For Pete’s Sake

So today I made my return to cricket playing for Bradley Stoke. It’s almost if not exactly a year since I last played so to say I was nervous was an understatement. We lost the toss and were put in to bat and things didn’t go that great. I was in at quite far down the order, 10 I think, but rather than be a good distance over a 100 when I came in we were 92-8. As I said, it wasn’t looking good.

My first thought, which is the same thought I go out to the middle, is avoid the golden duck. As long as I’m not out first ball that settles me in a little bit. The other thing was that we had about 15 or so overs to go so the captain plus a few other plays said as I walked out was to bat an end and stay in which was echoed by our batsmen who I was about to join. I had two balls to face and I survived both so target #1 was achieved. Then as time wore on I got a few runs and my fellow batsmen and I started to put on a good partnership. There were a few close calls, a dropped catch and a late turn back on a run chance, but those were few and far between. However, the one moment I relaxed and played a shot with some gusto I found the tallest and best fielder they had and was caught for 5. Some, looking at my score, would think I’d be disappointed however I was and am quite the opposite. Those 5 runs, although not much, contributed to a 77 run partnership and took us to 169-9. We also batted out the 40 overs and I occupied at least 1hr plus a little at the crease. I think I was out in the 38th over on the penultimate ball so a good time spent there I think. The only downside was that I left my partner on 99 and had our 10th man got out straight away he would’ve been stranded on it. Fortunately he didn’t and in the end he got 104 not out.

In the field we were pretty good and in return for my batting I got the chance to bowl. I got three overs 0-20 so not great but my 2nd over was a cracker just a shame my 3rd was awful really and I couldn’t carry over what I did in my 2nd over. My fielding was adequate with only one real bad piece of fielding when I slid for a ball which I could’ve just picked up. I have no idea why I did that, all I know is that my brain said slide and I did and realised my mistake when the ball went between my legs. In the end we lost the game but overall I was happy with my performance.

In other news Cati is in Taize for a week so I’m on my tod. Good in some ways but as always I’ll be really missing her company so no doubt I’ll start counting down the days till she’s home. Anyway, I’ve put me down as available for next week and I hope I can carry this performance over to any game I get to play then.

So it’s been quite a while since I last updated my blog here, but then again that’s nothing new. Since I last updated United won the Champions League in the most dramatic way possible, even more dramatic I think than ‘99. Pittsburgh were outclassed in the Stanley Cup Finals by a resolute Detroit Red Wings and of course I ran my half-marathon.

The unfortunate thing is that I was unable to finish, I got to 11.5mi and pulled up as in mind & body I was unable to push myself that little bit more. I was gutted and felt I let a lot of people down. I know I gave my best and that considering my build up probably went further than some would think but I still wished I could have finished. After I gathered myself and look back I know deep down I couldn’t of gone further but it still doesn’t stop me wishing I had. The weather especially didn’t help, it was gale force and one particular part of the course was uphill and head on into it. Either way I think I’ll take stock and will train a lot longer and try again, I know I can do it and intend on doing so.

To today then and I now have a new sister-in-law as on Friday my brother got married. It was a lovely day in all ways especially the weather which was quite impressive when you consider the weather either side. On the Thursday when we drove up it was raining most of the way and was quite miserable. Come Friday, the day of the wedding, it was glorious sunshine with blue skies. Then Saturday, the drive home was through torrential rain and I was so glad that the good weather was saved for my brothers’ wedding. It was a Quaker wedding, the first I’ve been to, and it was quite lovely and special. The speeches at the meal were funny and entertaining and the dancing and disco at night was a riot. If you’re on Facebook you’ll no doubt have picked up the few pictures of me dancing the night away. It was also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with people I haven’t seen in a long, long time, some whom I unfortunately couldn’t remember. However by the end of the night we’d reminisced and enjoying catching up. It also made me make a resolution of trying to keep in touch as best I can with people.

This coming Tuesday is Cati and I’s 2nd Wedding Anniversary however we’re celebrating it tomorrow as for whatever reason I took the day off and Cati is currently on gardening leave as she is switching jobs. Not sure what we’re doing yet but I’m sure we’ll figure something out and enjoy the time together.