The day started as normal until my compatriot asked what day it was. I looked at my watch and wondered if she was losing it. My watch said Monday the 20th. Unfortunately it was Monday the 21st which is my compatriots 65th birthday, so actually the day did not start well.

I scrambled in the back of the van for the cards and present I had intercepted at home.

The day was a little frosty despite the sunshine. We embarked on the navigational rally in which my navigator made several mistakes, ( probably deliberate) which kept us 4th from the bottom, and involved going up and down some very narrow roads on very steep hills. We eventually arrived at a hilltop square to be met by the mayor who looked like he should be at school. Are we getting old?

When the rally finished I thought I would take my compatriot to the seaside for an icecream or drink as it was her birthday. We drove the hour to a Lido near Rimmini. During the trip my nemesis reappeared and I coasted off the duel carriageway to effect a repair. When we arrived at the coast it was closed. No shops, bars or ice cream vendors, even the beach was closed with the sand neatly piled up! It did not have the desired effect so I drove back to the hotel.

We did a quick change and headed to the bar for a drink before dinner. I had been told not to tell anyone it was my compatriots birthday. So I only told Freddie the organiser. At the end of his pre dinner rally briefing he led a chorus of 150 people to sing happy birthday. Oops!

After dinner there was a karaoke disco which my compatriot was definitely not going to. As we passed the door she was straight in ready to terrify all the young lads on the dance floor. I got her out after midnight for a wobble back to bed another year older.