Draw in Christchurch gives New Zealand the series as the winter tour comes to a close.

Draw in Christchurch gives New Zealand the series as the winter tour comes to a close.

The winter tour has finally come to a close, I won’t write too much on Christchurch except New Zealand did what England failed to do in Auckland – bat out for a draw. I hope a few lessons will be taken on board by the management team and give us something to improve on. Smith, Warner and Bancroft gave us much to discuss when play was abandoned and the Barmy Army with Billy come up with a great new song about the culprits above. Ross Taylor signing sandpaper gave us a hilarious moment during the match.

On the 19th November I finally arrived in Brisbane at midnight for a mammoth tour I had never experienced before.
Around 1am I was sorting out my suitcases in the Stamford Plaza, I turned the TV on and managed to watch the last hour of England v Australia at Twickenham. Soon daylight was shining through the curtains, I knew I would not sleep so I freshened up and started to work on the Brisbane test and the arriving clients. From that moment I was focused on the tour and extremely excited about what lay ahead of me. The Ashes and ODI’s in Aus, Tri Series, ODI and Tests in New Zealand and some 30 odd flights. One day later I was in the bar and had half an hour with Geoffrey Boycott, from that moment I knew it was going to be an amazing tour in so many ways. I met so many lovely people and made so many new friends and have lots of great memories to take home. I have received many messages asking when I’m home and suggesting we must catch up! Which I would of course love to do. I am friends with many of you on Facebook – if we are not friends on there already you will find me easily looking like a butler! It has been a wonderful experience for me and that goes for everyone! So many great trips and excursions to be had, from Ayres Rock to Alice Springs, Hobart to the Whit Sundays, Blue Mountains to the Great Ocean Road to name a few. Richard and Sara raised the bar, I lost count how many times I was told what a wonderful trip they had. I’m not even home and we have already had 40 odd bookings for Sri Lanka. I don’t like singling anyone out as I made so many friends – if I mentioned all the friends I had made there would be over 180 but I will mention my “apprentice” Keith who is going on the entire Sri Lanka tour and is in training already.

I think a lot of you will not have realised how emotional I am when you go home or depart for another part of your dream trip. I feel much affection for you all and am very passionate about what we do. My flight is tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 and arrive home Friday afternoon just in time for some fish and chips and a pint. So all that remains for me to say is thank you one and all for making the tour what it was! I know I will see so many of you during the summer and hope to see you on future tours, I will be in the office next week and will try and call everybody, all that remains for me now is……….. one more ‘’Jolly Up’’

All the best
Gary