THE PARTY’s nearly over but I can honestly say it’s been a Blast!
For the last couple of months I’ve been absorbed watching thrilling T20 cricket, culminating in our Notts Outlaws winning the trophy for the first time at finals day at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Fans in fancy dress, Mr Blobby leading the conga, Freddie Flintoff singing Elvis, it was almost an overload on the senses, as me and my beloved lapped up the fun.
Apart from the incidentals of three exciting, rollercoaster cricket matches in a day, I bumped into two Friar Tucks and the parents of James Corden – it was that kind of crazy day.
I went against all my principles and paid well over the odds for two tickets for the first time in my life. But Trish Yendall has never seen the Outlaws lose and when you’ve missed out as many times as our team, you need all the lucky omens you can get.
And that’s less than half the story of a fantastic fan experience for me this summer.
Barely a couple of months back, I went to Lords, the so-called home of cricket, for the first time in my life to see the Outlaws win the Royal London 50 over cup at the expense of Surrey.
The bread and butter of four-day cricket hasn’t disappointed either. Notts are well clear of the Second Division pack going into this week’s matches.
But what I’ve discovered on my trips – also taking in Leicester and Derby – is there is no place remotely like home.
Trent Bridge is an unbelievable place to watch cricket. I honestly think it’s the best ground in the world.
The setting is picturesque, the view is brilliant from almost every stand and the catering top class.
But somehow even that doesn’t explain the magic of Trent Bridge.
Batsman supreme Alex Hales described playing at his home ground as ‘like being in paradise’ and I know exactly what he means.
There’s a peacefulness about Trent Bridge that I’ve rarely experienced anywhere else.
The grand old ground has been seriously rocking on Friday nights when near capacity crowds have watched a series of brilliant T20 matches.
Yet it’s been equally enjoyable watching the longer game in much more serene circumstances.
I enjoyed my half-a-dozen or so visits to Nottingham so much last season even during a relegation season that I made the decision there and then to become a member for the first time.
It’s been the best £168 I have spent in my life.
When I cheered Forest onto a vital 3-0 victory over Ipswich back in early May to save their Championship status, I left the City Ground delighted nine months or so of agony was over.
I’ll have a very different feeling when I pay my last respects to Trent Bridge this week.
Roll on next summer!