But the Lord said to Samuel ...

But the Lord said to Samuel,

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

1 Samuel 16 v 7

The Old Dog knew that Summer was close to over and Autumn was fast approaching.

No more Pork Pie Picnics for him this year!!

He looked back over a tremendous summer, one blessed by so many warm, sunny days.

Plenty of cricket: T20s, RL50s, the County Championship & Tests as well.

The much-loved annual trip to the Nevill at Tunbridge Wells, to the Ageas Bowl and four visits to Lords. 
And lots & lots of games at Hove. 
14 of the 18 Counties seen. Next year, well seeing all 18 is definitely something to aim at !!

Sussex ended the season very strongly &, having flirted with relegation from Division 1 as recently as early September, had finished in a very creditable 3rd place.

And of course there was the 175^th Anniversary lunch, celebrating the founding of Sussex, the oldest professional cricket club in the world. 

And seeing some Heroes from across the years: Lord Ted, Young Jim, Snowy, Trout & Grizzly and all the rest.

In May 2015 Lord Ted is 80.

In the All Time Sussex Dream XI chosen at the 175^th Anniversary lunch no one even thought of questioning that Ted should bat 3 & captain the team!

    Will the Club will have a celebration lunch for him? #JustHopeSo !!

It’s been great to watch games with so many of you this season: some of you I first went with to cricket 40 years & more ago, for others this season may have been the very first time.

Thank you all.

Let’s see plenty of games together in Season 2015.

The Aussies are over next year for the Ashes, the most enthralling cricket of all.

And the next time England play Australia Down Under is in 2017/18.

If the Gods spare me, I turn 65 in June 2017 & I’m planning to be in Oz for the whole Tour: From Brisbane in November to Adelaide, then on to Perth, back to Melbourne & finally Sydney in January.

Day One of the Melbourne Test is always on Boxing Day.
And on Boxing Day  - as Piper Family tradition dictates - it just HAS to be Paella.

And there’s only one Spanish restaurant for me in Melbourne:

Two Buoys, 209 Point Nepean Rd, Dromana

Good prices too, the last time I was there:

 

So if you happen to find yourself in Melbourne on Boxing Day 2017, why not come & join me for dinner?

PS : Please bring swimwear; Two Buoys is right on the beach !!

And Finally: 

The 1st of October is always a special day in my calendar, one when I remember that particular date in bygone years.

Of the day a dozen years ago or so when the Sky turned so dark, I thought the Sun would never shine again.

But Mum was right: The Sun comes up in the East every morning.

And the last day of the old world is but the first day of the new one.

Of the day that I got married (well, the first time anyway!!).

And 40 years ago to the day ... ...

Of my very first day in the world of Accountancy, joining Deloitte at 128 Queen Victoria Street.

The first day of Joy Beyond Measure; so OK, I never have been very good at counting!!

As  I was about to leave home to catch the train from Tunbridge Wells to Cannon Street on that Tuesday morning four decades ago, I remember my Dad giving me some advice.

It was the exactly the same that he had given me on my first day at secondary school & again when Mum & he dropped me at university.

It has been Huge Fun this last 40 years; generally funded by the companies who have been kind – not to say foolish  - enough to employ me!

Of course, it’s been about the people I’ve met & worked with over the years.

    I know that it’s not easy to forget me, but lots & lots of people are still really, really trying!!

As for Me: I've always tried to follow Dad’s advice.

I hope You will too …

Give It A Go !!!

See you in Season 2015.

Lord Ric of Beckley Furnace

PS

For those who have read this far & are still wondering about the Bible quote ... 

It is the story of David v Goliath.

When Samuel sent him out to fight Goliath, he told David:

Give It A Go !!!