Adelaide

So the urn is not leaving Australia. England have been holding on by a thread for much of the Third Test, with occasional glimmers of hope (even into Day 5, with a defiant display of batting). In the end though, they fell 83 runs short of what would have been a world record run chase, and Australia have an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series.

The Adelaide Oval is a beautiful place to watch cricket and I’ve felt very privileged to have five days there watching a gripping contest, while the series was still “live”, in the December sun. The mercury hit 41 degrees on Day 2, but it’s thankfully been a more comfortable temperature since!

The Barmy Army were in good voice again throughout the Test Match, although there were a few occasions when the chanting became a bit unsavoury and I wasn’t quite so keen to associate myself with them (I’ll leave it at that)!

However, my faith in them was somewhat restored by the initiative of one member, Charlie, with whom I shared a few drinks as he is staying at my hotel. Following a comment by a journalist on Day 1 about the litter left behind on the hill where many of the Barmy Army were standing, he bought some bin bags and we left the lawn spotless on each subsequent day.

In Brisbane, I became friends with those sitting near me and so had a ready-made social group. With unreserved seating, it wasn’t quite so easy in Adelaide, and I’ve had a week of engaging in one-off conversations at the cricket and tagging onto groups in the evenings – when it’s not been too awkward to do so! It’s the first time being a solo traveller has felt like a challenge, but it’s meant I’ve been able to enjoy many hours of radio commentary through my Test Match Special earpiece at least!

One person with whom I did have a good chat was fellow Watfordian, TMS regular and ex-England fast bowler, Steven Finn. He was friendly, and was happy to discuss mutual acquaintances and Watford FC’s recent form!

Adelaide has a beautiful coastline, easily accessible by public transport, and the hot weather has lured me there a couple of times.

On my first full day in Adelaide, I had a relaxed stroll along this boardwalk through Hallett Cove Conservation Park:

I was melting at the cricket on Day 2, so left early for a swim in the clear, emerald waters at Glenelg:

Incongruous as they seem in the Summer weather, there are frequent reminders that Christmas is approaching.

I enjoyed hearing carol singers in the Central Market after Day 3, and this evening went to a “Blue Christmas” service at the cathedral, one the most historic places of worship in the so-called “city of churches”.

The service was a reflective one, on this National Day of Reflection, a week on from the Bondi attack. A candle was lit in memory of the victims, alongside others for victims of war and lost loved ones. The Christmas message of Immanuel, “God with us”, was a comforting one, and in a particular way this year for me as a solo traveller! I also got to sing my first carols of the season, which was a thrill in a December that has been unusually lacking in them until now.

Having now been in Australia for three weeks, it’s really struck me how close the connections are with the UK. Culturally we are very similar, and Australia sometimes feels like a healthier, improved version of Britain, with better weather, more space and more efficient public services! And yet many people here have a strong affection for the “motherland”, and are perhaps better than we are at seeing its virtues. It’s all made for good conversation in any case, and the similarities between our two nations are what makes the Ashes contest the unique rivalry that it is. Sadly bragging rights will remain with our antipodean cousins for the next two years though…