Memories


What’s so fascinating about memories is how certain ones are saved and others are not; some vanish for good, and some can come back. Gary coming over here renewed many memories from days gone bye. 
Dan was over with his school 'Cornwall Hill College' on a cricket tour and we went to watch all his games, well the games he played, after we picked Gary up. Chichester was the first game we saw and it was a really exciting game. Playing Westbourne School, Cornwall won on the last ball. I must say the catering was excellent and the flow of beers never ending. Only regret was we did not take Jenson with us, he would have had such fun. 


Well that was Chichester ticked off the list, never been their before and only just over an hour away. Elliot was saying what a beautiful town it was, we will visit again and take in the sights.
The next days we found ourselves in Southampton, playing King Edward VI school on one of the best school pitches I have ever seen. The lawn was immaculate and a good   wicket. Gary and I did a pitch inspection and he predicted it to turn later in the innings. Wise man and when it comes to cricket, there is little he does not know. Again a cracker of a game, Cornwall scored 151 all out with Dan making a useful 20. We took ourselves off to the local Hall and Woodhouse Pub for lunch which lasted longer than we anticipated. Getting back we found King Edward in a commanding position 102 for 1. They lost their first wicket as we arrived.

All seemed lost but then Titus 'the warrior coach from Cornwall Hill’ introduced spin and King Edward had a massive collapse, all out for 128. We made our way home feeling quite elated by the standard of cricket. 
Susan was a true darling and went out and bought a Nandos chicken and chips, which we complimented with a healthy salad, filled with Feta and avocado. I do fear a few pints were consumed and battle was done to a bottle of red wine, seemed to empty rather quickly.

Next morning we set off with Jenson to Newbury, last match of the tour and again, the school was so like how we would imagine a old private English school. Norris Hill School just our side of Newbury. This school has really good sports grounds and a 9 hole golf course, what more would a child want. All the children are borders and as it is a elite school, there are about 10 per class. 

Jenson took to this game of cricket with enthusiasm, you could see he just wanted to go and chase that little red ball with all those boys. The game took a different format, 3 hours each. Cornwall opened the batting and Dan again scored some useful runs with Cornwall finishing on 315. We decided it was time to find a pub and get some lunch.

The Swan was spotted by Gary's sharp eye, he did have a good sense of direction when it came to finding the odd pub. Again a few pints enjoyed and we headed back to find Horris Hill School struggling against a very determined bowling attack from Cornwall. Cornwall  went on to win their last match and a fitting end to a successful tour. Won 9 lost 2.

We headed home following Google maps as there was an accident on the direct route, again, Gary directed us with quiet confidence and we were home in no time at all. Staying with tradition, we enjoyed dinner with the odd pint or two consumed in celebration of the game well played. 

Yesterday we said goodbye to Gary and we both missed him as soon as we left the airport. Missing someone doesn’t have anything to do with how long it’s been since you last saw them, or the number of hours that have passed since you last spoke. It’s about specific moments when you wish they were there by your side. We had a quiet drive home and an early night.
I did dream of sitting at a pub, just listening to the sound of his voice and the lilt of his laugh.

Comments

  1. What an amazing short holiday! Really tough saying goodbye this time, thanks so much for an amazing few days!

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