I have often told friends that these are the meanest, hardest men around. You must see this to believe it.

<p>Mully Good Show from MSW on Vimeo.</p>

Wow, 2010, done and dusted. Who would have thought the Soccer World Cup would have come and gone so quickly? Messi and Ronaldo didn’t stay around and play some beach footie with me – it all ended quite suddenly, didn’t it!

That is the reality of life, things happen and we move on and look forward to tomorrow. It is important to remember that we must live each day and make the most of it and relish the start of a new one just as much. Getting stuck in a rut is not the way forward, if it happens we must recognise it and change. A new job, a fresh approach, a smile, change something – it is what you have to do to be happy and only you can make it happen. I heard Mr Downes on the radio the other day and he said something along the following lines – “A happy life is not loving what you like too do, but loving what you have too do!” Well put, I am going to steal it.

Anyway 2011 is packed with action, and personally I am going to make sure I do more and see more. Already got some nice African ventures planned and I am looking forward to sharing my voyages with you all. Some very good friends from the bobsforgood foundation www.bobsforgood.co.za are taking things to another level this year so keep your eyes on their year calendar, was looking at it yesterday and it is packed already and it is only the 13^th of Jan! Amazing, what a year to look forward too Mr Rutland and the team…

This year we need to celebrate our country, it is important for us all to move forward in the same direction. I spend my life with people doing just that and during the short break I was reminded by an incredibly humble and genuine young man, Rob Forbes, just what it means to live a full life www.tri4africa.co.uk . A day fishing up the coast with my extremely young but oldest lightie and the Lewis clan along with Rob was exactly the tonic we all needed to get the year off to a great start. Myself and the Skinstad brothers then also got our toes wet at Goose Bay the following day in some perfect swell, so the year is already on fire. Loving it!! Oh did I mention new years resolution is to release more fish? Watch my ticker!

Do me a favour and share your great African stories with me and my friends. I love to hear them and am also all in for letting the rest of our wonderful nation hear them too. So if there is something you think is worth sharing you know where I am but more importantly put it on the computer and email it to me. How the ages have changed, that feather ink pen is still working though, not sure if I would find my reading glasses in a hurry though!!!

I am online and at info@thetoad.co.za I get everything anyone wants to send me. I also get rude husbands complaining about nights I have spent with their ladies but that’s their fault – they should have been there.

To a wonderful 2011 – keep it tidy but do things you wouldn’t usually do!

TOAD

Hello Geniuses and Friends

Just to keep you updated please remember that the quiz will resume again on the 4^th Jan. The Toad himself is taking some time out and hitting the libraries looking for some easier quiz fodder for you guys and girls. That is not to say that the rest of us will be, to the contrary we are going to be here ready for you and your friends enjoyment!

Last Tuesday’s Quiz was a brilliant evening with a whole lot of new and younger faces, that is awesome to see but it does make a quiz a little trickier as the crowd becomes so diverse.

So in light of that, because one has got to plan for some of the same, we will be making things a whole lot easier this coming year and I will personally make sure that the intelligent teams who dominate the top of the table will be handicapped in some way to make the playing fields a little fairer – we all like to win every now and then! Thus we are going to make sure the feeling of victory is spread – I think that is what golfers do?

So until the next quiz on the 4^th of Jan, keep up to date and don’t let your eyes of the tabloids – jokes please do, have a great, relaxing holiday and hopefully we will see you before then for a couple of throat moisteners and some really good chow.

Tell your friends from upcountry that we are a pretty good eatery if they are looking for one. We will be open throughout the holidays with the exception of Christmas Night from 6pm and New Years Eve from 6pm. Other than those times we are open doors from 11:30am and the more the merrier.

Cheers, Happy Christmas and if we don’t see you before then have a great New Years Eve and restful holiday.

To a Great and Eventful 2010 and an even better 2011

Toad aka Ronald Mustafa Ponsenby McGraff

This is so bazaar, most of the time I know what is going on in the world of Big Wave Surfing as a very good mate of ours often competes and has done pretty well recently. This time he came second but that is not even important, what is is that these guys survive this stuff! How is that possible?

Well done Crispy, top effort again. Been a good 2010 for you my boy!!!

Check this video out, the last couple of seconds are ridiculous. I think the guys ran for the helipad at that point.

Read the reports on this contest, it got even bigger for the semis….you guys are legends!

Last week Bob got chatting to Mr Savage, the Cape Point Vineyards Winemaker, and we were asked up to the dam for a cheeky wine tasting just prior to the Toad’s delivery of one of the most impressive Tuesday Night quizzes yet – I wonder why?

What a place and what a setting. The wines need no introduction and it was lekker to see my mates on the label of the now famed “Splattered Toad” brand – sis man where does that come from – jokes it is lovely and all the sales of this great easy drinking wine go towards the conservation of all my little friends, so buy it all folks. Good on you boys and girls for getting this going.

We were also privileged enough to be entertained by the man himself and I must say the quality of white wines that Duncan is making is quite something. Not bad for a little valley product…

Watch this space if you haven’t found it already because this wine label is going places quickly.

Thanks Duncs, next time we are going for a surf at our favourite little break.

Oh and by the way we have a little in our own cellar also.

Cheers

Toad

Wow I was excited on Thursday night when I turned on the old tele to see my beloved village featuring so prominently in a “What dreams are made of” Top Billing insert.

Catherine and Dean Cox spent a weekend in Noordhoek a while back enjoying all on offer and had a wonderful time, by the look of it, it even prompted Dean to bring out a diamond.

So special and Franck, Colin and all involved made it a really good advert for what we all do so well in the Village – “Ensuring People have Fun”!

The beauty about the Noordhoek Farm Village is that it caters for everyone from fine dining at The Foodbarn Restaurant tasting Franck’s delicious food to friends and laughter around the bar at The Toad in the Village. And when you get really tired Colin and his team at De Noordhoek Hotel are on the property to make sure you are tucked in safely and soundly getting your body rested and ready for the day ahead.

When you awake the next morning head for the beach and then full up with a delicious breakfast at Café Roux where you are bound to see some of the Noordhoek residents, even the famed Chairman of the Vikings – Tall Paul le Roux may be around to greet you. Have a look at what is on offer in the boutique shops and then settle in for an afternoon of me and Mr Brown Live Music, before you head to The Toad for a weekend closer.

So well done who ever got that aired, maybe Top Billing just sourced it because that is what is happening in the village now, lots of great fun and festivities and the next couple of weeks is going to be no exception.

So on that note to many more Catherine and Dean weekends in Noordhoek – have a lekker Christmas and a Festive New Year – and always remember the beer, wine and food at The Toad is always there waiting for you and I promise you it won’t be a disappointment.

Cheers

Toad

Big game guys and girls this Saturday. Should be a real spectacle.

Have a look at The Barbars lineup, my word any side in the world would be relishing the thought of playing a side that good. Could be a real points machine this game. Trench rugby out the window this weekend, expect to see some real flare and showmanship.

My men to watch – Pat Lambie and Adam Ashley-Cooper. Well done Anton van Zyl, only Saffer (and Rondebosch boy) …in the mix and very well deserved. Massive feather for you! Bring the jersey to The Toad when you done…

Barbarians: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau (captain), 9 Will Genia, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Rodney So’oialo, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Salvatore Perugini.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Yapp, 18 Quintin Geldenhuys, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Seru Rabini.

South Africa: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Gio Aplon.

Hello Friends

They have been calling me all sorts of names, now it has come down to a royal battle. Take the Toad Tuesday, I like it!

Well today is Tuesday and I am there for the taking. This quiz is a goodie. Best you grab a seat and get involved. Will certainly be a good way to spend a Tuesday evening!

See you all later and please do call on 021 7892973 to secure a spot.

Cheers

TOAD