Day 1: Adelaide Test Match

I can honestly say that it was a great feeling getting up this morning on my way to yet another Test series at a ground I had always wanted to go to. Yes, it was early - a 4.30am alarm call to be picked up by Dad just after 5.00am, to also get Dan and then catch the 5.30am train from Oak Flats for the journey to the airport. Yes, it was the beginning of a very long but enjoyable day.

At the airport we met up with Bono and eventually worked our way in to the inner sanctum. Through a rookie error, both John and I were pulled over by airport security to have our bags searched again, because we had decided to pack aerosol sprays in our carry-on luggage. Great job us.

After that it was time to enjoy a couple of pre-flight beers - otherwise known as breakfast.

In honour of Phil Hughes, who had died exactly one year previous. his initials and Test number

In honour of our mate Tim Davies, his initials and his Kiama cricket Club 1st Grade number

Ready and excited for the 90 minute flight to Adelaide!

Bono lasted about 20 minutes before the inevitable snooze.

Having arrived and wended our way through the usual path to the taxi rank, our driver took us to our place of residence for the next four nights, the Adabco Boutique Hotel. Though it was 2.5 kilometres from the Adelaide Oval, I wanted it that way so we could walk through town every day to find a pub or bar to frequent, both on the way to the ground and on the way home. The walk wouldn't hurt any of us either.

Having stowed our gear (as it was only 11.30am and we couldn't get into our rooms yet) we walked into town for lunch, which we found in the food court off Rundle Mall. It wasn't long before Dan was already delving into his funds.

The walk up to the Adelaide Oval is picturesque indeed. It is even better once inside. I had bought tickets for the concourse in front of the old scoreboard for all three days, and it is even more spectacular in person.