IT’S strange situation when I’m disappointed to finish eighth in a grand prix.

It was a tough weekend and lots happened, but I was not quite on the pace in Aragon.

Last time I finished in that position I was a lot further behind at Jerez at the start of the season, so I know we have made big strides since then.

I was chasing fifth-placed Andrea Dovizioso on Sunday and was disappointed with myself that I made a mistake that dropped me down the field.

I wanted to try it and give it a go because he is my biggest championship rival.

I didn’t want to be the guy that just sits behind, but I paid the price although still held onto fifth place in the championship.

Since my second place in San Marino, life has been pretty amazing.

It was a very special result given the circumstances and taking such a big gamble.

At one point I honestly believed I’d made the wrong decision to stay out in the rain in Misano, but whatever the outcome I was happy with the decision.

I had enough belief and confidence in myself to tell everybody after the race, whatever the outcome, why I did what I did.

I had nine laps in second position and so I knew I was going to be on the podium – not like the previous time in Phillip Island when it was only when I crossed the line and saw the big screen I realised.

There are not many reasons I would wait in airport for more than 12 hours, other than having the opportunity to go moto-crossing with Valentino Rossi at his special ranch in Italy.

I was flying out to Bologna on Friday night and left home in Andorra at 2pm to catch a 7pm flight from Barcelona.

I was there and hour and a half before the flight, but then the delays started.

Seven became eight, and eight became nine and I was sitting in Barcelona airport at midnight when they tried to turn the lights out.

I eventually took off and arrived in Bologna at 6am, but had to wait another two hours for the hire car company to open up.

I slept for an hour and then got to Valentino’s ranch.

The only thing that kept me going was knowing that I was going to have so much fun.

It was the sort of thing I dreamed about as a kid and Valentino did not let me down.

I spent of couple of days there then went to Venice and onto the race in Misano.

This week is just as busy, before we jet off to Japan for the crucial three flyaway races in the space of two weeks.

I’m off to Rannoch Moor in Scotland for some extreme camping and fishing.

It’s for a magazine article and television feature and I’m not exactly sure what to expect, but it’s definitely legitimate camping in the wilds.

I’m told I’ve got to look out for the midges rather than those Ducatis.

Tomorrow, I’m going to have to pretend I know more about other sports and especially the Rugby World Cup.

I’m a guest on the BBC Radio 5 Sports Panel, with Olympic Rowing Champion Katherine Grainger and top rugby coach and former England forward Richard Cockerill.

This grease monkey will be doing plenty of homework to try and show I know a bit more than just two wheels.