No leg to stand on

The match started at 10am, so it was nice to find out that Barmy Army HQ at the Pig ‘n Whistle pub in Brisbane decided to open its doors at 5.45 am. Clearly England cricket supporters are a very thirsty lot.

This breaks my record for an early drink. I remember long ago, when I played cricket myself, our team won some local newspaper competition when I was playing cricket at Leighton Buzzard. The prize was a 4 day trip to Magaluf, the arse end of Spain and that’s  saying something for a country that resembles a huge pair of buttocks, if only metaphorically, and boy did we act like people you hope you never meet whilst on holiday.

Fourteen cricketers on the trip, fourteen pints lager ordered, at 07.45 at East Midlands airport I think projects the flavour of the trip…So I felt duty bound whilst here in Brisbane, for reminiscent purposes only you understand, to make the most of the facilities provided, indeed, it would have seemed to me churlish not to.

I seem to recall a very attractive girl with one leg whom we encountered in a bar and it was agreed that the entire team would attempt to seduce here.  As in life, there are winners and losers, and although modesty forbids me to tell you who was victorious, I was for a time known as “leg over France”, and was subsequently and constantly asked by the captain to field either at short leg, long leg or deep backwards square leg, which for non cricketing aficionados are all bone fide cricket positions.  This of course was long before I made a solemn pact with that nice lady decorator to allow her exclusive decorating rights in my household.

The local TV station carried a picture of the Australian flag flying at half mast, in deference to their forthcoming defeat in Brisbane. The presenter tried to contend that it was something to do with some mining issue in New Zealand, but I realised the truth. If it was that important I don’t know why they didn’t call in Gary Glitter to help, he was apparently very good with minors.

The gabba cricket ground, scene of Peter Sidalls hatrick

My picture today is, inevitably of the Gabba, the cricket ground which is the venue for the first Ashes Test. England versus Australia, it does not get any bigger than that in world cricket.

The Pig n Whistle pub in Brisbane is not only the headquarters for the Barmy Army, it also the official Brisbane home of Manchester United Football Club. And Liverpool, and Chelsea, and West Ham, Rangers, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, you get the picture? A shameless commercial attempt to get Brits through the door to spend their aussie dollars click here for current exchange rate. I like it.

Despite the fact that England are behind on the first day, it was a great day’s cricket, but my plan for it to end in a draw after 5 days play (to the utter amazement of some of my French friends) lie in tatters due to events today. We shall just have to go and and win it now.

Tonight, I must got to the Barmy Army party to commiserate and prepare for what will undoubtedly be a better day tomorrow.

Chris France

Buying a house in France, moving money? www.currenciesdirect.net/chrisfrance

Latest local news? http://www.fr2day.com/

Best Estate Agency in Valbonne? http://www.rivierarealty.net/

Best French Riviera Property Agent?

http://www.afa-international.com/

http://frenchriviera-properties.com/

Rent my house in summer? http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p412514

Rent a private villa in Provence? www.cotdazurvillarentals.com

Best on line resource in Valbonne? http://www.valbonneonline.com/

Secret supper club http://www.red-radish.com/

Wedding reception? http://www.bastidestmathieu.com/

Valbonne Tourist Office http://www.tourisme-valbonne.com

Top quality interior designer? http://www.marineguigue.com/

John Otway’s New  Book? www.johnotway.com

Modular portable exhibition system? http://www.creative-village.co.uk/web_ads/bigger_picture.html

Living France, Le Blog   http://livinginfrance.mon-coach-langues.com

Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com

Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com

Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com

Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com

Monthly Riviera News? www.rivieratimes.com

Local ex pat information resource? www.angloinfo.com