A busy bank holiday Monday yesterday.

First off was a Thames Turbo triathlon – swim, bike, run. This was the third in their excellent sprint series. And the third I’ve taken part in this year.

It was part of my preparations to join Team Mazda for the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon at the beginning of June.

Team Mazda is a group of senior Mazda personnel, along with assorted motoring and sports journalists (hence my inclusion), that Mazda’s pr director Graeme Fudge has assembled to show the company’s direct support for the event they sponsor. Last year at Blenheim was good – I’m hoping this year will be better!

The family dutifully came out to support me for the early 7am start yesterday. Which was very good of them. And I managed to do a personal best, knocking some 5mins off my previous best time.

It also happened to be my son’s 17th birthday. Matt has been very, very keen to drive. So we stuck the L plates on my wife’s Nissan Micra and off we went. I think he’ll be fine. But to make sure we’ll put him in for lessons with advanced driving instructors at DriveTech.

Matt’s very lucky. While he was out with me driving, his sister Sarah stayed behind and made him a birthday cake. Probably rather more than he deserved!

Thames Turbo triathlon plus strapping on the L plates