25th & 26th December – Christmas & Boxing Day
Day started early and chaotically, as do most Christmas’, except you aren’t normally packing to go on holidays for another 4 months! Once we got going it was great, with lots to eat and more to drink 10pm came around really fast. Said my goodbyes to the family before Luke and Jody took me to the airport. Tam and Andy were waiting, and finally the biggest secret I’d been hiding could come out, as the trip was Andy’s Christmas present. We checked in our bags without much fuss and were on board and ready to leave at 11.30pm. Takeoff and time to sleep, which I did until dinner came around, so I ate some more (and had some red wine) before sleeping some more. Turns out you can drink enough to sleep on a plane without being too drunk that they won’t let you on! Arrived in Melbourne just before 5am, had our bags and got straight into a taxi. Out to Coburg we saw the sun peaking up over the horizon (well, the buildings at least). Caravan park to George (who I think had missed me) and it was a quick set-up of beds (my swag ended up on the ground outside, Andy was a bit concerned about the fact he was stealing my bed) and we were all asleep by 6am – 2 hour power nap.....................
Day started early and chaotically, as do most Christmas’, except you aren’t normally packing to go on holidays for another 4 months! Once we got going it was great, with lots to eat and more to drink 10pm came around really fast. Said my goodbyes to the family before Luke and Jody took me to the airport. Tam and Andy were waiting, and finally the biggest secret I’d been hiding could come out, as the trip was Andy’s Christmas present. We checked in our bags without much fuss and were on board and ready to leave at 11.30pm. Takeoff and time to sleep, which I did until dinner came around, so I ate some more (and had some red wine) before sleeping some more. Turns out you can drink enough to sleep on a plane without being too drunk that they won’t let you on! Arrived in Melbourne just before 5am, had our bags and got straight into a taxi. Out to Coburg we saw the sun peaking up over the horizon (well, the buildings at least). Caravan park to George (who I think had missed me) and it was a quick set-up of beds (my swag ended up on the ground outside, Andy was a bit concerned about the fact he was stealing my bed) and we were all asleep by 6am – 2 hour power nap.....................
Just after 8am we were up, got changed and left, headed for the tram stop just after 8.40am. A nice 15 minute walk, we just missed the 9am tram, so caught the 9.12am. A bit unsure where to get off we followed those who looked like they knew where they 
were headed, which wasn’t for long as I sussed out my bearings, and then followed the mob down Birrarung Marr to the ‘G. Tickets and bag checks we were inside the ground just after 10.10am, where we found some seats near the players boxes – perfect, except no drinking. National Anthem which was quite powerful, before the first ball of play – Australia batting, Hayden and Katich opening. Time to start sending text .jpg)
messages to make people jealous! Sun was hot, but some cloud cover came over which stopped us from roasting before it disappeared behind the stand above us. Tam and I dozed at various intervals, and in between Andy and I made trips to the bar. Punta managed a tonne, and received a standing ovation for it, but the afternoon play was slow, so I dozed for a good 15 minutes I think (even missing the announcement over the speakers, I was really out!). 64 000+ people in attendance. Left at 6pm – 6/280 - with the Saffas just getting in their required number of wickets (albeit in overtime). Walked to Coles and Liquorland near Flinders St Station before catching the tram back to the caravan park, about 8am where I checked in and retrieved George (and prayed that he was going to start, which he did) so Tam and I set up camp while Andy cooked the bbq. First bbq I’ve had on holidays! Tam and Andy did the dishes while I set up the beds, and we were all in bed by 10.30pm, totally exhausted!
were headed, which wasn’t for long as I sussed out my bearings, and then followed the mob down Birrarung Marr to the ‘G. Tickets and bag checks we were inside the ground just after 10.10am, where we found some seats near the players boxes – perfect, except no drinking. National Anthem which was quite powerful, before the first ball of play – Australia batting, Hayden and Katich opening. Time to start sending text .jpg)
messages to make people jealous! Sun was hot, but some cloud cover came over which stopped us from roasting before it disappeared behind the stand above us. Tam and I dozed at various intervals, and in between Andy and I made trips to the bar. Punta managed a tonne, and received a standing ovation for it, but the afternoon play was slow, so I dozed for a good 15 minutes I think (even missing the announcement over the speakers, I was really out!). 64 000+ people in attendance. Left at 6pm – 6/280 - with the Saffas just getting in their required number of wickets (albeit in overtime). Walked to Coles and Liquorland near Flinders St Station before catching the tram back to the caravan park, about 8am where I checked in and retrieved George (and prayed that he was going to start, which he did) so Tam and I set up camp while Andy cooked the bbq. First bbq I’ve had on holidays! Tam and Andy did the dishes while I set up the beds, and we were all in bed by 10.30pm, totally exhausted! 27th December
Alarm at 7.15, and whilst I’d slept like a log I still felt like I needed an.jpg)
other 8 hours. We were ready and heading off by 8.45, sandwiches in tow. On the same tram as the day before we were the ones being followed today, and met one of the Milo Kids – Hannah – who was playing at half time. She didn’t really appreciate what an opportunity she was getting, with Andy and I most envious. We resumed position from the day before, and saw Punta, Huss and Haddin all warming up on the ground, so got some good action shots. Our tail enders put in another sterling effort, however left Clarke stranded on 88 (which was OK, as Andy and I had a bet on whether he’d make 100 or not, which I won, so first drinks were on him), his highest score at the ‘G. 394 our first innings score, it had been an interesting first session of play. Andy and I went for a walk at lunch, heading up to the 4th level where the drinking section of general entry was, and was quite impressed by the view over the ground. On our way back we stopped 
to watch overs (as Andy was under strict instructions that he must watch every ball), and saw Siddle take the wickets out, very nice! The rest of the afternoon was fairly even, with the odd wicket (and beer) and at stumps day 2 it was 7/198, and the hometown kid getting 3 for, and me managing to get a photo of one of his wickets! We headed back to the tram, and s
topped for ‘refreshments’ on the way home. Sat and had a quiet couple and before we knew it was 8.45pm and Tam was starting to organise tea. We headed over to the bbq’s, and ate about 9.30pm – quality too! Back to George for a quiet drink (and port) before heading to bed about 11.30pm.
Alarm at 7.15, and whilst I’d slept like a log I still felt like I needed an
.jpg)
other 8 hours. We were ready and heading off by 8.45, sandwiches in tow. On the same tram as the day before we were the ones being followed today, and met one of the Milo Kids – Hannah – who was playing at half time. She didn’t really appreciate what an opportunity she was getting, with Andy and I most envious. We resumed position from the day before, and saw Punta, Huss and Haddin all warming up on the ground, so got some good action shots. Our tail enders put in another sterling effort, however left Clarke stranded on 88 (which was OK, as Andy and I had a bet on whether he’d make 100 or not, which I won, so first drinks were on him), his highest score at the ‘G. 394 our first innings score, it had been an interesting first session of play. Andy and I went for a walk at lunch, heading up to the 4th level where the drinking section of general entry was, and was quite impressed by the view over the ground. On our way back we stopped 
to watch overs (as Andy was under strict instructions that he must watch every ball), and saw Siddle take the wickets out, very nice! The rest of the afternoon was fairly even, with the odd wicket (and beer) and at stumps day 2 it was 7/198, and the hometown kid getting 3 for, and me managing to get a photo of one of his wickets! We headed back to the tram, and s
topped for ‘refreshments’ on the way home. Sat and had a quiet couple and before we knew it was 8.45pm and Tam was starting to organise tea. We headed over to the bbq’s, and ate about 9.30pm – quality too! Back to George for a quiet drink (and port) before heading to bed about 11.30pm.28th December – Day 3
Awake to the motorbikes taking off, I dozed again until my alarm went at 7.15. We got ready and headed off about 8.48, but managed to jag the 9am tram, just! Got off near Parliament Station and headed the back way to the ground, and after seeing the boys warming up in the nets and
checking out the merch. Stopped by security for a bag search, as with every other day, but I must have had a blonde moment when packing because I’d decided to put a can of V in my bag – no cans allowed silly!!! So I stood there and skulled it – wasn’t going to sleep through the first session today! Seated by 10am we were expecting to be batting by lunch, but with no such luck, although Huss did manage his first test wicket – 1/2 (although it did later get a bit higher than that). First beer came as we headed upstairs for the afternoon, followed by another and another. Completely different perspective from these heights, although Tam was slightly concerned about falling should she decide to take another nap. The beers improved, which was lucky, because the cricket was quite depressing. The run rate slowly crept up, and eventually surpassed ours, and with Lee injured, Roy receiving on field treatment and a number of our players still underperforming the outlook wasn’t good. Watson was the replacement fielder, who was doing a great job of entertaining the Fanatics, joining in with the Mexican wave and signing autographs. When we got depressed with the cricket, we turned to the Fanatics, and their blow-up beach balls (or inflatable dolls, not of the Warnie variety...), evictions and chants – You Are A Legend (one version), Waltzing Matilda and even the Australian Anthem. We saw the highest 9th wicket partnership on Australian soil, however this was not a feat we were proud of, between Dimini and Steyn. So we enjoyed the weather and the beer, although we did have to consume quite a bit to disguise the taste! At 5.10pm we finally claimed the last of their wickets, with the Saffas now over 50 runs in front, and managed to survive the last three overs of the day without loss. Leaving at 5.30pm (yes, we had bowled within the required timeframe!!!) we headed for Collins St through Fitzroy Gardens. Portland Hotel was the destination (another Entertainment Book voucher) and we had dinner and drinks, with rather generous spirit pourings. Waited a few minute for a tram but still managed to arrive home before it was dark. Stopped at the deli for desert (chocolate) before heading back to the park and heading in for a swim. Showers and desert while we looked at the photos (and tried to get blue tooth to work on my phone) before heading to bed (with another chapter of Adam Gilchrist before lights out).
Awake to the motorbikes taking off, I dozed again until my alarm went at 7.15. We got ready and headed off about 8.48, but managed to jag the 9am tram, just! Got off near Parliament Station and headed the back way to the ground, and after seeing the boys warming up in the nets and
checking out the merch. Stopped by security for a bag search, as with every other day, but I must have had a blonde moment when packing because I’d decided to put a can of V in my bag – no cans allowed silly!!! So I stood there and skulled it – wasn’t going to sleep through the first session today! Seated by 10am we were expecting to be batting by lunch, but with no such luck, although Huss did manage his first test wicket – 1/2 (although it did later get a bit higher than that). First beer came as we headed upstairs for the afternoon, followed by another and another. Completely different perspective from these heights, although Tam was slightly concerned about falling should she decide to take another nap. The beers improved, which was lucky, because the cricket was quite depressing. The run rate slowly crept up, and eventually surpassed ours, and with Lee injured, Roy receiving on field treatment and a number of our players still underperforming the outlook wasn’t good. Watson was the replacement fielder, who was doing a great job of entertaining the Fanatics, joining in with the Mexican wave and signing autographs. When we got depressed with the cricket, we turned to the Fanatics, and their blow-up beach balls (or inflatable dolls, not of the Warnie variety...), evictions and chants – You Are A Legend (one version), Waltzing Matilda and even the Australian Anthem. We saw the highest 9th wicket partnership on Australian soil, however this was not a feat we were proud of, between Dimini and Steyn. So we enjoyed the weather and the beer, although we did have to consume quite a bit to disguise the taste! At 5.10pm we finally claimed the last of their wickets, with the Saffas now over 50 runs in front, and managed to survive the last three overs of the day without loss. Leaving at 5.30pm (yes, we had bowled within the required timeframe!!!) we headed for Collins St through Fitzroy Gardens. Portland Hotel was the destination (another Entertainment Book voucher) and we had dinner and drinks, with rather generous spirit pourings. Waited a few minute for a tram but still managed to arrive home before it was dark. Stopped at the deli for desert (chocolate) before heading back to the park and heading in for a swim. Showers and desert while we looked at the photos (and tried to get blue tooth to work on my phone) before heading to bed (with another chapter of Adam Gilchrist before lights out).29th December – Day 4
6.30am the campsite behind ours decided they were packing up, with the owner of the Landcruiser over the road deciding to leave it running while he sorted out his caravan, so there was no chance of getting back to sleep. Up at 7.15 and over to... wait for it... straighten my hair (yes I am turning into a bit of a girl... either that or I wanted to impress at the cricket!). We were ready and on the bus at 8.45am, and then the connecting tram, which took us through Brunswick and Carlton, which kept Andy amused as he had a comment about every second shop or building we went past. Got off near Central Station and caught the train to Richmond and walked back up. Walked the grounds looking for calendars but no luck – disappointing! We resumed our position (although I took a row back from Tam and Andy, not wanting too much sun) and waited for day 4’s play to commence. The game went from bad to worse, loosing wickets like they were going out of fashion, until Ponting racked up a few and we thought we still had a chance. However when he fell at 99, after Johnson had so ably assisted to keep him in, it was back to the bar (with my new mate the bar tender, who quote ‘anything for you’. Pity he was about 50!). Then all hopes were on Johnson, who was slowly creeping towards 50, but unfortunately ran out of batters and walked off with 44. With it being 5pm they did a change and were back on about 5.15pm (yes, more beers) in the hope for a wicket (or three) before stumps, with no such luck. The 186 they were chasing was down to 150, and with a full day of play remaining the test match was beyond salvage. We left, dejected with the days events (although we had managed to score Watsons signature on our hats, which after the previous days performance was quite chuffed with, although he looked very unhappy), and decided that drinking was the answer (and by this stage didn’t care what the question was) and headed through Fed Square (where the sports news happened to be on, rubbing salt into the fresh wounds) before having a drink at the Young and Jackson Pub. We started assessing the crowd, although not a lot of potential it made for interesting conversation. Left for Taco Bills (yet another voucher) on Exhibition St, and after waiting for a table we opened with a jug of sangrias (which Tam did help with...) and nachos. Met a dad and his kid on the next table across, who’d been at the cricket and were also from WA, with the kid entertaining the crowds by taking photos, issuing menus and amusing the patrons – he was the real shy type). Finished our dinner and left for a tram stop and waited 10 minutes, listening to the 12th Man on Andy’s ipod. Arrived home at 11.30, with an early start ahead tomorrow.
6.30am the campsite behind ours decided they were packing up, with the owner of the Landcruiser over the road deciding to leave it running while he sorted out his caravan, so there was no chance of getting back to sleep. Up at 7.15 and over to... wait for it... straighten my hair (yes I am turning into a bit of a girl... either that or I wanted to impress at the cricket!). We were ready and on the bus at 8.45am, and then the connecting tram, which took us through Brunswick and Carlton, which kept Andy amused as he had a comment about every second shop or building we went past. Got off near Central Station and caught the train to Richmond and walked back up. Walked the grounds looking for calendars but no luck – disappointing! We resumed our position (although I took a row back from Tam and Andy, not wanting too much sun) and waited for day 4’s play to commence. The game went from bad to worse, loosing wickets like they were going out of fashion, until Ponting racked up a few and we thought we still had a chance. However when he fell at 99, after Johnson had so ably assisted to keep him in, it was back to the bar (with my new mate the bar tender, who quote ‘anything for you’. Pity he was about 50!). Then all hopes were on Johnson, who was slowly creeping towards 50, but unfortunately ran out of batters and walked off with 44. With it being 5pm they did a change and were back on about 5.15pm (yes, more beers) in the hope for a wicket (or three) before stumps, with no such luck. The 186 they were chasing was down to 150, and with a full day of play remaining the test match was beyond salvage. We left, dejected with the days events (although we had managed to score Watsons signature on our hats, which after the previous days performance was quite chuffed with, although he looked very unhappy), and decided that drinking was the answer (and by this stage didn’t care what the question was) and headed through Fed Square (where the sports news happened to be on, rubbing salt into the fresh wounds) before having a drink at the Young and Jackson Pub. We started assessing the crowd, although not a lot of potential it made for interesting conversation. Left for Taco Bills (yet another voucher) on Exhibition St, and after waiting for a table we opened with a jug of sangrias (which Tam did help with...) and nachos. Met a dad and his kid on the next table across, who’d been at the cricket and were also from WA, with the kid entertaining the crowds by taking photos, issuing menus and amusing the patrons – he was the real shy type). Finished our dinner and left for a tram stop and waited 10 minutes, listening to the 12th Man on Andy’s ipod. Arrived home at 11.30, with an early start ahead tomorrow.
30th December – Day 5 and New Years Eve Eve
5.30am. Five bloody thirty am. That was when the campsite behind ours decided to start making noise. Then at 6 it was time to wash the rice for breakfast at the tap between the two sites, which took about 5 minutes (obviously not concerned about the water restrictions either!). How bloody rude. So I was up by 6.15am and back at the campsite for 7am. We packed up and were gone by 8.30, although there was a spot of rain which was a nuisance (although we were hoping it might hang around and delay the cricket....). With the possibility of delayed play though we had to be prepared for a late finish, which meant we had to carry clothes that
we were going to need later that night (we were going to see Billy Elliot on stage). Drove through town, dropping Tam and Andy off and I headed for the apartment we were spending the next few nights at. Traffic was surprisingly good, and I was all checked in and had the refrigerator in the unit restocked and on my way just before 10am, stopping at Bakers Delight for lunch on my walk back to the ‘G. The walk was good and made it with about 10 minutes to spare, and right next to the dad and kid from Mexican the night before. The crowd was very sparse (total attendance of just under 175 000 over the 5 days, with only 8 500 people there today, and most of those being Saffas.) Unfortunately the majority of them had general entry seating aswell, so were in the block of seats next door. The rain tried a few times but never broke through, and by lunch it was all but over – time for a beer! So Andy and I made our way to the bar yet again, and I took off u
pstairs as play recommenced to take some photos. The Aussies were cheering every dot ball, and the Saffas cheering every run. It was all over by 2pm (which had been my guess before play started) with scenes of jubilation and flag waving from the South African camp. We stayed for presentations (and I was quite disappointed the Aussies didn’t come back out of the dressing rooms) where Steyn, with his 10 wickets and not out 74, earnt him man of the match. We headed to South Yarra and the apartment where we had a drink and established where we were heading for dinner and left at 5.30 for Soda Rock (on Toorak and Chapel St). It was straight out of Happy Days (including some of the staff!) with 50’s music and jukeboxes on every table. Tam and I picked a song, and unfortunately of the 150 odd songs we both knew most of them! Burgers, chips and milkshakes we left with full tummies for Her Majesty’s Theatre, stopping at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow on the way for a drink, until the Saffas turned up ‘5 Jeigerbombs thanks’ and we were glad to be heading off!!! Founds our seats and settled in for Billy Elliot, which was incredible. The staging was amazing, the band incredible and the music, acting and dancing were fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed it, although it got rather hot in the theatre. Walked back through Chinatown to Flinders St where we were on a tram and home by 11.30pm.
5.30am. Five bloody thirty am. That was when the campsite behind ours decided to start making noise. Then at 6 it was time to wash the rice for breakfast at the tap between the two sites, which took about 5 minutes (obviously not concerned about the water restrictions either!). How bloody rude. So I was up by 6.15am and back at the campsite for 7am. We packed up and were gone by 8.30, although there was a spot of rain which was a nuisance (although we were hoping it might hang around and delay the cricket....). With the possibility of delayed play though we had to be prepared for a late finish, which meant we had to carry clothes that
we were going to need later that night (we were going to see Billy Elliot on stage). Drove through town, dropping Tam and Andy off and I headed for the apartment we were spending the next few nights at. Traffic was surprisingly good, and I was all checked in and had the refrigerator in the unit restocked and on my way just before 10am, stopping at Bakers Delight for lunch on my walk back to the ‘G. The walk was good and made it with about 10 minutes to spare, and right next to the dad and kid from Mexican the night before. The crowd was very sparse (total attendance of just under 175 000 over the 5 days, with only 8 500 people there today, and most of those being Saffas.) Unfortunately the majority of them had general entry seating aswell, so were in the block of seats next door. The rain tried a few times but never broke through, and by lunch it was all but over – time for a beer! So Andy and I made our way to the bar yet again, and I took off u
pstairs as play recommenced to take some photos. The Aussies were cheering every dot ball, and the Saffas cheering every run. It was all over by 2pm (which had been my guess before play started) with scenes of jubilation and flag waving from the South African camp. We stayed for presentations (and I was quite disappointed the Aussies didn’t come back out of the dressing rooms) where Steyn, with his 10 wickets and not out 74, earnt him man of the match. We headed to South Yarra and the apartment where we had a drink and established where we were heading for dinner and left at 5.30 for Soda Rock (on Toorak and Chapel St). It was straight out of Happy Days (including some of the staff!) with 50’s music and jukeboxes on every table. Tam and I picked a song, and unfortunately of the 150 odd songs we both knew most of them! Burgers, chips and milkshakes we left with full tummies for Her Majesty’s Theatre, stopping at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow on the way for a drink, until the Saffas turned up ‘5 Jeigerbombs thanks’ and we were glad to be heading off!!! Founds our seats and settled in for Billy Elliot, which was incredible. The staging was amazing, the band incredible and the music, acting and dancing were fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed it, although it got rather hot in the theatre. Walked back through Chinatown to Flinders St where we were on a tram and home by 11.30pm.
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