I know I should have written about this earlier seeing as it was over a week ago now, but I forgot. I may have also forgotten important details of the day, so this blog will probably have a number of plot holes.
Sunday 13th March
The Argus is the world's biggest open entry timed cycle road race, so the day of the Argus is a massive event in Cape Town and the surrounding area. The route of the Argus passes right through Hout Bay; the cyclists come down off Chapman's Peak on the final stretch up Mount Rhodes before heading into Cape Town and the finish line. While other towns that the Argus goes through don't really embrace it, Hout Bay comes out in force to celebrate it, as well as to cheer on the riders as they make their way through.
This year's Argus was part of the 'Pink Drive' - set up to help support breast cancer charities (much like the Pink Test in Sydney) so everyone had pink shirts, pink wigs, pink clappers, pink hair and pink drinks (I had a strawberry milkshake to help out). Where we'd set up (outside Dario's next to the circle) loads of other people had gathered, and set up with pink balloons, and had spray painted pink slogans on surrounding walls and roads. The atmosphere was amazing, which was helped by someone belting out some really loud music that had everyone dancing along. The first cyclists (the elite ones) set off at around 6-6.30, and passed through Hout Bay just after 8am. It was great to sit out and have eggs and bacon early on Sunday morning - I didn't even mind that I had to get up at ridiculous o'clock (for me)!
After the elite peloton came through (very quickly), the masses followed not long after, with thousands upon thousands streaming through. The energy and colour of the crowds must have really inspired the cyclists, and many of them who acknowledged the crowds looked really motivated by the turn out - which is what we had set out to do. While the thousands of cyclists come through at their various paces throughout the day, after a couple of hours, we head off, as we had more plans.
Ratanga Junction is the main theme park of Cape Town, with all sorts of exciting rides. Located just out of the main city (in an area called Century City), Ratanga has all of the attractions that any good theme park should. I would compare it to Thorpe Park (only it was slightly bigger) as there are a lot of rides with water involved, and quite a few for younger thrill seekers to go on. We went with Richard, Sally and their kids, so in total there were four adults, three kids, and me, who's somewhere inbetween (which meant I could go on both the adult and kids rides).
We went on loads of rides over the course of our day out, both rollercoasters, log flumes, teacups, water slides and ones that spun, swung and generally threw us around. Ratanga being a big theme park would normally have massive queues, but because of the Argus (where people were either riding or cycling) queues were non-existent. We literally didn't have longer than a 5 minute queue for any given ride. One rollercoaster was so under populated, that after going all the way round, the controller asked if we fancied another. We ended up going around five times without stopping, and after a brief break to look at some of the photos, we went back for another five. Only the potential for motion sickness prevented any further goes on that one.
The headline ride at Ratanga is called the Cobra. It sticks out in the skyline above all of the others, and regardless what other ride you are on, you can't help seeing it whoosh past, with screams of terror from it's riders. We'd gone through the whole day avoiding it, going many times on the others. But just as watches were being looked at and kids getting restless, we decided to brave the Cobra. After a very brief queue (see above) we were strapped in - instead of a regular seated carriage we were winched into these things that came from above, and were left dangling in mid air. The ride itself was great - I really enjoyed the jolts, twists and loops, but judging by the shaky legs as others excited the ride I must have been the only one. Someone loudly exclaimed "never again" while walking off, while I was saying how I wanted to go straight back on!
The Cobra proved to be our final ride, and while we quickly went into Century City to do a bit of shopping ahead of our camping trip (more on that later) we soon head off for home, absolutely exhausted aftera knackering day. But it was great fun, we squeezed loads in and I had a blast. The Argus is a huge event, and I was glad to be around for one of Cape Town's premier days, and it was made better by the near VIP treatment at Ratanga.
I will blog about what's happened since, as well as hopefully more regular blogs, but later on. I'm still tired out from that Sunday, even though it was ages ago now.
Until next time, Will
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Sunday, 13 March 2011
My South African Cricketing Debut
Yesterday afternoon, while watching Bangladesh beat England in the Cricket World Cup, I got a text asking me if I fancied actually playing a game for myself. After finding that I had nothing better on, I accepted, before realising I had no kit or equipment. So no white shirt, trousers or boots, or bat, pads, helmet, arm guard, chest guard, thigh pad or even a box.
Luckily Will (who's real name was confusingly Adam) who offered to give me a game for The Claremont Fifths, sorted me out with some whites, and a lift to the ground.
I must at this stage admit that I haven't actually played cricket in a long time. While I've been watching and writing about cricket all around the world (literally) for a number of reasons I hadn't actually played a proper match of cricket in about two and a half years. Ouch.
My last game, for a very low-level Caterham side, was away to Sevenoaks. I volunteered to wicket-keep (and as such have claimed to be a wicket-keeper who also bats and bowls) in a game that only lasted about fifteen overs before being hit by the Kentish rain. However, in the intervening few years, I've cleaned up in all forms of the game - desk cricket, garden cricket, French cricket, and beach cricket. Games that require the players to be jack-of-all-trades all-rounders. So when asked by Will/Adam what sort of player I was, I told him I was a left-arm spinning all-rounder in the (and this is a direct quote) "Michael Yardy mould".
I must at this point reveal that I made a duck, and wasn't asked to bowl.
After being introduced to the rest of my teammates (learning nine names in one minute meant I'd forgotten them all immediately), and finding I was to bat at a lofty number ten (only ten had turned up - I was unproven, so was used down the order despite my all-round claims), we were asked to provide two umpires after Adam/Will won the toss and chose to bat. Being the new boy, I volunteered, thinking it would be a bit of fun. I'd never umpired before, but using the "I know the rules and I've seen it on TV loads so I'll be fine" method, I strolled out to stand at the pavilion end. After announcing the bowler ("right arm over") and giving Adam/Will his guard, I watched the first few balls of the game. Partway through the over, the bowler turned to me, and asked how many balls he had left. Panic set in. Was I meant to be counting? I looked around, hoping for a giant electronic scoreboard with all of the relevant details, plus a speedometer, and a third umpire in case a run out was close. Sadly I didn't have any of that at my disposal. Using what could only be called a "stab in the dark" I went for two, completely out of nowhere. It wasn't that I hadn't been paying attention - but that I'd been paying too much attention. Being my first umpiring experience, I'd been keenly watching the bowler's front foot in case of a no-ball, and was watching the delivery like a hawk in case there was an lbw appeal that I'd have to adjudge on. As well as that, I was checking that there were eleven fielders on the pitch, and that there weren't too many behind square on the leg-side, just in case the very medium pacer decided to try a revival of Bodyline. So with all of that going on, it's no wonder that I'd forgotten the umpire's simplest task - counting to six. And holding the bowler's hat while he bowls.
All in all I stood for about 20 overs of the 35 over a side game, before I was recalled to the pavilion because I'd need to pad up (there was a fairly major collapse). And all passed without incident - there was one very optimistic appeal for a caught behind that passed about three yards away from the bat in all of the time I was up at the stumps. However, I did give a wicket when at square leg - putting up the finger to confirm a run out. After all of that excitement, I went off to pad up, and after 28 overs, the eight wicket fell. I was in.
I'd sort of been annoyed that I'd been put in at number ten. Didn't Adam/Will hear me earlier? I said I was an all-rounder. All-rounders don't bat at number ten. My experiences of beach / garden cricket, where I'd dispatched all comers to all parts of the beach / garden had given me confidence. As I walked out, I tried to look as professional as possible, to let the bowlers know that I meant business. As I was the tenth man of ten to bat, and there were still 7 overs left, my mission was to stay in and bat the final overs, and take any runs that are on offer. But don't get out. I watched the first six balls of the partnership from the non-strikers end, and loudly called "YES!" for one that was edged by my partner down to the boundary. We ran two. There was a wide as well, taking the partnership up to three. I hadn't faced yet, but if we won by one run, I'd be the hero, as if I'd got out, we wouldn't have got those three runs.
My partner and I touched hands at the end of the over, and I was to face the opposition's opening fast bowler, who'd been bought on for the death overs. I was confident. He ran up, and arrowed in his first delivery. It was through me before I knew where it was. It can't have missed the stumps by much, and by all rights I deserved to get out to it, as I played an awful attempt at a forward defence, about 10 seconds after the ball had hit the wicket-keepers gloves.
All of my confidence disappeared, as I got a sense of realisation. The only reason I'd been good at beach / garden cricket (especially in South Africa) was because I'd been playing against kids of half my age. Normally with a tennis ball. This bowler was ten years older than me, and was using a hard cricket ball. While I'd hoped I'd be good, I suddenly realised that ten was too high for me. I hadn't batted in a game for a long time, and as such, was horrendously out of practice. While all of this hit me in a wave, I looked up to see he was about to bowl his next ball. It was a bit off line, and while I hoped to just get bat on ball with a defensive stroke, the ball whistled past me. I wasn't even good enough to edge it.
The third ball was better, it was right on the stumps, but I pushed forward at it, and the ball hit the middle of the bat, and ran away. I was pleased - as all cricketers say, there's nothing better than getting bat on ball. Feeling pleased to have done it once, I got my head over the ball with yet another solid defence off the fourth ball. I was doing my job as the tail-ender, hanging around so my partner could score at the other end. The fifth ball was wider, hoping to get me to play (and as such, edge it), but knowing my role (and more importantly, my limitations) I left it with an air of authority. I lifted the bat high out of the way, and watched it sail past me. I had no intention of scoring runs, but why should I? The final ball of the over drifted down the leg side, and I again blocked it. A solid over. The bowler walked away happy because he'd bowled a maiden with only a few overs left of the innings, and I was happy because I hadn't got out.
After watching my partner face six from the other end, we took a well-judged two, to take the partnership to five. Crucial runs that couldn't have been made without me. At the end of the over, I was informed that another player had shown up, so with only three overs to go and the safety net of another batsman, I should play some shots, and actually try and score some runs.
The fast bowler who I'd faced in the previous over couldn't be bothered to waste excess energy bowling fast to me, so after a chat with his captain, decided he would bowl off-spin. Spin should be easy, it was much slower, so I could hack it away. He bowled his first ball, and then I played what can only be described as the worst shot in the history of cricket.
It was quite a full ball, on my leg stump. Not really knowing what to do with this delivery, I thought about coming down the ground and heaving it away straight. I thought about getting down on one knee, and sweeping it behind me. And I thought about a little deft touch around my legs. As it was, I ended up taking half a stride to nowhere, and playing a shot which even had ball hit bat wouldn't have gone anywhere. I then committed the cricket coaches cardinal sin of having my "head fall over" - or in simple terms, losing my balance and missing it. I didn't see the ball hit the stumps, but I didn't need to. I heard it.
I walked back to the pavilion, took my pads off, and looked in the scorers book, to check to see if I'd scored some runs that I'd forgotten about. All it said was
Number 10:Will ATKINS bowled 0
But instead of a 0, someone had actually taken the time to draw a very well-designed duck.
After all of that, and after the final wicket fell soon after I'd taken my pads off, we set them a target of 163 for victory off 35. And we should have won it.
The opening bowlers bowled well, taking a few wickets to leave them struggling at 19/2 after 12 overs. It was like a proper test match. But unlike a test match, the standard of umpiring was awful (unless the test match includes Daryl Harper... cricket banter!). Just as we'd had to during our innings, the oppo had put forward two blokes to umpire, and while we'd been giving each appeal on its merits, they were taking the view that "it is never out". Without being facetious, we must have had 10-15 appeals for lbw, of which 7/8 looked absolutely plumb. While I didn't have a view from my square leg fielding position, the other boys certainly thought that at least a few deserved to be given, and were understandably not too pleased about the decisions. Especially seeing as one batsman had 4 big appeals before he reached ten, and he eventually scored an unbeaten sixty something as they won by 5 wickets.
So my own performance in the field? Fielding is probably my strong point (which says more about my standard of batting and bowling) mainly because I like throwing my self about. Fielding at a very short square leg, I got to have a go at some probably unnecessary full length dives, and had a couple of shies at the stumps. But I had no catches, and due to the strong bowling attack, I didn't even get a chance to show off my Yardy-darts.
So that was my first cricket game in ages, and judging from what you've read, it's probably best that I stick to writing about it, rather than playing. However, I do love getting out there, so if any of you want to find me a cricket club for some games over the summer, I'll give some whole-hearted performances if nothing else. And hopefully if I start actually practicing and playing in nets then I'll be able to get back to the glory days which saw me to the lofty heights of the Caterham School Under 14 Captain (B team).
Until next time (and apologies about the epic, but I do like writing about cricket and I did get on a bit of a roll...), Will
Luckily Will (who's real name was confusingly Adam) who offered to give me a game for The Claremont Fifths, sorted me out with some whites, and a lift to the ground.
I must at this stage admit that I haven't actually played cricket in a long time. While I've been watching and writing about cricket all around the world (literally) for a number of reasons I hadn't actually played a proper match of cricket in about two and a half years. Ouch.
My last game, for a very low-level Caterham side, was away to Sevenoaks. I volunteered to wicket-keep (and as such have claimed to be a wicket-keeper who also bats and bowls) in a game that only lasted about fifteen overs before being hit by the Kentish rain. However, in the intervening few years, I've cleaned up in all forms of the game - desk cricket, garden cricket, French cricket, and beach cricket. Games that require the players to be jack-of-all-trades all-rounders. So when asked by Will/Adam what sort of player I was, I told him I was a left-arm spinning all-rounder in the (and this is a direct quote) "Michael Yardy mould".
I must at this point reveal that I made a duck, and wasn't asked to bowl.
After being introduced to the rest of my teammates (learning nine names in one minute meant I'd forgotten them all immediately), and finding I was to bat at a lofty number ten (only ten had turned up - I was unproven, so was used down the order despite my all-round claims), we were asked to provide two umpires after Adam/Will won the toss and chose to bat. Being the new boy, I volunteered, thinking it would be a bit of fun. I'd never umpired before, but using the "I know the rules and I've seen it on TV loads so I'll be fine" method, I strolled out to stand at the pavilion end. After announcing the bowler ("right arm over") and giving Adam/Will his guard, I watched the first few balls of the game. Partway through the over, the bowler turned to me, and asked how many balls he had left. Panic set in. Was I meant to be counting? I looked around, hoping for a giant electronic scoreboard with all of the relevant details, plus a speedometer, and a third umpire in case a run out was close. Sadly I didn't have any of that at my disposal. Using what could only be called a "stab in the dark" I went for two, completely out of nowhere. It wasn't that I hadn't been paying attention - but that I'd been paying too much attention. Being my first umpiring experience, I'd been keenly watching the bowler's front foot in case of a no-ball, and was watching the delivery like a hawk in case there was an lbw appeal that I'd have to adjudge on. As well as that, I was checking that there were eleven fielders on the pitch, and that there weren't too many behind square on the leg-side, just in case the very medium pacer decided to try a revival of Bodyline. So with all of that going on, it's no wonder that I'd forgotten the umpire's simplest task - counting to six. And holding the bowler's hat while he bowls.
All in all I stood for about 20 overs of the 35 over a side game, before I was recalled to the pavilion because I'd need to pad up (there was a fairly major collapse). And all passed without incident - there was one very optimistic appeal for a caught behind that passed about three yards away from the bat in all of the time I was up at the stumps. However, I did give a wicket when at square leg - putting up the finger to confirm a run out. After all of that excitement, I went off to pad up, and after 28 overs, the eight wicket fell. I was in.
I'd sort of been annoyed that I'd been put in at number ten. Didn't Adam/Will hear me earlier? I said I was an all-rounder. All-rounders don't bat at number ten. My experiences of beach / garden cricket, where I'd dispatched all comers to all parts of the beach / garden had given me confidence. As I walked out, I tried to look as professional as possible, to let the bowlers know that I meant business. As I was the tenth man of ten to bat, and there were still 7 overs left, my mission was to stay in and bat the final overs, and take any runs that are on offer. But don't get out. I watched the first six balls of the partnership from the non-strikers end, and loudly called "YES!" for one that was edged by my partner down to the boundary. We ran two. There was a wide as well, taking the partnership up to three. I hadn't faced yet, but if we won by one run, I'd be the hero, as if I'd got out, we wouldn't have got those three runs.
My partner and I touched hands at the end of the over, and I was to face the opposition's opening fast bowler, who'd been bought on for the death overs. I was confident. He ran up, and arrowed in his first delivery. It was through me before I knew where it was. It can't have missed the stumps by much, and by all rights I deserved to get out to it, as I played an awful attempt at a forward defence, about 10 seconds after the ball had hit the wicket-keepers gloves.
All of my confidence disappeared, as I got a sense of realisation. The only reason I'd been good at beach / garden cricket (especially in South Africa) was because I'd been playing against kids of half my age. Normally with a tennis ball. This bowler was ten years older than me, and was using a hard cricket ball. While I'd hoped I'd be good, I suddenly realised that ten was too high for me. I hadn't batted in a game for a long time, and as such, was horrendously out of practice. While all of this hit me in a wave, I looked up to see he was about to bowl his next ball. It was a bit off line, and while I hoped to just get bat on ball with a defensive stroke, the ball whistled past me. I wasn't even good enough to edge it.
The third ball was better, it was right on the stumps, but I pushed forward at it, and the ball hit the middle of the bat, and ran away. I was pleased - as all cricketers say, there's nothing better than getting bat on ball. Feeling pleased to have done it once, I got my head over the ball with yet another solid defence off the fourth ball. I was doing my job as the tail-ender, hanging around so my partner could score at the other end. The fifth ball was wider, hoping to get me to play (and as such, edge it), but knowing my role (and more importantly, my limitations) I left it with an air of authority. I lifted the bat high out of the way, and watched it sail past me. I had no intention of scoring runs, but why should I? The final ball of the over drifted down the leg side, and I again blocked it. A solid over. The bowler walked away happy because he'd bowled a maiden with only a few overs left of the innings, and I was happy because I hadn't got out.
After watching my partner face six from the other end, we took a well-judged two, to take the partnership to five. Crucial runs that couldn't have been made without me. At the end of the over, I was informed that another player had shown up, so with only three overs to go and the safety net of another batsman, I should play some shots, and actually try and score some runs.
The fast bowler who I'd faced in the previous over couldn't be bothered to waste excess energy bowling fast to me, so after a chat with his captain, decided he would bowl off-spin. Spin should be easy, it was much slower, so I could hack it away. He bowled his first ball, and then I played what can only be described as the worst shot in the history of cricket.
It was quite a full ball, on my leg stump. Not really knowing what to do with this delivery, I thought about coming down the ground and heaving it away straight. I thought about getting down on one knee, and sweeping it behind me. And I thought about a little deft touch around my legs. As it was, I ended up taking half a stride to nowhere, and playing a shot which even had ball hit bat wouldn't have gone anywhere. I then committed the cricket coaches cardinal sin of having my "head fall over" - or in simple terms, losing my balance and missing it. I didn't see the ball hit the stumps, but I didn't need to. I heard it.
I walked back to the pavilion, took my pads off, and looked in the scorers book, to check to see if I'd scored some runs that I'd forgotten about. All it said was
Number 10:
But instead of a 0, someone had actually taken the time to draw a very well-designed duck.
After all of that, and after the final wicket fell soon after I'd taken my pads off, we set them a target of 163 for victory off 35. And we should have won it.
The opening bowlers bowled well, taking a few wickets to leave them struggling at 19/2 after 12 overs. It was like a proper test match. But unlike a test match, the standard of umpiring was awful (unless the test match includes Daryl Harper... cricket banter!). Just as we'd had to during our innings, the oppo had put forward two blokes to umpire, and while we'd been giving each appeal on its merits, they were taking the view that "it is never out". Without being facetious, we must have had 10-15 appeals for lbw, of which 7/8 looked absolutely plumb. While I didn't have a view from my square leg fielding position, the other boys certainly thought that at least a few deserved to be given, and were understandably not too pleased about the decisions. Especially seeing as one batsman had 4 big appeals before he reached ten, and he eventually scored an unbeaten sixty something as they won by 5 wickets.
So my own performance in the field? Fielding is probably my strong point (which says more about my standard of batting and bowling) mainly because I like throwing my self about. Fielding at a very short square leg, I got to have a go at some probably unnecessary full length dives, and had a couple of shies at the stumps. But I had no catches, and due to the strong bowling attack, I didn't even get a chance to show off my Yardy-darts.
So that was my first cricket game in ages, and judging from what you've read, it's probably best that I stick to writing about it, rather than playing. However, I do love getting out there, so if any of you want to find me a cricket club for some games over the summer, I'll give some whole-hearted performances if nothing else. And hopefully if I start actually practicing and playing in nets then I'll be able to get back to the glory days which saw me to the lofty heights of the Caterham School Under 14 Captain (B team).
Until next time (and apologies about the epic, but I do like writing about cricket and I did get on a bit of a roll...), Will
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Sandy Camper
On Friday was Kronendal's annual camp-out (Kronendal being the school that Georgia goes to). It's Georgia's first year at the school, so as such, the first year Tom, Linda and Georgia have gone to the camp-out. So none of us knew what to really expect. Tom and I went down to pitch the tents, but found we were the first ones there. Where's the best place? Do we want to be right in the middle of the party (and not get any sleep), or be miles away (get loads of sleep but maybe not enjoy it).
As it was, we went for the nearest corner of the pitch, for no obvious reason. Tom, Linda and Georgia would be in one tent, and I would be in a one-man tent next door. We saved space around us for friends, so we could all be in the same place. However, as soon as they arrived, they were wondering why we'd decided to put up our tents the furthest place away from the braai (barbeque), which is the heart of the party. Anyway, our tents were up and we weren't moving, so in the corner we were.
The camp out was great fun. After going for a swim in the school pool, and playing frisbee with Georgia and her friends, I decided to play cricket with loads of random kids in the middle of the field. The way it was all set up was tents all around the edges of the field, with wide open spaces in the middle for people to run about and sit down. We played cricket on the flick strip for a good three hours, and I enjoyed beating children half my age at it. As the oldest (it's a primary school so being 18 I was naturally the biggest) I was looked upon to organise, so had to choose who the next batsmen and bowlers were, and organise the field. Setting up as wicket-keeper and waving fielders around, I felt like Adam Gilchrist. Every now and again, after taking yet another one-hand on-bounce catch, I'd put myself on for a bowl, and take another few wickets with my Mick Yardy-esque darts. My crowning moment has to be when fielding at short midwicket (apt), where I took a brilliant Paul Collingwood cum Jonty Rhodes dive low to my right. I jumped up in celebration and threw the ball to the sky as if I'd taken the catch to win the Ashes. I then looked to see I'd dismissed a six year old.
Sadly in my three hour game, I only batted for one ball. Wanting to dominate the attack (an eight year old), I was bowled a leg-stump half volley. I pushed it through the on side, and took the run. My partner (about four years old, looked younger) looked non-plussed as I ran towards him shouting "YES!", and stood his ground. Realising he wasn't going anywhere, I raced back to the strikers end, and despite my full length dive (still have the carpet burns from the flick strip) I was short of my ground when the bails were whipped off. I didn't get another bat. Disappointing.
After all of that excitement (and being thoroughly tired out) I went back to the tents, where the boring adults had been sitting and chatting (while us kids had been running around) for dinner. Sally and Richard had spent all evening making a traditional South African braai delicacy (it's pronounced poi-kee, but I have no idea how it's spelt), which was a sort of meat stew. And was lovely. After eating, and staying up for a chat around the circle, we retired to our tents at around midnight, absolutely knackered.
After being woken up at 7 (to find Tom and Linda had already packed their tent away), we went back home, in order to recuperate for Hout Bay's premier event of the year - the Sandcastle Competition. Both the Camp Out and the Sandcastle Competition are charity fundraising events for the two schools, and are really well represented. Tom was the MC - doing what he did best by talking loudly on the mic for four hours. Everybody in Hout Bay comes down to the beach (as well as plenty from elsewhere) to build sandcastles, and raise money for the pre-primary school.
While Tom had gone down for the start (what with being MC and all), after the previous exertions, I'd gone back to bed for a nap. So after we'd turned up, everything was in full flow, and it was packed. There were literally thousands packing Hout Bay beach; armed with buckets, spades and rakes, and making all manner of exciting sand sculptures. As we'd turned up late, the two hour competition had already started, so I wandered up and down looking at the various creations.
However, after I'd checked out a few, Georgia decided she wanted to build one (despite this being about an hour and a half into the competition). After quickly filling out the forms and finding a plot of sand, I got thinking what could be an easy and quick thing to make. We went for a snake, with me digging the shape of it, and Georgia and her friends using water to help make the body of the snake. After we'd made a nice wiggly snake, shells were found to give the snake eyes, and eyelashes (it was a lady snake). With a few minutes to spare, we finished our snake, and admired it.
The judges came and looked at our snake, and asked us a few questions about it. They looked, discussed, and wrote a few notes on their clipboards. They smiled encouragingly, and walked off. We were confident of a prize. While the judges went around and looked at all of the other entries, we were treated to a magician, who did all of the favourite kids magic tricks. And then Tom got on stage, and revealed the winners. There were a number of different categories, and thanks to my involvement, we were in the "teenagers" group. We thought we were in with a chance. The Hout Bay Sandcastle Competition is a massive thing, and loads of sponsors chuck in prizes, with 20-odd prizes just for coming third in a given category. So as the 3rd, 2nd and 1st places for the Teen category were read out, we were understandably gutted that we weren't mentioned. It was a fix!
The whole event was run superbly, and ran really smoothly. In fact, both events within a few hours were fantastic - with a real community spirit as well as being really enjoyable. And they both raised loads of money for the schools. I had great fun on Friday night and Saturday morning - but after all of that I needed quite a rest!
Until next time, Will
As it was, we went for the nearest corner of the pitch, for no obvious reason. Tom, Linda and Georgia would be in one tent, and I would be in a one-man tent next door. We saved space around us for friends, so we could all be in the same place. However, as soon as they arrived, they were wondering why we'd decided to put up our tents the furthest place away from the braai (barbeque), which is the heart of the party. Anyway, our tents were up and we weren't moving, so in the corner we were.
The camp out was great fun. After going for a swim in the school pool, and playing frisbee with Georgia and her friends, I decided to play cricket with loads of random kids in the middle of the field. The way it was all set up was tents all around the edges of the field, with wide open spaces in the middle for people to run about and sit down. We played cricket on the flick strip for a good three hours, and I enjoyed beating children half my age at it. As the oldest (it's a primary school so being 18 I was naturally the biggest) I was looked upon to organise, so had to choose who the next batsmen and bowlers were, and organise the field. Setting up as wicket-keeper and waving fielders around, I felt like Adam Gilchrist. Every now and again, after taking yet another one-hand on-bounce catch, I'd put myself on for a bowl, and take another few wickets with my Mick Yardy-esque darts. My crowning moment has to be when fielding at short midwicket (apt), where I took a brilliant Paul Collingwood cum Jonty Rhodes dive low to my right. I jumped up in celebration and threw the ball to the sky as if I'd taken the catch to win the Ashes. I then looked to see I'd dismissed a six year old.
Sadly in my three hour game, I only batted for one ball. Wanting to dominate the attack (an eight year old), I was bowled a leg-stump half volley. I pushed it through the on side, and took the run. My partner (about four years old, looked younger) looked non-plussed as I ran towards him shouting "YES!", and stood his ground. Realising he wasn't going anywhere, I raced back to the strikers end, and despite my full length dive (still have the carpet burns from the flick strip) I was short of my ground when the bails were whipped off. I didn't get another bat. Disappointing.
After all of that excitement (and being thoroughly tired out) I went back to the tents, where the boring adults had been sitting and chatting (while us kids had been running around) for dinner. Sally and Richard had spent all evening making a traditional South African braai delicacy (it's pronounced poi-kee, but I have no idea how it's spelt), which was a sort of meat stew. And was lovely. After eating, and staying up for a chat around the circle, we retired to our tents at around midnight, absolutely knackered.
After being woken up at 7 (to find Tom and Linda had already packed their tent away), we went back home, in order to recuperate for Hout Bay's premier event of the year - the Sandcastle Competition. Both the Camp Out and the Sandcastle Competition are charity fundraising events for the two schools, and are really well represented. Tom was the MC - doing what he did best by talking loudly on the mic for four hours. Everybody in Hout Bay comes down to the beach (as well as plenty from elsewhere) to build sandcastles, and raise money for the pre-primary school.
While Tom had gone down for the start (what with being MC and all), after the previous exertions, I'd gone back to bed for a nap. So after we'd turned up, everything was in full flow, and it was packed. There were literally thousands packing Hout Bay beach; armed with buckets, spades and rakes, and making all manner of exciting sand sculptures. As we'd turned up late, the two hour competition had already started, so I wandered up and down looking at the various creations.
However, after I'd checked out a few, Georgia decided she wanted to build one (despite this being about an hour and a half into the competition). After quickly filling out the forms and finding a plot of sand, I got thinking what could be an easy and quick thing to make. We went for a snake, with me digging the shape of it, and Georgia and her friends using water to help make the body of the snake. After we'd made a nice wiggly snake, shells were found to give the snake eyes, and eyelashes (it was a lady snake). With a few minutes to spare, we finished our snake, and admired it.
The judges came and looked at our snake, and asked us a few questions about it. They looked, discussed, and wrote a few notes on their clipboards. They smiled encouragingly, and walked off. We were confident of a prize. While the judges went around and looked at all of the other entries, we were treated to a magician, who did all of the favourite kids magic tricks. And then Tom got on stage, and revealed the winners. There were a number of different categories, and thanks to my involvement, we were in the "teenagers" group. We thought we were in with a chance. The Hout Bay Sandcastle Competition is a massive thing, and loads of sponsors chuck in prizes, with 20-odd prizes just for coming third in a given category. So as the 3rd, 2nd and 1st places for the Teen category were read out, we were understandably gutted that we weren't mentioned. It was a fix!
The whole event was run superbly, and ran really smoothly. In fact, both events within a few hours were fantastic - with a real community spirit as well as being really enjoyable. And they both raised loads of money for the schools. I had great fun on Friday night and Saturday morning - but after all of that I needed quite a rest!
Until next time, Will
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
What Have I Been Up To?
I started this blog because I wanted to keep everyone back home up to date with what I've been doing out around the world. However, since getting to South Africa I've been really bad at doing that. Sorry. Basically, over the last couple of weeks I've been doing some cricket writing for MWP - a journalist agency. The Cricket World Cup's been on, as has the Standard Bank Pro20 (South African cricket tournament), so most days I've been writing for them. And when I haven't been writing for them, I've been writing and podcasting for my own site. I've actually been fairly busy recently, so haven't had much "writing time". And all of my "writing time" has been filled up by writing about cricket. So here's a brief thing about the last week and a bit.
Thursday 17th
Mum, Dad and Molly arrived in South Africa. They spent the day sitting by the pool, and I showed them around the house.
Friday 18th
Walked into Hout Bay to show them around. We then went into Cape Town to watch U2 with Tom, Linda and loads of other Hout Bay-ites.
Saturday 19th
Went to the Hout Bay market in the morning. Went to the Lookout Point to watch the Chelsea FA Cup game. Got back miserable (Chelsea lost). Had a Skype with people back home who were on the uni road trip (Birmingham leg).
Sunday 20th
Everyone went off for a braai at someone's house, but I stayed at home to write up a Standard Bank Pro20 game (Dolphins v Lions, if you're interested. And if you're still interested, I'm now a Dolphins fan). After they got back we went to Chapman's Peak (clifftop spot with great views) to watch the sunset. Beautiful.
Monday 21st
Went into Cape Town to show the fam the Waterfront. Had lunch. Played football in the evening. We lost.
Tuesday 22nd
We climbed up Table Mountain. I wrote a blog about that. Look down there somewhere, it's all in there.
Wednesday 23rd
Went to Robben Island. I wrote a blog about that as well.
Thursday 24th
Day off. The fam went to the beach, I stayed in to watch South Africa v West Indies. Played football in the evening in the league versus a team called "Black Stars" (a team from the township). They destroyed us 14-3. We weren't that bad, but couldn't get the ball off them, and every time they got the ball they scored. But oddly we played quite well. I hit the bar with a left foot volley. Gutting.
Friday 25th
Went on a township tour. I should have written about it, but I didn't. It was great - awe inspiring. Really eye opening to see first hand how people live so differently, and how things that we take for granted are things they would never dream about. Humbling. In the evening, mum and dad went out to a party. I stayed in to write about the Pro20 semi (Dolphins v Warriors; Dolphins lost. Boo.) and then watched the Top 50 Hits of the 80s on VH1 with Molly. "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds won. Bad call.
Saturday 26th
Went to the market in the morning for a steak sandwich and a few drinks. Went out for lunch in Constantia. Then a wine tasting. I drove home (my first drive in an automatic car). Rugby in the evening, England and Stormers won. Great stuff.
Sunday 27th
Mum, dad and Molly went home. We went to the airport to see them off.
Monday 28th
I spent all day trying to record a podcast. Played football in the evening. It was very windy. We lost. I scored a nice goal though, Steve Gerrard esque into the bottom corner.
Tuesday 1st
Went to Georgia's charity swimathon to help count laps of the pool. Woke up late so missed the start. Ended up not being allowed to count laps. Went in the afternoon with Georgia and some of her friends to a water park. Spent all afternoon chasing 7 year olds down water slides. Got motion sickness because I went too often. Got bruises all down my chest from throwing myself tummy down onto slides. Worth it though. Watched Chelsea v Man U at home with Tom. Chelsea won. Gave some abuse to Arsenal fans on Facebook and to Man U fans on Twitter. Fun day.
Wednesday 2nd
England played Ireland at the World Cup. Ireland won. I used my Irish half and claimed I was supporting them all along.
So there we have it, that's what I've been doing. I will try and blog more regularly, but to be honest, for the next while it may be things like "I sat and watched cricket all day on TV and wrote it out in fancy formula so it looks nice on a website". So if that's your thing, you've got a lot to look forward to!
Until next time,
Will
Thursday 17th
Mum, Dad and Molly arrived in South Africa. They spent the day sitting by the pool, and I showed them around the house.
Friday 18th
Walked into Hout Bay to show them around. We then went into Cape Town to watch U2 with Tom, Linda and loads of other Hout Bay-ites.
Saturday 19th
Went to the Hout Bay market in the morning. Went to the Lookout Point to watch the Chelsea FA Cup game. Got back miserable (Chelsea lost). Had a Skype with people back home who were on the uni road trip (Birmingham leg).
Sunday 20th
Everyone went off for a braai at someone's house, but I stayed at home to write up a Standard Bank Pro20 game (Dolphins v Lions, if you're interested. And if you're still interested, I'm now a Dolphins fan). After they got back we went to Chapman's Peak (clifftop spot with great views) to watch the sunset. Beautiful.
Monday 21st
Went into Cape Town to show the fam the Waterfront. Had lunch. Played football in the evening. We lost.
Tuesday 22nd
We climbed up Table Mountain. I wrote a blog about that. Look down there somewhere, it's all in there.
Wednesday 23rd
Went to Robben Island. I wrote a blog about that as well.
Thursday 24th
Day off. The fam went to the beach, I stayed in to watch South Africa v West Indies. Played football in the evening in the league versus a team called "Black Stars" (a team from the township). They destroyed us 14-3. We weren't that bad, but couldn't get the ball off them, and every time they got the ball they scored. But oddly we played quite well. I hit the bar with a left foot volley. Gutting.
Friday 25th
Went on a township tour. I should have written about it, but I didn't. It was great - awe inspiring. Really eye opening to see first hand how people live so differently, and how things that we take for granted are things they would never dream about. Humbling. In the evening, mum and dad went out to a party. I stayed in to write about the Pro20 semi (Dolphins v Warriors; Dolphins lost. Boo.) and then watched the Top 50 Hits of the 80s on VH1 with Molly. "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds won. Bad call.
Saturday 26th
Went to the market in the morning for a steak sandwich and a few drinks. Went out for lunch in Constantia. Then a wine tasting. I drove home (my first drive in an automatic car). Rugby in the evening, England and Stormers won. Great stuff.
Sunday 27th
Mum, dad and Molly went home. We went to the airport to see them off.
Monday 28th
I spent all day trying to record a podcast. Played football in the evening. It was very windy. We lost. I scored a nice goal though, Steve Gerrard esque into the bottom corner.
Tuesday 1st
Went to Georgia's charity swimathon to help count laps of the pool. Woke up late so missed the start. Ended up not being allowed to count laps. Went in the afternoon with Georgia and some of her friends to a water park. Spent all afternoon chasing 7 year olds down water slides. Got motion sickness because I went too often. Got bruises all down my chest from throwing myself tummy down onto slides. Worth it though. Watched Chelsea v Man U at home with Tom. Chelsea won. Gave some abuse to Arsenal fans on Facebook and to Man U fans on Twitter. Fun day.
Wednesday 2nd
England played Ireland at the World Cup. Ireland won. I used my Irish half and claimed I was supporting them all along.
So there we have it, that's what I've been doing. I will try and blog more regularly, but to be honest, for the next while it may be things like "I sat and watched cricket all day on TV and wrote it out in fancy formula so it looks nice on a website". So if that's your thing, you've got a lot to look forward to!
Until next time,
Will
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Update
I logged onto Blogger as I realised I've been neglecting this blog, as I've been doing lots of (paid) writing about cricket (and even more unpaid stuff). I went to do a quick cricket blog, and then was going to tell you what I've been doing on here. I ended up writing three long cricket blogs, and am now too tired to write anything meaningful here. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow.
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