The game and after.

Well, sorry for the delay in the writing of the blog, but I have been out of office for a while!
Saturday was the first day of the two day match which runs over two weekends and what a successful day it was too!
We bowled first and were very tight which caused the opposition to make silly mistakes and get out cheaply. This was a good way to go on a very hot 28 degree day in the field, as it meant that we didn’t worry about the heat too much as we weren’t out there for long. We bowled extremely well and caught all our catches (even me) and bowled them out for 87 before tea.

After a short (and nothing like an english) tea where I had to drink copious amounts of water we started to bat.
I opened with a guy called Sean (or prawn), although he top edged a bouncer early to depart for not many.
I got out fairly soon afterwards, however I managed to knock up 41 in the short space of time that I was out there - I got out in the worst way possible, caught at point when I nudged it to him like catching practice, what a disappointment!
But after this the real fireworks started. A moved baseball to cricket player (Ben Percy) came in to bat at 5. This was a god send in terms of the match situation. After a few hip high full tosses and a few big sixes, he found himself on about 60, when he was joined in the run scoring by ‘BOB’ as he is known. The next 133 runs came in very quick time and we didn’t loose a wicket and they ended up with the record partnership for the club for this wicket. Not only that, but we managed to pass the oppositions' score, double it and then nearly triple it in the 36 over and then declared. Ben ended on 107* and Bob on a well earned 50.
With only a few over’s left in the day we were all hoping for a few wickets to set us up for a huge innings victory next Saturday. The wickets did come with one night-watchman wicket and one of their best batsmen as well. We are very well set up for a huge win and a few beers next week.
After the game we had a few drinks before finding out that our 1st grade had fielded for 82 overs in the hot aussie sun - not nice.
Anyways I had a barbeque at Conrad’s old friends house on Sunday which turned into an all day event and I didn't wake up till 12pm the next day. Beach again today (Tuesday) which was very good - I think I am now up to date now.
I shall update it when I next get the chance!!!!

The beach

Yesterday I embarked on a sightseeing trip to the beach.
It was a great experience and I didn't even burn!!!!!!! I did not drycooooooook!!!!
I also had training. It was a relaxing time (at the beach that is) and the cricket went well too!!!
Today is the first game - Can't wait, all I can say is I hope we bat first as I dont fancy the 82 overs in the field at 30 degrees!!!!
Anyway I need to go to get ready for the game!! I'll keep you updated on how I go!!!
xxx

new arrivals

Conrad has finally turned up!!! After his 28 hour delay and an unexpected trip to Taipai he has finally got here, which only meant one thing. - we went down the pub.
I went to Sydney centre yesterday which was a very nice experience. I saw the harbour bridge and the Opera House, as well as lunch time in the city on a nice sunny day. I'll leave the rest to your own imagination.
Well tommorrow is training, as well a a visit to the beach. I can't wait to get a bit of proper sun.
I'll keep you updated.
Speak soon.

first outdoors training

The day started with an early get up to meet the other overseas who I shall be living with for the next 6 1/2 months, so I got up, showered and changed to meet him at the correct time, however it was not to be. I waited and waited. all to no avail though, as his flight from Hong Kong had been delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather in China. Shame. Oh well there is always tommorrow.
Anyway I had a training session this afternoon and it was a good one. I batted OK, bowled for ages again and finally I have caught some slip catches for the first time in 3 years!!!! woohoo
I am a bit stiff now but happy. Tommorrow I am off to Sydney to see the bridge and the rest.
I shall try to take some photos, though don't hold your breath.

nothing really to report

I may have brought the weather with me, as the day in Sydney was wet , cold and windy. Not nice. I woke up to the sound of rain on the window, and decided that I should go back to sleep until it stoped raining!!!! It did at about 10 00 and I got up.
However, I had a fairly uneventful day as I did nothing, and even bored myself so much that I went for a run!!! So not much to report today, except another overseas comes tomorrow, Conrad from a club in Boston (UK that is).
Nothing else to report really!!!

new cricket

I have played cricket for the first time today!!! indoors!!!
This is not the rubbish that gets played in a changing room during an english rain break, this is proper indoor cricket!!! wow it is different!!!
I went along to watch, to get an idea of the game in the hope that I may get a game in the future if they were ever short!! My time came earlier than expected! Whilst sitting down trying to learn the rules and regs, some one came up and said they were a man short and would I play. Well as Bruce had said to bring my kit with me, I was raring to go, even though I had no real clue of what to do!
Batting first, I hit the ball in some odd areas, but it turned out to be strangely affective, or that's what I thought!! Next was fielding - a slightly different story. I can only describe it as a mix between rackets (large and fast squash) and fielding at gully. What a nightmare, with the not so soft ball flying anywhere and everywhere. I can't say i was the best at that!! Anyway I have had the experience and I can only hope they are short again next week.

days after one

Well....
I had my first session on Sunday, which was an experience, as I had to bowl pretty much non stop for and hour and a half - the body is not used to that!!!!
After that there was a social at the bowling club (lawn bowls that is), and I even managed to get a game in, however unsuccesfully as I lost 15:8.
After that I was again in bed very early due to a bit of jet lag still.
I managed to get a phone in the end today after a mission trying to get the old credit card to work!!!! Bloody Barclays!!!!
Anyway I have moved into my 2nd accomodation now and have got settled a bit!!!
I shall update you further soon!!!
P.S. I got some club kit!!!- very nice. Maybe Amersham can take some hints. hehe

Day one

Well after a very tiresome flight where I managed to watch a fair few rubbish films and a ridiculous amount of repeat episodes of TV in England I am finally in Australia!!!
The weather is probably warmer than it has been in England for some years even though people are still walking about in jumpers!!! Strange world!!!
Bruce (the guy who has sorted this whole trip out for me) picked me up from the airport and we embarked on a journey around the city as he showed me around the beaches and the cricket grounds that I will play at in the future!
After a busy morning of sights around the town I was treated to Steve Carters favourite food stuff in Australia ‘potato scallops’. (This is a potato slice dipped in flour, batter and then deep fried before being covered in salt).
I managed to stay up until about 9:30 before I could take it no longer and had to go to bed.
A very enjoyable day and tomorrow is the first net session for the season. I can’t wait!!!!

He got there!

Not posted by Elliot, but by his father - looks as though he's fallen on his feet again - below is the e-mail received from the Chairman / President of the Club that he is joining over there!

Elliot should have Internet access soon, so can post his own tales and hopefully some pictures as well.


Philip,
He has had a sleep this afternoon, had dinner at my place and I have just
taken him home at 10pm our time - a very tired young man. I recommended to
him that he sleep as long as he could now - so his body will adjust to
Australian time.
This morning we had a quick look around and checked out both Bondi and
Cronulla beaches. He seemed impressed with that - and not just for the
beaches - if you know what I mean!! It was a sensational day here today. The
weather forecast looks reasonable for play next weekend...see following: http://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/sydney/peakhurst

For your info - there have been a couple of changes accommodation wise for
Elliott - all for the better in my opinion. Tonight and tomorrow night he is
staying at a motel nearby due to his accommodation not being quite ready
until Sunday night. The club will meet this cost and he is very comfortable.
He will move to Hannans Rd Riverwood on Sunday 21st Sept, and then on the
11th October will move into a 3 bedroom house with our 2 other english lads
in Bay Rd Oatley - which is a far more pleasant location - with plenty of
bush, some great bush walks yet all facilities (shops, transporst etc) close
by and still close to our grounds. When you come over here you will see what
I mean.
I have attached a link from Google Earth for a picture of it - and on the
top left - there is a golf course!
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
The reason for this is through a past player when chasing accommodation for
the other 2 lads, I was able to secure a 3 bedroom house. The rent for this
place is $420 per week and with 2 lads would be $210 each per week -
unaffordable. However with 3 lads it comes back to$140 each - which is still
the same as what Elliott would be paying at Hannans Rd.
We will fully furnish the house for the lads, and really this property gives
them all their "own space", support each other and also a chance to
experience life more.
I will pick him up for training tomorrow at 11.45am - and we will train
until 4pm. Tomorrow night we are having our gradings night at our sponsors
club where the teams are named for round 1. Keep an eye on our web site for
more information - www.georgesriverdcc.com
Also daylight saving starts here on the 5th October - so when calling
Elliott - dont forget to add the extra hour.
Any issues - please phone me at home.
All is very good and no need to worry.
Cheers
Bruce

Leaving soon

So here we are, 36 hours or so from departure and fitting a last game of golf in with the school mates before leaving Heathrow tomorrow night - worried - Nah!, but perhaps a bit apprehensive.

Got all the stuff to take over to Rhys with me and had a farewell curry with my grandparents, sister & parents last night at Spice & Herbs in Amersham - bet I don't get a better curry over there, but hey, I'm willing to try.

So, it's off on Virgin VS200 @ 22:30 tomorrow - let's hope I get upgraded from cattle / outside toilet class!