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Hey Martin, I thought you were an Old Hararian from some comments you have made in the past..... Tot Facienda Parum Factum, for sure! And I remember that gravel road between the two schools as well as Lamont.... Memories! Hope you had a most enjoyable birthday!

How did the Russians push the Mozambique Portuguese out?

This story about Rhodes, Lobangula, Queen Victoria etc. and all these tensions in 'Darkest Africa' would have made a terrific film - I am surprised no-one has used the story.

I hear that bike made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.

I see you have your veldskoens on today. We used to all wear those at boarding school in southern Tanganyika - mainly because you never had to polish them - unlike black leather shoes which got very dusty, quickly. Your accent takes me back there - as all the Europeans spoke in a similar way, perhaps a slightly milder version, irrespective of where in Europe their parents had come from.

The different sound of fire in anger as opposed to on the range was probably because you were pumped up with adrenaline - which prepares you for fight or flight. Adrenaline increases acuity of hearing quite dramatically. It also makes you think more clearly. The"night ape" !!!! what was that? !

wish i grew up in Rhodesia, but it must be painful for expats not having their homeland exist anymore.

Great tale. What you describe is what we called a rat bike in my youth. Mine was a '78 Harley Sportser. Oil pumps, chains, sprockets, carburetors I could spin some yarns. One of my fondest memories is rebuilding the top end with my father. Did the BSA have the leaky Amal carb like my buddy's Triumph?

We learned of the Jameson Raid at school in South Africa, but the reasons for the Uitlanders distress was glossed over by saying they wanted representation and citizenship with its accompanying civil rights. The Boers were right to be scared of giving the Uitlanders voting rights, as they feared the breakdown of their agrarian Christian philosophy. My Great-grandfather George Annandale (of Scots decent) fought with his Kommando against the Jameson Raiders.

A wonderful story and video.

As a scottish guy im both surprised to see fray bentos being supplied to the rhodesian army and the tin of ghoulash never ever seen that before

Love to se you're vides god bless

Happy birthday! I really thought you were driving to go pick one one of those old bikes up for your birthday!

Author Johnson seems like a DB supreme.

Cars not bikes but I met Stirling Moss when I was working in an electrical shop in London many years ago. He was a tough/grizzled character.

Who knew that videos about corporate strategy could be this fun

You were talking about that beat-up Royal Star. The bikes that are in crack ups are bad enough, but I've dealt with the damage that ex-wives and ex-girl friends can do to bikes with a baseball bat, hammers and axes. I owned a Trident that had been worked over with an aluminum softball bat. It took me about 8 months to get it back on the road.

Most Rhodesians have an amazing ability to see the worth in being honest, practical & handy! Thx for taking us into your experiences in life!

Great story Martin. Thank you.

My faith in humanity is restored. Cheers from Norway.

What a wonderful story. What stood out to me is what Mr Johnson said to you. It's what my own Father used to say to me and I have never forgotten the first time he said it to me. Son, always remember, treat others as you would like to treated yourself. It's something I have always tried to carry out and is something that I have passed on 🙏

Absolutely love your stories. Wish I'd been older back then

And yet the entire incident was initiated by your boss; that _you_ should be punished for following your bosses orders is ridiculous. The problem is that you should have anticipated Ahmed's visit and found a to over-charge him without leaving any evidence subject to forensic accounting.

Another great story! I had a boss somewhat like that, although he was cold and not fiery like yours, started the job with him hating my guts and looking for any reason to can me, but I was diligent and frankly the best worker he had so I slowly but surely won him over. I learned a lot about compromise and patience from him, it's good to learn from your superiors and not just resent them for being the boss. Can't wait for your next upload!

Wow!!!! That's what u all close!!! I always remember my old man telling me that after the war gooks had met my dad some how somewhere and recounted a time to him when they'd watched him opening our farm store in the morning whilst they had in close range in the dairy shed

You, sir, are a gem! God bless you too! 🙂✝ Could listen to you for hours... hang on, I have!

Never say never is DEFINITELY apt for Africa let alone life

I am very happy to hear from you, man. This was a well timed story in my world of events right now.

As young businessman people that screwed me I wanted to screw them back.... my dad says no no they can screw YOU but you're a businessman your professional and you can't screw them back...... so I guess I tried to do every deal fair and if they screw me I just swallow it and say thank you......THEN AS DAD SAID laugh all the way to the bank

I have always enjoyed your war stories, bit it seems that you are just a good story teller. This was a great story. Thank you.

I joined your patreon today. I must admit I have thought about it for some time. I have gotten many hours of entertainment from your talks. I encourage everyone to join the 5RR patreon to keep these videos coming. My thanks to you Martin. God bless you.

What a Great story teller. Thank You Sir.

I love your channel, especially the bush experience, but also your very human interracial way of thinking. very straitforward, ''man to man''

I have done a fair bit of walking in west african bush in nightime, what i don't get is how you walked nightime with no lights, silently, and didn't lose half your men to snake bites

Thanks, that was a fun story with a couple of good life lessons mixed in. And you made some interesting friends along the way.

Half a world away but the stories draw a parallel that is uncanny. Your adventures were with 2 wheels and mine with 4. God Bless you and keep the good ones rolling in.

And all these years you thought that the only birthday present you received that year was the bone shaker. But you received confirmation that The Living God hears your prayers and that He cares for you and is interested in what is happening in your life. God bless you all the more.

Happy birthday, may God bless you and continue to hear your prayers.

Love you 5RR, Continues happiness.

Good morning Martin, hope your doing well this chilly Friday morning.

I love your stories.

I had a bike that caught on fire. It was a 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville that had a cracked gas tank, and a broken rear mounting tab. The tank had pinched the wiring harness. The leaking gas had soaked the cotton wiring harness cover. The wiring shorted out from being pinched, and ignited gas soaked harness. The problem was I down in the traffic tunnel that ran from Norfolk to Hampton in Virginia. The Bike started cutting out on me, and the driver of the car behind me screamed "Fire !!!, You're on fire !!!". I looked down and I was on fire. It was trailing 4, or 5 feet behind me. I opened it up to about 70, and was riding the center line up and out on the Norfolk side of the tunnel. The bike quit as soon as I got out and could come to a stop. I hopped off and let it bang against the guard rail. I put the fire out with sand and water from a handy puddle I just happened to stop in. A Virginia State Trooper saw me, he even saw me putting out the fire, he give me whopper of a ticket for speeding and passing in the tunnel. I got my license suspended for 90 days. No talking to the Judge, because he said he had heard everything. For several days I had been smelling gas, and I would hear a ringing noise, that I later figured out was the near empty tank vibrating on the frame, so when I would fill the tank , the ringing stopped. After it was all over, and I put 2 and 2 together, I was greatly enlightened. Live and learn. Sorry it was so long. 🙂

I worked part time in a motorcycle shop for many years and worked on a lot of British bikes, and I also owned them myself. The man I worked for, Sid Biberman, was also a very honest businessman. We also worked on a lot of antiques. One of my jobs entailed restoring a 1932 Ariel Square 4. I put it back together and it ran magnificently. It had come out of South Africa in about 1980 and had been owned by an older gentleman who must have been about 90 when he turned it loose and it made it's way to New Jersey , USA. He used it out on an expansive cattle ranch and couldn't use it anymore. I also got the old Lucas Mag Dyno to work. The shop was interesting. A constant parade of interesting people and bikes.

A wonderful tale. You tell your tales so well. Thank you.

It’s freezing here in England, in July, our summer!!!

Great to hear from you.

My friend, I could care less about motorcycles... unless you are telling the story. I was amused, I was interested, and I laughed numerous times. Thank you.

Thank you Great Show 🎉😊

I came for the bush war stories, but I think now I would listen to this man reading a children's book. Such a pleasant and engaging storyteller.

Fascinating story of the good old days when values were very important. Great to hear Martin thank you