Brisbane

There’s been a steady rhythm to my days in Brisbane. Lazy mornings sorting various things out (including a visit to the GP as I left my prescription medicine in Argentina…), afternoons and evenings at the cricket, and the remaining hours at the pub!

Optimism and excitement peaked on Day 1 of the Test Match, as after that Australia asserted their dominance and ended up with an 8 wicket victory. The cricket was gripping for most of the time though, and even on the last day there was a glimmer of hope while Stokes and Jacks were in the middle (and batting much less recklessly than some of their teammates had). The Barmy Army were in good voice and good humour throughout, and it was great fun to be one of their number!

On Day 2, I arrived early to meet Rob, the father of my former 2nd XI cricket captain at school. I then hovered around the media area and spotted many Ashes greats of the past, all there to see the current generation write the latest chapter in the story of cricket’s greatest rivalry.

On Day 3, I went to a brunch at the Pig ‘N’ Whistle (a pub taken over by the Barmy Army), at which we were entertained by stories from Phil Tufnell and Darren Lehman.

With 24 hours of play over the course of the Test, there was plenty of time to get to know those sitting around me. Steve, next to me in the picture below, was also my roommate, as the Barmy Army had a system to pair up solo travellers in twin rooms to save money.

The social aspect of the cricket was lots of fun, and different groups formed each night to go for drinks. After Day 4’s play, some of us went to the bar at the England Team’s hotel and were there to give Joe Root a guard of honour as he returned (while we were waiting for an Uber)!

With the match completed in four days, I had time for some sightseeing on Monday. I spent a relaxed afternoon on the South Bank, where there were a Nepalese Peace Pagoda, an area of rainforest and an urban beach!

I then watched the sunset from the observation deck of the Star Hotel, one of many impressive buildings in this modern and affluent city.

Before leaving Brisbane this afternoon, I had a final coffee with Josh in the Botanic Gardens. Renewing my friendship with him has been a definite highlight of my time in Queensland.

It’s not so obvious from the other pictures, but I’m embarrassed to say I may have also made a dubious attempt to go native with my hair… I doubt the style will accompany me back to work, but if you can’t making a fool of yourself when travelling the world, when can you…?

After a flight over the Gold Coast (where I’m sure the mullet is pulled off better than by me), I’ve now arrived in Sydney. I wasn’t quick enough to snap the Opera House, but I was greeted by a fantastic view of the harbour as we came into land, which has definitely whet my appetite for my brief stay here…