Cape Town - South Africa

The Place: Spent four days in Cape Town staying on the beach in Muizenberg.

Highlights: Our busy agenda was as follows with everyday beginning with a surf at surfer's corner. 1st day: Morning surf after a breakfast at the Empire. Hanging out at Rob's with some beers and then going out on the town in Cape Town's long street (Neighbourhood and Zula bar) with Liz, Rob, Grant, Jo and Tiz. 2nd day: Morning hangover surf at Muizenberg, a quick stop at UCT's campus (to reminisce and take some photos), a quick browse through green market square in Town, and then an afternoon at the beautiful Clifton 4th beach followed by a dinner with Colin, Caryn, Ryan, Jenna and Gran. 3rd day: A day out at the wine farms of Stellenbosch with Gordon, Jason, and Liz after the mandatory morning surf, followed by sundowners at Cape to Cuba, an amazing fish braai meal at 'The Outspan' near Kalk bay, and ending with a night out in Obs for old times sake (Scrumpy Jacks and then the Roots (previously Cool Runnings)). 4th day: The last day was spent chilling at Muizenberg beach after our late morning surf and then taking the very very scenic drive back to the airport - via none other than the incredible Chapmans Peak.

Rhenosterpoort - South Africa

The Place: Near Ryman's pass in Limpopo, spent an active 8 days in the relaxing game farm Rhenosterpoort.
Some Highlights: Day hikes through the waterberg, so named because of how the water seeps through the hillside rocks. Spending time at the waterfall which is great for swimming, cliff-jumping, swinging into the rock pool and bird watching. Game drives to see the wildlife as shown below. Hot sun and plenty of natural swimming spots. Helping Anton on the farm, one day with his sheep and the other herding the bramen cattle to get their tick spray. New years around a camp fire. Potjiekos, corn on the cob, biltong, potbrood, braaied lamb, boerewors and ribs! Spectacular sunsets, night walks to spot bushbabies, playing card games at night (up and down the river) and brilliant company!

Wildlife - Rhenosterpoort South Africa

The Wildlife that we spotted: Antelope on the farm include Nyala, Kudu, Blesbok, Klipspringers, Impala and Eland. Other wildlife include Zebra, Bramen cattle, Baboons, Blou Ape, bush babies (we could spot only their eyes shining in torchlight at night), chameleons, rock monitors, dassies, and warthogs. Insects of interest were various interesting types of dragon flies, wasps and spiders including the parachute spiders. The types of birds spotted at rhenosterpoort count up to 143 of which we spotted Kites, Paradise fly catchers, European bee-eaters, Fish Eagles, various types of Kingfisher including pygmy, half collar, woodland.

What we missed: The farm has numerous predators including leopard, rooikat, serval, and jackals. Bush pigs, porcupines, and aardvarks come out at night and their burrows and holes can be seen on the day hikes.

Stellenbosch - South Africa

The Place: Together with Liz, Gordon and Jason visited the 3 wine farms Avontuur, Muratie and Delheim out on the Stellenbosch wine route.

Some highlights: Love the old cob-webbed cellar of Muratie which looks like its been left as is for decades! Muratie is the first place where South Africa's own pinotage was made. Delheim, a family run farm is a great spot to sit and taste some wines and not feel rushed. They have a great selection of wines and an interesting bottle of sweet wine called Spatzendrek (Sparrow droppings) - tasty.

Pembrokeshire - South Wales

The Place: In the South of Wales took a road trip over a long weekend to Newgale, Manorbier, Freshwater East, Tenby and Laugharne.

Some highlights: Fresh sea air with great views, walks on the beach (we were hoping for some surfing as Pembrokeshire is meant to be one of the best surf spots in the UK - however I think we missed the season as it was glassy at all beaches), rock pools, freaky animals (including a couple walking a miniature pony the size of a dog, and steriod bull above), camping, lighting a fire on the beach in Tenby and playing djembe drums in the evening, impressive castles - which you can't miss as they're everywhere, and visiting the boathouse and grave of Dylan Thomas, famous welsh poet.

South Downs Cycle - England

The event: Together with 6 work colleagues set out on a 100 mile+ cycle along the South Downs from Winchester to Eastborne with the aim of completing in 3 days, camping along the way.

Some features: The first day was a gruelling 40 miles, taking us 12 and a half hours of cycling in the rain up and down steep hills. We arrived at our campsite in the dark at 10:30 in the evening to set up our tents in a downpour with a total of 7 punctures and 2 broken chains.

The severe conditions saw 3 of our team pack it in and go home. Luckily the rest of us had awesome weather for day 2 (35 miles) and day 3 (28 miles), which enabled us to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the South Downs. The days were very challenging and we managed another puncture and 2 broken chains but we were in fantastic spirits as we approached Eastbourne.

The highlight: Arriving in Eastbourne we descended the most amazing downhill. Green velvety grass from heaven paved the way for about ten minutes of downward flight. Awesome.

Köln - Germany

The Place: Spent a day and night in Cologne based along the river Rhine.

Some features: The city has a spectacular cathedral. The pictures don't do it justice, as it is just massive and very eerily gothic, standing out in contrast amongst and dwarfing the modern high rise shopping streets. Went out in the old town which was overrun by stag and hen do's but very festive. Clearly a popular place to come before getting married, the bridge's sides are lined with locks engraved mostly with newly wed couples' names otherwise dedications to passed away loved ones or other memories.

Dusseldorf - Germany

The Place: Went to Essen with a colleague for the International Energy Accounting Forum, so took the opportunity to check out some of the surrounding German cities on the weekend. Started by spending a day and night in Dusseldorf.

Some features: In Essen tried a german meal called knauserhaxe, pork knuckles, which was a massive bone with a lump of pork at the end, covered in crackling - very tasty though kind of resembled something out of an Asterix comic. The walkway along the Rhine is full of activity and has a few good views. Restaurants line the river afterwhich follows a string of Boules courts where locals old and young challenge each other to throw heavy metal balls as close to the jack as possible. Went out in the Altstadt where there is a thriving nightlife, watched an old oom-pah band playing some traditional german folk.