Russell KirkPatrick.com

So my 'Writer's Retreat' blog is a day later than that of my fellow retreatees. I did have further to travel home. Well, it's an excuse.

So what am I missing?

• the teasing and outright side-splitting laughter

• golf in the early mornings with friendly people

• the gentle rolling hills

• time to write without other pressures.

I had a great time. Wasn't entirely perfect, but good enough that I'd seriously entertain doing it again. 20,000 words plus, strengthened friendships and some new insights into the writing process seems a profitable outcome for the investment. And the belly button singing was also instructional.

My thanks to my fellow retreatees, Gillian, Kylie, Donna, Paul and Trudi. 

A few months ago a few of us organised a writer's retreat - simply a time when we all get together to get away from it all, just us and our keyboards. With alarming speed the time has arrived, and tomorrow (Jan 7th) I, Gillian, Kylie, Donna and Trudi, along with her beau, are off to beautiful Yackandandah in northern Victoria for just over two weeks.

I'll give you regular updates as to how it goes, but I expect to write 5000 words a day for two weeks. Just what I need to break the back of this third 'Husk' novel.

Back on the 23rd! 

So Australia mount another marvellous comeback to score 460 odd after being 120-odd for 6. That's genius, and makes compelling telly. Problem is, they achieved it in large measure with the rub of favourable umpiring decisions. Andrew Symonds was out twice but went on to score 160.

All part of the game? No. Season after season the pattern is the same: Australia are favoured at home by umpires at about 3 to 1 (3 bad decisions in their favour to one against). It's got so ridiculous it takes the savour from the fine and courageous performances.

I haven't felt this disappointed since the early 1980s when Fred Goodall, the NZ umpire, was so biased he ought to have donned pads and played as a second batsman behind the man facing. Yes, we beat the West Indies back then. But, as Richard Hadlee tells it, he doesn't count his century as a real hundred as 'I was out four times before I got to fifty'.

And in the face of farce like this, the commentators continue to talk the Aussies up. Objectivity, lads. If the Aussie boys are as good as they say, they ought to walk when they nick it (like Gilchrist says he does). Win with pride or lose with dignity. Don't hide behind the men in white coats.