Cricket, Curry & Clouds

Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall

"We're about to win the Ashes, we're staying put."

An August afternoon at The Oval. The Fifth Test & I'm with my cousin who had secured the tickets. I was hoping to pack a picnic for our big day out & he was going to be in charge of drinks. It wasn't to be as The Oval rules state that you cannot bring your own sustenance into the ground. Why would that be then? Let me think about that for a moment. Could it be that you want me to spend my hard earned coffers inside your venue? 

Anyway, HB & me scored a small victory. At the bag search going in, we sacrificed a couple of tinned cocktails at the top of his cool bag and hastened away. Below the lost drinkies sat a chilled recycled bottle full of Pimms & Lemonade, including fresh fruit, for refreshment. Made by HB.

Sausage sandwiches purchased (two for the cousin, he was hungover)

Seats found

Settle in

Rain

England were destined to lose this Test Match but it didn't matter because we had won the Ashes already. We were looking forward to our last wickets tumbling so that we could then head off for a hearty, celebratory Sunday lunch nearby that HB had booked for half one.

The rain carried on

The Pimms was opened

No play until at least lunchtime

HB: "Well, not much prospect of play. Shall we head off to the restaurant?"

Me: "Erm, we're going nowhere, England are about to win the Ashes, we're staying put."

HB: "Right, well let's find somewhere to have lunch here."

The next thing I know, HB is telling me to follow him into a large, covered hospitality area filled with folk. 

HB: "Just look like we're supposed to be here."

Me: **FRETS**

Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall

We got in. Always knock at the big door.

There was free curry & rice. Beer for HB. Wine for the lady.

Then the sun decided to put in an appearance.

Play began.

After starting the Ashes as underdogs, we had won the series three-two.

Apparently I fell asleep on the train journey home still holding the scorecard.

AMM