Taipans go down in the semi

Well its all over for this season for the Taipans. After getting absolutely smashed by the Cyclones for most of the match we ended up needing 90 odd off the last 12 overs. We only had 9 players and looked gone for all money when the boys threw caution to the wind and had a "good old fashion slog". Basically the opposite to what I'd been telling them all season. The slogging seemed to work alot better than the straight bat I've been preaching and we ended up needing 20 off the last over. The first ball went straight back over the bowlers head for four and an improbable victory seemed to be in the offing. Alas the young fellas off stump was bent back with the next ball and they nurdled a few around for the rest of the over to leave us about a dozen runs short. All in all an honourable defeat and a good finish to a season that has been alot of fun.

The wet season

It seems the wet season has begun. All the tourists left town weeks ago - and alot of the locals are starting to head off to more pleasant climates for their holidays.

Its very hot and humid almost 24 hours. We all seem to be coping pretty well though. The kids seem to be running around oblivious to the heat and I seem to be drinking a lot more beer than usual.

Its now stinger season so swimming at the beach is out, the water is pretty hot anyway. So now we have to freeload off friends with pools - and perhaps the odd unsuspecting resort.

The first big dump of rain came last week accompanied by an extremely loud and bright thunder and lightning storm. We started off enjoying it on the verandah but we were quickly forced inside by the rain and scaredness of thunder.

I've done my cyclone training so hopefully we'll know what to do should one come this way!

The mighty Taipans

The Taipans u/13 cricket team got off to a shakey start this season under the watchful eye of Terry and myself. After three straight losses to begin with we were dreading the anouncement that we had the full support of the board - code for "you'll be sacked after the next loss".

Thankfully the boys stopped listening to us and have won the next two matches. One more home and away game and then it's finals.

I had pledged to resign if we didn't make the finals in my first season. Very brave since all four teams play off in them, however we have to start somewhere.

The boys have assured me that I am actually quite a good football umpire compared to my cricket umpiring.

Reasons to be cheerful in Broome (part 1)

Mangos, Matsos & Mustacha's.

Well its mango season in Broome at the moment. There are mango trees all around town with big fat mangos hanging off them. We've grabbed a few off the tree across the road and usually pick up a box from the Saturday markets, so its gone from sharing one a week in Melbourne to eating as many as you like here in Broome. Tracey has almost perfected her daqari (that's how you spell it isn't it??) recepie and the kids are starting to turn orange.

Matsos is the town brewery which is perched on the foreshore of Roebuck Bay. It is a very pleasant afternoon spent under its verandas looking across the mangroves and the blue, blue water. Oh and the beers not bad either.

I'd like to say the mustacha is all for charity (Movember) but alas it has been alot longer project than that. Now that the family have got used to it and approve, it's probably time for it to go.