Two Oceans Marathon

Cold, wet and strong northwesterly winds blew through Noordhoek at the 2 Oceans Ultra Marathon. What goes through your mind for those 60 000 steps? Whats ahead, whats behind....why?
Took these pics of the mindgames.
Deon

The Claw

Jeez - these okes go all out! Looks like they're testing their smoke machine down in Noordhoek - can't see a thing through this Irish mist!!! But Cape Towns clear, hot and ready to get hotter - nearly 5000 people behind the scenes to pull off a show like this - and then of course theres the band...
Deon
pic - Martin Myers

David Higgs

David and I first connected a few years back. I did surf on Kfm, and Dave did food - only better. In April he was invited to be guest chef at Ikarus, the restaurant in the Red Bull 'Hangar 7' at Salzburg airport. Each month, a different Chef from around the world heads up their team of 25 German chefs, and Eckart Witzigmann gave David the nod. It was cool to catch up with him again at Rust en Vrede, where he's been for about 3 years - Legendary food!!!
I can honestly say I have never had anything like that in my mouth - ever...
And just ask Neil to suggest the wine - don't even look at the list.
It's actually cool being a surf bum from Noordhoek...the contrast makes this kind of an evening taste so much sweeter...
Deon

Creme Brulee

OK - so I know its got a thousand eggs and sends clogged lumps through your arteries...but I can't resist if it's on the menu. Putting my health on the line in selfless research, I have found 'The One'. Cafe Dijon. It's the kind of restaurant that we stared at, penniless, through the window in Paris, and then grabbed another baquette and cheese and hung out on the Seine - while the tourists on the 1000 seater boat took photos of us as authentic Parisiennes having lunch - but thats a story for another day. Its the real deal, only it's in Stellenbosch. Apparently I should have tried the rib eye as well - but I'll be back... for another creme brulee.

Deon

Stellenbosch

An approaching cold front, with no decent surf predicted, sent us inland to Stellenbosch - dead centre Dorp Street - not the traditional, trodden wine route. No transport required, it's sad I hadn't discovered it sooner. The Stellenbosch Hotel has a wrap around balcony, so late night celebrations might be an issue, unless you're the one celebrating. Pick your spot on the streets from upstairs and climb down the oak tree...Great food, fun people, good vibes from early a.m. bakeries, strong coffee and art shops through to quirky restaurants, chilled music and entertainment - felt like a foreign holiday but paid in Rands - bonus. Took the pic as we got back early morning - in fact the church bells had already started tolling our song...

Deon

Cold Water Classic

We had the opportunity to head out to Thailand next week, but canned it when I checked a pic of hundreds of people on the beach. Maybe you can guide me to a place over there where we can have some space, but for the moment, right out front seems the best place in the world. Some of the worlds best surfers had their first day of the Cold Water Classic at the exact peak I've been riding at my local spot since the S Easters came through. Funny, I'd omitted to mention it on the surf reports...
Thanks to O'Neill for capturing what makes the beach so special - and leaving only footprints, and spray, behind.
Deon

Moonset over Kommetjie

7:20a.m. - No matter that we've been doing the surf report for 20 years...It still doesn't feel like I'm meant to be up at that time. But it's quiet, the day is starting and you get to see full moons' setting most months - so there are benefits. With a morning like this, you can only have a great day. Thanks Robyn for the pic, and all the others who shared the same moon from a different angle on the facebook page.
Take the time - the traffic and job will always be there - today won't.
Deon

Snow in the Wilderness

How far would you travel, how much would you have to pay, to get to a remote, peaceful valley with views like this? It's only about a 5 minute drive off the N2 into Wilderness heights...
I know its been said before, but we really have a world in one country. This pic was taken last week and sent to me by my buddy John - but pretty pics like this come with sub-zero temperatures in the valleys, bring a beanie and a flask.
Deon

Farewell Happy campers...

So we packed their bags for Brazil, wished them well, and got back to 'normal'...What did we do for fun before the World Cup came rolling through? We found an empty beach with our mates and went surfing - simple life, good times! Cheers okes, thanks for coming!

Deon

Cape Town Central

Sometimes we go looking for the stories - other times they come to us...
Deon

Discounted Body Armour

So we laughed long and lot at the bargain bin on the way to the game... English and French merchandise at reduced prices after they'd bombed out of our World Cup. However, on our return, I couldn't avoid noticing the drastically reduced Argentina stock, after losing 4 nil...
You'll find it next to the German branded bullet proof vests - vot vere zey sinking?
Deon

Cape Town Fan Walk

Cape Town is wet, dull and cold in winter...if you believe that, you'll believe the stuff they wrote about South Africa before the World Cup. Heres a 3rd July photo from the middle of winter, as thousands take to the streets to celebrate hosting the event in South Africa - you should have been here...
Deon

PE Soccer Stadium

Been on a surf trip, but got skunked by wind and flat swell! 'Shoulda been here yesterday' is the trotted out smug mantra in the local pub. So we checked into the Uruguay-Korea match. Great venue, wind free and good game - and the biggest flag I've ever seen unfurled at a stadium. What a jol!!
Back for the Argentina game in CT - BEEEG party in the streets!
Deon

Swiss beat Spain

Wild celebrations in a Swiss sort of way, with a victory against the odds.
Welcome to Cape Town! Enjoy the wine, hospitality and crazy locals that just won't leave you alone...
Deon

Stadium Security

Brutal smiles and frivolous frisking - security at the Cape Town Stadium did the job in the friendliest possible way - thanks to all of them for the long hours they're putting in - good luck over the next 6 weeks - so far it's been a jol! (And my Bafana gear is underneath my Argentina kit...)
Deon

Cape Town Fan Walk

65 000 people poured out onto the streets of Cape Town immediately after the final whistle - the Inner City shuttle busses left every few minutes, but most opted to celebrate the clear evening with a slow walk back to the train station via the Fan Walk or Waterfront detour. Hey, can't we keep this 'happy bubble' going? Its like an African 'Never Neverland' - Somewhere over the Rainbow Nation...
Deon

France vs Uruguay - Cape Town Stadium

A packed Cape Town Stadium celebrates their first World Cup Match! Everything worked perfectly, although the teams seemed too nervous to play - ja bru, us Vuvu-zealots can be a bit intimidating... Viva Vuvu Viva!!!
Deon

Public Transport to World Cup Games

Vat die Trein!!! There can't be a better way to go to the game, than to catch the train from Fish Hoek. Its often only a few meters from the ocean, you can check out the whales, in season, and the surfing every day. On a soccer day, each station gradually loads more supporters as we get closer to the City - by the time you reach Cape Town, its a full on crescendo of noise and cheering, ready for the fan walk to the game! And if you've got a match ticket - its a free ride...
Deon

Welcome to Cape Town Party

Thursday was a perfect night for a Cape Town celebration, welcoming the world to our City - check it out!
Deon

CT Airport - Bus to Cape Town

Getting a first hand experience of being a tourist in our City, I headed off to Cape Town International Airport, to check out the new MyCiTi Shuttle Bus service into Town. It's R50($7)and takes about 15 minutes depending on traffic. Its clean, safe and the whole system works well - but its the people that make it. They're all in such a festive World Cup vibe - "Can you feel it, Its here!!" If I've got to pick up or drop off anyone from the airport in future, its so much easier to use the MyCiTi bus Station in the Centre of Town. Check out the video to see how it works!
Deon