I’m writing this at the cricket. It’s the Grand Final. The dad’s are leaning on the railing behind me commentating every ball. The tension is a bit palpable because in an unexpected turn of events there’s been about 3 run out’s and stumpings that have been given out. Our team of beautiful boys and girls, may actually win.
The coach says he’s a bit edgy, he didn’t want to field first. and tells me he’s told the boys not to bowl high balls.
There’s a crowd here today. Boys from the other teams have come to watch. We are all delighted. This is not the big league, it’s just the small town junior cricket comp.
The morning too, is glorious. Not a breath of wind and mild. Autumn. Perfect.
Ruby our dog is here. The kids from all the teams seem to know her. ‘Ruuuuby,’ they call out and she runs, abound. They love her, throw her balls to her keep her from running on the field.
I feeling very Helen Garner writing this. Honestly, when I read her all I want to do is take my notepad everywhere and observe.
I absolutely love the cricket sideline. We set up our chairs or a rug and chat. Families come and go to get coffee or breakfast or do some quick town jobs. We can dip in and out of conversation and I know that for the other parents on the other side of the field, I’ll get time to say him to them soon too.
The footy sideline by comparison is full of tension, I’m always cold, shivering and uptight, there’s only 40 mins (I don’t even know) of the game which makes having any decent sort of conversation hard, if you like to watch the game, which I do.
I prefer cricket. Way prefer.
I written about the annual old blokes ie fathers cricket match here before, this one happens only once a year and gosh, there is nothing better for their souls, the banter, language, cheek and wit. They have no idea how good it is for them. There should be one for the ladies too.
Podcast Playlist
Going hard on some ag podcasts this week, and of course my new fave: She’s on the Money (which have x3 eps a week)
Hugh Killen on The Australian Ag Podcast:
Local boy Jack O’Connor is a recipient of the Zanda McDonald award for 2025. Here he is with Oli on Humans of Agriculture
And I had lots of take aways from this thoughtful ep from Germaine and Sophie:
Lay your eyes on these Instagram accounts
@noreservations.sk || @annabelnowlan || @barbaralong_art
This pile of things to read
Books because: by
. I often have three or four books or magazines surrounding me in bed, I agree there is some comfort, safety even in being surrounded by the realms of reading material.10,000 kazoo’s. I can see why this would be infectious. A gathering of 10,000 people for an impromptu Kazoo playing fest. No experience necessary. Ultimately uplifting despite a lot of saliva flying around everywhere!
A new subset of rural voters perhaps. Love that this is has been identified.
For all the Helen Garner enthusiasts.
Equally…. this one’s for all the sewing enthusiasts. I could not love this more. Bringing mending, transforming. altering and educating under one roof.
This week on the podcasting front:
So often when I'm in the garden or mowing the lawn - I get the biggest urge to share the beauty of it all with you all.
I think it's not an uncommon thing.
But to actually make it happen is another story.
Lou Crawford had the same inclination. She's has always loved the rugged, inaccessibility of her hilly farm near Boorowa in southern NSW and has hosted 100's of picnics by the River.
And one day - when the time was right ie *when she had kids and knew that an hr long commute to work was no longer going to work* she got to work on @rovenumby a unique walking/hiking getaway - that includes touches of all the things she loves about where she lives.
Let this story be an inspiration for anyone who ever has thoughts of sharing the beauty of their farm with others.
The Company podcast is produced in partnership with @rabobankaustralia
I loved joining you at the cricket, thanks for your beautiful observations.