Sydney highlights
There were some nice highlights today to give me good memories of my weekend in the big smoke.
Up early, I discovered "the city that never sleeps" has a quiet spell between 5am and 6am.
I went for a run/walk, skirting the edges of The Domain and following the foreshore (it’s hard to run contiguously though traffic lights and up/down steps).
I had no idea where I was or where I was going, but figured I could follow the same route back.
I must have been opposite the naval dockyards because I saw three RAN ships at the wharf. Large navy vessels always bring out the boy in me. I think they’re marvellous and at various times in my youth I thought about joining the Navy.
Continuing around the headland I encountered the stunning site of the Sydney Opera House, with the Harbour Bridge as a backdrop. Magnificent, and not a soul around.
I ran to the steps of the Opera House before retracing my route back. The harbour sights will stay with me forever.
After breakfast and reading the papers I walked into the city, bought some books and caught a bus out to the SCG.
The cricket was more enjoyable today. The crowd was bigger, but better behaved. I think first-day crowds attract a yahoo element. Most of the people there yesterday were on corporate junkets, as far as I could tell, given the mobile phones that never stopped ringing.
Today’s crowd was more appreciative of the contest and less boozy. On the ground there were plenty of wickets, some great batting by Sehwag, good bowling by Flintoff early, Warne and McGill.
I had more energy today, despite the early start, but think it will be another early night.
These articles might be of interest:
Ah, Sydney. Heaven on earth!
You would have got your money’s worth on day 2 Michael, watching Warne & Magill in tandem, ripping the heart out of the World team. It makes me wonder why the Aussie selectors didn’t give Magill a single test game in England despite him being in the squad and available. If they had we probably would have saved the Ashes.
Michael, you had the best 2 days as the 3rd day bad light decisions would have been frustrating. Especially at those highly inflated prices……Still would have been good to watch the Aussies
It was frustrating on Saturday morning when ground staff covered the square, not just the pitch, just before the start of play when a 10-second shower of light mist crossed the ground (no exaggeration). You’d think there was a thunderstorm coming the way they acted. Crazy suff considering the ticket prices.