Al the Tog’s Trip Down Under

With the test finishing in only three days, that gave us 1 extra day for sightseeing - the probability of the test going into Day 5 was always pretty low - so we took advantage of the spare time to look around. Friday afternoon was hot so we got a river cruise from the centre of Melbourne down to the little seaside town of Williamstown. Just before we arrived, the captain discovered that the steering no longer worked, and the rudder/engine only worked on one side. He managed to get out of the shipping lane and did eventually berth quite skillfully, but it was an interesting 15 minutes.

Today, Saturday, we went on a wine tasting trip to the Yarra Valley region, one of the main wine producing areas in Victoria state. Very interesting it was too: the first winery visit included a token look at some of the plant for producing wine and a quick explanation of the process before the wine tasting began; the second stop included a well organised hot buffet meal before the wine tasting, whilst the third and fourth stops just went straight to the wine tasting. Perhaps a true reflection of Australia - direct and to the point!

Arriving back in Melbourne on schedule at 4 pm, we just had time to catch a City Circle tram and get to the Melbourne Museum so we could see The Ashes. Yes, the real Ashes are part of a touring exhibit of Australia and are in Melbourne until 7th January. But for all the fuss over them, the ceramic urn supposedly containing the ashes of a cricket bail is so small - no more than 3 inches high. Mind you, it was good to see them and it makes you feel proud to think that we’re lending them to Australia for another 2 years or so (though they will return to England next month and stay there).

Why they’re called the Barmy ArmyOriginally uploaded by Al the Tog.

Still cheering long after the game was over, the Barmy Army fans don’t seem to know the meaning of the word “defeat”.

That’s the word Aussies use when someone hits a 4. Well, Australia have now “tonked” England 4 - 0, with one more test to play.

Last night’s brief ray of hope when England had Australia reeling at 371 for 7 was as brief as the Melbourne sunshine has been all week. With Symonds out for 150-odd, Warne duly hit a quick 40 this morning, and then England had to bat again. Strauss and Cook survived a rather nervous start and were getting into their stride when Cook was out for 20, quickly followed by Bell and Pietersen. A quick flurry from Collingwood and an aggressive 25 from Flintoff only flattered to deceive. The best England performance of the day was Read’s 26 not out, and Monte Panesar’s 14.

I tell a lie - the best England performance was from the Barmy Army, singing their heads off long after the game was over, and out-singing the Australian fans throughout the game, despite the weather and the inevitable result. Hats off to the Barmy Army, then - if only the players could perform to the same standard!

Near the end of the day’s play, the sun did appear, and the cold wind dropped for the first time in 5 days. Until then it was a case of “Melbourne: nice city - shame about the weather”. Now it’s a very pleasant place to spend some time. More later.

Alex at the MCG

Barmy Army

Originally uploaded by Al the Tog.

Pic of Alex outside the MCG as the Barmy Army cheerleader was passing.

You’d never have thought England had just been “tonked” by Australia in less than 3 days.

Just a quick note to say we’re here in Melbourne, just when it is having its coldest Christmas for 101 years!

Still, we’re not here for the weather, are we? We’re here for the cricket. And it was like watching a match at Old Trafford on a cold and wet summer’s day. Sorry, didn’t mean to mention the weather again so soon! England are playing up to their usual standard - 159 all out, with Australia on 372 for 7 at the end of the second day!

Never mind, we’ve recovered from the 40-hour journey now, and enjoying seeing Melbourne, with its rich variety of ethnic restaurants and excellent integrated transport system. The hotel is very convenient, being about 15 minutes walk from the ground, and has good facilities, including a gym, pool, sauna and hot tub.

That’s all for now - hopefully more soon, and some pictures with any luck.

The replacement air tickets arrived first thing this morning, so Big Al will be accompanying Al the Tog to the Land of Oz. More later, as I’ve now got to go and pack.

Barmy Army Travel have certainly worked some magic in getting travel packs out to 1600 travelling England supporters over the last week or so, a task made considerably harder by the late arrival of tickets from Air China and Emirates. But this doesn’t constitute a miracle, by any means. However, they have now gone beyond magic, by managing to replace Big Bro’s air ticket by another one for my son, Big Al. Hat’s off to Barmy Army Travel in recognition of a difficult job well done (assuming the tickets arrive tomorrow!)

So, does this make it a miracle? Perhaps not, but it’s a pretty good outcome, all the same.

I guess it was too much to ask! To score 550+ in the 4th innings at Perth was perhaps asking for more than a miracle!
OK, so we lost the third test and with it the Ashes series; the Aussies deserve the opportunity to savour their victory, having outplayed us in three tests. But that won’t put me off going to Melbourne and Sydney - you can’t stop me that easily.

It’s disappointing, yes, but not any great surprise. What would be a surprise is for Barmy Army Travel to persuade Air China to reissue Big Bro’s ticket to Big Al. One little miracle is all we need, Lord.

Miracle number 1

Since my brother pulled out of this trip with an ear infection just less than a week ago, I have been trying to field a substitute, and my preferred “12th man” is my 27-year old son, Alex (I’ll call him Big Al from now on, as he’s considerably taller than me). The effort so far has met with no success:

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Big Bro’ has an ear infection and has to see an ENT consultant. Unfortunately, the earliest date available is the day we were due to travel, so Big Bro’ has had to cancel his trip.

I’m hoping Barmy Army Travel will allow me to field a substitute. Given that they’ve not so far managed to send out the travel information, including flight tickets, there is hope yet.