Australian Veterans Over 70s Cricket Championships - Free Day - Glenelg

Tuesday 7 November was a rest day so we decided to explore Glenelg, a short walk from the motel. We walked along Anzac Highway to Glenelg beach and marina.

The morning started off overcast and initially it was quite cool. Hence the grey skies.

The photo below is a companion to one taken when we walked along the beach in Penarth, Wales, in mid summer, 2011. It was colder in Penarth.

Still there was lots to see.

This monument commemorates the landing of the first European settlers at Holdfast Bay on 28 December 1836.

Terminus of the tram route from Glenelg to to Adelaide City.

The former Town Hall building is now an information centre and a museum depicting the history of Glenelg. The staff were very helpful suggesting walks we could take to explore the area and also where to find a good cup of hot chocolate - Bracegirdles in Jetty Road - not good, but excellent.

A highlight was a walk along the foreshore, admiring the range of architectural styles to be found.  Details of the walk can be found in a separate post.

We then returned to the marina for lunch. By then, the sun had finally appeared making it a pleasant day.

We chose Sammys Seafood Restaurant and had an enjoyable, leisurely, lunch.

There were good views of the marina from the restaurant balcony.

Before returning to the motel we stopped at Anzac Plaza.

A memorial to all service -people is located in Jetty Road.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day exploring Glenelg - especially after the sun came out.

Other posts about the over 70s cricket carnival in Adelaide:
See Day 1 and Day 2 for information on the matches.
See Day 3 and Day 4 for information on the matches.
Glenelg Architecture
The Motel

Australian Veterans Over 70s Cricket Championships - Free Day - Glenelg (2)

GLENELG ARCHITECTURE
At the suggestion of staff from the information centre, we went for a walk along the foreshore, particularly South Esplanade, to view some of the older and interesting buildings in Glenelg. A self-guided walk, Mansions of Glenelg, is available from the information centre. A copy is also available online.

Seafield Tower, 6-7 South Esplanade, was built in 1876. It was originally designed as two separate 15 room residences - for Sir Henry Ayres and Sir Thomas Elder. There was a separate staircase to the tower from each side of the building, but the viewing platforms were communal.

Stormont, 14 South Esplanade, was built in 1886 for grazier, Simon Barnard. Originally is consisted of twelve rooms, two cellars and two bathrooms. Barnard lost the house to neighbour, William Pile, when playing poker two years later.

Albert Hall, built in 1878, is located at 16 South Esplanade. It was built originally for William Kyffin Thomas but he died the year the building was completed. When William Pile acquired the 20 room, three storey mansion, a ballroom was added. In 1930 the building became the Oriental Private Hotel and in 1982 is was used for accommodation for backpackers. In the 1990s the building was subdivided into three residences.

Glenara, another impressive mansion, is located at 32 South Esplanade. It was built in 1873 and belonged to the Hill family until the 1990s.

A change in style is Shoreham, a block of apartments built in 1938. Definitely Art Deco in style, this three storey apartment block is at 18 A South Esplanade.

A number of other houses in the street caught our attention.

Although South Esplanade has houses built in different styles and at different times they all look as if they belong to the area.

Another interesting block of apartments. Let's hope that any new buildings remain sympathetic to the area.

View across the road from the houses.

Some of the neighbours.

View towards Glenelg and the pier.

When visiting Glenelg, a walk along the foreshore is a must.

Other posts about the over 70s cricket carnival in Adelaide:
See Day 1 and Day 2 for information on the matches.
See Day 3 and Day 4 for information on the matches.
Rest Day touring Glenelg
The Motel

Australian Veterans Over 70s Cricket Championships - Adelaide (b)

GAME THREE
For the third match, on Wednesday 8 November, we headed north of Adelaide again to play at Gaza Oval at Broadview.

Queensland, like Victoria, had two teams in the First Division and on this occasion we played the Queensland Stormers.
Once again Victoria batted first and were 2 for 180 at the end of the 40 overs. Dick Stumbles 41 retired, John Costello 40 retired, Les Payne run out for 38, Graeme Freshwater run out for 35.
In reply Queensland Stormers were all out for 70.
Ron Kasputtis 3 for 22 off 7, Robin Court 2 for 12 off 7, Bruce Pooley 1 for 10 off 4, John Costello 2 for 4 off 2, Ian Longmuir 1 for 2 off 2.1. Another convincing victory cementing top spot in Pool A.

This was another picturesque ground. The fire on the mountain was from burning off. The hospitality at this club was excellent. We also got to meet some of the locals who reside in a nest near the door to the clubrooms.

There were three baby birds in the nest but this one was determined not to miss anything.

This area is also known as Klemzig and was an early German settlement established in 1838. The OG Hotel, pictured above, dates from 1843 and is next to the cricket ground. The area was renamed Gaza during the two World Wars. The cricket club and football club later voted to keep the name Gaza.

THE FINALS  
The finals were held on Thursday 9 November. The First Division final was played at Marion Oval no. 1. This ground was a relatively short drive from the motel.

Before the game the Victorian players posed for another photograph.

Queensland Cyclones, winners of Pool B, were Victoria's opponents. A number of players who had been in the Queensland Stormers team the previous day played in the Cyclones team in the finals.
Once again Victoria 1 won the toss, and batted first and at the end of 40 overs were 5 for 131 - not a large score, but as the saying goes, Victoria had the the runs were on the board'. 

Queensland bowled the tightest of any team we had played. Dick Stumbles 3, John Costello 25, Wavell McPherson 4, Ian Gibson 2, Arthur Prichard 31, Ian Longmuir 27 not out, Les Payne 27 not out. The innings of the last three batsmen saved the Victorian team. 

Queensland were 4 for 113 after 30 overs and 19 runs were required from 10 overs. Then the Victorian captain, Arthur Pritchard, brought himself on and took 4 for 7 off 3 overs allowing Victoria to take 5 for 12 to win the match. Queensland was dismissed for 125.  All the players contributed to the win. Robin bowled 7 overs, 4 maidens, 1 wicket for six runs. 

This was a great win by great team.

A very happy team of players left the Marion Oval to get ready to catch the bus to the Carrington Function Centre in the city for the presentation of trophies and the Championship Dinner. Victoria 3 won the Second Division so it was a very successful championship for Victoria.

Many thanks to Dick Stumbles for giving us a lift to the grounds each match day. 

Other posts about the over 70s cricket carnival in Adelaide:
See Day 1 and Day 2 for information on the other two games.
Rest Day touring Glenelg
Glenelg Architecture
The Motel

Australian Veterans Over 70s Cricket Championships - Adelaide (a)

The 1st Australian Veterans Over 70s Cricket Championships was held in Adelaide from 4 - 9 November 2017.

We arrived in Adelaide early on Saturday afternoon, 4 November, then travelled to the Comfort Motel in Anzac Highway, Glenelg, by taxi - a short drive from the airport. Once we had settled into the room we decided to explore the area. There was a shopping centre with a supermarket not far from the motel. The shopping centre opened on to Jetty Road, more shops and at the end, the beach.

In the evening we travelled to the Marion Club for the Meet and Greet, the opening event of the championships.

GAME ONE
The first day of competition was Sunday 5 November. The Victorian First Team was scheduled to play at Duncan Fraser Reserve at Gepps Cross, north of Adelaide. The game did not start until after 12.15 as an under 10 game was being played first. By the time they got on the ground the players were well warmed up. Game one was against Western Australia.

Members of the Victorian one team: back row from left - Ian Sharp, Ian Gibson, Ian Longmuir, Arthur Pritchard, Dick Stumbles, John Costello, Robin Court, Ron Kasputtis.
Front Row - Wavell McPherson, Les Payne, Graeme Freshwater, Bruce Pooley.

Victoria batted first and at the end of the innings were 6 for 182. after 40 overs. Dick Stumbles retired on 40. Wavell McPherson 33. Arthur Pritchard (Captain) retired on 43. Ian Longmuir 17.
WA were all out for 88. Ron Kasputtis 1 for 14 off 6. Robin Court 2 for 19 off 7. John Costello 2 for 26 off 7. Bruce Pooley 2 for 24 off 6 and Ian Longmuir 2 for 0 off 4 balls. A great team effort and a good start for the championships.

During the afternoon a pair of ibis visited the ground. This one had no interest in Robin's bowling.

After the game the Victorian players celebrated with a few stretching exercises.

The weather was scheduled to be warm and was sunny when we left the motel. Unfortunately there was a cool (cold) wind during the afternoon and I had not brought a jacket. I made sure that I was better prepared for the other games, no matter what the forecast.

GAME TWO
Monday looked like another good day, weatherwise, and this time we set off for Unley Oval. This ground was closer to the motel than the ground for the previous match.

As this information post outside the ground indicate Unley Oval dates back to 1892.

Victoria one vs NSW: Victoria won the toss and batted first. 1 for 202 off 40 Overs. Ian Gibson 40 retired. Dick Stumbles 27 caught. Wavell McPherson 40 retired. Arthur Pritchard 41 off 31 balls. Ian Longmuir 36 not out off 37 balls.
NSW 7 for 98. Ron Kasputtis 1 for 12, Robin Court 1 for 25, John Costello 1 for 20, Ian Longmuir 1 for 6 off 7, Graeme Freshwater 0 for 8 off 6 Overs, Bruce Pooley 0 for 25 off 7. This was another great result.

Robin bowling in front of the Harry J McKay stand. This stand provided spectators with a good view of the game.

A feature of the ground were the numbered pickets with the names of people who had sponsored each picket.

Tuesday was a well deserved rest day for the players.

Other posts about the over 70s cricket carnival in Adelaide:
See Day 3 and Day 4 for information on the other two games.
Rest Day touring Glenelg
Glenelg Architecture
The Motel

Mount Gambier - February 2017

14 February 2017 and we were off  to Mount Gambier to play another Victoria versus South Australia cricket match, this time with the over 70s team. We drove to Mount Gambier via Ballarat and stayed at the Quality Inn Presidential on Jubilee Highway.

While the men went to practise on the ground in readiness for the match the following day, I went for a walk and found a small park containing the entrance to the Engelbrecht Cave.

The limestone cave, beneath part of Mount Gambier, contains a lake and a number of chambers. Two of the chambers can be visited, however when we were at Mount Gambier the cave was closed for maintenance. Something to put on the list for another visit.

Entrance to Engelbrecht Cave

On the way back to the hotel I noticed a tower on the hill. This is the Centenary Tower, opened to the public in 1904. The foundation stone was laid on December 3 1900 to commemorate one hundred years since the sighting and naming of Mount Gambier by Lt Grant when sailing to Sydney on the ship, Lady Nelson.

Centenary Tower

The Meet and Greet was held at Jens Hotel in Commercial Street East. The hotel, built on the site of the first hotel in Mount Gambier, dates back to 1884 and was built by Johannes Jens. On the way back to the car we stopped to view the Cave Garden which is lit up at night. The roof of the cave collapsed thousands of years ago leaving this sinkhole which was used as the main water supply for the first European settlement in 1847. It is now a picturesque garden in the middle of town.

Cave Garden

Next day was the match at McDonald Park.

Victoria Over 70s Cricket Team

Victoria Over 70s batted first and were 4 for 165 at the end of the innings. Ian Gibson(ACS) 33, Arthur Pritchard 23, Ian Longmuir 18, with Ian Hammett rtno 35 and Wavell McPherson rtno 40. In reply South Australia could only manage 54 runs. Ron Kasputtis 2/11, Robin Court 2/11, David Hopper 2/0, Bruce Pooley 1/13, Phil Forsyth 1/14 and Dick Stumbles 1/3 - all bowlers with wickets. Wavell McPherson man of the match - 40 not out and 3 stumpings. Gary Paget was Umpire and Scorer (not at the same time). This was a great team effort.

At the Frew Oval the South Australia Over 60s defeated the Victoria Over 60s team. In the evening members of all the teams met at the Linksview Restaurant for dinner and presentations.

A short walk from the cricket ground is the information centre with a replica of the Lady Nelson at the front. Inside is an interpretive centre providing information about the development and history of the local area.

The Blue Lake

Next day we decided to explore part of Mount Gambier before driving home. We started at the Blue Lake which is a short drive from town. There is walking circuit from which you can view the lake whose water turn blue in the summer months.

The Blue Lake

After walking part way around the lake we found steps leading to a tunnel under the road to the Adam Lindsay Gordon Lookout. We then went for bushwalk into the crater where the Leg of Mutton Lake once existed until the water table dropped.

Leg of Mutton Lake

It was a pleasant walk with lots of birds singing in the trees. In the 1800s a nursery was located in this area to propagate many of the trees, including pine trees, now growing in the region. In the distance there were views of water towers looking out over the trees.

Water tower from Leg of Mutton Lake

On the way back to the car we passed a monument to the pioneer farmers in the district.

Our final stop, back on the Jubilee Highway, was the Umpherston Sinkhole.

Umpherston Sinkhole

This former cave was landscaped in 1886 by James Umpherston.

Umpherston Sinkhole

In some sections it is possible to imagine how this was once a giant cave thousands of years ago.

Umpherston Sinkhole

At night the area is floodlit and apparently the local possums move into the area to feed.

Umpherston Sinkhole

Mount Gambier is a great place to visit. On another visit we would further explore the parklands near the lakes, particularly around Valley Lake and Centenary Tower. There are also a variety of locations a little further from town to explore if time allows.