I loved watching cricket at such a small ground where it was almost intimate. I got to know everybody - players, ground staff, umpires, the ladies who made the toasted sandwiches at lunchtime, other spectators.
So, today I took a very deep breath and decided that it was time to accept that all of that is just a happy memory and it's time to embrace the new home of Auckland Cricket, and make the best of it. So, on a sunny spring Saturday morning, I took a drive across the city to Eden Park number two. Naturally I moaned all the way there about the traffic, and mentally calculated faster and more efficient ways to do the trip next time. And where would I park? And just where is the entrance to the grounds anyway? How would I actually get in on November 10, when the first match is being played there?
So I arrived at the Sandringham Rd end, and looked for a park. All along the main road is No Parking. Of course it is. Then I had a flashback memory to when I used to come to Eden Park number two way back in the days when I wagged school to be there. Back then, I used to park my Mini in a side street right opposite the grounds. Sure enough I found that same spot today - albeit driving a Holden 7 seater, not a Mini 1300.
It was like flicking a switch, and all these old memories came flooding back, reminding me of my Grandma Grace (GG) and I being there together. I crossed the road for a closer look through the fence, and was pleased to see the old wooden stand there amongst the modern garishness of the new South Stand. I found myself pointing to the old stand and saying to my son (who was dragged along after cricket training), "That's where I used to sit with my Grandma and eat Oddfellows, and hot chips, and watch the cricket."
"Geez mum, you never buy us Oddfellows and hot chips at the cricket."
Yeah well I asked for that didn't I?
The ground staff were going about their business preparing the turf, the sprinklers were on and the sun was shining. No cicadas yet, and not many leaves on the one and only tree that's left there. But you know what? I think it's going to be a good summer there.
I had better make sure the cafeteria sells hot chips and Oddfellows and settle in for a good one.
* Ruth Thielke lives in Glen Innes and is an IT consultant who has just started writing in between gigs. Her grandmother used to live in Point Chev and took her to matches at Eden Park.
Read more at Ruth's blog
Note: Auckland Cricket has announced there will be some domestic cricket played at Eden Park # 1 including on Friday nights. Read more about that here.
What do you think? Are you happy cricket is returning to Eden Park #2? Have your say in the comment box below.