by Real Traveler Voices of Africa
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Happy Birthday Nick

From Africa-Subject to Change* in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa on Nov 29 '06

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I believe I can fly!
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(Nicks story). I didn't sleep well last night, I'm tired this morning, my toe hurts, I'm fat, I can't lift my travel bag and I'm hungry.......it's brilliant being a grumpy old man!!

So, I'm 40 today and spending the last day in Plettenberg Bay before heading off on my travels tomorrow. I guess my mid life crisis is traveling around Africa for a year or so.....not a bad crisis, particularly if I do it in my new red porsche.....or in our case, a red Chico!

40......yesterdays 30!

Really, I do!
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Most importantly, I'm happy, I'm healthy and am grateful for the fantastic three months so far in South Africa with many friends and family.

If the next 40 years are anywhere near as good, I'll be happy.

Now for breakfast.....I guess it's time I started eating stewed prunes and bran flakes......nah, where are the chocolate biscuits?!

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BIG JOBS on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Gatsey, congrats on the big 40. I wish I wish I knew your secret. Go to Harvard, play footie, the occasional "quiet one" and no reponsibilities!!! good for you! anyway, I am off to LV in a couple of weeks for an aformentioned "quiet one" Hope to catch up on your adventures in the coming weeks. oh! if you run into a South African girl called Sarah, can you tell her I lost her number, that's why I didn't call. cheers Toin"

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ChrisandIda on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Happy Birthday, Nick. Sorry we didn't sign up sooner - we were waiting for you to beg us! (Actually, we spent that long looking at everything on this site that we realised we had not fed ourselves for the past 14 hours). All the best.

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2more on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

You old Git and youv'e never looked younger!!! Sent a cool card to your email. Enjoying browsing your blog. Good luck to you both and keep well on the next adventure. SteveX

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SandbarHubris on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Nick-- Welcome to the Club! Not so bad is it? now you have the permission to say/do what you please, with authority. We love living vicariously through you, so keep up the FUN. Those of us with infants and toddlers salute you! Paul, Kate, Hannah and Emma

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twheaton on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Happy Birthday! You may be 40 and therefore almost dead but I am still- thanks to you- "Grandpa" I don't know anyone who has managed to put so much adventure into 40 years- Keep it up! Enjoy!

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Katiebaby on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Nick! Really, you are still just a baby...wait till 41, now THAT'S bad! Well, we knew you were special, years ago when we met you in Nicaragua, and Sam loved you to bits immediately. Then when we found you shared a birthday with Kayli (happy birthday Kayli!) we knew you were truly o.k. Will we see you in Bolivia or Argentina in Feb? (side trip?) All the best....xo Kathy.

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oldy on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Nick, oh it seems only yesterday you were vomiting out of the cab window for your 35th birthday, and now look at you, all grown up. Happy Birthday mate!

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Graham on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Hippo birthday to you man. 40 years.... bugger that's old. Still at least you have put them all to good use, and not wasted them dossing around pretending to have jobs playing football with kids, travelling around the world, skiing, knowing each prem. player's full Cv and secretly practicing golf so you can periodically whoop your old grumpy pals!!!.... . err, hold on, ooops! GATES! how did you pull it off? lurve, G and familyX. stay safe.

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the little monkey on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Happy Birthday Nick You don't look a day older! Thanks for all the laughter and joy you have added to my life for the last forty years. The last three months have been very special - so many shared experiences,so many memories. Enjoy your next adventure. My love and thoughts will be with you every step of the way. Mam

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campbellsgingerwig on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Nick - belated happy birthday.You have the life we all aspire to,keep it up.Tournados,dark at 3.30pm - could be worse, could be in Adelaide, that would be depressing !Hope middle age is suiting you.All the best DH

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Csbowsher on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Happy Birthday, Nick! I am so jealous and proud of you for following your heart to Africa... I am sure you have made friends all over South Africa...Now, to grace the rest of the continent with your wit and charm... Not many people have the money and the time to travel extensively...You are very lucky! Please try to cheer up and have a gin and tonic for me on safari...I just bought Steve a photo of you at a sports memorabilia store... (You probably get that a lot, but I thought it was pretty cool.) Love, Carolyn

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Inman Villan on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Forty schmorty !!!! Said by one just back from his colonoscopy !! Many miles to go yet mate, replete with Middlesborough FC teases and inevitable mediocrity. Hope the Big Day is turning into a Whopping Weekend. Ciao

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MB on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

OK - Cali forgot to remind me of the date, so I'm late. (I'm getting used to it) HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK! We miss you guys, and we love the photo of you as fearless safariing killer guy. xoxoxoxoxoxox

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OD on Nov. 29, 2006 @ 02:41PM said

Good luck with the onward travel birthday boy. Do they have 'early bird specials' in Africa? I can't rememeber. Not surprising I can't remember - seeing as how I've recently turned 40 as well. What were we just talking about? Do remember this though, when on safari and kudu are nearby, those aren't prunes on the ground. Happy b'day.

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