Umpiring of the 40 Club

A days umpiring


What a surprise today. After lunch I wandered down the drive for an unknown cricket adventure. Coaching, nets practice or umpiring........I had no idea as I'd been working with Katrina all morning and not spoken to the Head of cricket. It turns out the 1sts have an annual event against some of England's County legends............. Lucky, I'm wearing my top cricket uniform.

Who are they?

One of the members described them as the 'poor mans MCC'...looking at the cars and the fact they play mid-week, I don't think they are too poor.

Found this on a website:
The primary objective of the 40 or XL Club is to take cricket to schools with high-class players being an example to youth both in standards of play and general behaviour. In earlier days former county and minor county players were the basis of most sides. Age is no obstacle to ability.
As a wandering club, the Forty Club does not own a ground, but enjoys a membership of around 4000 nationwide plus a growing number overseas.

I did not have a camera, but picture this:

71 year old opening bowler, off 12 paces bowling 6 on the trot, he told me it was 11 on Saturday. As I took his vest, after 3 balls of his 3rd, I asked if he was now warmed up. "Could never bowl fast until the sweat was running down ma back", he replied. Got copious out swing, good pace and I couldn't bear to raise my arms and wide him! By the 5th over he was hot and the comb -over was now a long sweaty mane down his back! Awesome stuff.

Many of these guys still play County cricket, over 60s.........Our boys sneaked in, in a great contest after a batting display which saw the 40 club play glances and cuts galore and turn any 3 into a definite two. Inspirational stuff.........and I have been invited to play as an overseas guest!

NB The flag in the picture is in readiness for the NZ take over at the Mansion. Our lounge leads off to the final 50 steps to the tower and flag pole. A win against the English should see it raised........will that be our last day here?

London and LORDS

What a grand few days! Rain and all, still got too busy at Lords to get around all the highlights. I have been late to put this up as was hoping to get photos off Josh's camera first but he forgot them last night when he came out to stay....had a great birthday with he and Anna making such an effort and Jill and Rob arriving with lovely champagne, real glasses too. And I was given such presents-2 days at Lords from Josh and an amazing oil painting of the very view which blew me away on day one in London........Big Ben, London Bridge, Westminster, London eye...and it includes the double decker bus and a taxi! phew..... the very photo I tried to line up.Not looking forward to seeing the credit card as may necessitate cancelling a weeks touring........

Anyway must rush and get something on from another fantastic weekend as I want to get on to an unreal time today with umpiring a famous group of cricketers.......

London Thursday 15th May....7.07am train to Paddington

Day one started very early, met Josh near the ground by 9ish......found shelter for coffee. Went to our very wet seats by 10am, start due at 11!...delayed to one. We decided to shelter under media centre and soon spied two old gents with a bottle of champagne, top off-10.05am, so went to chat. What a hoot! They said they usually wait for the toss but predicted it would be late so decided to be early. We spent a great hour with them, hearing stories of cricket and drinks and admiring the famous orange and yellow MCC members tie.........one admitted to being at Bearwood last year- for confirmation. They were two Bishops.

The scene was set.

An early lunch necessitated a beer at the Nursery end bar, here we are joined by the Bearwood Head of Cricket, John Talbot......the facilities are endless.

Pavilion end not too bad either.
Katrina hit town Friday night, after Josh and I toured London for the day......hope he gets me all those photos he took, who do you think was the subject, 100 times. revenge for those people who have put me to sleep with holiday snaps...hehe.Anna took Katrina to The Sound of Music, after shouting us a lovely pre Theatre dinner. Next day was more rain, the girls did the tour including the tower. (below)

Some say Harrods is a great place to be but after an exhausting Day2 of 8.1 overs it is just like any other boring shopping venture to me , it seems. Not true...we will return, but not to buy.
An opera singer, supreme to entertain near the escalator. And yes Mum did join in, Anna's help got them through.
Saturday night bought a catch up with Tim and Michael Austin, Michael's birthday and a Josh generated special deal in Soho, very memorable.
We had superb surroundings and views and food and service........and service chargers and company.....these two maximised the fire call out, out the window! A fun night with Buddha looking slim beside us.

Thanks to Michael I got back to a full days play and time to meet up with WG as well as witness a Vettori 5 for and a Lords ton from Vaughan....captains day.

We did see some quality cricket at the home of the sport......Vettori to Broad, on a hat-trick........very honourable draw and I can hold my head up at Bearwood, as you may imagine there is a bit of good natured "stick" going on. Why does that happen to me?

Below is Katrina's record of weekend, I can then get on to my now,new magic cricket highlight.........life is great!

The "lost" email.

Hi everyone it is 6.40 and still at school waiting for Murray to pick me up.We had an awesome weekend. Murray left early Thursday morning as he and Josh were going to cricket, while I stayed home alone in the Tower flat. But I caught the Train to London and met by Josh and Anna. Went out for dinner and then to musical, 'The Sound of Music'. I know I have seen it 5++ times but I cried 3 times (much to Anna's amusement). The stage settings/props/special effects were outstanding.Next morning Josh and Murray were up and off to Lords. It was freezing and cold!!!! Anna and I went on a bus tour around the city and then a river cruise and then the highlight of my outing we went to Covent Gardens. The street performers, shops and atmosphere was amazing. Just as we thought of shopping the guys rung to say the cricket was an on and off affair and they were freezing so we met them at Harrods..................Wow, wow, wow! Didn't and wouldn't buy a thing but the shop is in itself an experience.As time was getting on we didn't get a chance to go home and rest up or change before we met Michael and Tim (Austin). We met at Piccadilly and walked around looking for a pub that would allow a minor...(A no go here in England) Snuck into one and were very comfortable but were asked to leave after we had finished our drinks. Timing is everything...we went onto our restaurant where we were taking Michael for for his birthday. Josh, bargain man, had made the booking and hit the jack pot as they say. It was so classy and the meal Devine. It was nice to do something for an Austin for once and not the other way around. Photos attached. We had a great time with lots of laughs.Sunday dawned a nicer day so Murray went off to the cricket with the Austins and Josh and Anna and I went to Camden Town markets. The scene is hard to explain...1000+++markets and amazing. Some futuristic and some very British. We went to an English tea rooms for afternoon tea. After purchasing some .............................(can't tell you as it it Murray's birthday present for tomorrow) we tubed home and I turned around and being very brave went on 5 different trains to meet Murray so we could catch our train back to Tywford. Murray had had a great day at the cricket. Tomorrow night Anna and Josh are coming to stay since it is Murray's birthday. It is so nice to have them here. My sister, Jacqui and her partner Geoff may also join us which will be very exciting as I have not seen her in 13 years. We are off to Scotland next week as it is our mid-term break. Don't be jealous as I then have another 7 weeks. Total of 12 weeks teaching..... Miss you all. Look after each other. Keep smiling Katrina and Murray

Henley and Oxford

A House boat river trip is a must do. Enjoyed a great walk down the Thames.
Lunch at Angel on the Bridge, my angel guarding a pint.
Wonderful tour of Wind in the Willows Museum plus a rowing and Thames Museum
Oxford tour bus, old school in background.
Many bearded men!

Bath, Bristol, Cotswolds, Stonehenge........

First Bank Holiday
Bank Holiday and a long weekend just as Katrina is getting well and on top of her school settling phase. The timing was wonderful. We decided on a quiet Saturday and to take up the offer from some of the very friendly Bearwood folk to take part in an on-site Beer Festival. Apparently someone had missed getting tickets to another event so running their own was the answer.......I managed to purchase some fine Stellor Artois at a very good price, of course to supplement the many mini-kegs that were assembled from various parts of the world. It didn't take long for these very polite folk to ensure I knew the local view of this famous Belgium number. "It makes you go mad,we call it wife beater here", I was informed. Contributing to the keg fund was the better solution, Stella remained in the car. A nice night.

Photos, our host Stephen gets ready for another gentle round. Nothing gentle about the croquet game tho. Have I got some new rules! Ladies on the BBQ, who am I to argue?

We managed to escape early and in good condition for our 7am departure to BATH. First stop, the Roman Baths. Magnificent.

Our highlight so far!Historic Baths, and Georgian Architecture.

Above:Pic of our 1st Tour bus, very informative.Rt Is Pultney bridge, shops right across both sides, when on it you do not know you are on a bridge. Check out the backside!

Below is the Goddess Minerva with Goddess Katrina!Rt. Our Hotel street,Great Pultney, classical dimensions of 1000ft by 100ft.

The Radnor Arms in Corston will always be remembered for hospitality, generous giving of time and advice as we found ourselves there after abandoning the car. We had no info on our insurance people with us, flat phones and in need of a hand. Eventually we got a tow man who pronounced the car dead, ceased engine........got to a garage who pronounced it dead, broken cam belt! They got us to a rental car person and on our way home with no Cotswolds or Stonehenge visit but fine memories of Andy at pub and all we came in contact with. We were so well treated!

Then within 30mins we got a call to say a miracle had happened and that a new cam belt would see us right.............

Oops missed our Bristol visit prior to breakdown. We hopped on a river boat, no commentary to find a delightful young man full of history stories.4 quid well spent, of course we gave him a tip!

35 ton crane,used only a dozen times as it is too low and the the ballast of boat changse too quickly.River boats galore, nice dining too.The age of things is boggling to these little olde kiwis.The replica of John Cabots boat of exploration.

"The Catherine" all windows are from re-cycled TV screens, wouldn't sister Catherine be proud of that!

Random Photos to keep,from first week.

To Bearwood

We had a wonderful two night stay with the Grindalls in Shinfield, they had offered to put us up until we found accomodation. Just as well we didn't stay too long as Rob and Murray have already sampled a number of beers and a whiskey or two as well! Lovely people who have and are continuing to help in many ways. They have been to NZ and hopefully will come back.

Bearwood flat is magnificent, especially for an experience. 78 steps, a further 50 out of our lounge to the top of the tower and flag pole.Rob thinks it would be a magnificent spot for a NZ flag....after a win at Lords or do we wait for the All Blacks? Our bedroom is the room with 9 windows.

Singapore Visit

11pm arrival into a hothouse after a pleasant flight in the back seat! The first of many taxi drivers displayed his pride in his part of the world and rightly so as we found much in Singapore to be proud of.Very clean, safe and with an excellent infra-structure.......don't need an opposition party when the govt is performing so well! I wonder what the people who do face the judiciary say of Singapore???Our 4hr tour was great, taking in the 3 main cultural groups as well as some amazing gardens, waterfront reclaimation and a hard sell jewellery factory. The Flyer is currently the biggest in the world, larger than the London Eye but due to be outdone by Shanghai. We had to choose something out side our comforts and Katrina was less keen on the Gondola to Santosa. Magnificent views!Plenty of Vertigo too.

London Arrival

Thrilled to be here. No trouble with jet lag, did have enormous days, arriving 5am but stayed up to 8pm ish,explored London and saw so many treats. Were well looked after by Josh's flat mates and had all the gear left to ensure we could sort underground and car. Great adventures- from the crowds in the streets to buildings to crowds on underground to St James Park to crowds doing the loops of attractions to crowds on roads.....but it is great. Photos tell some of the stories but so many more. Really looking forward to getting back to London.......and the Test at Lords.