After the Show

Ernst got some theatre tickets to Mamma Mia in London's West End, that we thoroughly enjoyed. Afterwards we walked to the closest tube station on the Central line and saw the city awakening. (such a contradiction as night was falling). On our way we stopped in a pub where rugby games were shown on a big screen and watched the last ten minutes of the Bulls against the Blues. We saw a spectacular Bulls try and walked home in high spirits.

Borough Market in London

Shopping is what happens when girls are exposed to the variety and choice of a special market. It was such fun to visit the Borough Market with Ernst and Catherine on Friday. We tasted tidbits of cheeses, sausages, jams etc. and finished up with a lunch that we had in the garden of the nearby Cathedral. It was great to see the two, to see how they have adapted to London and how they love each other and people around them.

Prague's Old Town

Me and Annelie at a restaurant in old town Prague. We arrived on Saturday and had an excellent dinner at this place, after which we attended a classic music concert in St Nicholas Church. We don't know what to make of Prague yet. On the one hand the old city with an air of easy-going tends to grip you, but on the other hand we feel the sadness of all the people that suffered within the borders of this city too.

Cape Town International Lounge

On our way to Prague. I am booked in - have my boarding pass and just checking e-mail before getting on the plane. This is the business lounge at Cape Town International. Annelie is already on her way to Johannesburg, as we could not get seats on the same flight. I will meet her in Heathrow, if everything goes according to plan.

Table mountain

I had an appointment at the Czech Republic consulate this morning to finalise my visa application for the trip to Prague. On my way south on the N1, Table mountain stood proud in front of me in the morning sun. The sky was special blue. I just realised again how important it is to stop and see important things around you, to appreciate these things and to lift your spirit. Life's drudgery tends to pull us down so often, but simple things like this magnificent mountain can inspire us again.

Johan's birthday

To have a birthday on the 13th of April (especially if it is on friday like this year) and to still be able to smile about it, takes a special person. Me and Annelie had a brief visit to the Willemse's on Saturday to congratulate. We stayed for a short while, but had enough time to share a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Nina is talking

Nina (our god-grandchild - yes it is possible to be a god-grandparent) visit us today again, and she is talking a lot. As Annelie says, she started with word and then sentences, but she is now talking in paragraphs.

Meerenbosch balcony

Early morning on the balcony at MeerenBosch. We had a very enjoyable late night around a fire that we made under the trees and talked till late. Look at the beautiful day and the mountains behind Kleinmond behind me.

Building blocks

Izak, Mariet and Marie played this silly game and achieved some kind of record tonight.

Full moon

As I walked to the Friendly Store to buy some milk this evening, I saw the full moon raising over the Bottelary Mountains - beautiful!

Palm Sunday

Today is celebrated in the Christian faith as "Palm Sunday". This is the day on which Jesus entered Jerusalem and that the people waived Palm branches in happiness. This happened a week before His crucifixion and hence today is a a day of thankful anticipation. We attended the service at Uitsig Gemeente and listened to a sermon based on Is 50:10 - "Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD"

Ian's farewell lunch

After three and a half years, Ian decided to leave Fundamo to pursue a new career opportunity. It was sad to say goodbye, but as Craig said: "rather turn sadness into a celebration". I know that Ian will be successful in his new job, but I also know that he will stay in touch and I am convinced that his exposure to Fundamo was positive and a growth experience for him. We "celebrated" at Whang Thai in Milnerton with good Oriental food and a few bottles of Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2006.

A Late dinner

This is dinner tonight, after I attended a thoroughly disappointing corporate body meeting of our appartment in Kaapse Draai. I had a glass of Flagstone Dragon Tree 2004 to round it off.

Tienie Louw

We had an amazing wine tasting with Tienie Louw from Diemersdal. The Louws have been making wine at Diemersdal since 1885. We tasted some of his famous Sauvignon Blanc 2006 and then had a vertical Shiraz tasting (2001,2002,2003,2004 and the 2007). I just love people that are serious about what they do and then do it with passion. I suppose that is why I enjoy winemakers because all of them are passionate about what they do. Therein lies a lesson for all of us. Reminds me of the IS advert: "Do what you love - love what you do!"

Reformed Church Uitsig

Me and Annelie attended the morning service at the Dutch Reformed Church Uitsig Gemeente. It was the annual Easter service. I could see that a lot of preparation and planning went into the service. Even though the story is old, I once again realised how powerful the message of God's love is. I know that I am insignificant small, but that I matter. It was a solemn moment for me.

Sea-shell vendor

This little boy collects sea-shells and then sells it to tourists.

Paternoster Evening

This is Hendrik. He was our waiter at Voorstrand restaurant in Paternoster - a very special place. It serves unpretentious food - like fish, lobster, prawns and calamari. But the setting is just amazing... on the sea. You can smell and hear the waves. But then Paternoster is a village with a reputation. A small fishing village about 150km north of the Cape, it started to develop a good tourist infrastructure (hotel, B&B's and a few good restaurants), without changing the character of the village.

Thai monday

Wim was in town again and he stayed with us tonight. We had dinner at one of our favourite restuarants: Thaifoon - just down the street from Kaapse Draai. The food was great (as usual), and we finished the meal with a few Singha's - just for memory sake.

Kogelbay on the way to Rooi-Els

On Sunday, me and Annelie drove all the way to Meerenbosch via the coastal road. This picture was taken with the cellphone on the steering wheel. The sea was special blue and a stiff wind was whipping up small waves that dis-integrated before they struck the beach. We stopped at Rooi-Els for a stretch of legs and had lunch near the harbour in Kleinmond. (It was their Sunday buffet so we ordered a bottle of Solms Shiraz 2003). We chatted and just generally enjoyed the day. When we walked into the appartment at about 20h00, we knew how blessed we are.

Saturday Dinner

After good wins for the Cheetah's and the Sharks in the Super14, we had a late dinner. Sheep cutlets and other goodies were braai'ed outside. We opened a bottle of De Waal Pinotage and had a great meal together with our youngest son and his girlfriend. Simple things that mean so much. I suppose one feels safe and comfortable in the routine of Saturday-evenings, but notwithstanding each day is sufficiently different to also feel special. We are truly blessed.