The Mr X factor 16: April - July 2008

Living London - working London: London Ambulance Service – NZ Cricket tour of England: Lord’s & Old Trafford - following the Black Caps - Trooping the Colour – London Kiwis leaving for home – visits from holidaying Kiwis – Natural History Museum - upcoming holiday in Scotland - trip home to NZ locked and loaded for early 2009

For Lord’s 1st test cricket photos visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157605479937454/
For Old Trafford 2nd test photos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157605671679003/

For Trooping the Colour photos visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157605988518301/
For London life and London times photos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhodgkinson/sets/72157606164875886/

Hi there! It has been four months since my last Mr X-Factor bulletin – here’s the summary of recent goings on. It’s got a bit of a cricket focus to it!

April saw me continue working at the London Ambulance Service. I got given a stalled electronic stock control system project to pick up & drive forward, so that has taken most of my attention at work since then. It has been an enjoyable challenge and I have thrived on moving and shaping things more than in my previous role. Recently I’ve also been hauled in to help on another project, quite different in nature, so it has been great to have exposure to different initiatives within the LAS.

Of arguably more importance though, was the LAS ten-pin bowling night, held at Hollywood Bowl, in Surrey Keys (East London). There was a fair bit of banter & talking up of one’s ability in the lead up. I hadn’t bowled for at least 5 years, so had no idea how I would go – but the competitive instinct was quickly re-awakened in me.

We played 2 games. Halfway through the first frame I wanted to disappear down the chute with skittles – I bowled 5 gutter balls in a row! Never done that before, it was seriously terrible! I was searching for technique and form. I ended up with an embarrassing 78.

The good thing was that any focus on my nightmare, was quickly stolen by Sarah ‘Happy Happy Joy’ Joy, the event organiser, who calmly bowled her way to a stunning 176 – she was straight as an arrow all night, and couldn’t quite believe it herself.

In the second game I got my radar working better, and rolled a few spares & strikes, until the final frame when, needing a good finish, I bowled a strike then a spare to rocket up the leaderboard and claim the highest score in the second game (119) and 5th on overall aggregate for the night. It was a lot of fun and reminded me of fun times at Kenepuru Bowlarama, back home.

Recently the LAS also had its annual awards night, which quite a few of us from our office headed along for. It was a good night!

My flatmate Simon (aka Cuffy), had his 30th birthday mid-April, and celebrated with a weekend away in Cambridge at a hotel-complete-with-golf-course, which a whole bunch of us headed up for. I’ve somehow managed to miss all of Cuffy’s birthdays over here, due to being on trips away, so it was great to finally make it to his 30th. It involved a murder-mystery roll play game over a meal together (not quite finished), and celebratory drinks later on (finished!).

April 28 was my 3-year anniversary of living in the UK. I have now got my OE degree – the aim now is about 2 more years for the ‘Masters’, after which turning for home for good, may well beckon. All plans are changeable, but that’s my current thinking!

The big event in spring, as far as I was concerned, was the cricket series between England and New Zealand. I had been hanging out for this, having spent a very tired March listening overnight to the tests on my radio, from New Zealand. In enthusiastic anticipation, I bought tickets for 2 days at the 1st test at Lord’s – ‘the home of cricket’, and a match pass to Old Trafford in Manchester for the 2nd test.

A pilgrimage to Lord’s is a must for any avid cricket fan, and it’s been on my mind, since I arrived here in 2005. To be able to support your own team there brings a special feeling of taking on the ‘Establishment’ on their home turf – this feel comes through strongly at Lord’s. One can’t be too boisterous though. It’s not the done thing at here, my dear old thing! This photo below, was a classic shot of two old friends, sitting down to lunch together - as you can see, they had brought their entire picnic set-up. Classic!

The 1st test was heavily rain-affected. On Day 3 (Saturday 17 May), I went with Mark Zwies, Angela Emmett and Geordie mate, Matt Page. Unfortunately only 9 overs were bowled, before the drizzle set in for the day. We went for a stroll around the outside of the ground, which was really interesting, and gave one a feel for this special ground. And we got a full refund too!

Fortunately, in anticipation of poor weather in May, I had also bought tickets for the Sunday – it proved to be a cunning plan. Hamish Stockwell, Danny Hayes, Rob Edgecombe, Cuffy & my sister Nicola, joined me.

I also met up with my LAS colleague, fellow Kiwi and avid sports fan, Michael Bartley, during the day’s play. A Whangarei-boy, he’s been over here about 7 years, and the source of a lot of camaraderie and fun in the office, as we fend off predictable gibes about the All Blacks latest World Cup failure – I just say 1966, if asked when the ABs last won the World Cup! Anyway, in recent times I’ve realised the Black Caps are my ‘All Blacks’, and after the lunch break at Lord’s, I headed up to join Mike in the Upper Compton Stand. My move worked some magic as Daniel Vettori grabbed 2 wickets in 2 balls and almost a hat-trick with his third. The weather was much better on the Sunday and we watched a really good day’s play in a test heading for a probable draw – 270 runs, 10 wickets, a century to Michael Vaughan and a five-wicket bag to Daniel Vettori. NZ reached 40/0 at stumps and next day I listened on the radio with pride, as Jacob Oram hit a century to join Vettori on the famous Lord’s Honours Board. The match was drawn and the 2nd test would start with the series all square. For photos and of course, my accompanying commentary(!!), visit www.flickr.com/davidhodgkinson
The good thing was that the 1st test was a mere appetiser for me and 3 other Kiwi mates. I had managed to get a couple of days off work to head up to the 2nd test at Old Trafford. I took the bus (coach!) up from London, with Rob Edgecombe on the following Thursday night. We booked into a cheap hotel then next day took the tram south to Old Trafford, to catch all of the 1st day. Old Trafford - one of England’s most famous cricket grounds, actually seemed quite run-down (unlike the nearby football ground, which we visited at the end of the first day!). This was to be its last test before undergoing extensive renovation, so that will no doubt improve it. All I know, is that the more cricket grounds I visit throughout the world, the more I love the Basin Reserve in Wellington!
After Day 1 ended with NZ 202/4, fellow Kiwis-in-London and fellow cricket addicts, Danny and Hamish arrived in the evening. Apart from a warm Saturday (which increased beer consumption and crowd antics – see photos), the weather was grey, cool and very windy, but fortunately the stand sheltered for us all 4 days.
To summarise the 2nd test, it was glorious, then absolutely terrible!! NZ more-or-less dominated every session for the first 2.5 days – a 1st innings total of 381 (brilliant 155 to Ross Taylor, excellent 50 to Mills, but stupid-school-boy error run-out of captain Vettori), before bowling England out for 202. We were looking good at 85/2 when the game turned - the wheels fell off NZ’s innings, in the space of 90 minutes. This was thanks to an inspired Monty Panesar on a turning wicket, and some awful, slog/play-across-the-line technique, by most of our batsmen. We were rolled for 114, and England needed 294 to win, with over 2 days left. It was painful to watch. In the end, England only needed the 4th day, and got there with ease (déjà vu the 2004 tour). I had feared this, as soon as we were bundled out so cheaply. The Oram and Vettori run outs on Day 2 cost us at least 50 runs, and if we had not been bowled out, and been able to declare, setting them 350+ to win, the outcome of the test might have been a lot different. The bottom line is, England were better, and took advantage when we let it slip.
Being a passionate supporter, I was gutted and rather furious – not at my team (well, partly!), but for them - we had conspired to lose from such a strong position. Two days later I had sort of recovered though – and texted this home: 'Finally came out of ckt shock anger and depression last night. Pretty painful to see that happen. A v. solemn trip home down the M1. Still amazed at how one session can change a match so much. Realise tho that I still love my team and it was absorbing and wonderful ckt despite the result... Ah ckt and life - so many beautiful parallels. D :) Xx'

NZ went on to lose the 3rd test, but won the one-day series 3-1, in spite of some dodgy, Australian-like run-out play by England, at the Oval. Although I didn’t get to the one-dayers, it was great for the Black Caps finally come back and end the tour well. I think there is some long-term potential in several of the players – Taylor, How, & Southee in particular, and possibly Redmond and Flynn, though I need to watch a bit more of them.

On June 14 I went to the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, near Whitehall. A bit of historical background now:

The custom of Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were therefore trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognise those of his own regiment. In London, the Foot Guards used to do this from 1755 onwards as part of their daily Guard Mounting on Horse Guards and the ceremonial of the modern Trooping the Colour parade is along similar lines. In 1805 the parade was for the first time carried out to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday. This impressive display of pageantry is now held on the occasion of the Queen's Official Birthday. It takes place in June each year to celebrate the official Birthday of the Sovereign and is carried out by her personal troops, the Household Division, on Horse Guards Parade, with the Queen herself attending and taking the salute.

Source: http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/

See also:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7454440.stm and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7454541.stm

My NZ Embassy insider Angela E, got tickets in the ballot for NZers, so we got dressed up for the occasion. It was a lovely, sunny day and there was plenty of marching (the sideways shuffling of the troops & barking orders - abuse?! - of the drill commanders, telling certain soldiers to get in perfect line, was particularly amusing), as well as several laps of the Parade-yard by the horses – great pomp and ceremony. The Queen was there of course – she has only missed one during her reign, and I think it was my second one, having stood along the Mall in 1982, when our family was over here on holiday (can’t remember it, apart from the photos – which I’ll have to look at again sometime when I am home).

In terms of other stuff that has been going on, over recent weeks I’ve led some studies at my Bible study group, based on a brilliant book called Waking the Dead, by John Eldredge. The focus has been on the centrality of the heart in scripture. I’m in a Bible study group that has bonded really well together, and am enjoying my Church, Holy Trinity Swiss Cottage (http://www.ht-sc.org/) which I have been going to for almost a year now. It is located opposite Finchley Rd tube station, just 4 tube stops from where I live. I have been asked to preach there in August, which I’m really excited about.

Health-wise, my knee has unfortunately given me more trouble in the last month or so. It had been going OK, but I tweaked it whilst trying to strengthen it recently, and it has been unsettled and achy since then, though some of that may well be referred pain from a tight ITB. I have just got to be careful not to aggravate it etc... I saw my surgeon about it on Friday, and he said I need to go through a physiotherapy programme to try and treat and strengthen it – that kicks off next Friday, and I really hope it helps improve things.

The summer heat still hasn’t really arrived in the UK yet, which is starting to get a little disconcerting now – there’s only August left!! Despite this, there were a few leaving BBQs/picnics in June-July, for several Kiwi-OEers who are starting to head for home after a few years living here. Good-byes have recently been said to Neil & Fiona Wong, Andy & Liz Baynes, Tim & Celia Dewar and Mark & Rebekah Zwies – all doing final trips en route home to Aotearoa. It has been great travelling with and getting to know you more, guys! All the best for a new phase of life, back home.

Fortunately, Tim and Liz Hodge (Brits living in NZ), had arrived from NZ in June, with a 10-pack of Cookie-Time biscuits for me (thanks!!) - to help me cope better with so many friends departing these shores. I have also seen Chris Malcolm and Mark Edgecombe over here in the last few weeks, which has been great – always very special catching up with good mates from back home. I caught up with Mark and friends several times, for some Settlers board-gaming – well won by Tim Dewar!, and we also headed along to the Globe Theatre on Bankside last week, and watched King Lear – great to finally get to the home of Shakespeare in London.

I also visited the Natural History Museum, in South Kensington, last weekend - gotta keep knocking off those museums - so easy not to visit them once you've been living here a while. I had a look at the Earth Sciences and Dinosaurs sections, with Rebekah Zwies - interesting stuff!Last week I also managed to agree some time off work with my boss – my first decent holiday since Christmas. I will head to Scotland from 9 August for two weeks – 3 years since I was there very briefly – I wondered when I would get back! I will be doing a 5-day tour of the Scottish highlands and key historical sites - mostly of bloody battles!: http://www.haggisadventures.com/Scotland/Compass-Buster.html

After that, I will head to St Andrews, on Scotland’s east coast, where I will stay with good friends John and Jannah Dennison, and their baby Theo. On the way through, I also hope to see old Tawa friends living in Scotland, Renee Milkop-Kerr (Glasgow) and Ken Miller (Edinburgh), and their spouses. I am really looking forward to a decent break, some time-out, visiting friends and seeing some big country, as I have felt a quite run down of late. I’ve also booked a flight home to NZ early next year, for a 6-week holiday. I will be in NZ from Jan 10-Feb 20th, so when that arrives it will be pretty special – and hopefully just as brilliant as my trip home in March-April 2007.

That’s all for now. I hope this finds you well.

Love, Dave

R.I.P. Eric Martin

A fantastic football coach, for a whole bunch of Tawa boys, growing up.

I have beautiful memories of a lovely, friendly and enthusiastic man,

who enabled us to have so much fun in our Tawa AFC & College leagues,

at the Coastland's Cup, and at Kowhai Park, our practice ground in Tawa.

Thank you Eric.