Pietersen, Oh How I Count the Days...

Movies Movies Movies... And Kevin.

Well there isn't much cricket going on over here right now (you guessed it, rain), both weekend games washed out and my first midweek game tonight washed out also. Nevermind, as I have been keeping quite busy. Next week is a busy one, Tuesday, Thursday Saturday and a Sunday game, weather permitting of course.

First things first, Went and saw Mission Impossible 3 last Wednesday - and well, I wont spoil it for everyone, but its story line is the same as the first 2:

Ethan Hunte falls in love, bird gets kidnapped by bad guy wanting to rule the world and kill Ethan Hunte, Ethan Hunte saves girl and world.

That being said, its still a pretty good flic and I reckon better than number 2. And, you can have nachos and drink beer in English cinemas, of which is extremely desirable to me. Only problem is you are busting to go to the toilet the whole movie. Now this was not to be my last visit to the cinemas, or the lavatory, this week...
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.. But before I get to that, On Saturday our game was obviously called off so a group of us went to Portsmouth for the day. Lovely place down there, even though it was a shitty day - Its like factory outlets and really nice eataries all in this bay - I'm going back down there very soon to buy some new threads. That evening we went to the Portsmouth Greyhounds, and I think a little bit of beginners luck there got me 4 wins from the first 4 races - the subsequent next 5 races were in the negative, but still, 4 from 9 aint too bad. Really looking forward to going to Royal Ascot late next month (and Wimbledon in the middle, going to try and get some Sharapova snapshots for you boys), so should be a big month ahead. Oh yeah, and I've been invited on a cricket tour of Holland, that's the last week in June, so really looking forward to that. 4 games in 5 days. Its the neighbouring club to Rowledge, they don't play in the same division but they are a good bunch of blokes and I'm really looking forward to that, as I also get to cross Amsterdam off my "places to visit" list! Now, on to last night...

... I saw The Da Vinci Code. Now, don't be put off by the reviews, because in all honest I think it was a sensational film - Now I have never read the book, but it was a really enjoyable movie, one which certainly makes you think really hard about things. I went with a couple of guys who have read the book and they say that is better, but they also say that it is definitely worth watching. I'm not going to give anything away, all im going to say is that you have to see it. I mean, any movie that Forrest Gump is in is bound to be good, right?

##UPDATE##

Just something I did yesterday, go and watch a days Test Cricket at Edgebaston! It was awesome and I've got some good photos so check out my photo link. Just another International venue to cross off my list... AND I got to see Pietersen, me old Kevin, Smack Murali for 6 biscuits back over his head... MAGIC! Oh yeah and I got to experience the Barmy Army... Sat next to some of them... And it wasn't fun when I said they would come home empty handed next year...!

Well that's all from me here, other than to say look out for X Men 3 (going to see that later next week), The Fast and The Furious 3 (Tokyo Nights I think its called, how crap is that going to be - and no Paul Walker or Vin Diesel sorry girls), and The Omen (remake) - its released on 6/6/2006 - to coincide with Nostra Damus' prediction of an Anti Christ - so ah, yeah, basically its a kid who is the nasty one - and if you ask me, any movie with a kid as the spook makes it 100 times worse.

Signing Off now, my MSN email is skoota218@hotmail.com - add me if you want to have a chat, but don't email me there because I don't check it.

Stay Classy.

Runs and Curry... And In No Way Related.

Gday Everybody!

Its been a while since I have sent a big email or updated my blog so apologies for that, but really apart from cricket I haven't done much else! Ok so maybe a bit of coaching, had a few curries (god dang don't I love a curry), and ah, well of course a couple of pints here and there... (And yes I have had a haircut and the mop you see opposite has been dispatched - Mum you will also notice a shorter trouser leg... Good Work there... Haha. This is a picture from my first match here, against Alton at their place. We lost by 12 runs).

Well our season has started over here and its all going pretty well, we won our first game easy against a team called OT's and Romsey. Made 280 for the loss of 2 wickets and then they only got 180 in a rain effected affair. Now when I say rain effected, I mean pissing down all day but we kept playing. So, by the time I got the ball, haha, well, I don't think I've ever seen a ball literally have water spitting out of it when its been bowled down the wicket. Oh well, took a pole (wicket), so that was alright. I'm the token # 5 batsman now, which is cool, but of course didn't get to bat in this game, disappointingly enough, as I have been feeling really good. I'll remember this game for the ton David Lloyd made for us, seriously, this bloke is as talented a cricketer I have ever played with our against, he is just so mentally weak... Seriously, he has the brain of a 7 year old, if someone says to him "good shot", he will fire, if a team get stuck into him, he crumbles, which I found out the next week...

Our Second game, just this week gone, against a team called Purbrook, well, we lost, and ah, the Rowledge Overseas copped a spray for the way he got out - for those who have played with and against me over the years, well, you know I'm prone to the odd attempted big one too many... Well, after punishing the attack to plunder 59 off 52 at home (yes, it is freaking small, and a road of a track at that) I attempted one heave too many down the ground and was comprehensively sent back to the rooms with us needing 50 to win from the final 12 overs. Of course, if we had won, well batted Scotty, but, we lost, so I was almost hung in the town square. Didn't help I didn't get a wicket, but that isn't helped when your 'keeper drops 3 sitters and misses a stumping. If only I had the ever reliable Nuttsy behind the stumps, I would feel much more at ease.

So anyway, copped a spray, which was I thought slightly unfair (3 batsmen failed to score) and ah, on to this weeks game at which I'm hoping our illustrious leader chooses to bat first. Anyway, I will remember this game by the one on one duel I had with their South African born captain, Will Prosezky - good all round cricketer and I was winning the battle 'till I was bowled. Next time, he's mine!

You can see all these match reports on the Rowledge website, its been upgraded and is working now, go to results - 1st Team - and then click the link next to the fixture and result, its in PDF format so you get to read what goes in the paper here.

On Sunday I played a friendly for a team called "Howzat" - they basically play for charity. We played a team called Dogmersfield at home, literally this ground was on a hill, batting at one end I felt like I was bending backwards! We won and it was a great laugh, 40 over game, 1/19 off 12 and 38 off about 20 balls with 2 more sixes. So far my 6's tally for and against stands 6:5 so I'm happy, I'm winning!

As I said before its been absolutely sensational weather, mind you the last 2 days have been pretty piss poor! But you get that, I am in England, aren't I! No Sight-Seeing done yet, waiting for our midweek games to complete and so far my destinations wanting to travel to include:

Amsterdam
Italy
Greece
Bratislava
France

But this isn't a completed list, of course! Pictures WILL be updated this week, I have to find a computer quick enough to process it all!

Stay Classy everyone, keep me updated on stuff going on at home!

I Love Lamp

Just a Quick Note this one...

... I hear everyone in Tassie is facing their coldest April/May in history? Should be noted that Farnham and surrounding areas of Hampshire/Surrey (where I am) is actually experiencing record highs... It should be noted at the moment its a good 23 degrees Celsius and not a cloud in the sky in sunny Farnham town....

... I should've packed more summer attire... ha ha ha.

Stay Classy.


*picture courtesy tshirtsoup.com*

A Night At The Roxbury (Well, Oceana...)

Well Gday Gday.

Just thought id update everyone on my goings on - if i havent replied to ur emails yet im sorry, only have dial-up at home and havent been to the library yet to set things up - am currently at the homestead of one Ian Metcalfe, our 'keeper.

Well, what have I been up to you ask?

Started coaching at Edgeborough, lovely school (massive) and great kids to boot, easy coaching to be honest. Been doing a lot of coaching for the club as well, its all going along very well. I have found the English coaching methods are slightly different, they are very much down the line, not forward thinking really, one grip, one stance, only one way to do things... I guess from both sides its been quite an eye opener and refreshing for the club also. Didn't think they thought I would be so involved in things but its going very well. As I've said great bunch of blokes and really fitting in well here.

Started calling soccer "footy" without thinking, quite scary. Considering however the 'Roos are having the worst season i can remember is probably a good thing I've jumped on the Tottenham bandwagon ( www.tottenhamhotspurs.com ). Hopefully Arsenal lose the Champions League Final because if they win, well, Tottenham dont go to Europe. Confused? Well it does my head in.

Played my first game, just a practice match, against Alton, a Division 1 team. Honestly, not that great, but their Aussie recruit hid himself at 5 and took me apart - after I had him dropped. took 1/49 off 9 (45 over game) but bowled a lot better than that. Made 28 off about 16 balls, we were chasing 175 and needed about 8 an over when I came in - adjusting to bowling is hard, but the pitches are slow and you can hit through the line pretty well. And I also took a nice little catch at 1st slip (yep, got the mortgage there now) so going well. Didnt drop any either, I know, I was shocked to. We lost the game by about 12 runs in the end, bit disappointing but heartening for the lads we came so close - apparently they normally pump us, so very positive for the year ahead. Oh yeah, and they like joking about sending me home, hard not to think they are serious some times! (Maybe they are...!!!)

Umpired my first, yes umpired my first game on English soil on Sunday in the Village Cup, a comp i can't play in. We won and apparently there was a dubious LBW I gave but it was hitting all 3, no doubt about it. And he didn't hit it either.

Went out to Kingston last night, club called Oceana (Google it, it has like 30+ rooms). It was their 3rd anniversary so they had the girls out of the "Call on me" filmclip, you know the song? Eric Prydez or something sings it. Girls in a gym gyrating? 3 of them, on stage, Gyrating. GOLD. Good viewing to be honest. And some poxy girl band sang, quite funny. We had an excellent seat and sank a lot of alcoholic beverages. Pulled up well though so happy with my efforts there. Awesome club. They actually search you and all before they let you in, bit of a trip out!

And here I am on Monday, about to go do some more coaching and have a net with Lloydy.

Stay Classy.