Todays picture comes from one of the classics of cycling, the Tour of Lombardia. Just makes me want to go out and ride my bike, just to find a place that looks as monumental as this. Cycling truely takes your places, and thats why people are so passionate about it. At times its tough to remember when yet another “hero” has fallen by the wayside and given in to the wolves of drugs and fame and egotistical nonsense, but always remember why we ride.

I`ve been away for a few days spending time with family and I realised again that when you go away from somewhere things change and you really have no power over it. Parents get older, gardens grow wilder and issues you thought were dealt with just grow in intensity. I am lucky enough to have parents who exemplify what parenthood is all about.

Its amazing going back “home” and all the emotions that fill that place run through you again like you never left, but as your moments there grow so do the emotions wane.

So the thing I walked away with from the weekend was to clear those emotions, because thats all they are ; left over shrapnel from the past. Dont indulge in things which have been dealt with and are best left to sleep. Stirring the emotional pot does nothing but create doubt and doubt can only lead to not achieving your goals by affecting your drive in the process of getting there.

Clear your headspace so that you can be actively involved in getting to your goals, without unecessary distractions.

Quiet Mind, Quiet Power.

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Those of you who know me know that I love the stuff strong, without sugar and with a dash of goodlooking company. Friendships are made and sealed over coffee, relationships repaired and I`m almost sure along the way somewhere, a major world war was given the Roundhouse Kick by sharing a cup of coffee.

Now I recently went off the black stuff to see what affect it really had on my life and how dependant I was on the daily fix.

Lets just clear there air here:

1. I dont drink Ricoffy, Nescafe, Joko, etc. Coffee = espresso made by a reputable barista in a social environment. If you really have to, grab a glass container (note the absence of the words tin, blik, plastic & polistyrene)

2. I only drink 1, maybe 2 cups a day

3. I`m not a fan of sugar.

So, after a 2 week hiatus from the the good stuff, I came to realise that all I missed was the flavor. The caffeine deprivation was minimal and I had a mild headache for 2 days. Its really the taste, the smell, the feeling of it as it rushes down my throat and fills my tummy with love, kindness and joy that I missed. Orange juice doesnt seem to make great conversation whereas coffee sparks emotion, fills the room with an expectancy for something to happen, something or someone marvellous to walk through the door.

Coffee = mnandi.

Now stare at that picture and you will salivate.

ciao!

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Classic, modern style. Smooth, refined form. Oh, and possibly the most obnoxious feature set possible in an alarm clock (aside from a clock that actually flees away from you): You must complete a jigsaw puzzle to deactivate the alarm. No cord to cut, since it’s battery operated, and “recommended for ages 3 or over”—really, anyone old enough to wield a hammer.

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…in the vines of KHK on the weekend.

we arent officially open for game tours or hunting yet, lets just hope the sneaky 4 legged beast doesnt develop a keen liking for quality Shiraz!

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Hello beautiful people : what a weekend indeed that has passed, maybe not the greatest weather in the greater Slaapstad circle of miserableness (its started affecting peoples “joy factor quotient” I swear it!) but in general, a really eventful weekend.

No less than 3 Ironman races on the weekend, and Des Moines super cash ITU race. Here are some results:

Ironman Japan, Goto, Nagasaki

Professional Women

Professional Men

1 McKenzie, Luke 08:29:11
2 Anderson, Mitchell 08:38:34
3 Muehlbauer, Hans 08:39:48

Ironman France, Nice, France

Professional Women

1 DOGANA, Martina 09:35:29
2 SCHUMACHER, 10:00:59
3 LOUISON, Alexandra 10:03:46

Professional Men

1 ZAMORA PEREZ, Marcel 08:34:18
2 FAURE, Hervé 08:41:55
3 BRINGER, 08:45:15

Ironman Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

Professional Men

1 EVANS, TOM 08:34:22
2 ZYEMTSEV, VICTOR 08:43:56
3 LOVATO, MICHAEL 08:48:22

Professional Women

1 WURTELE, HEATHER 09:38:58
2 GOLLNICK, HEATHER 09:50:34
3 BOMAN, TIINA 09:55:28

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In other news (drumroll)

Harare – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said on Sunday that his decision to withdraw from this week’s presidential runoff was motivated by the “orgy of violence” – including rape, torture, murder, arson and abductions – by ruling party militants.

Do we act suprised? I was hoping for a clean run-off to the elections, but thats about as good as hoping for a petrol price reduction every month until its back to R2.50 a litre. The sad part is that Zim is such a gateway into Africa for many countries who invest heavily into South Africa, and that this move threatens them to find more direct access, meaning more loss of jobs, investment and infrastructure here.

Where to now for Zim? Lets hope our borders remain intact and that we are not affected by a roll-on affect.

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Personally, I had a mixed emotions weekend. Friday evening was spent at TOY 8. The Older Youth is a gathering of people who squeaked the takkie extraordinarily in the mid 90`s. Niiiiice. Was great. People were throwing name faster than you can say “ng” 3 times in a row. The theme was a masked velvet ball, and the relative anonymity lets people forget who they are and who`s looking at them. Well done Matthew and co for another rocking evening. click the link here for more info.

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Woke up at sparrows to run with Atlantic Tri Club in Cecilia Forest. ROOOKKKING! 13km through the jungle I kid you not. Waterfalls, overhangs, narrow dirt track and views that make you want to cuddle fuzzy animals that only exist in your head. 8:30 at the car park in Cecilia Forest every saturday. I have to skip this weekened, more on that later, but I recommend you head that way.

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Sunday the weatherman was smoking his cats herbs, and got it all wrong. I was so looking forward to my first road ride in ages, but alas, it was mizzz.

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RSS feeds info goes up later today / tomorrow so you can stay ahead of the pack by knowing whats going on here.

Thats a wrap. Ciao.

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The idea of training camps came to me not in the sense for gaining fitness. There are loads of camps available, and loads of clinics, for people who want to get into the sport of triathlon. We want to cater to a different crowd. I want the best athletes from around South Africa to get together. These are people who work hard, are at the top of their professions, and who also happen to be phenomenal athletes. We want to isolate them from the world and see how far they can push themselves without the normal distractions that are in their daily lives. Just for a week to ten days, they can be professional athletes, and live a part of their dreams.

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They probably have never had the opportunity to test each other, and themselves, day to day. I want to offer them this opportunity. To put themselves at total risk of blowing up, digging deep, and doing it all over again tomorrow. I have done one such camp, and read of many stories from such camps, and the overwhelming sense after the experience is that you are left with this deep sense of calm.

That’s real.

In a culture where so much is made-to-order, I want to offer the top end of our triathlon community the chance to experience that. We will provide them with chef, massages; we will carry their bags, wash their clothes and clean their bikes. All we expect them to do is train, listen to the experts doing talks on the camps, and enjoy the experience.

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Most of these guys will know that victories don’t satisfy their egos. What’s really satisfying to them is the ability to go beyond what is deemed normal, and have a story to tell others in their peer groups.

Added in to training we are going to bring in the top guys in their particular fields to help the athletes with talks on nutrition, equipment, recovery and training methodology. A real 360 degree solution for their busy lives. They aim is to improve not only their sporting lives, but their ability to live well.

We are charging a premium for the camps, as the experience is a premium one. Every athlete will walk away with a unique experience, completely physically, emotionally and mentally spent, but that calm sense will overwhelm them and fill them with confidence for their whole lives, that whatever is thrown their way, they can get through it, again and again.

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Created first among equals, Kleinhoekkloof Wines rests high in the mountains of the Robertson valley, producing some of the best wines on offer to those who know someone who know someone.

Our wines are not available commercially in stores, restaurants or even yet in Specialist Wineshops. Why? Because we havent had enough to supply the demand just our friends, family and business associated have. Once you start with us, you will rarely move to another wine label. There is just something about the location, the terroir, the flavors from the grapes, that keep people coming back for more.

We employed the best services in the area to launch this project 4 years ago. We have the best farmer, who through generations of changes in the area, knows exactly how to get the most from our vineyards. He works seven days a week to make sure nothing passes through, giving us the most pure, natural juice to work with and the opportunity for the winemaker to create something truely magnificent.

Enter Graham Beck Wines…

Irene is the chief winemaker at Graham Beck in Robertson. We contract her skills out to make the best, and she delivers the best. She loves working with our wines, typically describing them as “Moody, large, bold, flamboyant wines that put a smile on your face everytime you drink some”. Indeed, our wines take longer to mature, our wines require more work than her normal work, but she loves the challenge, and we love her work.

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So now that we have grown a little, we are starting to offer wines to a broader audience and you may even see it in 1 or 2 restaurants this year, but I cant promise, as it largely depends on the orders that come in between July-August. Typically, we are sold out before we can think about it.

This year, we are lucky enough to have 4 varietals.

A fresh, nutty, slightly tropical Sauvignon Blanc 2008, with hints of wet grass, fresh dew abd the typical guava flavors typical of the Robertson valley.

Our famous pink rose. 2008 Merlot 100% and this year its full of watermelon, honey, strawberries and wow, wow and more wow it goes down the gullet like a homesick mole. This is our best Merlot Rose yet, and you best get your hands on some. Totally untypical of a rose, its DRY, but with sweet undertones. Drink it really cold and you will be a Rose convert for ever! Beware the Pink, it skops like petrol!

Our 2006 Shiraz has been released! Spicy and mnandi, Shiraz is a gorgeous wine for red meats, tuna, pastas and risotto`s as it brings the flavors of those foods to the fore. Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Chocolate and Green Pepper will flirt with your senses and not leave you with the headache the next morning, our wines are void of bad additives!

Then last, but certainly not least, we have released Taigh, our signature Merlot 2006. Named after our first bullmastiff who stole our hearts, this Merlot will surely do the same. Soft and big, just like the creature its named after, Taigh will have you watching your glass, stealing your attention, and alas, not leaving a dash of foam on your trousers. This wine will be best in 2009 or 2010, but we are releasing it now for those who know about patience, that good things come to those who wait. Super Limited Production.

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So whilst KHK sleeps through winter, we are marketing her wines, as the “Eye” in our mountain watches over the vineyards. Exclusive opportunities exist to have these wines in your restaurants this year, so if you are interested, please contact me directly.

If you want a case or two, please mail me too. There wont be much left soon.

If you wish to share a bottle overlooking something spectacular, call me. I`m all about the good times.

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So for the last while I have been DJ`ing again with regular gustor at Rhapsody`s in the Valley of the White Loafer. Whilst you`ll probably never again see my name on a poster on a electricity box in Greenpoint, I do love to spin good music and particularly enjoy house parties and places where the norm is forgotten and we are there for a good time alone.

Enter the Flavours of Life! (said as follows at about 2am… “vvvesh flashvourshes ovs liiiiiifes!”)

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The vibe is generally quite chilled till about 10ish and then its been known to get ugly, with tequila being the poison of choice out that way. The incredible food that Simao cooks up is all but forgotten as the chilled area with high tables becomes the dancefloor and the bar becomes a dance area as well. Right outta Cyote Ugly.

Sometimes there is a dress up theme, a particular drinks sponsor for the evening, and sometimes we just let it all hang out…

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Niiiiiice……very mnandi.

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Whilst my 4 week stint there has sadly come to an end, every now and again Simao will call me up and have me come rock the party. Expect a good mix of house, electro, hip-hop and old skool. Just remember to leave your name at home.

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Seriously though, keep an eye out for Rhapsodys, take your bird there, she will love the decor and the vibe. The food will twirk her senses and make her happy. She will coo…and you will be swimming in browny points.

ciao. Raoul

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