Last October, I led a group of 19 hardy travellers around New Zealand. The cricket was occasionally forgettable, and the weather often memorable for all the wrong reasons, but what the tour lacked in sunshine it more than made up for in camaraderie.
The group bonded quickly, helped by a schedule that somehow became even busier than originally planned. Extra day trips were squeezed into an already packed itinerary, leaving very little time for rest. We also managed to celebrate the birthdays of Steve and Ken, proving that no schedule is ever too full for cake and a few drinks.
Fast forward a few months to the Sri Lanka tour, where five of us began discussing the possibility of a reunion. Given the friendships formed in New Zealand, it seemed the obvious choice, and with New Zealand due to play at Trent Bridge, the venue picked itself.
After countless WhatsApp messages, several revisions to the plan and enough notifications to flatten a phone battery, the reunion was finally organised. Kerry kindly took charge of the restaurant booking, leaving everyone else with the relatively simple task of turning up.
We gathered in the hotel bar and, within minutes, it felt as though we had been transported back to New Zealand. The main difference was that Nottingham was considerably warmer than most of our days on tour — although the steady flow of refreshments may have helped with that impression.
As often happens when old friends reunite, one drink became two, and our carefully timed walk to the restaurant evolved into what could generously be described as a brisk group expedition. We arrived only slightly late, which in cricketing terms was probably no worse than losing the toss.
Dinner was excellent, the conversation even better, and after the obligatory group photograph — taken before anyone became too enthusiastic with the local ales — a few of us decided the evening was still young.
That led us to the legendary Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, reputedly the oldest pub in England, dating back to 1189. When your evening ends in a pub that was serving drinks before Richard the Lionheart set off on the Third Crusade, you know you’ve chosen your venue well.
The ancient caves, uneven floors and centuries of history provided the perfect setting for a final nightcap. Some embraced the history, including attempts at the traditional ring-and-hook pub game, while others concentrated mainly on the beer. Both approaches seemed equally valid.
The following morning brought the real reason for the reunion: the opening day at Trent Bridge. Heads were mostly clear, and optimism was running at levels usually seen only before the first ball of a Test match.
The weather was exceptionally hot — a far cry from New Zealand — and for perhaps the first time, everyone was actually wearing their tour polos rather than hiding beneath hoodies. We started the day in the shade, but that luxury lasted barely an hour.
On a very flat wicket, New Zealand filled their boots, and by tea we decided to head back and prepare for dinner. A reservation at Fothergills proved an excellent choice, with good food, plenty of drinks and more stories from the tour. We also found time for photographs beside the famous Robin Hood Statue.
After dinner, we returned to the Jerusalem to round off the reunion in fitting style. There were plenty of laughs, plenty of memories and, by the end of the evening, a growing consensus that this should become an annual event.
If you’re interested in joining us later this year in Australia for what promises to be a fun-packed tour, or experiencing the colour and razzmatazz of the CPL in Barbados, or travelling with us to South Africa, please get in touch with the team.
All the best,
Gary
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