Hidden Valley cycle

I had a great cycle this morning all the way up into Hidden Valley. When I left home, it was chilly and thick mist covered big parts of the mountains. I had a few brisks climbs and when I stopped at Overture restaurant in the foothills of Helderberg mountain, the mist was clearing and the sun started breaking through. I felt so close to God and just again realised the greatness of His creation.

Uva Mira

Me and Annelie visited a number of vineyards to taste Chardonnay this morning. We experienced excellent examples of this noble cultivar at Avontuur, Eikendal and Longridge. We then drive up all the way to the "vineyards with Altitute" to try and taste the award-winning Chardonnay at Uva Mira, but unfortunately it was not available for tasting. The drive up the foothills of the Helderberg was worthwhile nevertheless.

Early morning cycle ride

I cycled to the Strand this morning and back. The air was fresh. I enjoyed the smell of the sea as I cycled down the coastal road. Many people were already on the beach and I could see that today would turn into a wonderful day in the Cape.

I am so proud of Fundamo

Today as I left the office, I was so proud of the people working at Fundamo. We have had difficult times, but this week was such a good week. We first had the MTN announcement, and then the new appointments started clicking. People that left the company some time ago started coming back. I felt a sense of achievement with everyone at the office. As I drove out of the parking lot, I had to take a picture so that I can write a blog to thank the Lord for He has truely blessed us.

Western Union comes to Cape Town

Western Union is hosting their agents conference in Cape Town this year. I attended a few sessions in the huge auditorium at the Cape Convention Centre. I saw people from all over the world attending. I was told that more than 100 nations was represented at the conference. Two things struck me: The world-class infrastructure available at the Convention Centre. I have been to many venues in the past - few have the facilities and "touch and feel" that is available here in Cape Town. Secondly, I was once again impressed with what an amazing company Western Union is. The size, impact and heart of the company is truely mind-boggling.

Karachi Boat Club

I had a great lunch at the Karachi Boat Club with Imran, Owais and a guest. The food and services was great. The setting in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city was also very tranquil and beautiful.

Karachi Street

I am in Karachi for a few days. I made a presentation at Pakistan mCommerce conference and also visited a few clients and prospective clients. I always enjoy coming to Pakistan. I think it is the people that I like.

Argus Agony

I finished a grueling Argus race today in a time of 4:51:32 (15 min slower than last year), but I increased my overall position with almost 7 500. (down from 18 312th to 10 771st). Everyone that know rated this as the toughest race ever. The race was held in a raging South Easter wind with wind gusts of more than 100km/h. I was particularly proud of my son who also finished the race in a qualifying time with almost no training.

Woes get together

Annelie is an active contributor to the Woes website. I joined her tonight for a dinner with other contributor's in the Western Cape. The owner of the website, Willem Gouws (in picture with Annelie) was also there. We had a jolly time, talking and listening to poets and other artists.

On top of Ou Kaapse Weg

I had a very busy week, where I recovered from a hectic Barcelona, I had a difficult board meeting and had to deal with complex staff issues at work. I managed to still do some cycling in preparation for the Argus next week. This culminated with an amazing Saturday morning cycle with Ernst (my son). We did Boyes Drive, through Fish Hoek and then returned via Ou Kaapse Weg. At the top, while I waited for Ernst, I just again realised how beautiful the Cape can be.

We have a great company

This year was very successful for us at Barcelona and it was because of the hard work of Fundamo people. Debra did a great job with all the arrangements. Aletha and the business development people was brilliant and Richard and Adriaan looked after everything else and you couldn't get a better team. On the last evening Adriaan insisted that we go to this meat restaurant where we finished 3kg of Toro. This is Adriaan doing more than his part to make the evening memorable.

The Panels

I participated on two panel discussions at the congress. This picture was taken just before the panel discussion on mobile banking usage. Michael Knott is the session leader and is standing at the podium. This is to show the size of the auditoriums at the event. Similar sessions are being held in a few venues this size at the same time.

Dinner with Falk

I had many dinners and attended quite a few events. The dinner sponsored by Cartagena (Falk - on the right in the picture) was in a way very special. I attended the first MWC about seven years ago with Falk. (It was still held then in Cannes). The first time the Congress was held in Barcelona, this restaurant was the first restaurant that I dined in (Falk was there to). Small world...

Barcelona Appartment

Just arrived in Barcelona for the MWC. We have seven Fundamo people in the city this year. Four guys and three ladys. We rented two appartments for the week and made the guys stay in an appartment in the middle of the old town. I have not seen so much noise and action. I had to sleep with plugs in my ears! Nevertheless, it was great to see some of the action and excitement of the city. This is a picture of some kind of festival during Sunday afternoon.

La Caronne picnic

We had this amazing wine tasting/picnic/food pairing experience at La Caronne today. We tasted the best wines of the estate, while (at the same time) also enjoyingthe most exquisite mini-meals. It was also an opportunity to see old friends and to just relax. Afterwards, I had to rush to be in time for my flight to Barcelona (via Munich).

Work function at Moyo's

We had a year kick-off dinner at Moyo Restaurant. This was an opportunity for us to meet the spouses and to also thank them for the sacrifices that they made during 2008. (Because Fundamo operates in so many emerging countries, staff have to travel to remote parts of the world, and this is not always easy on family). Food was excellent, entertainment great and I think we all had a great time.

Fire in the mountains

The mountains have been burning for a few days now. We have an amazing view of the mountains from our house and we could see the fires in the mountains in the evenings. The smoke was also covering everything and you could smell burn in the air. This morning I drove into Stellenbosch for a meeting and saw this fire crew re-grouping. I realised that there are people that have to work all the time to keep the fires in check and to protect property.

The importance of relationships

I am reading a Purpuse driven life with Annelie every morning. I have read the book before, but am doing it with my wife this time, and I am receiving a lot of blessings in reading this. Todays chapter (chapter 16) was specifically special for me this morning. To once again understand how important it is "to live a life of love".

Sevruga restaurant

We do live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I had dinner with good friends from Pakistan at the new Sevruga restaurant. tonight. As I looked out over the W&A harbour and experienced the last rays of a perfect day, I thanked the Lord for the blessings in my life, to be able to live in such a nice area of the world.

Lunch with my parents

Me and Annelie took my parents for a light lunch at Jan Smuts' house close to Pretoria. It was a nice outing - to get the old people outside and to spend some time with them. We had a few beers and burgers and just talked. My parents are really aging and this is sad in a way, but it is moments like these that I am thankful to still experience.