Friday, 31 July 2009
Weekend started yesterday, continues in Bournemouth
Yesterday we were at the Cup Match Classic, the 107th annual cricket match between Somerset representing the west of the island and holders St George's representing the east. It is a two day, two innings game watched by a frenzied and noisy crowd. For those not at the Wellington Oval, they were either camped on the sides of the road leading into St George's or they got the hell out of here on flights to the US or London.
A four-day weekend for most ex-pats is too much of a carrot not to get off the island but for the locals, this is their Christmas and birthday roled into one. In fact the young lad who works for me returned early from his honeymoon to be at the game and I saw him in the 'Crown and Anchor' tent throwing away his money. This is the only time of the year when gambling is legalised. No betting, no lottery, no bingo, no nothing here on the island.
On tonight's local news the captains were complaining about the wicket, not surprising as 23 fell today and runs were hard to come by. The outfield was patchy and dusty, shaped more square than oval and surrounded by scaffolding and tarpaulin, known locally I would assume as stands. From these people danced to loud music, waved flags, blew horns and drunk an awful lot of rum. We went last year too and it is very fun.
We never did find out the final score and probably won't until Monday but Somerset were on their second innings about 60 in front with 7 wickets left the last time I heard. We left the ground about an hour or so before the end as my pregnant-other-half was seeking protein different from burgers and beer.
Tonight my son and I fly back to London after a fantastic 2 weeks together. We would have to travel to another country now to cram anymore activity and fun in. I have loved having him here with me, and hopefully subject to us feeling up to it we will head with a couple of mates to Bournemouth Saturday to see what Charlton are up to.
Update Monday morning: Cup Match ended in a tie for the 3rd successive year (it really does need to be 3 days). So St George's retain the trophy. ¶ 08:35
A four-day weekend for most ex-pats is too much of a carrot not to get off the island but for the locals, this is their Christmas and birthday roled into one. In fact the young lad who works for me returned early from his honeymoon to be at the game and I saw him in the 'Crown and Anchor' tent throwing away his money. This is the only time of the year when gambling is legalised. No betting, no lottery, no bingo, no nothing here on the island.
On tonight's local news the captains were complaining about the wicket, not surprising as 23 fell today and runs were hard to come by. The outfield was patchy and dusty, shaped more square than oval and surrounded by scaffolding and tarpaulin, known locally I would assume as stands. From these people danced to loud music, waved flags, blew horns and drunk an awful lot of rum. We went last year too and it is very fun.
We never did find out the final score and probably won't until Monday but Somerset were on their second innings about 60 in front with 7 wickets left the last time I heard. We left the ground about an hour or so before the end as my pregnant-other-half was seeking protein different from burgers and beer.
Tonight my son and I fly back to London after a fantastic 2 weeks together. We would have to travel to another country now to cram anymore activity and fun in. I have loved having him here with me, and hopefully subject to us feeling up to it we will head with a couple of mates to Bournemouth Saturday to see what Charlton are up to.
Update Monday morning: Cup Match ended in a tie for the 3rd successive year (it really does need to be 3 days). So St George's retain the trophy. ¶ 08:35
