Pilgrimage

Almost sixty kilometers by foot in two days is hard on the feet if you are not used to walking. Nevertheless, I have fond memories of joining Hannes Theron and others on the last two days of his pilgrimage. There was so much that got spoken, but it was also the moments of silence that was special.

Arden caching

Went caching with Arden this afternoon. The oupa-grandson team had a lot of fun, with a 66% success rate. During the process we explored local parks and crawled underneath a fence (twice) to hunt down a few caches. I am so glad that at least someone in the family like my eccentric hobbies.

Dave Hughes

As part of the wine icon theme for the Kurktrekkers wine-club program, we were fortunate to be entertained by Dave Hughes - recognized as one of the top wine experts in the world. He shared his memories with us as well as a perspective of the future of wine making.

Golden Ale

Before dinner we savored two bottles of Black Coat - a home brewed beer made by Ernst, my son. The golden ale was very crisp with notes of honey and hops. "Jy kan maar, my seun".

Maserati

Maserati is one of the sponsors of the Exit conference. The speakers were driven from the hotel to the Sandton convention center in one of these cars. Interesting experience.

Horizontal tasting

Annelie and I were fortunate to taste a horizontal tasting of de Trafford's Elevation, starting from 1997 all the way thru to 2011. We tasted some exceptional wines. The drive through the valley in the late afternoon sun was also very pretty.

Wisps of Cloud

There was a light mist rain behind the mountains. Wisps of cloud streamed down the front into the Somerset-West basin. Only God could paint a picture like this.

Annelie and Nina

We were very happy when Ernst and Catherine agreed that Nina could sleep over at de Wijnlanden with us. Our pink little grandchild is more than welcome with ouma and oupa.

Himalaya reunion

Annelie and I traveled to Johannesburg to attend a re-union dinner of the people on the Himalaya trip. Cas and Sabera hosted as at their home and it was wonderful to see everyone (except Anthony) again. LC showed us some of the spectacular photos that he took and we relived the wonderful experience again.

Collecting water

The water tanks have been installed, connected into the system. I woke in the middle of the night, hearing the rain and knowing that the rain-water is busy collecting in the tanks. We are now ready for drink shedding.

Mint reduction

Sunday lunch was a shoulder of lamb in the oven, served with a fresh mint and caper sauce - one of my best efforts yet. The wine (a 2008 Fusion V from De Toren) was a perfect companion.

Cape Town by night

On the way to winetasting at Hazendal, I took the Polkadraai road. The view of Cape Town as the sun set, made the trip worthwhile.

Johann demission

We attended the demission of Rev Johann Botha in the VGK Stellenbosch. The three hour service was filled with so many wonderful moments: thought-provoking, emotional, spiritual and full of a realization of thankfulness. God was truly present through the Holy Spirit.

Annandale

The youngest wines that we tasted at Annandale was a 2005. Famous winemaker, Hempies du Toit, hosted us at his winefarm and shared his wine-making philosophy based on time-tested traditions. In a modern world with instant-gratification mentality, it is special to find wines left on oak for up to eight years and to still taste freshness on a twenty year old wine. That is why it is so apt to see the cobwebs everywhere in the tasting room.

Christo Davel

It is appropriate that Christo Davel's new startup should be behind these mysterious double black doors in one of the side-streets of Cape Town. As always, I felt privileged to go behind this door to have a more in-depth chat about what he and his team has been coking up.

Sunset Meerenbosch style

There are few placed that I know where the environment are so beautiful and peaceful when the sun greet the day. Only the sea and the birds can be heard.

First event cache

Attended my first event cache on Sunday. It was a time to meet some of the self-declared addicted geocachers and to learn some of the "tricks of the trade". It was great to meet Neil, Theunis,Andre, Elize and Wynn.

Comfort food

I love making paella when I need a bit of comfort food. This time I got the balance spit-on. Just enough chilly and the rice and vegetables in the right quantities. I decided that an old Spanish Rioja would be a good companion; and it was.

Willie braai

Willie was forced to braai wors for everyone at his bachelor party. As a ultra-techie it was clear that this was a new experience for him, yet, he did very well: delivering meat for everybody's taste, ranging from rare to well-done.

Bloemfontein trip

At the airport again. This time for a short hop to Bloemfontein. Looking forward to attend sixty-year birthday celebrations of my brother-in-law, Izak and his wife.