Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Pitch Inspections

I say,

Many thanks to RobMcJ, Lee Ann, Keda and HotBoy for your wonderful comments on my last post. Comments, from anyone of course, are always welcome hereabouts.

What a fortunate person I am, to have spent some time in the wonderful country of Antigua, to have been a guest at the wedding in Hawksbill (see previous posts), to have spent time on the lovely Antiguan beaches, and most importantly, to have been able to do some pitch inspections whilst on the island.

In this and the following posts, I will enlarge on that final point.

Below is myself, Mrs M, and Henry Morton at 'The Rec' - The Recreation Ground in St John's. I am discussing with the head groundsman the condition of the wicket. "It looks like a batter's paradise." I suggested to him. "Ya man." was the response. "Not like the bunsen burner over in Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad." I continued. "Ya man." Frederick replied.

Below, I size up the wicket from the batsman's perspective, whilst Frederick explains how he once took a catch in the slips off Andy Roberts, a while back. The sightscreens were not overly large. And to think that our chaps used to have to face Courtley Ambrose on this pitch.

Below is the view from outside the executive suite, where we spent some time viewing the memorabilia.

And finally a view from the terraces.

What a wonderful time we had at The Rec, and many thanks go to Frederick.

MM III

Thursday, January 18, 2007

London and Antigua

I say!

A lot of people have asked me (well, Doviko, our cook, asked me, and so did Cabbage, the gardener, and also Harry, in the 'Hostile' Bar) what I noticed in London, whilst stopping over there on the way to Antigua.

I noticed the following:

Most Londoners carry a small water bottle with them, wherever they go, despite the fact that the temperature is not high and London is not in a desert.

Most Londoners listen to iPods whilst in transit from one place to another - on the Tube, on buses, and whilst walking in the street.

There is much more prevalence of obesity in London than I remember from my last trip.

Many Londoners seem to have learnt to speak Polish, and practice this constantly.

Here are some snaps which show how wonderfully attractive a place Antigua is.

Above - the view from our villa.

Darkwood Beach

I seem to remember that this is the Urlings village.

More villas at Jolly Harbour.

MM III


Friday, January 12, 2007

Good news, and more from the wedding

I say!

I've just heard that my proposal for some new hush hush research has been funded by 'The Office'. This is excellent, as it will enable me to travel and undertake more pitch inspections on the side, which is, of course, my main passion.

Talking of pitch inspections, I made three in Antigua, about which I will post shortly. Obviously, apart from the wedding, these were the highlights of the trip for me. However, in the meantime, here are some more snaps from the big day.


Above: the guests begin to take their seats.

The bridal party.

Notice the very appropriate name of the boat in the background - "Adventure Antigua"

The best man's speech meets with a good reception.

MM III

Friday, January 05, 2007

Here comes the bride

Well I say!

I hope that all readers of this blog had an especially good New Year, and thank you all for returning to view my mumblings and snaps.

Our trip to Antigua was wonderful. A great time was had by all, of which more, all in good time. But I know when to 'cut to the thrust' as it were. I also know that all the ladies who visit this blog will be particularly interested in the wedding that we Milngavies attended, which after all was the main purpose of the trip.

So, without further ado, here are some snaps from the big day at Hawksbill.

The guests begin to muster. From l. to r. - Menzies III, Henry Morton Milngavie (bass player with the rock band 'Detonator'), Mr R. (a 'Lloyd's Name') , the delightful Miss G (Mr R's daughter, and a recent graduate of Oxford), rather in the background, unfortunately, Morag (the groom's grandmother), Gillian (the groom's auntie), Rosemary (the groom's mother), and Mrs M, in her lovely teal outfit and fascinator.

The groom, Jonathan, waits expectantly. Have you ever seen such a handsome and upright groom? And look at his highland outfit!


The steel band (only one visible), plays the wedding march, as the bride arrives, only five minutes late!

The happy couple, Jonathan and Suzanne Jacobs. Have you ever seen such a lovely bride! I certainly haven't, or rather, only once, when I turned round in the church to see Mrs M approaching on the occasion of our own wedding.

MM III