Blue Mountains Family Holiday: Day 4

Our final full day in the Blue Mountains was again to be a full one. We raided the breakfast once again before heading out for another trip out amongst the mountains. Th eday itself was more threatening weather-wise, with ominous clouds hanging overhead.

First stop was the Zig Zag Railway, off the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. I had never been on it, and was looking forward to it. As it turned out, we arrived at about 9.45am, when the first train wasn't to leave until 11.00am. Bill's obsession with being on time was on this occasion a little too far fetched.

This time was spent by Josh picking up a toy steam train (which he didn't stop playing with for days afterwards), reading some tourist paraphenalia, and having a coffee.

Jess and Maddi sign the Visitor Book at Zig Zag Railway.

Soon enough, we were on the train, and off down the mountainside. It really is a marvel of achievement, and the view is spectacular. Through the original tunnel which lasts for about half a minute, to the zig zag down the side of the mountain, it's quite a sight. The kids, when they weren't fighting to get a window seat in the train, also enjoyed it, which was good. Even though it was a diesel train that we were on, as the steam trains were all out of service at the time, it didn't detract from the scenery, and overall it didn't detract from the experience. At the bottom of the hill we had a tour of the sheds, where the trains were being prepared for the weekend for their big Thomas the Tank Engine long weekend. Given how busy and full our train was today, I'm glad we weren't around for the weekend.

Maddi, Jess and Josh on the train.

The view from the top of the decent of the railway.

"Get off the tracks Josh! There's a train coming!"

Ww left for Helen's big part of the trip - the Mt Wilson open gardens - just after 1.00pm. Ten minutes into the half hour trip, all three kids were fast asleep, with no chance of being disturbed. This meant that for a couple of hours, we would drive to different gardens, which Helen would then walk around and check out while I sat in the car and kept the kids company. To be honest, I think I got the best end of that deal.
Fortunately, by the time we reached what constituted the last garden, the kids awoke, and they got some lunch into them by mid-afternoon.

From here we moved on to Mt Tomah Botanical Gardens, where we hadn't been for 20 years. It is still spectacular, though the kids were beginning to have had enough. The milkshakes at the end helped to soothe their fractures nerves.

Dinner tonight was up at PapaDino's Italian Restaurant, and was a hit. The kids were given some pizza dough to make into any shape they wanted, and was then cooked in the oven for them to take home.
Josh and Maddi were happy to share a cheese pizza, while Helen and I shared a Supreme pizza, and Jessie wanted Bolognase, which I got some of as well as a small size was really a large size. For under $60 for a great meal, we had once again hit upon a winner.

We ventured back to the Motel to watch Where the Wild Things Are, which was really quite long, quite tedious and not fantastic for young kids or adults. Still, the kids seemed to enjoy it, and I guess that's all you can ask for. I won't require seeing it again. again

Blue Mountains Family Holiday: Day 3

The days aren't getting any warmer in Katoomba, but this was exacerbated today as we headed off for Jenolan Caves, an 80 minute journey along the ranges. We all loaded up at breakfast once again befor the trip. The kids amused themselves as they fought out Mario Karts on Jessie's Nintendo DSI, while we all were again amazed at the countryside, and how those first white explorers must have seen the country on their first forays over the mountains. On the roadside, a sign proclaims the spot where the first exploration of Blaxland, Lawson & Wentworth finished in 1813. Amazing to think that it was almost 200 years ago.

The weather at Jenolan Caves was... well... as close to freezing as you can get. The breeze just enforced the cold even more, and I began to wonder just how tough this day was going to be.

Cold? My word, yes!

The early guided cave walks had been sold out, including the Imperial Cave, which was the easiest grade, and the one we had thought of taking. However, with the popularity of the tours at a premium, they put on an extra guided tour of the Lyons Cave. This was graded as the most difficult, with 916 steps in all, and most at very steep grades. However, we were assured our "fit" kids would be fine, and so at 11.00am we ascended the moountain to begin the tour.

Excited to silliness about going into the cave.

The cave itself was fantastic. It took a little over 90 minutes to walk through, see all of the sights, and listen to the excellent commentary by our guide. In the massive Cathedral Cavern, they not only turned all of the lights off, proving that no light could penetrate from the outside, but they then even played some music ("The Ecstacy of Gold") to showcase the natural amphitheatre. The kids had a ball, and learned a lot. So did their parents.

On our return to Katoomba, we decided to go against last night's decision, and indeed go out to eat. Helen and I had noticed the Indian restaurant just around the corner from our motel, and decided to eat there, as it had appeared popular with locals. I rang to book and early table, and at 5.30pm we walked in to Anki's Indian Restaurant. As it was, all but three tables already had reserved signs on, a good sign.

Ready for Indian!

In short - it was as good a meal as I have had. The samosas for starters were very spicy and tasty. The garlic naan were huge! We had originally ordered four, but were encoraged by our host that three would be more than sufficient. The basket of pappadams was also huge. Helen ordered a chickpea and lentil curry, which she said was terrific. I was immediately drawn to what was only described as the "Chef Special" - choice of meat cooked with capsicum and onion and special "HOT" sauce. No actual description of the curry, just Chef's Special. And it was hot - it burned the lips and tongue immediately with the spice and chilli. But it was superb. With a combination of rice, naan, pappadams and about a litre of water, I ate it all with glee. It was amazing. I asked if the chef would perhaps let me know his recipe, in the hope that I could reproduce this at home. I was denied, and no wonder. If I could cook this i wouldn't be letting go of it either! The kids had a great time with rice and naan and some chicken, and at a total cost of just $78 for all of us, it was just a brilliant meal. If you go to Katoomba, go to Anki's Restaurant in Waratah Street. You won't be disappointed.

Our meal. Check out the chilli red goodness of the Chef's Special!

We returned to our rooms, and watched The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe... well, three of us did, as Jess and Josh collapsed into sleep after their big day.

Blue Mountains Family Holiday: Day 2

Tuesday dawned sunny but chilly. Our motel accommodation came with free full breakfast for all of us, so we took full advantage of it. Jess was happy to be having bacon and hash browns and sausages. Maddi loved scrambled eggs on toast with bacon. Josh was happy with cereal. It was all good.

Rugging up before the walk.

Walking from Katoomba to Echo Point

The morning was spent on a walking expedition, walking from our motel up to Echo Point. Given that there had been a billion people and cars there yesterday, it was much more pleasant this morning, although it was bitterly cold to begin with. The views of course are spectacular, topped off by the Three Sisters.

Looking west from Lillianfels.

Two sisters and one brother at the Three Sisters

There is also a new(ish) monument to the building of the first Great Western Highway from Sydney to Bathurst by convict labour, that took almost 30 years to complete. It was good history for the kids to see and hear.

The kids were then insistent that they wanted to walk down to the Three Sisters, which we did. But then they wanted to go down the Great Stairway and sit on the first of the Sisters. This required those of us who are not good with heights to venture down with them. The deed was done, and the kids were happy. For the record, I will state here that I will NEVER be doing that again!!!

After a good couple of hours walking, the kids had been really good, so we managed to stop at Blue Mountains Chocolate to indulge them. Chocolate milkshakes for Jess and Josh, a hot chocolate for Maddi, and a REAL hot chocolate for Helen (where the real chocolate is melted into the milk by a tea light under the mug) were a hit, while the mug of coffee settled Dad's nerves after his dice with death.

We walked back to the motel, got in the car, and decided to do a drive down to Leura Cascades while the crowds were not as deep as yesterday. Taking a Bono Shortcut brought us to the Cascades and a playground where the kids were able to reacquaint themselves with some fun as well.

Back into Leura we dared to go, and as it turned out, it was just as busy as yesterday. Still, it was more window shopping that needed to be done, and so that's what we did.

Maddi posing outside of her own cafe!

With most lunch options again out the window, we returned back to our motel, and picked up some sandwich stuff at Aldi to have instead. A much cheaper option, I must say.
The kids then felt like a rest after their big day walking and following their Mum through shops, so we watched The Gruffalo and Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium on DVD instead.

For dinner we walked fifty metres down the road to the Canton House Chinese Restaurant, where Helen and I had eaten some 15 years ago. The kids almost drove us to complete distraction however, as they all had their temper fits.
First, Maddi had ordered a juice with her dinner, not realising she could have a Coke, and she had a meltdown until we rectified the situation.

Then Josh thought we had ordered fried rice instead of boiled rice for his dinner, and he lost it, and created a  second scene before he could understand we had not done this at all.

Then, at the end of the meal as we were about to walk back to the motel, Jess discovered she had lost one of her gloves. She had to go back in with Helen to find it, which they finally did. However, then Jessie thought she had been hard done by, and carried on a treat in the restaurant and on the walk back.

As a result, it was decided that we would not be going out for dinner for the rest of the trip. A shame, as Helen was obviously enjoying herself for the most part.

On our return, the kids were left to watch The Never Ending Story while their parents watched The Amazing Race and read in the bedroom. A much better option.

Blue Mountains Family Holiday: Day 1

It was all excitement in the Peters household as we prepared to leave for our family holiday. This was somewhat held up by... well... me actually, as it also corresponded with the final round of the US Masters, which as could be expected when we were trying to get away, went to a play-off. In the end, it was won by Bubba Watson, who overcame Louis Oosthuizen on the second play-off hole. Having had $5 on Bubba at $39 to win the tournament, it added another almost $200 to my IASbet account as well. :)

We headed off at 10.00am, and the going was fine until halfway up the mountain, at which point we struck holiday traffic and roadwork, which meant that the last 15 kilometres took 50 minutes of crawling instead of the typical 10 minutes.

Josh can't believe we have to line up for toilets at Leura!

Arriving at Leura at 1.00pm, we discovered half the world's population had also made its way to the town centre. Eateries were crowded and expensive, and running out of food. After lining up for a toilet break and a quick wander around the main street, it was decided that we would go to Katoomba, book into our motel, and check out the food situation there.

The motel was great, our two-room suite perfect for the family. With the kids now crying about the neglect we had shown to their eating habits (being now after 2.00pm) we dropped our bags and walked up Katoomba Street. Michel's Patisserie beckoned, and after pies and sausages rolls along with strawberry milk, appetites were, for the time being, satisfied.

We then followed Helen as she began a systematic attack on all shopping venues in Katoomba Street.

Of most interest were the Emporium's which not only interested Helen but drew the kids attention as well, with many model cars and trains and hats and scarves and jackets... and everything else you could imagine.

The kids outside the Katoomba Vintage Emporium

Helen also had to have a quick squiz at the Carrington Hotel again, in the hope that one day she may get to stay there. Fat chance.

After about three hours of window shopping, we decided on the Katoomba RSL for dinner, in the hope that we could get something to satisfy everyone. Jess and Maddi decided on Chicken Scnitzel and chips (but left the salad), Josh decided on fried rice (but eventually ate boiled rice with tomato sauce), Helen had a red curry (that had little to do with curry), while my Sizzling Mongolian Lamb was actually pretty good! $95 for five meals and drinks. Reasonable without being super.

We returned to the motel to watch Yogi Bear, with the voices of Dan Ackyroyd and Justin Timberlake. It was definitely made for kids with little for the adults to hold on to.

The Reunion

I really didn't know if today was going to be a good day or not. Let's face it, I'd had reservations about the reunion from the start. Well, today (tonight) we'd find out if they were unfounded or not.

However, it was going to be a full day before we even arrived at that point. Breakfast on the Deck was the first point of call, just to survey the Kingdom of West Kiama and see what a great day it was.
Helen had (coincidentally) scheduled Maddi's 'get together' for today between 11.00am and 1.00pm. Now, when this was first raised with me, Helen said it was just Maddi having a play date with three of her friends. "It's not a birthday party". No worries, I said. Then I discovered that it also clashed with Jessie's first game of hockey - not a big thing, because I did want to watch her, but I also wanted to be at one of our cricket semi-finals to see the first ball, which started at 11.00am. Jessie's hockey started at 10.20am, and the game lasted 20 minutes. That was going to be a squeeze, but it could be dealt with. Then Helen started cooking lots of 'party' food, and buying things to go in 'party' games. And though she never EVER used the words 'birthday party', before my very eyes, Maddi's play date had become a party. She can be very sly, can my wife, and she certainly snuck this one past me. Pretty much like she does on all occasions. I will be very much ready for the next time she tries to sneak this same explanation past me...
The final thing to break up the plans I had made for myself today was that Jess actually had two games of hockey on, not one. So the anticipated 10.40am finish did not actually occur until 11.30am, which meant that my carefully laid plans from a month ago, with plenty of notice to all involved, again had gone down the gurgler.

No big deal. Jessie's hockey was good to watch. Almost all of the Albion Park kids were at a learners level, and though Jess liked to dance around the edges of where the ball was, she was somewhat stand-offish when it came to getting her stick involved. It wasn't until the very last play of the second game, when the opposition made a break from their own half, with no one between the two of them and the goal. The only girl able to chase? Jessica Peters. She chased hard, and was able to stop the first attacker by getting the ball of him, and then doing the same with the second attacker, halting the attack, and the game ended. That was great to see. The only problem now is that she doesn't play for a month because of school holidays. We'll see how she handles that first game back.

Arrived back at home at 11.30am, heard before I saw the 'party' in full swing, grabbed Garry and jumped back in the car, heading for Shellharbour to see our 2nd Grade side play Shellharbour in their semi-final. Our guys had won the toss and batted, but as per most of the season, the batting didn't fire and couldn't get going. To be rolled for 114 was very disappointing. Garry and I both agreed that if they had managed to get to 150 or 160, it would have been a very defendable score, especially given the Kiama bowling line-up of Hart, Reilly, Hook, Hartley and Hudson.
Our guys needed a good start, and they got it, reducing Shellharbour to 3/17 at tea. At this point Garry and I had to leave for the evening festivities, but we were hopeful of a good result, and not just a little bemused by the Shellharbour beer tent set up on the eastern side of the ground. many Shellharbour players and supporters had set themselves up there, and as they drank more throughout the day were becoming louder and increasingly obnoxious. Banter is fine, but this was becoming downright insulting.

Back to home, to ready ourselves for the evening. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Joel, Bono, Fran and Amelia showed up. We had a couple of heart starters on the Deck in the fine afternoon sunshine. After some phone calls we were also joined by Anthony and Kearo and Manette. Helen got a photo of us all together, which was good for posterity's sake. We are all a little older, though Joel and Manette are just remarkably unchanged. A nice quote from former alumni Tim Queripel on Facebook perhaps summed it up nicely:
"Well Kearo's been looking after himself. Tone, Gaz and Big Joel doing OK. Bill and Bono look to have been grazing in the top paddock!"

Karen very kindly dropped us in to the Kiama Leagues Club, where we had a half hour downstairs to have a beer - and catch up with the cricket scores. 1sts are boned, losing two late wickets to finish at 5/92 chasing 217 against Lake Illawarra. 2nds are all but gone, Shellharbour being 6/101 chasing 114. There could be an outright result however, so it looks like that's where I'll be again tomorrow.

As it turned out, we didn't get upstairs until 7.30pm such was the conversation downstairs. We walked into a sea of people. It was somewhat amusing. In the upstairs function room, there is a raised area as you walk into the room, where the bar is. You then step down into the auditorium itself, which is full of tables and the such, and the outdoor smokers area is on the opposite side from the bar. All of the people who had arrived, which must have been 50-odd by the time I arrived, were all smashed into the top bar area, and the rest of the establishment was practically empty. So, after about fifteen minutes of say hi to anyone who happened into view, and having grabbed another schooner, I motioned to Bono and Anthony that I was going to make the move down to floor level, and grab the 'punters' tables over on the far side. I suggested that this was to allow everyone who wanted to talk to me could find me. It was more about getting some space and enjoying my beer I think.

So what can I say about the night? It was quite surreal really. It truly is a remarkable fact about the difference between schoolyard and real world. In the schoolyard, you can spend anywhere from six months to 13 years with the same people. You basically grow up together, and learn the principles that become the mantra for your own lives beyond. You don't even know it's happening at the time, it just is.
What is possibly even more amazing is how much people's memories and feelings can change in the years between. there are people who, while you are at school together, would not even give you the time of day, who would hardly know you even exist. Yet suddenly, at a school reunion years later, converse with you like a long lost friend, and want to know all about your life and what you have been doing. Perhaps even stranger, there are people who you were close to when you were at school, who now are trying to keep some distance between you and them.

My reunion experience was all positive. Everyone seemed genuinely excited and happy to see everyone else. I spoke to people I had seen a day beforehand and I spoke to people I hadn't seen in 25+ years. Jason Murrell left at the end of Year 10, and was just the same, and we had a great talk. Rachel Preddey hasn't changed one iota since high school in any way. When she came up to Manette and myself and confessed that in high school she had had a crush on Muz, it cracked us up. The girls in my office at work had insisted I would discover my "secret crush" at the reunion. Well, I didn't (as I insisted to them that one does not exist) but Rach and Jase had. Very very funny.
How many people can you name? I hadn't seen Simon Bowland since his move to Melbourne, nor Mark Curtis in the same instance. I hadn't seen Roger Lienert since about 1988, and we had a great catch up. Mick Taylor I hadn't seen since his one season of cricket with Kiama 4th Grade back in 2000, when he won a premiership in his only season. Bronwyn Gollan and I hadn't spoken for fifteen years, but her first words were to once again remind everyone gathered than I was her first 'boyfriend' (pretty sure we were seven years old) and that I had often been in charge of feeding her Baby Alive doll. Thanks again for that Bron. I hadn't seen Clancy Ford since school, and her first utterance was whether I could remember how rude I had been to her in 6th class when we sat together in Michael Maude's class for four weeks. How differently we all remember certain instances. I was eleven years old at the time and pretty keen on Clancy, but didn't know how to actually articulate that. Obviously, what I tried backfired to the point that I had left Clancy with these kind of memories for 32 years. Wow. Talk about your all-time backfires. How did I ever get married?! Gay Wooltorton, apart from the hair colour, is another who has barely changed - well, maybe she's a little louder now. :)  I hadn't seen Mark Nolan since he had graduated from taking photos at our lowly Kiama cricket games to photographing the NRL and other such events. Yep, still the same too. Julie Murphy and Michelle Elliott, crazy girls that they were, are now sensible women. Who would ever have thought? Laurelle Crowther, another who has not changed at all in looks or personality. Craig Mason still the same guy, casual and at ease with everyone. Who would ever have believed that the "Espo's", Max and Sandro, would have shown up? Not me or Bono, who spoke of the possibility endlessly in the weeks leading up to the event. Ross Harmer, another who has moved to Victoria, is still the same Ross Harmer who I started pre-school with back in 1973. Mark Hedges, the police force still suiting him. Corey Hall and Rod Roberts, Gerringong still suiting them. Deanna Armstrong and I started together in kindergarten in 1975 in Mrs Bala's class. And not to forgot the girls who decided to get this together and organise - Allison Sinclair, Penny Wilson and Kylie Andrews. I could just list everyone, but it would take forever and a day.

There just wasn't enough time, firstly to see everyone who was there, and then to properly talk with everyone to a satisfactory conclusion. It felt as though too many conversations were cut off through new conversations with other people starting, or by going to the bar and getting caught up with other people. In any event, as terrific as it was to see so many people from the past, we just couldn't squeeze them all in over one evening.

They finally kicked us out at about 2.00am (I think. Time had gotten a little fuzzy by then). Bono and I went for kebabs, though Bono confounded everyone by ordering a "kebab with salad, no meat thanks mate". They didn't know what to charge him. Hilarious. Allison had loudly proclaimed outside "Everyone can come back to my house!! Plenty to drink!". She even forced me to memorise her address (yep, still remember it. 53 Barton Drive). No doubt she was glad the next day when no one had taken her up on that offer, as sorely tempted as we were.

Taxi's had been ordered, but the queue was lengthy (about 17 jobs in front of most of us). After another half an hour of talking drunkenly with anyone who would listen, Anthony suggested we go with my suggestion from 5.30pm that afternoon - call Karen to come and get us. now, either his phone was dead or he didn't want to call, so (surprisingly) I sent her a text. Which went "This is Anthony. Please pick us up at Leagues Club. Love Anthony". I'll be honest - I have no recollection as to whether Kaz then called Anthony or not, or called my phone. All I know is half an hour or so later, Karen turned up. And we all piled in. Craig, Anthony and myself in the very back, Laurelle, Scott and Garry in the middle, and Bono in the front. Bono closed the door, while we were all talking to Dale in the back. Though the actual time that had elapsed was different in everyone's memories, I reckon it was between 20 and 30 seconds, before Dale, just as an aside in the conversation, suggested Bono might open his door again, as he had slammed Dale's hand in it and it was stuck. Some were horrified at this. I couldn't stop laughing. Hilarious. Bono was apologetic, Dale cried it off, suggesting it "wasn't too bad". The fact it was swollen and bruised for days afterwards probably suggested otherwise, but I found it very funny at the time. Then we got to Scott's house, where he looked towards the front, and said "Wow! $96.50, that's quite a fare!" It was of course the radio station he was looking at (96.5 Wave FM). Good job Mowbes. Craig had made a big shot at Drunkest Person on South Coast, and had slept all the way home. I was glad I didn't have his head on the next day. Not that I think Laurelle was going to be much help either.

We got in the front door after 3.00am. Garry headed for bed, while Bono and I stayed up for close to another hour, drinking some water and talking about the night. In a way, it was fitting that we were the last two standing. 25 years ago, I don't think either of us would have thought that come 2012 we would have been as close friends as we are. 25 years later, I still consider Bono, Anthony, Kearo and Joel as my closest friends. Surely none of us thought at the time that would be the case. Bono and I converse a lot, could probably solve the world's problems together if we were of such a mind. Finishing the night with him just felt like it was right.

Vale Peter Roebuck - One of the Greats

It was a great shock on Sunday morning to hear the news that Peter Roebuck had been found dead at his hotel in South Africa. While the manner and reason behind his demise was still mired in question, it did not detract from the fact that the game of cricket had lost one of its finest writers and observers.

Much will be said of his modest yet effective career as a first-class cricketer, captaining Somerset for a number of years and also being named as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1988, an achievement of the highest standing.
 However, it is his career as a journalist and writer that has delighted, informed and inspired so many people around the world. It is in this capacity that he has been to me a ‘mentor by correspondence’.

There are so many cricket journalists reporting for so many types of publications throughout Australia and the world. Most of these journalists, either through their own personality or ego, or the demands of their publication, write sensationalistic copy, which in the main focuses on the negative aspects of results or incidents. They look for the headline, seize it, and run with it until it is beyond dead. They will jump on a few words in a fifteen minute interview, and turn it into a story where no story exists, just to dredge up an old story that has long been buried. Anyone who recently saw Simon Katich’s interview after scoring a century in the Shield match will see this hypocrisy. He spoke of New South Wales cricket, of his determination to succeed this season, his return to bowling, and other such things. His throw-away line that he did not expect to play cricket again for Australia under the current regime took up less than five seconds of this interview, but it was ONLY this part that then made the headlines by the media. It was a joke, and a disgrace, one exacerbated by Cricket Australia who have since deemed it fit that Katich fronts them to explain his ‘actions’. Once again, the media creates a story when, in reality, none existed, and it is to their eternal disgrace and discredit that they continue to do so.

I spent most weekends through the late 1980’s and early 1990’s reading the columns of Peter Roebuck and John Benaud in the Sunday newspapers. In the days before the internet, before pay-tv, where there was limited television exposure of any cricket that wasn’t Test or International one day cricket within Australia, their incisive words of intellect were a breath of fresh air. They cut through the hype of the mainstream cricket media, able to balance both sides of any argument, and offered an informative insight into the cricket being played both on and off the field.

What was so inspiring about Roebuck’s writing was his unbiased attitude to all his articles. He was not nationalistic. He was an Englishman who played his cricket for an English county, he lived in Australia and South Africa, and worked in both these countries, and could have called them home, yet he never betrayed any bias in his articles to his feelings in this regard.
This did not mean that he wasn’t forthright in his opinions when required. In 2008 his article, which his editor deemed fit to place on the front page of his newspaper, called for the sacking of Australian captain Ricky Ponting after the Test against India at the SCG, which had a number of nasty incidents, not the least being the confrontation between Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden and Harbhajan Singh. He was constant and vigilant in his calls for the cricket world to embrace the Zimbabwe nation, to root out the evil that surrounded it and to save the nation's cricket, rather than condemn it to oblivion. He was also quite clear in pointing out that Michael Clarke had to make a choice between his relationship with Lara Bingle or cricket, as his off-field saga sapped at his performance on the field.

As with everyone in life, I did not always agree with his positions or conclusions. However, unlike so many other writers, I always came away from having read his articles feeling as though I had learned something about cricket, or found myself questioning my own beliefs on an issue through his thought provoking words.

My love of both writing and cricket had blossomed long before I first read any of Roebuck’s articles. Both had possibly even reached an obsessive stage by the time his first articles began appearing in Australian newspapers.
My desire as a teenager to become a journalist extended to applying for many cadetships at many newspapers, and even studying for a year at Mitchell College in Sydney. By my mid twenties I had been completely turned off the profession, mostly by the fact that serious journalism turned its back on reporting facts, and instead making sensationalism its key phrase. The search for the headline became its goal, and losing the basis of what journalism is - the reporting on events, not creating them to sell newspapers or advertising slots on TV programs.
My love for cricket never waned, even as my own shortcomings as a cricketer became glaringly obvious.

I spoke earlier of how Peter Roebuck became my ‘mentor by correspondence’. What I meant by that is simple. His writing inspired me to become more observant as a cricket watcher, to study the game and the players in a way I may never have done without reading his articles. He also inspired me to give something back to cricket in my own backyard. I began to write the cricket articles for our Club for the Kiama Independent, first for two years before moving away to Sydney, and then again for three years on my return five years later. In the present day, he has been one of my inspirations when it comes to doing the write-ups for our Grade cricket teams each week on our website. He is one of the people behind my decision to attempt the rudimentary Club history I have been dabbling with for the past two years. His writings, his witticisms, and his journalistic integrity have been the things that have inspired me to perform a modest reproduction on and off for twenty years on a much smaller scale, and with a much small readership.

No matter what may come out in the following days of the reasons why he took his own life on Saturday, world cricket has lost one of its greatest orators, and it is with profound sadness that I greeted this news. One wonders if we will ever be able to replace him.

Debuts of Differing Degrees

Last weekend provided two players making their own debuts in the same 1st Grade match, but their fortunes couldn't have been any further apart, even if they had been stalking the poles at opposite ends of the world.

Brodie Billett has played 1st Grade cricket before, for his previous club of Oak Flats. The match against Lake Illawarra was, however, his first match for Kiama, and therefore his 1st Grade debut for Kiama. In his role as new 1st Grade keeper, he had done his work behind the stumps last weekend as Lake Illawarra batted through out the day. This week was his turn to do the job with the bat.

Walking out at 6/102 is not an easy proposition. 47 runs are still required to avert the follow on. Last season in 3rd Grade, Brodie scored over 700 runs. As anyone who has played 3rd Grade in recent seasons can attest, it is not a strong competition at the moment. Those runs were well made, but 3rd Grade is not 1st Grade, and facing Mark Ulcigrai is not like facing medium paced 3rd Grade attacks. Facing his first ball for Kiama, Brodie found it crashing into his pads, and the dreaded finger was raised. A golden duck on debut. Not one for the scrapbook.

Later in the day, Kiama are getting a second chance at the crease thanks to Lake Illawarra's generosity at enforcing the follow-on. This time, due to Ryan Gunning's injured toe, Brodie steps out at 5/70, and with some work to do to tie up the day. He walks to the crease, and looks up to find Mark Ulcigrai at the top of his run. No doubt thoughts of his dismissal from a couple of hours previous start flashing in his head. You tell yourself to play this ball differently, to avoid the mistakes you have made in that first innings. Then, before you know it, "Ulci" is at the umpire, and the ball is upon you. The ball again crashes into your pad, and no doubt Brodie is fearing the worst as the Lake team goes up in unison. Looking up at the umpire, seeing the finger rise into the air, did he instantly realise that not only has he picked up his second golden duck of the day, that it now transforms into a King Pair? Is there a worse feeling in cricket? Who can say. One thing is for certain - Brodie won't forget his debut for Kiama for a long time, nor will he be allowed to forget it by his teammates.

A king pair on debut, both dismissals LBW. That's got to be difficult to take. Or would you consider it to be a worse situation for Josh Elliott? In both innings in that 1st Grade match, Josh walked to the wicket following Brodie's dismissal, and both times had to face a hat-trick delivery. Certainly he would have copped some ribbing in the first innings, but you can only imagine the jovality that was happening on the field as Josh walked out to "Groundhog Day" in the second innings. "Don't drive angry Josh! Side of your eye... side of your eye..."

One person who knows all about being dismissed leg before wicket is Greg Norris. In the 2010-11 season, Greg was dismissed LBW nine times, a Club and possibly word record. Having received some gentle serves about this during the off season, no doubt Greg was looking forward to keeping away from any such jokes in the new season. This was unfortunately put to rest in the first innings of the 2nd Grade game against Lake Illawarra, when he was dismissed... yes... LBW... for 9 runs.

Last weekend, after a great bowling effort, Kiama required only 15 runs to win their match outright. Opening the batting, with little to gain and plenty to lose, Greg was the subject of two huge appeals early on, both of which were denied by the umpire. However, when yet another ball stayed a little low and again found its target (Greg's front pad) it was more than the umpire could withstand, and he indicated to all yet another LBW against the G-Man.

Is the record in danger? After one round, two batsmen have two LBW dismissals - although if a countback is held, then surely Brodie will win for his two first ballers. 

The competition this season looks as though it will be fierce. Perhaps a new trophy will need to be struck on Presentation Night to record this great competition.

One of the better stories of the week involves Anthony Mortimer. Having last weekend - and let's not mince words here - carried on like a goose in a trial match at Northern Districts, Morty received a dressing down over his actions during the week. While it was acknowledged that he had the skills to be a very good cricketer, his attitude in certain situations was becoming his downfall. Morty accepted the consequences for his actions, apologised and promised to do better.

On Thursday, with other players proving unavailable, Morty was chosen to replace Ryan Price for the second week of the 1st Grade match, in essence being picked for his 1st Grade debut. He repaid the faith of the selectors and the board by putting in a very credible effort. He took a catch in the field, and then backed that up by scoring 29 in the first innings (3rd top score) and then another 20 in the second innings (2nd top score). What was even more impressive is that everyone spoke positively of his attitude and determination during the day.

Through this unusual set of circumstances, perhaps Kiama has not only found a good 1st Grade cricketer, but a good cricketer has found out just how to make himself into an asset for his Club, both on and off the field. For everyone involved, let's hope this is the case.

Why Was Ian Bell Recalled?

There have been innumerable occasions in the history of cricket that a batsman has been out, but has been reprieved by an umpire's error or the leniency of the opposition's appeal. But it has been a long time since I have seen a batsman who has been given out - correctly - under the Laws of Cricket, and yet has been able to resume his innings all thanks to the newly popular term of the "Spirit of Cricket", which apparently can overrule the Laws of the game.

Did anyone else see this? The following link from CricInfo gives an overview of the incident at hand:http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-indi...ory/525477.html

In the humble opinion of this highly prestigious column, I would suggest the following is true.

1. Bell doesn't pay attention to the game - in reality, didn't value his wicket highly enough - and he is dismissed. Out. Correctly, in accordance of the Laws of the game. Most sources have claimed that Bell was NOT attempting a further run, but the replay of the batsmen running between the wickets suggests otherwise, as he sets off for a fourth run, then glances to the boundary to see the fieldsman prostrate over the boundary line. Bell assumes, with the lack of haste coming from the fielder and the roar of the crowd, that the ball has reached the boundary, and moves from a jog to a walk toward the dressing room for tea.

2. At no stage did umpire Asad Rauf signal a boundary had been hit, nor did he verbalise it. At this point it is the batsman's responsibility to either return and make his ground at his end, or enquire with the umpire if it is a four or not. By doing neither of these things, Bell has effectively left himself with no defence in simply walking off the ground. The ball is still "live" and the fielding team has every right to remove the bails and appeal for the wicket to be given out.

3. If India were 'against' the decision having been made, why didn't they change their minds on the field before the tea break? If it hadn't been the last over before tea, they would have HAD to have made that decision before the next batsman arrived at the crease. Highly unlikely that it would have been overturned in that scenario.

4. What the hell are England's captain and coach doing visiting their opponents dressing room during the break to try and convince them to 'reverse their appeal'?! That is surely not on. That to me is coercion at its worst. If India wished to change their decision, they should do it without being seen to do so at the behest of the home country.

5. If you can only have 20 seconds to decide if you use a video referral, the why do you get 15 minutes in the dressing rooms to change your appeal/decision? If it wasn't done on the field, the standing umpires should have held firm and said that the decision could not be reversed.

6. This "Spirit of Cricket" bullshit is just something that gets flung around when it suits certain parties. Ian Bell is quoted:
"Probably naïve on my behalf, but taking into account the spirit of cricket and everything, this was probably the right decision".
Well Ian, you can stick that response straight up your Khyber Pass - it was the right decision for YOU, and YOU were the one who actually did the wrong thing in the first place!

It didn't affect the outcome of this match, but this is just another example of how the tide has turned for English cricket, and that everything is running for them. Can anyone imagine the outcry if Shane Watson had done this (and he's always likely to), and Ricky Ponting had gone to the English dressing room and asked them to change their decision? Not a snowball's hope in hell would they have changed their appeal.

Why should the so-called Spirit of Cricket be over-ruling the laws of the game, and rewarding the stupidity of a player? Ponting spent years as a captain trying to get opposing teams to agree to accept a player's word when it came to disputed catches, something that would have been a true upholding of the Spirit of Cricket. Not once - that's right, NOT ONCE - in all those years did an opponent agree to his request. One wonders just where this particular incident could lead to in the future.