Before it got dirty.....

2nd bike has arrived. Been out for x3 seperate hours. I always come back knackered. Today i went out and tried some routes over the south downs. Managed to get 73mph on a road section and then experienced a tank slapper! That woke me up! Also towards the end i was kicking it down the box to slow down and then it would cut out. Couldn't work it out to begin with as it was a bugger to restart - thought i had flooded it! In the end i figured out what it is. The fuel feeds from the back of the tank. I was low on fuel and as i was slowing down rapidly i was starving the bike of fuel! I am pampered on the GS as it has gear indicator and a fuel guage. No luxuries on the KTM! Also learning how to deal with chalk paths, tree routes and the bank end stepping out.

Gleneagles

As part of my 40th I was asked what i wanted for presents. I decided it would be good to do activities and see friends and family rather than go mad on things!

My dear wife organised a surprise trip for me on the Friday before my 40th. 7am flight from Southampton to Edinburgh, pick up rental car then 1hr drive up to Gleneagles for 200 clays and a gun dog lesson, before heading back home on the late night flight.

Shooting was great. Didn't miss much and i always like shooting at gleneagles. Staff are great, layout is varied and i always have a good time. Was not sure of the gun dog lesson going up - but i found it educational and great fun. Gleneagles is the only place in the UK where you can "borrow" a dog and learn. Everywhere else you have to take your own dog.

Rental company gave me a convertible. Blue sky's all day, 21 degrees, no rain or wind. Both flights on-time. Perfect day.

4th decade here we come!

Worrying i look like the guy on the right today - but i think that has to do with the last 2 weeks of birthday activities - Centreparcs joint 21st, 40th and 50th birthday weekend, a surprise day to Gleneagles (more news on this), black tie ball last night and the new bike getting delivered. I will not mention the alcohol, the dancing girls or the rock 'n' roll or the activities to come this week!

If this is what your 40's are like - bring it on.

Tank II

....and to show you i didn't stall it or hit anything....

Oh lord, won't you buy me a tank!

Apologies to Janis Joplin for ripping off the lyrics and adjusting for the title!

Wife bought me a tank driving experience last year for my birthday. Finally got around to booking it. Poor organisation skills rather than lack of enthusiasm.

Managed to drive armoured personnel carrier (left in picture), 105mm self propelled gun (right in picture), 4x4 quad bikes and also the 35-tonne Chieftain tank! All a scream. Well organsied and for £10 wife and kids got taken on rides around the land on top of Chiefton, APC and SPG! Plenty of tea/coffee and just well thought out and executed.

Sunday Morning View

We have had a 40th in the family this weekend. No, not me, that's next year!

We managed to get my sister to look after the kids for the weekend and disappeared Saturday lunchtime to re-appear Sunday tea-time.

What wilds things did we get up to? Afternoon tea on arrival, massage at the spa, more tea, grown up chat about stuff we haven't had a chance to get around to, dinner, wine/whisky without having to nominate a driver, 8 hrs sleep, uninterrupted read of the Sunday papers (with the view above), breakfast delivered to the room, walk, horse riding, afternoon tea and a shopping trip without interruptions. All-in-all pure bliss (for those who have two small kids)

Now back to normality. How do you turn the volume down on the kids?