Life in Bovey Tracey 3

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I last updated you on the happenings of Bovey Tracey and in that time so much has happened. One note that must be made is that I hope this post lives up to the significant hype created by the men that I'm lucky enough to call my team mates so here you go boys!
Apart from the never ending excitement of life around Bovey Tracey Cricket Club there have been two significant events in the last 3 weeks which will dominate this blog being; Aaron and I's trip to Greenwich, London to watch the finals of the Premier League Darts and my trip to Bath to visit two friends, Kathy and Adrienne, from Contiki.
About a week after my last post Aaron and I met up in Greenwich, London for a night to visit the O2 Arena (also known as the Millenium Dome) to go and see the darts. Some might say, "What is the point in spending so much money to see something so pointless?". This would seem well founded in Australia, but in Europe, darts is massive! There were between 5 and 10 thousand people in this arena, most of them dressed in some hilarious costumes, drinking and supporting their darting heros. We were no different (minus the costumes). Australian Simon 'The Wizard' Whitlock made it into the final against international superstar Phil Taylor. The aussie started slowly but as can be expected never threw in the towel and fought back to 7-7 only to lose 10-7. A valiant effort. For anyone who has watched the darts on TV the theme song which is played is probably the highlight of the night as all those who are intoxicated or just having too much fun get up and dance and sing. Aaron and I joined in on these antics and the results can be seen on facebook. All in all, a very very enjoyable night and one that was worth the effort of going to. It was great to be able to see Aaron and talk face to face about how much he is enjoying Eastbourne and what his impressions are as well as plan for the future of our trip. Sad to say goodbye but we would be seeing eachother soon.
The second highlight of the last couple of weeks was my trip to Bath. This trip has come highly recommended by a lot of people who have travelled around the UK, including Mum and Dad and it certainly didn't disappoint. After a week of 25 degrees and sun I was wary that the fantastic weather might end but it only got better, highlighting the fantastic architecture of the rounded Royal Crescent and the sheer history of the Roman Baths which had only relatively recently been uncovered. Futhermore, I was able to catch up with some friends who had continued travelling since Contiki and it was great to hear so many of their amazing travel stories including their recollections of ANZAC Day at Gallipoli. I would definitely recommend the trip to Bath as it is just such a beautiful place with fantastic architecture mixed with very picturesque parks and rivers. Well worth the trip.
The other advancement that has come in the last three weeks has come on the work front. I have been gifted some work at a GP practice in Exeter with a family from the club attending to general administration work for the remainder of the summer. The hours of work fit in perfectly with cricket and the money I will be earning saves me from delving into my savings for week to week spending which is ideal. I am very grateful for the leg work that Dr Colin Roberts did for me in lining up this work and it is great to start thinking again rather than just going through the motions of day to day living. Welcome to the life of normal people who have to work everyday :)
It would be naive of me not to mention cricket as clearly this is the purpose of my trip. Bovey Tracey have played 4 games and are currently undefeated in the league and sit top by a game after being the previous top team last week in a very exciting game. This led to some thoroughly enjoyable celebrations as this tied in with the birthday celebrations of two boys at the club and the infamous Bovey Boot was dusted off and drunk after being on the shelf for the last couple of weeks. Personally, I have had a good start to the season with runs in every game and have also had the chance to bowl, which allows me to still contribute to the team if I fail with either the bat or ball.
Tonight I have a Twenty20 match, weather permitting, and another match on Saturday before the Queen's Jubilee celebrations start on the sunday. Most seem more excited about the 4 day long weekend than the purpose of the holidays but are happy none the less. Should be an exciting couple of days around Bovey with a street party and other ceremonies. However, I will miss most of these as I am off to Ireland on Sunday for a week to explore Belfast, Galway and Dublin! I can't wait.
Look forward to hearing that recap in my next blog.
Until then,
Watch this space,


Dillon

Bovey Tracey 2

It's been two weeks since my last post and in that time there have been a couple of requests for another post to keep updated.
My last post ended after my 3rd trial game in the Bovey Tracey Pre-season. There were another two planned trial matches on the next weekend and the season proper to start the weekend after that (i.e last weekend). Unfortunately, preparation for the start of the season was interrupted significantly with rain, and not just a light drizzle. It poured for nearly a week non-stop leaving the pitch, square and outfield of Bovey Tracey recreational ground underwater and therefore unable to host our last two trial games. As a consequence of this rain there was also some localised flooding as was as broad cancellations of other sports across most of England. Luckily the weather started to fine up early last week and a pitch was able to be prepared for the first game of the season against Sandford. We won this game making 186 to their 123, a good win to start the season placing us at the top of the table after round 1. The second game, a friendly against a touring side, ended in a loss in the second last over.
My own performances in the first weekend of the season weren't fantastic with 20 runs and 1 for 21 off 8 overs. However, I am getting more and more confident the more time I spend actually playing cricket rather than just training in the lets. My progress has been good since arrival and I have no doubt this will continue with more cricket being played so no panic stations :)
Outside of cricket, colts training has begun where myself and the other international cricketer from New Zealand run a cricket session for 8 to 15 year olds on a friday night. This generally results in close to 100 kids rocking up for an hour and a half which was initially quite overwhelming but we are settling well into this role. Unfortunately, again the weather hasn't been kind enough to let my coaching of the Under 11 and Under 15 junior sides start yet but no doubt this will start in the near future.
On the work front, the job at the adventure park has fallen through but since then I have had a couple of job interviews for admin work in a GP's office as well as work in a department store so waiting anxiously to hear back from them. I have also set up my own one on one coaching program for kids around the club so hopefully that is up and running in no time.
I am starting to feel somewhat like a local with people seeing me around the streets of Bovey and talking to me about cricket or Australia or the weather which is nice. I am still having a lot of fun and settling nicely into a routine which has been made easier by the improving weather. All in all, I'm looking forward to what exciting things the season has in store.
In a week and a half Aaron and I will be reuniting in London to go and see the final of the darts at the O2 arena which no doubt will have an amazing atmosphere as well as visit Bath and a week long trip to Ireland with friends from Contiki. So look forward to hearing all about those in my next installment.
Until then,
Watch this space.

Dillon