A friend emailed the positively confrontational text below by Marianne Williamson earlier today. Somehow reminded me of Nelson Mandela and my own insecurities simultaneously?

(Nelson Mandela)

Every Friday afternoon I would slip into my blue gumboots after school and walk bucket in hand to the wetlands a few hundred metres from our home. Here was my first source of income, my first vessel to choice - Arum Lilies. At one stage I had a standing order from a the local flower [...]

So that was yesterday’s good news. The darker side was a cancellation call to James re Sani2c this week, and coming to terms with a more significant injury than prior anticipation. Although the CT scan cleared suspicion for anything life threatening, the concussion is less assessable and un-treatable. Rest and relaxing only - till goodness [...]

Had Clare visit for two days - much fun with her including some great photo’s. Watched rugby with a few friends on Friday night at Gino’s. Father ended the two months of cold showers for Michal and I on Saturday morning. Tried riding in the afternoon - unsuccessful as it seems I might have bad [...]

In needing some visuals to work with, my sister Clare joined me to lunch, and did stunningly well to capture some of the subtleties that are Greengate. Thanks Clare.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

I’ve started an initiative DGHugo.com/inStellenbosch - and announce with total excitement and plenty local pride that I’ve started an association with Greengate Deli and Eatery. Greengate is a unique, in Stellenbosch only, cozi little deli serving a fresh and completely healthy daily buffet. I’d gladly have you join for a lunch… I’ll be @ [...]

Stumbled on these images earlier today - a Puma campaign from a few years back. Hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did.

My sporting icon for 2008 was Burry Stander - For the leap he made at the age of 20/21 from promise to world cup podiums. For the progress not because of support, but despite support. Finishing the World Championship Series on top for the under 23 classification left my man Bobby no choice but to [...]

Barely gathering emotions to a speak to a shaken mother and father who’ve just taken news from a stranger of a son still lying, face down in dirt and hurt, asking them to organise my medical details. In my homeland, private health care is advisable, health care that wouldn’t let me in through the door [...]

Instead of connecting with a girl (had hoped in vain) I connected with a truck between Viljoen’s Pass and Grabouw yesterday. I’m into Valentines surprises - and even though the distant thought of getting closer with a stranger(s) did cross my mind in the week when hearing of swinging singles parties, I gulped and figured [...]

Tough times? A snapshot of a typically less glorified more realistic everyday moment…

If you’re in one of life’s inevitable storms, take ten minutes, allow the clip to load, and the message to soak in.

Where’d you go?
I miss you so,
Seems like it’s been forever,
That you’ve been gone.

My least favourite place in Stellenbosch - The x-ray room to the back right at radiology in Medi Clinic. During a few hours of mental quicksand I accepted the possibility of breaking my left wrist a third time after a slow speed rocky section between Brandwacht and Coetzenburg made for an endo as my front [...]

Conrad wrote a great report on the week spent with Specialized and co testing tires on rollers, trail, and tarmac with various objectives in mind. It was a privilege joining the international guys - observing, learning, and offering my naive opinion. That said, I felt confident that Conrad and I represented a more realistic market [...]

From mid afternoon I could smell the smoke, see the puffs form, and hear the un-playable wind pushing against the apartment block. Soon after visibility was down to a few 100 meters giving no insight into the damage caused behind towards Jonkershoek. Only as the sun set (the most exquisite sunset) were the flames visible [...]