Ray Sizer's blog
Coach swapping, annoying emails and best wishes
After leaving the press centre last night I headed into Hoylake to have a brief look around.
The place is really buzzing, all the restaurants are full, the bars are over flowing onto the streets which are packed with cars.
Then headed back to the media bus that would get me halfway home, from there I catch the 437 that goes through Greasby on its way to Liverpool. This time I get off at the right stop, head to the hole in the wall to get some money out. I then buy some lemonade to have with the Jim Beam that I purchased on the way over.
Found my way home this time without having to call for help.
It didn't take long to have a glass in the hand and went out in the back yard where it was a bit cooler and lay down. Half way through my drink I fell asleep and woke up an hour and a half later. I'm not sure what my hosts thought but I sure felt a bit better.
Went back inside talked to the Haighs a while and went to bed at 8.30pm only to be woken several time by those pesky bloody Aussies that still don't know what time it is on the other side of the world. Even so I had a wonderful nights sleep.
Up at 6.15am down to the shower that has been a challenge over the last two days and this time I succeeded and had the perfect shower at the perfect temperature. Again had an English breakfast and headed off at 7 am to the course.
On the way there noticed that petrol was selling 98.5p ($2.41 aussie).
Nothing much for us to complain about is there. Also noticed a wind farm just off the coast in the water.
On to the course and to the media centre where the Shepparton News Liverpool office desks sit proudly between the major newspapers of the world, sat down at my computer to check my emails only to find that my WiFi wasn't working.
Got the propeller heads to check it out. No luck. They scratched their heads for a while and without really doing anything it started working again.
Logged on to check my work messages and messages of love and noticed that there were over 400 messages to come through. Wow, I really must be loved. I little disappointed when I discovered that they were all being redirected to me via our news online email for some reason. Phoned home and had Darren (online editor) look into it. Text message back from Darren to say problem was fixed. Unfortunately the non messages of love are still coming through.
I now know everyone in the Goulburn Valley that has tried to win a prize in all the competitions the News has run over the last few days.Its 2.28 am in Shepp and thinking about ringing Darren just for the fun of it.
I have been working with my wrist watch on Shepp time and my phone on Liverpool time. On a couple times have been caught out thinking the time was different.
Off to find Leighton and Jarrod on the putting green before their round.
Jarrod was hitting off at 10.50. He was initially playing by him self which some players do. He then found out that he was playing with Australian Geoff Ogilvy who won the US Open this year. This was the last major played before this one.
Every player can have a coach with them during a practice round walking the fairways. On the third hole Sandy Jamieson (Jarrods coach) handed the coaches arm band to John who walked the course for the next ten holes with his son. I think John was a little excited to be out there. Sandy stayed on the course as well giving Jarrod coaching as they went. Later John passed the arm band on to his Scottish dad and good friend Laurie McClunie. Laurie couldn't wipe the smile off his face. It was a wonderful thing for John to do for someone that has taken Jarrod under his wing.
Ogilvy only played about six holes and headed back to the practice fairway to sort a few things out. Jarrod played the next few holes by himself and then was asked by the group in front to join them. This group included Bernhard Langer another former major winner. What a day, playing with two major winners in the same day. Not only that he had Stuart Appleby playing behind him and Vijay Singh playing in front. You know you are doing well when when you are in that sort of company.
Finished his round then after 10 minutes signing autographs headed off for some lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
The weather here has been really hot. They have been talking that they may be the highest ever recorded temp in the UK today. On the news this morning one rail line was closed because the tracks had buckled. It was only 33 or
34 degrees but it seems much hotter than that. Maybe going from winter to summer without time to adjust makes it harder.
Tomorrow (tonight your time) is going to be a very special for the Lyle family and the Goulburn Valley.
The question I ask is can a boy from the Aussie bush really tame tigers.
Only tomorrow will tell. Just like John, Sally and Karli I will also have a tear in my eye as you walk to the first tee.
Good luck mate. |
