Chika and Kresten

I spent time with some of the most interesting and capable entrepreneurs and investors on the continent during Dealweek in Cape Town. We deliberated the merits of investing into a selection of start-ups, but also had some leisure time together; like having great wine and food at Potluck Club with Chika and Kresten.

Wheel clamp

How often do we see signs saying that unauthorized vehicles will be clamped, but drivers nevertheless just park there with impunity. That is why I enjoyed it so much to see a car actually clamped in a parking lot of a company that J visited recently.

Mathys and Anna

Annelie and me enjoyed an evening of good, honest Afrikaans music at Die Boer in Durbanville. Mathys Roets and Anna Davel performed some of their own songs, but mostly interpreted some of our biggest song-writers: Johannes Kerkorrel, Gert Vlok Nel, Koos Kombuis... and the evening conjured up a lot of memories.

Post Midmar

It has become tradition now to evaluate the completion of the Midmar mile at the brewery in Nottingham road. Annelie and Narien agreed that the local pale ale was of a superior quality.

Cousins doing the Midmar

Ready for another Midmar mile. This time I am swimming with my "cousin" in a family relay. Looking forward to the fifth mile.

Ngqwara lagoon

I took the mountain bike for an early morning cycle to the Ngqwara lagoon. The dirt tracks took me past rural Transkei waking up for a new day. I encountered some early souls watching the sun rise and later school children starting to queue for the bus and herdboys collecting the stray cattle. Then as I cleared another hill, right in front of me, lay the lagoon, still virgin territory - with no obscene development, or jetties and motorized water sport... just nature - the way that it was created.

Danie and Xandre

Only the sounds of nightlife in Addo, interspersed with our laughter, while we enjoyed a grand meal of steak and corn-on-the-cob. It was a special evening with Danie and Xandre at our over-night chalet at Matyholweni.

Play wine-maker

I played wine-maker last night as I tried out the basket press that Annelie gave me for Christmas. It was a lot of fun and the wine will now definitely have more body and tannins as I was able to squeeze more out of the must... but it is still unlikely that it will be drinkable.

Fixing the stove

In the past, when I was in full-time employment, we usually just got an expert to fix stuff when needed. Today, I decided to fix a minor problem on the oven without the need to call an expert. After a complex dis-assembly and re-assembly, I managed to fix the problem, but now I just cannot attach the oven door anymore.

2015 Harvest

I harvested the 2015 Pinotage today. The grapes were still of very bad quality and is an indication of me still being a novice in the art of wine-making. I combated the Erinose mite successfully this year, but the vines are suffering severe nematode infections. The Semillon produced well this year and I left a lot on the vines to over-ripen - maybe there is a sweet wine in the making? If I don't loose the battle against all these diseases, I will get to know wine-making stuff much better.

Francolins on the doorstep

One of the things that I really love about Meerenbosch is the many species of birds that made their home here. We are entertained by a large flock Flamingoes, some Pelicans and even a breeding pair of black Oystercatchers. Today a family of Francolins visited us, walking fearlessly on the stoep in front of the house.

Wim and Heather

Sometimes in life one bumps into a person that turns into a friend for always. In the past, Wim and me have had interactions in Cape Town, on a yacht out of Houtbay, in Indonesia, Lankowi and Kuala Lumpur, in complex negotiations in San Diego, making food in Fourways and Ballito. I had breakfast with him and his wife, Heather, this morning at Spier... what a privilege to share what has happened since.

Thingking

One of the fun things that I do with my days at the moment is to meet young, brilliant entrepreneurs, busy building exciting new businesses here in Cape Town. I recently met Paul from Thingking. He showed me around their workshops in Woodstock where they are crafting wonderful inventions. Afterwards we had an ice cream at Sorbetiere.

Pumpkin harvest

We harvested one of the pumpkins out of the vegetable garden today. Arden and Nina were eager participants in the whole exercise. Such a privilege to have them at de Wijnlanden for a sleepover.

Willem and Gardielle

To see a new marriage partnership unfold is indeed a privilege. Not only do you pray for prosperity for the new young couple, but you also consider your own journey and remember. I experienced many emotions of hope and gratitude as we attended the wedding of Willem and Gardielle.

Rooiels

Rooiels is a small village on the R44 about 40km from Somerset-West. The road hugs rugged mountains with sheer cliffs that drop down to the ocean below on the way there. It is a most spectacular bicycle ride on a beautiful morning like today. I joined the club on a brisk ride to Rooiels and back and once again realized how fortunate I am to live here.

Cape Genet

We woke up early in the morning with a strange growling sound downstairs. Upon investigating, I found two rather scared Cape Genets (a nocturnal wild cat) hiding under furniture. It seemed as they entered into the house through an open window in the bathroom, but could not find the exit again. I opened one of the doors and they fled into the cool of the night like a flash.

Watching TV

Xavier sat so attentively in the green chair that I thought I should hand him a remote control. He grabbed it so dexterously that it seemed that he is a natural with a remote in hand.

Moon over Lake

I have seen this scene so many times from the porch of Huijsiki at Meerenbosch, but this evening was ultra-special with the moon guarding the sunset over the lake.  

Amazon Prime Video

I know that it has been done by many, but I experienced the magic of watching a blockbuster movie being streamed to my Apple MacBook the first time. I watched A Good Lie via my Apple TV hooked onto the Samsung Flatscreen with Annelie. The video was streamed from Amazon Prime service via my (slow) ADSL connection. Nevertheless, it was a great experience. Welcome to watching movies at my own time in my own house from now on.

Goodbye bag

My trustworthy Samsonite bag has now done its last trip with me. A critical zip has broken and it is not functional anymore. This bag has been the one item that has gone with me everywhere: from the best hotels to glamorous conferences, important meetings and distinguished social events. It has traveled with me on planes, trains, taxis and ferries on all continents of the world. It was an amazing journey. Goodbye bag.

Simple Food

I enjoyed the simple food made with love and fresh ingredients so much. I helped myself to several servings and enjoyed eating it in the company of special, dear friends.

A different Christmas

I experienced plentiful blessings by celebrating Christmas in a different country amongst other believers as we inaugurated a new church building. Sometimes it is important to transcend traditional boundaries to reevaluate your own beliefs and to experience the universal love, compassion and peace which is what Jesus promised us.

Delayed in Dubai

I can think of many places worse than being stuck in Dubai waiting for the weather to clear in your destination city. Our flight has now been delayed for six hours and I have now had multiple cups of tea and a great breakfast. If I suffer any further delay, I might just start on the excellent whiskeys in the lounge.

Hermanus Red route

I dusted the old mountain bike off and took it with to MeerenBosch. This morning I did most of the red MTB route through Hemel-en-Aarde. What a spectacular route, well-maintained and a real test for my rusted single-track skills.

Life's turns

At the turn of the century, we looked after new-born babies before they got placed with their adopting parents. Today we were blessed to be able to visit one such a family. It was a special occasion for us to see how the baby that we had in our house for ten days developed into a confident, talented young lady. As we talked about the past thirteen years and the dreams of what will come, we realized that life is beautiful and complex and awesome, yet incomprehensible.

Stream

Stream is a new breed of conference, called an un-conference the whole idea is that there should be little structure and groups should form around interesting topics spontaneously. I enjoyed the good contributions from many bright minds and the thoughts that it stimulated. It was a privilege to have been invited. 

Early at the airport

As I look outside the airport, I can see the green Kulula 737 looking back at me. We both got up an hour ago. It is early in the morning and I am on my way back home.

Tintswalo

Tintswalo Lodge is such a special hotel, with a perfect setting on the water's edge below Chapman's Peak. We celebrated our thirty-fourth wedding anniversary there. We watched the sun set over the ocean and then sat down to a four-course dinner served on the deck outside as we watched the moon's reflection on the bay. So privileged to be with my best friend, Annelie, for so long and still able to experience special moments together.

Duck and cherries

Annelie and me created a masterpiece for dinner tonight: breast of duck with cherry and port reduction, supported by a Lammershoek Roulette Blanc 2010. We had a lot of fun creating this dish, but a lot more fun consuming it.

Carols picnic

We joined the kids and grandchildren for an impromptu picnic at Arden's school for Carols by Candlelight. I enjoyed watching the small ones eating their slice if pizza and sharing in the fun.

The Burger

I originally thought that I would teach myself a lesson: it is not a good idea to do a 100km cycle race without some time in the saddle. Unfortunately, my participation in this year's Burger cycling race went better than expected; so no lesson learned.

Sunrise over the Helderberg

The mountain to the east of de Wijnlanden is called the Helderberg - the "Shining Mountain". This morning as the sun rose over this mountain it looked like its name.

U-Start

U-start is a company that provides investment opportunities for wealthy families into early stage start-ups. I attended a dinner hosted by Whitey Basson at Mount Marie for VIP's attended the U-start conference in Cape Town. I cannot recall (maybe with the exception of Davos) that I was at one event with so many dollar billionaires present... and then in such beautiful settings.

Opstal

We were hosted by Attie Louw at Opstal winery in the Slanghoek valley. Currently the winemaker, Attie is a fifth generation Louw farming on this farm. We enjoyed his knowledge and passion for the unique wines that he exposed us to.

First nativity play

After I accepted the reality of being a grandfather, I knew the time will come when I attend a nativity play with one of my grandchildren in it. This happened today with Arden in the important role of the only cow in the manger. I experienced strange emotions of gratitude and compassion to see these young children sing and act without any restraint or fear. All of them were like little canvasses not yet spoiled by the tribulations of life.

Overgaauw restaurant

It is a new concept in eating. No menu, just the freshest ingredients, and food prepared for friends in a farm-style setting. Brother and sister: Jason and Camilla Comins supported by Camilla’s husband, Russel Wasserfal, offer such s treat at the new Overgaauw restaurant. Annelie and me enjoyed the terrine starter and the chicken mains with a great Chardonnay on Sunday, and made a note to be back.

Amazon fulfillment center

I was so fortunate to be shown around the Amazon fulfillment center where Izak work. The brand new building stretches for 100's of meters and is multiple stories high. Inside is some of the coolest technology that you could think of helping hundreds of people to ship thousands of Amazon parcels. As I walked on the floor, seeing the amazing tech and watching my son totally in control of his environment, my heart swelled with thankfulness.

Yardley caching

Izak stays in a quaint little town in Pennsylvania. One afternoon I took some time out to do geocaching: a great way for me to get to know the environment. The town, Yardley, feels like a little peaceful enclave in a busy world.

Izak at breakfast

I am spending special times with my youngest son in Yardley, Pennsylvania. He is working long days as they ramp up for the festive season rush. But just having breakfast with him in the mornings and de-briefings at night when he gets back from work are special memory times for me.

Kettle USA

I cannot understand why one cannot pay with a VISA card for tolls in the US. In the country that gave us the credit card, one must still pay with cash at manually operated tolls. The US is an amazing country in my eyes, but some things remain a mystery to me. Like why is it so difficult to buy a kettle. It took me two hours, walking from one retailer to another until I found the last kettle in Philadelphia. How do you make tea without a kettle?

New York

Getting ready to board EK771 via Dubai to New York. No business planned - just traveling to be with family. Strange feeling compared to my previous life, but extremely satisfying and blessed to be able to do so.

Koos van der Merwe

Attended a Koos van der Merwe show at die ou Meul theatre in Paarl with Quintes and Rielle. It was special to just spend time with old friends. The rendition of Leonard Cohen songs by the artist was good, especially the last song: "Halleluja"

Blending

What fun we had with JP, Maritha, Johan and Christine at Spier. The evening was about a challenge to all the teams present: "using the basic building blocks of Shiraz, Mouvedre and Voignier, re-create the prize-winning Spier SMV blend". Our team did not win (or even got close, but we knew that our blend was even better than the original. It was an evening full of talk and laughter.

Tame Kwikkie

I love it when humans allow wild animals into their space. That is why I enjoyed it so much to see Jakes and Lorraine allowing a "Kwikkie" (Cape Wagtail; Motacilla capensis) to fly right into their house, strutting around on the counter until he got his crumbs.

Visit from New Zealand

It was such a blessing to see my cousin, Elda, all the way from New Zealand when she visited family in Cape Town. An added advantage was that we could also see her mom, tannie Suzie and sister, Lolita too. We talked about so many things as we enjoyed a South African braai.

Nina is three

Nina had her third birthday party today. The theme was princesses and all the little girls came in special dresses. As a father that never had daughters, it was a stunning experience to see a different kind of birthday party as a grandfather: make-up, decorating cupcakes and kissing a frog.

Old Alto

Sunday lunch was just me and Annelie at home. We cooked a shoulder of lamb in the Weber. I decided that the occasion was special enough for an old cab - so we opened a 1982 Alto Cabernet Sauvignon. Who said the South African wines can't age?

Robbery at Waterstone

One realizes how frail we are when you stumble on a crime scene where someone died. There was a robbery at our local Waterstone shopping center and it seems that a security guard was killed in the process. Heartbreaking for the family, but also generates strange feelings of fear and anger in oneself.

Slow market

The Slow Market happens every Saturday at Oude Libertas in Stellenbosch. It is a public marketplace where many vendors sell food and a few other things. We celebrated the wonderful weather by having lunch there. The fact that there were many of the local craft beer brewers present added to the pleasure.