Missed us?

Do you remember when I used to write these blogs fairly regularly? Me neither! Yes, it's been 9 weeks since the last one - indeed this is the first of 2018 - that's terrible, but it is winter and there's not much to tell you about. Or is there...

We have had one of the wettest winters on record this year with persistent rain and virtually no dry weeks at all. This has resulted in almost the entire pitch being underwater for a full 8 weeks - not through the river flooding, just the water coming down from the hills and through the nature reserve. Last week, with additional help from a water pump, the water finally completely drained away. Amazingly the grass is still healthy and the square looked almost immaculate. Of course now it's under several inches of snow!

Repairs have been carried out to the clubhouse after the new year break in, and additional security has been installed. Nothing of value is left in the building, but it is annoying and expensive repairing the damage caused with these events. Hopefully the alarm and cameras will deter future attacks.

We have also tidied and blocked off the passage behind the building, carried out maintenance on the changing room doors, rendered some of the more gnarly bits of masonry and made an impressive list of tasks to carry out before the season starts. There's a lot of jobs. Many of them are external so here's hoping for a month long heatwave in from next week. Then we can start painting again - who's helping me this year?

On the cricket front the winter nets have been a roaring success so far with good numbers turning up each week. And a couple of players who can't make the Sunday sessions have made their own arrangements during the week. I know Bob is impressed with everyone's efforts, and it bodes well for the season.

The season begins in 7 weeks time. There's a lot to do before then, on and off the field, but all the players I've spoken to in the last couple of weeks are getting the itch to play again, and it April 21st will be here before you know it! So might the next blog...