller and how it then returned to the original take-off spot on its own.

Woodstock brewery

The rate at which I am discovering micro-breweries here in Cape Town is staggering. My lunch appointment today were on top of Woodstock brewery. Even as I climbed the stairs to the restaurant, I was greeted by the smell of hobs fermenting. I could not help to try half a glass of the English Ale, and it was good.

Grindstone launch

Grindstone is like a finishing school for young and promising companies. Organized by the capable people at Knife Capital, the program has already delivered some impressive results. I enjoyed attending the launch of the next program, hosted at Devil’s Peak Brewery in Salt River. It was good to see friends again, re-establish old friendships and meet new people.

Pinot Noir tasting

Hendrik excelled at pulling together nine great examples of the art of Pinot Noir wines, that we tasted blind. Our recent Burgundy experience helped us to pick the French wines accurately (and rated them high). Two of the Kiwi wines were very good and sadly, South African wines were the least impressive. Once again a wonderful evening with friends through wine.

Pterodactyls

"Flying reptiles during the time of the dinosaurs are not Dinosaurs, the are called Pterodactyls" said my five-year old grand-son. I did not know that when I was five... heck I did not know that until now until after I Googled it.

Tax pain

If you prepare yourself mentally, it is possible to wait in a queue for four hours, but if you think about it too much, it becomes impossible to bear. I went through this ordeal at the SARS offices in Bellville to try and sort out my dad's estate, only to be told to bring an additional document... next time.

Last dinner

Annelie asked all of us what we would want to eat if we knew that it was going to be our last meal... and then she cooked it for us during the week: Leg of lamb, chicken with sweet potato, steak and lamb-stew. It was a week of culinary delight.

Route 44 Market

Visited Rout44 Market and Mooiberge Farm-stall with our American friends. Interesting how one gets to notice things about your city with visitors that one would not otherwise - like signs at the market and the scarecrows in the strawberry fields.