Another blog post in the “Cricket Grounds” collection: Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand, February-March 2024.

We arrived in Wellington after a few days in Auckland. Our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton was very conveniently across the road from Cable Car Lane. Doing the touristy thing, we ascended the cable car, then enjoyed a lovely stroll down to Lambton Quay via the Botanic Gardens, as recommended. A lovely sunny day, beautiful for a stroll. Perhaps the lovely weather lulled us into a false sense of security for the days ahead.

Some more walking around Wellington the next day, with a stroll along the dockside, a visit to Te Papa Tongawera, including the excellent “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War” exhibition. A rainy day, so the indoor museum was welcome. Strolled along the mall areas, and later to the Wellington Museum. An evening meal with the Premium Sport Tours group; a chance to catch up with folk we’ve met on previous tours, and to meet some new tour members.

The next morning was forecast to be a cool but fine day in late February. We had a group photo with the Premium Sport Tours group, before heading off to Basin Reserve for Day 1 of the first test of the 2024 Australia vs New Zealand series. Dutifully, we all had on our group polo shirts, and were ready for the day.

Our allocated seats sported a splendid view, over the bowler’s arm, with the media and commentary facilities just up behind us.

Soon, we could understand the moniker “Windy Wellington.” As the day went on, we realised that, even wearing every layer we had with us that day, we were perhaps a little under-dressed for the weather.

Amused by a particularly Wellington-based advert on the radio – “Keep your power on – tie down your trampolines and tarpaulins”. Yes, it’s windy here. Whilst others out on the hill were getting sunburnt on the 18-degree day, we were freezing in the shade of the grandstand.

Perhaps, in retrospect, I could have spent less time scribing the ball-by-ball detail of the match and go for a walk to warm up. Sitting for the whole day probably didn’t help! We even resorted to wearing the giveaway headbands as makeshift gloves!

At the end of Day 1, it was a quick stop at the Woolworths across the road from our hotel, to get a pair of tights to wear under the jeans tomorrow!!

The test wrapped up very quickly – by lunch on Day 4! We hadn’t even eaten our lunch, and it was all over. This meant we had additional sightseeing time, so in the afternoon we headed out to Weta Cave – oh, look – there’s the windy “Wellington” sign. Very apt.

After returning to the hotel later, we strolled to the Old Bailey pub up the road, where we had heard the Aussie players were earlier. Are they still there? Why, yes, they are. Signatures on my score sheets were from the players, rather than the umpires this time! Stayed for an evening meal at the pub, and a few photos with more players later.

With a spare day due to the early finish of the cricket, we joined a Viator half-day food tour to Martinborough. Highly recommended, with stops for cheese tasting (C’est Cheese at Featherston), wine tasting with lunch (Moy Hall, Martinborough) and chocolate tasting (Schoc Chocolates, Greytown).

An excellent choice for a windy and rainy day. So much rain, however, that the Ramutaka Hill road was closed in the afternoon (this happens a few times a year due to accidents and/or weather). This meant a possible 4-hour detour home or wait to see if the weather clears enough for the road to re-open. What to do? Let’s go to the pub! So, off the tour group went to the Brac and Bow bar in the Royal Hotel, Featherston, to enjoy chatting over a few more drinks, before eventually heading back “home” to Windy Wellington.