The WA Masters the WAMs, were on the move again, this time back to the home of cricket, England.

Many of the Masters have played in England, some as tourists in an earlier WA Masters visit, others as young men playing club cricket, one thing for sure is that we returned to old Blighty as vastly more experienced, as well as slower, heavier and requiring caps for crown protection.

The 12 WAMs and nine WAGS gathered in Leeds from all parts of the globe on the Saturday before the first match of the tour.

The Ibis Leeds "City Centre" had been chosen as the team hotel after meeting a rigorous set of criteria, based entirely on price. It turns out the Ibis is located in the other, less well known city centre of Leeds, but is conveniently located next to two casinos and has excellent transport links, with the A58 flyover running past the hotel's fourth floor. 

In Australia, of course, the Ibis is a native wading bird. They are increasingly found in urban areas of Perth, as interior wetlands, their natural breeding habitat, disappear.  Due to the Ibis' habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as "tip turkey" and "bin chicken". Even the ABC is writing about the 'bin chicken" here. Which is interesting, but completely unrelated to the Leeds Ibis.

One couple, who shall remain un-named, found the Leeds Ibis exceeded their expectations and promptly moved to another hotel on the other side of the A58 flyover.

Pre-dinner drinks at the Ibis foyer and bar saw the WAMs mix with strangely dressed young people going out for a big night out in the (other) Leeds City Centre for Stag and Hens parties.

The excitement displayed by the tourists was obvious and expectations were high. The long, dry summer England had enjoyed had been evident on our arrival in Leeds and the hope was it would continue!

90% of the touring party gathered at Nawaabs Pakistani Restaurant for an optional pre-tour dinner. The room was warm, the food was good and the restaurant packed to the rafters. The drinks flowed freely, especially around where the red wine cabal sat. Depending on the different fitness and training regimes followed, the various members of the touring party staggered their departure from the restaurant. 

The final group to leave the restaurant, was the red wine cabal, under the leadership of Skipper Larry. These members just simply staggered back to the Ibis, having ordered several extra bottles of red long after the first restaurant bill was paid. 

The only point of contention all evening was the passing of an older style paper 50 pound note when paying the bill. Who paid with the fifty? Who knows. Apparently English business owners don't like to accept pre-decimal currency...