31/07/2010 - Day 34

A bunch of Bensons.  Is that the correct collective name for a Benson reunion?  Either way, here they all are.  Several generations of them.  Family trees were passed around, corrections made, and promises that the gathering would happen again sooner rather than later.

30/07/2010 - Day 33

I've spent another enjoyable day at Trent Bridge, helping out the media chaps.  Here is a view of the playing field from the press box.  A good days bowling from Jimmy Anderson today.  I'm due to go back again on Sunday morning, but will England have wrapped it all up by then?

29/07/2010 - Day 32

Put some colour in your cricket!  I've had another fun day helping out the media guys at Trent Bridge during day 1 of the England V Pakistan Test.  Thanks to Neil, my partner in crime for the day, for spotting this photo opportunity.  Its great how people are really getting into my 'photo of the day' blog, and are starting to point out possible photos for me!  These are the pads and gloves that Samit Patel wore for the video that Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club used to promote this seasons T20.  Samit hit 50 exploding paint balls of various colour, as you can see from his pads!

28/07/2010 - Day 31

Jack and I went shopping together.  Jack spotted this registration plate.  He's hoping to have it for his first car..........

27/07/2010 - Day 30

They say little boys never grow up.....

26/07/2010 - Day 29

Nottingham Outlaws V Sussex Sharks.  Each time I thought about the game during the day, I had a little flurry of butterflies in my tummy.  The Outlaws had won every home game I had attended.  A loss and a draw for the two games I didn't attend.  Surely then they would win if I went to the game?  I was sure the toss would decide the game.  Whoever fielded first would surely win.  Chances were Mr Duckworth and Mr Lewis would be called upon.  So the news arrived that Sussex had won the toss, and they were to field first.  But I was going to be there, so Notts couldn't lose?  Wickets went tumbling and Notts finished on 141-9.  That was a good 20 runs short of a winning total - wasn't it?  I was starting to think my lucky charm had run out.  Oh foolish me!  Of course it hadn't!  Halfway through the second innings, the home crowd realised we were in for a shout.  The atmosphere was electric.  We cheered, we waved flags, we banged Friends Provident blowup thingys* and saw the mighty Outlaws through to a win!  What a fantastic night!  Sadly I won't be at the Rose Bowl for finals day, but the diary is clear, and I'll be sat in front of Sky Sports cheering the lads on from afar, hoping that they bring the trophy back with them.

*two blow up long plastic items, that when bashed together make one heck of a racket!

25/07/2010 - Day 28

Sunday night tea.  My Nan would spin if she knew.  Sundays for her were always a roast dinner, on the table at 1pm sharp (cinzano in hand 11.30am sharp!) There would always be a pudding too (brown bread ice cream anyone?!).  Be there, or be in trouble!  She would have certainly disapproved of BBQ burgers at 5pm!  After several sherbet's at the local Proms in the park last night, and a couple of late night/early morning combo's, I'm afraid it was as much as I could do to feed the kids at all!