Cricket strip

In a fit of early spring exuberance I agreed to join in a planned game of cricket and as the day approached I grew increasingly nervous.

I had not played since at school something like 25 years ago. I had loved watching test matches on TV in days gone by, but hated actually playing due to the unyielding hardness of the ball. Tennis was my game - however hard that ball hit you weren't going to break a finger.

So arriving at the grassy field in the middle of the town I was pleased we were fielding first since one thing I can do is throw a ball.

And before long I was quite getting into it. Yes the ball stings when you stop it, but nothing like I remember it (hardened hands?).

Even batting was more enjoyable than expected - though I lasted mere minutes at the crease.

And then I could sit in the April sun on the boundary, chat to friends, and take the odd blip.

This shot is my first tilt shift attempt - and done at haste on the field and immediately tweeted at the time.

I like it's graced with an almost paint-like quality. And the fact is it feels more like the view as I recall it, than a normal pic would.

We won.