End of an Era - or Ashes to Ashes

  Sydney, Australia
Friday, January 5, 2007

The End of an Era

And now on to Sydney, for New Year's Eve and the final test in the Ashes series.

Sydney itself remains one of my favourite cities in the world - it's laid back life and the geography of the harbour give it a wonderful mix.   Some of the views, as iconic and recognisable as they are, still don't fail to take the breath away - I envy those whose morning commute consists of a trip on the Manly ferry into central Sydney

Not a bad way to commute

 

- there can't be many better ways to go to work!

As for New Year's Eve in Sydney it's always been renowned as one of the world's great parties, but in the eight years since I was here last, it's got enormous. When my brother and I were here in 98/99, we were able to wander down onto Circular Quay at around 10pm to see the fireworks by the bridge. This time, Andy and I couldn't get near the Opera House or Circular Quay when we went down at 5.30pm - we ended being some of the last people let into the area near up near the Botanic Gardens. Where were there was an approximate 75,000 people

A few people join in the celebrations.....

- around the harbour was an estimated 400,000 people.  The fireworks were spectacular

New Year's Fireworks

and it was pretty cool to know that we were amongst the first people in the world to see in 2007.

As for the cricket, well England again failed to perform - a couple of times they threatened to  do something, but each time the Aussie's responded and England, by the end of it all couldn't wait to get out of there. However, this test was remarkable for it afforded us the opportunity to say cheerio to two of the greatest cricketers of all time, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Love them or loath them, their achievements in Test cricket bear comparison with the true greats - between them they have taken over 1,200 wickets with Warne himself taking over 1,000 wickets in international cricket. I was lucky 15 years ago to see his first ball in Ashes cricket, at Old Trafford, the famous Ball of the Century to get out Mike Gatting and today I saw his last

End of an Era 1

 

- cricket will be poorer for him. As for McGrath, has there ever been a more consistent performer in world cricket. Not quick by any means, but there's a guy who genuinely could make the ball obey his every instruction. As they walked off together at the end of the game, the thousands of Englishman in the crowd would have heaved a sigh of relief - the Aussies a gulp of uncertainty - roll on 2009!!

See Ya!

Rob

PS after 11 weeks, I met up with my parents again - but with e-mail, Skype, etc, there really wasn't a lot to catch up on - it does bring it home how small the world really is today! Still, it was good to see them!

Mother and Father at the cricket