Ok it has been a while but the good thing about a blog is that no matter how long it has been since the last submission, there is always something there and something that can be added!
It is probably easiest to work backwards from where we are now in the middle of July. I had a wonderful birthday on the first: My wife presented me with a scooter which is something I have wanted for a while. It is a really nice Vuka Scooter which is big enough to carry both of us and has excellent acceleration as well.

At midday, we linked up with the guys who had come over for the rugby (British Lions v Springboks) at the Waterfront and went out into Table Bay on a Catamaran. Mum joined us as well and we were lucky enough to see whales, dolphins, seals and the sun! It was actually sun bathing weather and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to see in my 38th year on planet earth.

I mentioned the rugby; my great friends from the UK and Zimbabwe came to South Africa for the British and Irish Lions tour 2009. Nick Jermyn arrived on the day of the first test and watched it at Oblivion in Claremont. Dom, Nick Stocker and Damian + Maria then arrived in time for the second test which was at Loftus while Jase Way was added to the group for the 3rd test at Ellis Park.

We stayed at Sun Square Montecasino in Joburg for both weekends and had an absolute blast. Marc Truman deserves special mention for his organisation of pre match hospitality both Saturdays. I laughed more in those 2 weekends than I have for a long time and just had a thoroughly good time with outstanding mates. We caught up on news, plans and other friends; it was simply excellent – thanks guys

For Ange’s birthday, we went to Knysna and ran the half marathon which was great fun. Lois and Guy joined us for the weekend and we all had a wonderful time with great food, wine, conversations and an awesome after-party watching Prime Circle and the Parlotones.
As a present, I gave Ange a 3 day retreat at the Stellenbosch Hydro where she should be able to relax and benefit from expert advice on diet and de-stressing – a well deserved break from the busyness of her work schedule!

In May, Ange and I went to Mauritius which was absolutely stunning. We stayed at La Preskil meaning ‘almost island’ on the south east corner. The weather was perfect; we relaxed, read, water skied, played tennis and volleyball, ate like kings and queens and swam with dolphins – what more could one want from a holiday!!!