OK no more feeling sorry for myself! Actually, I don't think I have been too bad but it's easier to see the bright side now that I'm on the road to recovery and 3 days in Penang has done me no end of good (except the over eating of course).
We left early Thursday morning with Shilpa driving - she didn't want the stress of me speeding or getting lost on the way.
Anyway, having got stopped at two road blocks - you guessed it, for speeding and having gotten lost in Penang once we eventually got to the Parkroyal hotel relatively unscathed and on talking terms.
We spent a happy two days there in the pool, on the beach and took the boys horse riding and on a boat ride.
The horse riding was awesome, they went on together to start with and then one at a time by themselves. They both balanced brilliantly and although Sid was a bit apprehensive to start with neither of them were fazed by it. By the end they were both saying "horse riding, yeah, whatever!" - in their expressions at least.
Sid hates the beach because he finds it a bit too icky (or chee chee as we call anything that is dirty or they shouldn't touch).
The boys love the pool (not sure I'm dressed for the part though with my sunnies on!).
Seb can happily swim with just his floatie suit now, no more arm bands (water wings). He hasn't learned to use his arms yet but he makes great progress kicking his feet, he's got his balance all worked out and can go in any direction he wants - almost better than his dad.
The pool was a big success although at one point Sid ran into the lobby and stood there for about 10 minutes. It only struck me once a cleaning lady came along with a mop that he was actually standing there people watching (one of his favourite pastimes) and peeing on the lobby floor. Oops, 3 big puddles and one pissed off cleaning lady later we whisked him out of sight.
The boys seemed very excited about the passing boats. Every time they heard or saw one they'd point and make excited and favourable sounds. Being a bit of an old seaman myself it didn't take much persuasion by Shilpa to rent a boat and go for a cruise.
Sadly that's where the boys interest and enthusiasm stopped. No sooner had we stepped aboard their expressions changed and they couldn't wait to get off. They weren't scared mind you, they just were bored, disinterested and positively unhappy about the apparent waste of time.
Of course there was lots of eating out which gave Shilpa and the gorgeous models a chance to dress up, go out and practise their best Bollywood dance moves.
Now I know that some of you are thinking that this is Seb drinking very unhealthy Coke. Well you'd be wrong - it's actually
Coke Light!
I can reliably tell you that this is Sid and Shilpa doing a rendition of "The Wheels on The Buss Go Round and Round". This particular verse relates to the horn going "pap, pap, pap" and for some reason we all get our noses pressed with each "pap". Well there you have it, no doubt you'll sleep better knowing that.
Please note that it may be my Coke Light but I have photographic evidence of the "Coke pusher's" identity as she was caught red handed!
On the way back to the hotel one night Shilpa got very excited about a trishaw ride, purely for "the boys education" she tried to convince us. So off they went, Shilpa, Sid, Seb and Rohana. I was left to walk the 5km back to the hotel carrying the shopping. (500m actually and I wasn't going to be seen dead in one of those trishaw things - not sober at any rate!).
For our last night we had to move to the Lone Pine hotel 500m away as the Parkroyal was fully booked. This is a very old hotel (the first on Batu Ferringhi Beach I think) - it is not as glam as the Parkroyal but has a certain old world charm about it that I liked.
Upon checking out we were a bit short of cash, so Shilpa kept the hotel staff talking and the boys set to work on the hotel safe.
We came home on Sunday afternoon and now I'm looking forward to starting work again after a two week absence that I could have well done without.
"Here in JB. Average just over 30k/h. Some needed rest in support cars but they rejoined later. Off to hotel for a cold beer."
"Having lunch in Yong Peng. 110K to go. Very hot and a strong head wind. Still making good time. 3 dropped out..."
"In Tampin near Malacca having breakfast. Done 97km. All going well so far."
Never mind I did the next best thing. This morning at 3:20am I was riding my bike down an almost deserted highway to the meeting point of the riders at the Kajang-Cheras toll.
It was a great atmosphere with two squads of riders, the Chin Woo gang and the Le Tua boys. Both squads had their own matching bike jerseys and they looked great. 
As you can see I took my mini camera along and took some photos.
Soon after 4:00am they were off. I planned to ride 40k with them and then head home after the first checkpoint. An 80k ride for me was sensible under the circumstances and anyway, no doubt I'll be persuaded to do this ride another year. 
I hope some daft cyclist doesn't suggest the ride is extended and ridden from Thailand to Singapore in future years though - although that's an idea! Mmmmmm!
I must say things looked extremely well organised and great credit goes to Uncle Don for creating and organising this race.
Also to Shen who I believe took care of organising the sponsorship and the logistics. There were so many other people running around and helping out though so I am no doubt underplaying many other contributions but this is a big shout out to you all - great job, well done.
The ride itself was along the old North-South road. A single lane road with almost no street lighting bar the occasional Kampung. The pace they set off at seemed suicidal, or maybe my own fitness was more effected than I'd thought. Either way I was pleased that I was only doing the "Sprint Distance" today. 
I did my u-turn at the first water station and then for the first time wondered what I was doing at five something in the morning, riding by myself, in the middle of nowhere, in the pitch black.
As it happened the ride home was thankfully uneventful and very enjoyable. Sam had promised to text me at the various stops along the way to give me an update on how they were proceeding. I did predict though that 50k the other side of Malacca they'd be remembering me telling them that they were going to fast at the start of such a long ride. It was going to be a long day but I'm off to bed now so we'll see later...
Here's one of the pictures taken when I had the endoscopy. Pretty impressive ay? If you're in any doubt this is from the inside of my lungs and yes the green and black stuff is flem - yum yum (I hope you're not having dinner)
My buddy John turned up at the finish to see his wife Emma get a personal best of 48 minutes (good one Emma). We were all stunned to see him there although he does only live 2 minutes away - mind you he did drive. 
I met him later for a round of golf and he said he's never seen me looking like that after a race - I was just about to explain that I was looking so fresh because I'd taken it easy and smelt the flowers along the way when he said "You were looking exhausted - awful in fact" - Thanks John, that made me feel so much better.
We left early Thursday morning with Shilpa driving - she didn't want the stress of me speeding or getting lost on the way.
Anyway, having got stopped at two road blocks - you guessed it, for speeding and having gotten lost in Penang once we eventually got to the Parkroyal hotel relatively unscathed and on talking terms.
The horse riding was awesome, they went on together to start with and then one at a time by themselves. They both balanced brilliantly and although Sid was a bit apprehensive to start with neither of them were fazed by it. By the end they were both saying "horse riding, yeah, whatever!" - in their expressions at least.
Sid hates the beach because he finds it a bit too icky (or chee chee as we call anything that is dirty or they shouldn't touch). 
The boys love the pool (not sure I'm dressed for the part though with my sunnies on!).
Seb can happily swim with just his floatie suit now, no more arm bands (water wings). He hasn't learned to use his arms yet but he makes great progress kicking his feet, he's got his balance all worked out and can go in any direction he wants - almost better than his dad.
The pool was a big success although at one point Sid ran into the lobby and stood there for about 10 minutes. It only struck me once a cleaning lady came along with a mop that he was actually standing there people watching (one of his favourite pastimes) and peeing on the lobby floor. Oops, 3 big puddles and one pissed off cleaning lady later we whisked him out of sight.
The boys seemed very excited about the passing boats. Every time they heard or saw one they'd point and make excited and favourable sounds. Being a bit of an old seaman myself it didn't take much persuasion by Shilpa to rent a boat and go for a cruise.
Sadly that's where the boys interest and enthusiasm stopped. No sooner had we stepped aboard their expressions changed and they couldn't wait to get off. They weren't scared mind you, they just were bored, disinterested and positively unhappy about the apparent waste of time.
Of course there was lots of eating out which gave Shilpa and the gorgeous models a chance to dress up, go out and practise their best Bollywood dance moves.
Now I know that some of you are thinking that this is Seb drinking very unhealthy Coke. Well you'd be wrong - it's actually Coke Light!
I can reliably tell you that this is Sid and Shilpa doing a rendition of "The Wheels on The Buss Go Round and Round". This particular verse relates to the horn going "pap, pap, pap" and for some reason we all get our noses pressed with each "pap". Well there you have it, no doubt you'll sleep better knowing that.
Please note that it may be my Coke Light but I have photographic evidence of the "Coke pusher's" identity as she was caught red handed!
On the way back to the hotel one night Shilpa got very excited about a trishaw ride, purely for "the boys education" she tried to convince us. So off they went, Shilpa, Sid, Seb and Rohana. I was left to walk the 5km back to the hotel carrying the shopping. (500m actually and I wasn't going to be seen dead in one of those trishaw things - not sober at any rate!).
Upon checking out we were a bit short of cash, so Shilpa kept the hotel staff talking and the boys set to work on the hotel safe.
We came home on Sunday afternoon and now I'm looking forward to starting work again after a two week absence that I could have well done without.
A few days before the Port Dickson races I was well under the weather and piled straight to the doctors (because I'm dead sensible). I had a chest infection and he prescribed antibiotics. I asked him if I'd be well enough to race at the weekend and the doc said absolutely no problem!
Check out me boys in their Nike gear. They're even wearing the latest "Nike Free" training shoes. Daddy's so proud.
Hey Dad, I keep tellin ya - "I'm da man!" - Seb looking very cool (and a bit 'ard).
Hey Dad, check out my moves though. Can I dance or what! - Sid doing his John Travolta thing.
Check this out, Sid who use to be a bit scared of stuff, he's climbing like a monkey - that's my boy!
My Dad, Peter Cross, started running at the age of 74 years old - not bad eh? 
Here he is completing his first 10k race and even has enough energy to help my sister to the finish too. AWESOME! 
Apparently he was bitterly dissapointed that he didn't break his PB (personal best) in training on this course. 
Never mind Dad, that's what the race is for next year.
Awesome job Dad, well done dude!
