and delivering. She died far too young leaving two small children. Then we face-timed our fabby neighbours who were in the process of decorating their Christmas tree, accompanied by. And as I write this, I’m waiting for Latest to return from work – chilled wine at the ready because, of course, it Is a tour of duty and I’m here to look after him…! Gosh! Not so; it ended on the 10th, I was informed by the cheerful cove who sold me my bus ticket. If you get the opportunity to hop on a water taxi at any point, then I’d urge you to do so. I reopened What is a Googly as I feared the Ashes would be over before I’d finished it. Uh oh! For the first time in 47 days, I lay there snoozing while Latest stuffed himself with a full English and went to work. When the children were little, Tom (now aged 20) used to hang around at the waters edge for hours, hoping the alarm would be sounded and he could run out of the water screaming: “Shark! All the sunbeds were taken this morning, as the English supporters have arrived in town; it’s so easy to forget, with this having been Jonathan’s job for 22 years and it being the 13th Ashes series he has covered, just how privileged we are to be here. I’m talking metaphorically, not literally of course. There’s also the small matter of my day job to return to. Apparently, all the competitors in the 45000-mile race spend around 9 months away at sea, which is even more than a cricket commentator. Didn’t the SCG look a picture this morning? After a hearty breakfast we returned to Adelaide and now it’s the countdown to the second Test. That meant only one thing. The humiliation. Once we were up and out ( and ascertained the alarm had actually been set off by the restaurant next door) we decided we might as well head for our breakfast walk. They had been to stay in the Vale a couple of summers ago, when Latest proudly took a group of them for a ‘pleasure’ flight in his little plane. The second room had a view of the pool…but no bath, and I’m afraid I’m a ” shower in the morning, soak in the evening” kind of girl. She then produced a couple of tickets …for the cricket! End of. 7pm seems to be a civilised time to finish lunch, so we headed back to our hotel to pack. It’s an early start for us tomorrow: Jonathan will be grilling Andy Flower before breakfast then we’re heading off to Perth on the equivalent of Ryanair. Spectacular, although I became obsessed with crocodiles when they pointed out the traps laid out along the riverbank. Get the wine in.” Do I read that as a good or bad day at the office I wonder? 18) Best value for a snack and a snifter – Jimmy’s on the Mall in Brisbane. The new multi-million dollar footbridge over the river is a building site. I vote it even prettier than Sydney. It’s a bit like Covent Garden by the water, with street entertainers and restaurants. And so, as I packed Latest off to work, I set up camp In our hotel. 7) Sir Peter Blake was a devilishly handsome New Zealand adventurer who met a tragic end at the hands of pirates. You were an absolute pleasure to host and I very much look forward to the next instalments as well as the future movie release (including Gnomesville horror) as well as Dave's comments on the Untappd checkins :-D. Continue to keep on globetrotting! Never let it be said that a travel day is a dull day – in fact, it’s been very much one of ‘those’ days! He is considering having a re-run of the stunt before this Test Match, although (a) he won’t be between batting stints this time and (b) he won’t fly low over the ground during the game! Back 645. 26) Most humiliating moment (c) John Cleese giving Latest the big brush off. And so we resume the tour after a few days off. 6) Best luxury trip: travelling in style on the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide. And that’s when my holiday really starts. I know what you’re all thinking; aren’t we honoured?! If you think it’s glamorous being on tour with the BBC’s cricket correspondent, think on. There was a lovely moment when a young Pakistani fan wandered into the restaurant and stopped, open mouthed, at the sight of all his heroes in such close proximity. On Heirisson Island is a statue to commemorate Yagan, a courageous Nyoongar tribal leader, and, in Forrest Place, a popular artwork depicts two snakes fighting. There was huge relief on my part and I immediately became chatty and entertaining, while clouds of depression gathered over Latest. Sadly, the next chapter was: “who’s winning?” So I quickly skipped over that one to page 49. We passed the most expensive house in Australia, which had been on the market for $85 million (best part of £50m) Apparently it eventually went for a snip at $53m. Latest chewed the cud with chairman of selectors (and former schoolmate and Leicestershire colleague) James Whitaker, while I gave the lovely Stuart Broad a big hug. it’s great to feel the buzz and high spirits amongst the team and their supporters . Yesterday I said goodbye to Sydney. We marched to the MCG with over 90 thousand other believers; those who believe it’s about time England had a change of fortune, and those who believe it’s going to be a 5-0 drubbing. I’ve still only reached the bit about the LBW rule in my cricketing bible and I’ve had to read and reread it about 5 times and still can’t understand it. Please send any suggestions for what might entertain him to @mrsaggers. Our dinner sitting is at 830, although I suspect we may be heading to the bar a little earlier; most of our travelling companions seem to be Aussies and, as you’ll have gathered, they are a pretty gregarious breed who are sickeningly bouyant at the moment thanks to the result in Brisbane. We will almost certainly nip next door for one at our local pub, So this is it: my final full day in this amazing, addictive country. This is a town previously best known for the Olympic Gold medallist, rower Joseph Sullivan who is now a local fire-fighter. Obviously, the more recent high profile shark attacks have taken place in South and Western Australia, but I don’t like to take a chance, so gently floating in shallow warm water is just fine for me! Apparently Michael Clarke copes well, while David Warner doesn’t. Apparently an early breakfast on Saturday is the time to see it at its best. Of course, everyone wears pink on that day (the stumps are pink for the entire game) I have a selection of, oh, four or five pink dresses to choose from – I know you’re surprised to hear that. Julia Gillard and John Howard….both very small). While we were chatting away, an official appeared with a signed England shirt. Of course, I’m a realist and I know it will almost certainly be the LAST time in 20 years! Oh, and this isn’t quite my last blog – I intend to go right to the very end of my trip. I couldn’t decide which bikini to wear this morning, so I rashly decided to change every time a wicket fell. A little later I was aware of groups of children pounding up and down the beach past my sunbed. So with a heavy heart, I rang home. So we set off in search of Christmas Spirit! He also pointed out the large pub, the Paragon Hotel, just behind circular quay: Barmy Army HQ ” Still, a nice girl like you won’t know anything about that lot,will you” he said….er…….Still, I undeterred, I caught the bus and headed for Bondi. There are no facilities like sun beds and umbrellas to hire, but we were armed with towels, bottles of water, and listened to the cricket as England’s batting crumbled. So when we bumped into former fast bowler Brett Lee and his immaculately attired wife, in what has become our usual breakfast haunt, I suddenly felt the need to disown him. Back in the hotel room there are cases to be stuffed (note I’m not even bothering to use the word pack, as I’ll just be throwing everything in for the trip home) and all those little extras that I seem to have acquired along the way to be fitted in. I'm so thankful julie knocked it off of my leg hahaha. So, this year, I decided to turn the tables and take the creature comforts on my first full Ashes tour with him – minus the dogs! Shame, eh! Meanwhile you won’t be surprised to hear that I ducked the cricket today. He actually spends quite a lot of time planning his questions and really thinking about what the listeners would like to ask if they were in his privileged position. Oh yes, it’s luxury travel all the way – NOT! Latest had a high old time selling some merchandise and meeting the supporters who were remaining determinedly optimistic about England’s prospects in Sydney. Anyway, I went shopping to Rundle Mall. The not-very-discreet waiter ostentatiously leant over him to inform him in a stage whisper, that jackets were to be worn at all times. Plenty of soaking up the sun by day, and great entertainment in the evening. March 1st: World Cup Day 1 (for me, anyway). But when they lose….well, you can imagine. The clarity and colour of the water is unbelievable and photos just don’t do it justice. While escorting two blonde goddesses (yes, that included me!) There will be time for one last breakfast and a lingering look at The Bridge and The Opera House, before we head to the airport. When England are winning. Earlier in the tour, I had been very generously invited to Ladies’ Day by the financier, Sir Ron Brierley. The sun is simply too fierce to spend too long out there, so we retired to the air conditioning of their home on The Canning River. Our families have been closely connected ever since. Some years ago, in an attempt to ward off a mid life crisis, he and a doctor friend decided to learn to fly. He could have been selling us a rubber dingy trip round a duck pond, but we had to buy, At last it feels like Christmas. She was “going well” as we might say – and she was full of champagne and recounting tales of her birthday party which I had also missed. During the couple of hours at sea, all passengers are expected to take part in raising the mainsail, grinding, tacking and driving the boat. I felt I, had therefore earned a damned good breakfast (yep the works; full English) I must say, the hotel restaurant is a stunning outdoor spot overlooking the river. Among them were Neil and Barbara Harvey. “Surreally, I found myself spending the first night of the Brisbane Ashes in the Museum at Lord’s. Because I’m a shallow diva, we just found a small cafe and ordered lunch. But then, see above – it’s only a game. So when we bumped into former fast bowler. I was lucky enough to be sitting next to fifth generation winemaker Stephen Henschke – also known as a Baron of the Barossa! Precisely three meals in 20 years, and only two of them were edible. He returned seconds later thoroughly chastened having been given the most abrupt brush-off! I’ll do my best to keep you up to date during the journey, but that will depend on the Internet situation in the Red Centre. Latest is recharging his batteries (i.e. Expect stories of wine tasting, foodie heaven and watching the wildlife. In the meantime, I’m off to brush up on that LBW law, and run through my Barmy Army songbook. I do resent paying the extortionate prices of hotel laundry services so if I’m around, I tend to hunt out a local laundrette. Henry is a simply splendid young man; very much the sort of lad you’d like to see your daughter bringing home. Williamstown is a very attractive maritime suburb of Melbourne with a lot of historical buildings along the ‘front’. He was as polite and honest as ever, and revealed that, even if they win here in Sydney, he will go home disappointed. So that was Darwin – hot and humid as hell and don’t mess with the crocodiles. Actually, being an old pro I suspect he was having a spot of room service and an early night watching the West Indies game beamed in live from Perth. Listen, I can shop anywhere! so first I went off for coffee with Viv from Halifax who was also a cricket widow. You will probably have realised by now that he is not exactly a fashion icon, and since my arrival out here I had noticed how very attached he had become to a rather tatty pair of trainers. The beach also has the good fortune to be relatively shallow and therefore pretty much free from shark attacks in recent years. It has a grass airstrip right in the city centre; Langley Park. Today I got back on the horse. Caves - yes! Sometime…. Es ist schon einige Zeit her seit meinem letzten Beitrag. Adelaide. Apparently, he invites a number of ladies, If ever there was a day for putting cricket (and all sport, actually) in perspective, then this was it. The countdown to midnight passed very pleasantly with us standing on the balcony in pole position facing the Harbour Bridge, eating substantial canapés and sipping champagne (or wine or beer) Dare I say it, an even better view than from a boat which we have done for the past couple of trips. A stroll down the market stalls involved much trying on of sundresses but – hold the front page – NO PURCHASES! So, when it come to places like Australia, he really indulges himself and today was no exception as he wolfed down crispy skinned barramundi, on the recommendation of one of his Twitter followers. We had a great night out with another branch of our adopted “Aussie” family yesterday. Now without wishing to sound neurotic, you dismiss sharks at your peril in this part of the world. Then back to the room, and an impatient wait for Latest to set it up. Perhaps England’s rain dance had kicked in just a few days late, but our driver Harry was completely elated and said he was going home to crack open a few beers, sit on his veranda and watch it. Does that mean I qualify for further Diva status, Charlie Sale? Shark” just like in Jaws. While I may have been longing for family back home, the great joy of touring is the mix of new friends you make along way. But it was still spectacular. This being the last full working week before Christmas, the party season is in full swing. I’d suggest he lay off those stories if he wants to maintain good relations with the England camp! 30) Diva moment: several room changes at the hotel in Perth. He thinks very highly of Andy and, from my perspective, they seem to enjoy a pretty honest – if sometimes robust – relationship. I felt that ‘chewing-a-lemon’ expression crossing my face. Well, to be absolutely precise , I took the ferry to Manly. I retired to our cabin replete from dinner – lamb, couldn’t face eating roo – to find the wonderful Susie had laid out chocolates and bedtime liqueurs. So a roller coaster of a day for me emotionally – but tonight the England team will arrive into our hotel from their game in Alice Springs, and with them the excitement to the second test will begin build and that, after all, is what we are here for. In our case, it was Bondi. Reassured, I went to face Terry the crocodile who frankly I’d rather have met as a handbag or a pair of shoes. But here’s a high point to end today; a cause to charge your glasses and have a celebration. As you might imagine, we’ve talked a lot about the angles the interview might take ahead of his 100th test starting on Thursday – fingers crossed it still happens. This is like the London sightseeing hop on, hop off red buses, only you don’t have to pay. Who is one of my favourite men? Shortly after that embarrassing meeting, we heard a cheery “morning Aggers” from one of his local twitter followers, followed almost immediately by coming face to face with Michael Bevan. I must confess to not ringing our house sitter; I think the sight of our four dogs fighting for space against the pink Aga would just have made me homesick and weepy – and that would definitely have caused a row. It could be our first row, too. Chose to stay here as we had a bad experience at a cheaper hotel near by last time. Not only is it exhilarating, it’s a relatively easy climb. Time for a quick change and we were off again, this time to meet the new sponsors of the England cricket team (a well known supermarket, others are available of course) Latest and I spent a most agreeable evening with old friends Sir Michael and Lady Mary Parkinson. The observant amongst you will have noticed he is, er, somewhat follically challenged. On the plus side, totally laid back and friendly – and great sunsets. There’s something very wrong about it. to treat myself to an iPad mini where the biggest decision was, of course, the colour of the case. Fortunately he wasn’t injured, but the car has had a door rearranged. The flight to Western Australia was uneventful – some spectacular scenery with firstly lunar landscape and then the long sweeping beaches synonymous with this part of the country. 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