Winetasting at de Wijnlanden

We hosted a great winetasting at home for our small-group at church. We tasted a few of the cultivars and then a blend, but most of all we had a lot of fun. This was also an opportunity to get to know each other better.

Biblestudy at Weederom

We had such a great wine-tasting experience yesterday that ended with a brilliant dinner. This morning we started off with a group bible-study, ably led by Quintes. We discussed the meaning of Psalm 37 and then prayed together. This was so special to be able to gather in this beautiful valley filled with vineyards just starting to bloom, surrounded by mountains covered with snow. It was as if God was specially near and to share this with other Christians was especially holy.

Winetasting at Bon Courage

I am on a winetasting tour with one of the wineclubs that I belong to. We stayed at self catering cottages close to Robertson and visited a number of winefarms. The snow was still on the mountains and it was quite cold on Saterday when we arrived for breakfast on Bon Courage. Afterwards we had a great winetasting, savouring some of the famous Bon Courage wines (Inkara).

Kalkbay harbour

We had a great winetasting at Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek. They are famous for their white wine and we had a brilliant experience with the winemaker: Duncan Savage. Afterwards we decided to go for a quick bite and ended up at the Harbor restaurant in Kalkbay. The sky were just clearing and the moon was shining over False bay. We had good food with friends and experienced this gift from God with such joy, recognising His blessings.

Catherine's 25th

Catherine celebrated her twenty-fifth year at de Wijnlanden today. The theme was "Cocktails and Cup cakes" and it was a real celebration of life. This is Ernst and Catherine with some of the Cocktails in the Kitchen. It was so special to have them, family and friends at our home.

Dubai Refugee Camp

After a good night sleep (albeit short), I am now walking to my gate for the flight back to Cape Town. Dubai really became a hub for travelers from anywhere. The side effect of this is that weary travelers sometimes have hours to wait for their connecting flight. The result is that people are sleeping everywhere. It is a sore sight.

Sunrise at the Lahore Airport

My first trip to Pakistan. I had such a wonderful time. I worked particularly hard because we have such a lot of interest in Fundamo (all credit to our local partners who have done an excellent job). We also had to attend quite a few dinners as part of the Ramadan celebrations (which was nice). I am now getting ready to board a flight from Lahore to Islamabad (early in the morning) and I was just impressed with the early sunrise.

Table mountain from the vineyards

After climbing a relatively steep hill this morning with the bicycle (made more tough because it was just sand), I was confronted with this picture. Table mountain from the side in the distance from the Bottelary Hills. Two things struck me: the beauty of the farmlands and the vines starting to bud, but on the other hand, the pollution engulfing the stately old mountain in the distance.

Versindaba 2008

I attended Versindaba with Annelie tonight. This is a celebration of Afrikaans poetry where some of the best poets in South Africa gets the opportunity to present their work. Awards for poetry are also announced during these two days. Although I sometimes have dufficulty to understand all the nuances of the presentations, I did enjoy many of the artists, but it was also nice for me to be out with my wife and to see how she mingled with other poets and players in the industry.

The sun is breaking through

I am not sure if the bad weather that we experienced in the Cape had something to do with it, but I really felt down for a number of days. I am sure that rain and lack of sunshine does have a bearing on one's disposition. Nevertheless, as I walked into the garden this morning, onto the wet grass and felt the sun starting to shine early in the morning, this little sparrow flew brightly and sat on the fence in front of me, chirping happily. The sun is up again - if birds can be happy about that, so can I.

Live in Cameroon

After a lot of hard work and dedication from the team at Fundamo, Mobile Money is now live in Cameroon. This is just the start of a major roll-out of Fundamo technology through-out the Africa continent.

It was such a good feeling to receive this picture tonight from the team in Douala. Well done!

Business lounge at OR Tambo with my parents

I am on my way back from Johannesburg with my parents. After attending a conference in the city and meeting some of my clients and partners, I am on my way back to Cape Town. Because, my parents (both well into their 80's) cannot fly on their own, I am taking them back with me. We have just booked in and are now waiting for the call to board.

Wine tasting at Fred

Tonight was again a special wine-tasting. We got together with our Sippers friends and had a brilliant blind tasting. I found that even less expensive wines can be rated high if carefully selected. When we left, we were greeted by this candle next to the front door - amazing.

Sunday lunch with the kids

We were blessed to have all the kids at home today for a great lunch. Annelie cooked a leg of lamb with potatoes and pumpkin. I opened a Zonnebloem Pinotage 1988 and we celebrated family and the privilege to have one another and to feel the love and compassion. Izak taught (or tried to at least) his new skills as a balloon-artist. We enjoyed the food and then watched some Olympics on the television before the kids left.

Dan Carter breakfast

I attended a breakfast arranged by Accenture where the Kiwi flyhalf was present. He was interviewed by Ian Macintosh (ex-Springbok coach). Dan also answered questions from the floor. It was a very enjoyable morning. I was amazed by this young sportstar's professionalism. His parents must definitely be very proud of him.

Just before the Board Meeting

The table is prepared with cookies and water. The agenda is ready and the directors will be here within the next half an hour. This is an important board meeting, but I know that I am well prepared. I have also asked the Lord's blessing on this meeting and am confident that everything will go well - according to His will.

Lunch at Farmstall

On our way back, we had lunch at a farmstall close to Caledon. The food was great (real farm cooking) and we just loved the atmosphere of all kinds of goods stacked every-where.

Poets at Marriane's birthday

I joined Annelie at one of her poet friends, Marriane (in blue at the back) birthday party in George. We traveled to George on the Saturday, attended the party, stayed over in a hotel and then traveled back to Cape Town on the Sunday.

Rep Meeting

I had breakfast with a number of Rep Alumni. Rep is an amazing organisation of Christian businessmen that see the work as a ministry. Rep develops programs that can be applied in business. I have personally seen how God used Rep to speak to individuals and to change their live drastically.

Roof wetting

Good friends of ours, Adrie and Marie invited us to a celebration of their new home. They moved into the newly built dwelling two weeks ago and have now properly settled in. We shared wine, snacks and stories till late at night. We wish them many happy years in their new home.