In a couple of days I'm heading to Cheshire to take part in the 23rd Annual UK Shield Challenge, a golf tournament over 3 rounds and 2 days. The tournament is affiliated with HP, and started out (way back when!) as a north v. south competition between 2 of the offices, but by now it's got teams from all over HP UK, and plenty of people taking part who, like me, have either tangental or historic attachments to HP (I spent a little over 6 years, in two 3-year stints, working in their Bracknell office as a consultant).

Each year a different team organises the event, and this year it's Team Manchester who have the pleasure, and they're taking us to Carden Park. Last year my team (the glorious "Fast Bogeys") organised the event, which we held at Woodhall Spa. That was a great few days, and one of the finest courses I've ever played on. I hope this year is as good..!

My Dad was 60 back in January, and for his birthday my Mum bought him a gliding lesson. Since she's such a nice person, she got me one for my (not at all significant) birthday, so I could join him. After an aborted attempt a few weeks ago, when it was rather misty, we finally flew yesterday.

We flew at the Yorkshire Gliding Club, on Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire. Spectacular views, even though it was a bit hazy, and I may even forgive my Dad for finding a bunch of thermals and getting lots more air-time that I did, but since I had more time in control of the glider I suppose we came out even...

Lots of pictures up on my Flickr stream, and movies of my Dad taking off and landing at YouTube (or there will be when they've finished processing!)