Celebrations - The Games and bowls
Now how did that happen? Another month gone. And of course so much has happened, I don’t know where to start! Most people would have been following the Commonwealth Games which has been going off down here. I wasn’t glued to the TV screen (mainly because I had an essay due yesterday but also because I am sport illiterate) but I did enjoy going to see a Hockey match a couple of Fridays ago. Know nothing about hockey but it was fun to go to something a bit different.
The first game was Malaysia v Trinidad & Tobago. Go the dreadlocks! Malaysia won by a long way though. The second game was England v Scotland and there was some real hammer and tongs rivalry going on in the crowd. It was a great atmosphere. They guy sitting next to us was Malaysian so he was pretty excited.
It was held at the State Hockey and Netball Centre at Parkville which is close to Carlton. We caught a train to the closest station and it was a bit of a walk from there to the ground, all very well-organised with people with loudhalers herding us like cattle all the way. Yay for crowd control!
The beginning of the month saw us in Sydney, celebrating Andrew’s 30th birthday with a party at Erskineville Bowls Club. It started in the late afternoon and we played a few games of bowls then had a BBQ and some alcoholic beverages. That was fun and a good place for everyone to catch up - there were tables set up outside. I must admit I did feel like I’d aged 30 years when I went into the bar though! Everyone mentions the film Crackerjack when I tell them so I feel I should see that movie now. I can understand how bowls is an appealing game for retired people because it’s easy and social and something active. Andrew was given quite a few bottles of alchohol for his birthday - I’m surprised they let us back on the plane with them on the Sunday!
It has been a busy month
The Hockey was definately very cool. It went very smoothly and I was surprised that there were no long waits. It all just flowed. It was certainly a different experience than Sydney in 2000. The night was good and the crowd was really vocal given that there were no Australian teams playing that night. It was good to see Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, England and Scotland play - you can see Australia anytime in many sports so it was good to see someone different.
I had a great time on my birthday and it was definately a good place to have it at. Very relaxing, cheap drinks and everyone was able to have a good chat without the noise of a pub or club.
This week has been very busy too, have sold the car (Yay!!! - finally) and sold it for around what I wanted for it which is good
It has worked out pretty well, because I pick up the new car on Wednesday (double Yay!!!). Looking forward to the Peugot 
I am thinking that some lessons on a manual are going to be coming soon for you 
Has all that alcohol been consumed yet, Andrew and Ruth?? Any wodka?
Glad that you could see some part of the Games and the hockey match sounded to be very exciting. Good luck with the new auto and the driving lessons. I see you’re reading “Pigs in Heaven”. Wasn’t that in the omnibus that I gave you? It’s a great story. I love Kingsolver.
Yes it is in the omnibus - I think she is a very good writer, good at weaving a story. I am dying to know what happens. Taylor’s mother has just gone back to the town ‘Heaven’ to try to find out about Annawake Fourkiller. I am looking forward to the manual driving lessons. It’s a good challenge! The other drivers may not say that though. I wonder if I will have to have ‘L’ plates on the car?
Don’t grate the gears or screech the tyres!! I think Andrew will be a good teacher….not like someone else we know!!!!!
I’m reading “To Kill a Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee. She writes similarly to Kingsolver.
I nearly came to blows with my Dad when he was teaching me to drive! I think Sean would have been a much better teacher. I used to rant off at Dad and go stalkng off up the street after slamming the door in a vicious manner. I laugh now when I think what a petulant princess I was!
Never read any of Kingsolvers’. I am currently reading The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan. I love his style and storylines. Just finished his other two - Saturday and Enduring Love. Also read End In Tears - Ruth Rendell - it wasn’t up to scratch I’m afraid.
I did exactly the same thing with my Dad! It’s funny - ‘Enduring Love’ is sitting on my shelf waiting for me to to read it next. I’ve read one of his novels ‘Atonement’ which I enjoyed - I like his style as well.