Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Days 43 to 47 - 4th to 8th January

Day 43

First day of the first test  and Richard and I went in to the Sydney Cricket Ground and had breakfast in a restaurant in the Fox Studios entertainment area, adjacent to the ground and where we had parked the car. Richard had kindly volunteered to drive today.

We then went to meet Nigel, who was coming with us for the first two days of the Test Match.  Unfortunately, as Richard had booked to come over very late, he did not have a ticket for a seat near us.  He was in another area of the ground.  We all then proceeded to make our ways to our allocated seats.

As happens in cricket the whole of the first session was washed out but when play started after lunch England started very well but lost two crucial wickets near the close to put Australia on top after day 1.

After close of play I met up with Richard and we drove home after giving Nigel a lift to Rebecca's in Surrey Hills.  Richard was packing today as it was to be his last evening with us in French's Forest. He was going to spend his last night in a hotel in the city tomorrow, making his journey to the airport easier on Saturday.

Day 44

Alfie gave us a lift into the city very early on the second day of the test as Richard was leaving his luggage at the Shangri-La hotel where he was to spend his last night.

The Shangri-La

Richard's view from the Shangri-La

From here, once his bags had been taken we had a coffee before jumping in a taxi to take us to the Cricket.  

Today we all had seats close together.

Australia were beginning to assert themselves by close of play and things were looking ominous.  

Nigel left before the close because he had to get over to Coogie to meet Bridget Then Richard and I took a cab to his hotel at the close of play.

We had a couple of drinks at the hotel and then said our goodbyes as I got a taxi back to French's Forest

Day 45

Today was the day when I was going in to the cricket with Alfie and 14 of his friends.  After breakfast at Fratelli Fresh in the Entertainment Quarter we met up with the others. We were all sat together and drinks started flowing long before the match started.  Needless to say the day descended into a social occasion and a lot of the day's play was not remembered. But I do know that Australia were well on top. The Barmy Army were still in good voice though

It was very warm so some respite was sought between sessions

At close of there were only four of us left as the others had left earlier to meet at a nearby pub.  We headed off to Surly's restaurant for a pre-arranged meal but only five of us turned up for it.  Very enjoyable though, playing shuffleboard while waiting for our food.

I then got a taxi home and left the others, wishing them luck heading to the pub to find the rest of the guys.

Days 46 and 47

The weather in French's Forest was hitting 44 in the morning of the fourth day and I decided it was too hot to go into the city for the cricket so I stayed home in the cool of the house with the A/C on watching the cricket on TV.

I was so glad I did because the temperature hit 56 degrees in the stadium in the afternoon.

I then did the same for the fifth day and watched Australia tie up the match, and the series convincingly.

We'll have to win them back in England in 2019