My new life has begun

Now I’m here at Vyn Guest House too (for real 😉)

Owning a home in South Africa and one day living here had been Martina’s and my dream for many years (she already shared part of that story in one of her earlier posts). When we bought the plot in 2017, we had no clear plan of when — or even how — that dream would eventually become reality. We simply couldn’t resist when we were offered this truly extraordinary piece of land, with its breathtaking views over Hout Bay on one side and the open Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Everything that followed unfolded one step at a time. We searched for the right architect, began imagining what the house could become, and then worked our way through the planning and approval process. As is often the case with projects like this, the years quietly passed by.

Then the COVID pandemic turned all our plans upside down. Shortly after Martina had decided to leave her job in Cologne and move to Wolfsburg, where I was living for work, she suddenly found herself with plenty of time in a new city where she hardly knew anyone. During that period, she had the idea that the house could become more than just a family holiday home. Why not welcome guests and share this special place with others? That was the moment the idea for the guest house was born, and Martina began developing it step by step.

Since 2019, I had been working as CFO of Schnellecke, a large family-owned automotive logistics company. Professionally, it was everything I had worked towards — a role I truly loved. As Martina’s plans for the guest house became more concrete and she started spending longer periods in Cape Town, I tried to join her as often as possible. We loved every minute together: hiking in the mountains, exploring the Winelands and the Cape Peninsula, enjoying the incredible restaurants the region has to offer, and watching the house slowly take shape. With every visit, it became easier to imagine what our future home would look like.
But after a few weeks — part holiday, part working remotely — I always had to return to Germany, leaving us apart again for another three months. We naturally spent the European summer together in Germany, and at first we thought — perhaps a little naively — that this arrangement could work. It couldn’t.

We have been together for more than fourty years, and during all that time we had never been apart for more than two weeks. Eventually, we had to admit — especially I had to admit — that this wasn’t the life we wanted. Looking back, I can honestly say that the Schnellecke company and its owning family are outstanding, and I genuinely loved my job. That made the decision incredibly difficult, and it took me quite some time to acknowledge what I already knew deep down. In the end, there was only one solution: to bring my corporate career to a close and join Martina in running the guest house together.

After returning from Cape Town in the spring of 2024, I spoke openly with the shareholders about my situation. Naturally, they were disappointed, but they also showed understanding and support, for which I remain deeply grateful. Finding the right solution — planning my departure while ensuring a smooth handover of my responsibilities — ultimately took almost another year.
For decades, my work had been a huge part of who I was. I loved achieving ambitious goals, shaping organisations, and continuously learning and growing professionally. Looking back today, however, I am grateful that I found the courage to leave all of that behind. Sometimes in life, you simply have to be honest with yourself about what truly matters. I sincerely hope that anyone facing a similar crossroads finds the courage to make the decision that is right for them.

Now, a little over a year later, I finally feel that I have truly arrived — not only in Cape Town, but also in this new chapter of our lives. Running Vyn Guest House together with Martina has turned out to be every bit as rewarding as I had hoped. I have the privilege of meeting wonderful and fascinating people from all over the world, spending my days working on beautiful — and occasionally rather crazy — projects, and finally making time for many things that had always been pushed aside.

Working together every day and being together 24/7 is something we genuinely enjoy, although it certainly comes with its own challenges. After all, we don’t just share our lives — we also share our work. I also had to completely rethink the way I work. Many of the routines and habits I had built over decades as an executive and consultant suddenly no longer applied. Over time, though, it all became easier. Countless conversations, a willingness to learn, and the quieter months after the end of the season helped me enormously during that transition.

Now that the guest house is closed for the winter, Martina and I are enjoying precious time with our family in Cologne, catching up with friends, and travelling together. And yet, I already find myself looking forward to the next season: to meaningful conversations with our guests, unforgettable sunsets on the terrace, drives with “Ferdinand” — our beautiful classic car we bought here in Cape Town — spectacular hikes, the daily exchange with our wonderful team, and so much more.
Most of all, though, I am grateful that I get to spend my days with Martina in what we truly believe is the most beautiful corner of the world. I never take that privilege for granted, and I am excited to see where this wonderful journey will take us next.