Carter's Column

Already copying Grandad's crossword habit! Last week I had my grandparents visiting from Cheshire. Every time I see them it reminds me of my childhood and to me it feels like they are exactly the same now as they were when I was five. They probably have changed but it doesn't feel like it and because they have always lived some distance from me it feels special every time I see them. Sounds corny, doesn't it? I envy people who have lived in the same house or town their whole lives, but at the same time I'm glad I haven't. It's not like I haven't had stability. I don't remember my two years in Germany, the eight years I spent in Oxfordshire seemed a long time to a 10 year old and I have lived in Bovey Tracey for the last 16 years. We moved here in 1996 so I class myself as Devonian. If ever asked where I'm from, it's easier to just say "Devon" than to say "Born in Germany, Dad is from Cheshire, Mum is from Devon but grew up i...

Spending days and days on the British roads leaves plenty of time for contemplation, and plenty of time to notice things you might not have noticed before on routes you have driven several times before. I have no idea how many miles I've clocked up this week, but including when Jess flew home I've driven to North Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Heathrow and back to Devon down the A303, Looe in Cornwall for the first time ever; Okehampton, Tavistock, Holsworthy, North Bovey; Exmouth, Cullompton; Taunton, Bridgwater, Pawlett; Bideford, Instow, and Torrington. This week I'll be in Liskeard, Holsworthy, Totnes, Paignton, Bridport, Ilminster, Chard, Taunton, Bridgwater and Burnham-On-Sea. I wonder what I'll see this week! "The Gook" So I did a few miles last week and along the way I learnt some new and perhaps some slightly questionable names of places and pubs. How do places get their names?! Some are simple, some are just astonishing. I have seen a few signs ...

Crossing the Australian coast Unbelievably, the past 15 months have flown by. As I cast my mind back to May 2011, I visited my good mate Chris McPherson in Steyning, Sussex where he had come from Australia to play cricket. To me it was poignant that I was visiting the man who introduced me to the woman I am going to marry on my way to pick her up from Heathrow. Two Aussie's that played a massive part in my life, both in England at the same time, both whom I would see within a few hours of each other. The excitement was palpable, and this time Jess was coming with her parents, who would stay in the UK for 6 weeks. Even then we were saying how time had flown for the previous 18 months from the time Jess and I had first met in December 2009! I have very fond memories of The Ranch pub in Sydney because that's where the Mac Uni Cricket boys and I would go after a training session or a match in both of my seasons for the club. During a club gathering at The Ranch where partn...

On Saturday 1st September, I played my last ever game for Bovey Tracey Cricket Club. When we arrived back at the club for the end-of-season drinks, the second team were there having been crowned 2nd XI Premier Division Champions, and the 3rd's were already E Division West Champions. With our win over Heathcoat the 1st XI secured 3rd in the league, a slight disappointment having led most of the season but still a fantastic season. BTCC 1st XI Captain Peter Bradley, myself, and Devon Captain Chris Bradley The legend that is David Elphick It's not very often I'm lost for words but I was left choked up a few times during the day by words from Peter Bradley and Chris Bradley in the changing room at the match, and by Nigel Mountford at the club. When it came to my turn to say a few words I could only just force out a "Thank you, you're the best, I love you all." So I'd like this blog to be a record of what exactly I wanted to say on Saturday night...