Hampton Court Palace

While visiting East Molesey on 30 July I went for a walk along the banks of the Thames to Hampton Court Palace. Built 500 years ago this Tudor palace is a most impressive building.

The palace is an easy walk along the banks of the Thames River from the East Molesey cricket ground. Numerous water birds, including swans, can be seen during the walk.

It is quite a busy stretch of river with a variety of boats.

When crossing the bridge the castle comes into view.

The gates announce the celebration of the 500 year history of the palace.

The impressive palace buildings can be viewed from the driveway.

Although there is a charge to view inside the palace buildings and the inner gardens including the maze members of the public can freely wander around the outer grounds.

The extensive rose gardens also provide another panorama of the palace buildings.

Some of the roses are very beautiful.

The vegetable gardens are also worth a visit.

Lavender bushes line the path.

Flower pots on sticks support the mesh used to protect the cabbages and other vegetables.

There are also more colourful floral displays.

Back across the bridge and a view of some of the houses lining the river banks.

I also passed the shopping centre on the way back to the cricket ground.

An enjoyable way to spend an hour or two.

Game 13 against Surrey at East Molesey

The final game on this VOSCA tour of England was against Surrey at East Molesey Cricket Club on 30 June. The Australian team had played a game against England on this ground at the end of June. It is not just a good ground on which to play cricket but as it is also close to the Thames so it is a good place to go for a walk.

After taking their bags into the Changing Rooms a number of the players from both teams went out to inspect the pitch and discuss the prospects for the match.

Meanwhile Karen, Nola and Lyn chose their initial position to watch the game.

Members of both teams posed for the pre-match photo and then the match began.

The sun came out and Surrey batted first. Gordon Cowling and Robin opened the bowling and, as usual, bowled tightly making it difficult for the batsmen to score runs. However the out-field was quick and the small boundaries meant that when a batsman did get the ball away it often went for four runs. Gordon got two wickets during his eight wicket spell while Robin was unlucky not to also pick up wickets although he did bowl two maidens during his eight overs. Graeme Cook and Greg Watsford each took one wicket and David Green was again successful with three wickets. At the end of the innings Surrey had scored 220 runs with the loss of seven wickets. In reply Victoria could only manage 175 runs losing six wickets in the process. Dick Stumbles again batted well retiring after making 53 runs.

It was a convincing victory to Surrey but once again the match had been played in good spirit and the players enjoyed the game.

Game 17 against Surrey at East Molesey

We left early as we had been warned that the traffic would be heavy due to the Hampton Court Flower Show at Hampton Court Palace. The warning proved to correct as we passed long queues of cars lined up waiting for admittance.

We were not the first Australian team to visit this club as the walls of the club rooms proudly display a photo and board naming the members of the 1953 Australian team who played there including Lindsay Hassett, Richie Benaud, Ray Lindwall, Don Tallon and Keith Miller. 

Cricket has been played in this area since the 1730s.

The club has its own coffee shop, Thyme by the River, where you can purchase great ice cream. The day we were there the temperature rose to the mid 30s so they did good business, not just from those at the game but also from anyone walking by the river.

The river path runs along one side of the ground.

It is a tranquil spot.

However there was a game of cricket to be played.

The players checked the pitch

posed for yet another photograph and then the game began.

Australia batted first and could only manage 6 for 196 at the end of 45 overs. Pat Logue was the only player to score 50. Because of the hot weather drinks were taken at every 15 overs. Surrey passed our score with two overs to go. Obviously Australia did not make enough runs when batting however an accumulation of dropped catches and poor fielding where a possible run became four runs did not help. The only good thing from the match was that there were no more injuries to players and those with existing injuries got through the game. We headed back to the hotel ready to face England, the big challenge, the next day.