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Category Archives: Travel

BREWING UP A STORM IN BLENHEIM

02/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Think Marlborough in New Zealand, and wine is the first thing that comes to mind, most probably the ubiquitous sauvignon blanc. But the region, on the top of the […]

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Travel

PAYING OUR RESPECTS IN FRANCE

01/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL 1998 When Rod Jennings found the grave of his uncle, killed in the trench warfare of World War 1, it was hard not to become emotional, as the former […]

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Travel

MOTUEKA MEMORIES

29/01/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Friday night, in any country town in Australia and New Zealand back in the 1960s and ’70s, was a time to dress up and impress, and perhaps do a […]

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Travel

ROOSTERS CROW AGAIN

31/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL “What a great spectacle,” commented a young Irish chap, as my wife, Marie and I made our way back to our Coogee Bay hotel, after the 2013 NRL grand […]

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Travel

THE HOME OF JOGGING

18/12/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

TRAVEL “Is there a Lion on the Loose?’ English cricket commentator, David Lloyd was heard to say, as he walked around Wellington’s impressive harbour, a few years back, his comment […]

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Travel

PROUD EMMYLOU ON THE MURRAY

10/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL SONNY Bill Williams’ signing by the Roosters made headlines in areas where the two rugby codes are popular, but the news hardly even rated a mention in Echuca, Victoria, […]

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Travel

RUGBY LEAGUE IN THE GIRONDE

05/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Agricultural studies and rugby league were strange bedfellows at La Reole, in the Gironde-Aquitaine region of France, when my wife, Marie and I visited the riverside town in October, […]

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Travel

RIVER CRUISING AND FRENCH DRIVING

22/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL 2019 Recently – well, not that recently – a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I […]

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Travel

RUGBY LEAGUE TO CAMOGIE

18/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL 2018 Recently a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not […]

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Travel

THE DELIGHTS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

27/09/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL 2017 Recently a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not […]

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Travel

RELATED TO A SWASHBUCKLER

13/08/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

TRAVEL ‘Errol Flynn Reserve’ was always going to be part of a walking tour of Hobart, Tasmania for my wife, Marie and I, given she is a distant relation of […]

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Travel

BRITAIN TO BRITTANY TO GERMANY

08/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]

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Travel

THE FIGHT FOR LIBERATION

06/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL A 2011 Rugby Union World Cup match between France and Wales was being played, but you wouldn’t have known it, as the people of Villeneuve-sur-Lot went about their daily […]

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Travel

THIS WAS NO COMMON RIDING

04/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]

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Travel

A WEDDING IN THE PARK

31/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]

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Travel

WHAT A LOAD OF TRIPE

26/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Roanne was once a power house in rugby league, with the funds to buy rugby union superstars, such as Jean Barthe and Aldo Quaglio, both regarded as the best […]

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Travel

WHITE CHRISTMAS IN TIPPERARY

20/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]

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Travel

PREACHING RUGBY TREIZE IN PARIS

09/07/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

TRAVEL The cable TV channel in our Paris hotel advertised a France v Scotland rugby match. To fill in time, I stuck with the channel, and then to my delight, […]

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Travel

NO FAIRY TALE END TO TOURNAMENT

07/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Port Fairy in Victoria will never be associated with rugby league. But, when I hear any reference to the pretty seaside village, I immediately reflect on November 26, 2005, […]

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Travel

ROME TO LONDON VIA TIPPERARY

05/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]

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Travel

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IMAGE GALLERY

Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
DAD
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
Lee Crooks in action for Great Britain against Australia
Lee Crooks in action for Great Britain against Australia
Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
Peter Gallagher in action for Queensland against New South Wales at the SCG.
Peter Gallagher in action for Queensland against New South Wales at the SCG.
Reg Gasnier
Reg Gasnier
Captain, Gary Freeman tries to rally Kiwi teammates after Australia score a try in the series deciding Third Test at Lang Park, Brisbane in 1991. Australia won 40-12
Captain, Gary Freeman tries to rally Kiwi teammates after Australia score a try in the series deciding Third Test at Lang Park, Brisbane in 1991. Australia won 40-12
Jon and Lola Ricketts on their wedding day, May 12, 1951, outside St Carthages Cathedral, Lismore.
Jon and Lola Ricketts on their wedding day, May 12, 1951, outside St Carthages Cathedral, Lismore.
Murwillumbah Brothers' captain-coach, Milton Whybrow (second from left), watches the progress of teammate, Jack Nardi in the play-off for fifth spot in the 1974 Group 18-Gold Coast finals series at Murwillumbah Oval. Prop, Paul 'Porky' Weaver is on Whybrow's left. Surfers Paradise captain-coach, John Chisholm (left knee strapped) sizes up Nardi. The Pirates won, but Tweed Heads Seagulls would go on to beat Mullumbimby in the grand final.
Murwillumbah Brothers’ captain-coach, Milton Whybrow (second from left), watches the progress of teammate, Jack Nardi in the play-off for fifth spot in the 1974 Group 18-Gold Coast finals series at Murwillumbah Oval. Prop, Paul ‘Porky’ Weaver is on Whybrow’s left. Surfers Paradise captain-coach, John Chisholm (left knee strapped) sizes up Nardi. The Pirates won, but Tweed Heads Seagulls would go on to beat Mullumbimby in the grand final.
'Smokin' Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers' training.
‘Smokin’ Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers’ training.
Allan Ayres (second from left in the back row) could have been anything in rugby league. He is pictured here with the 1971 Tweed/Gold Coast premiership winning South Murwillumbah side. The captain-coach was Claude McDermott (third from right in the front row).
Allan Ayres (second from left in the back row) could have been anything in rugby league. He is pictured here with the 1971 Tweed/Gold Coast premiership winning South Murwillumbah side. The captain-coach was Claude McDermott (third from right in the front row).
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
Dean Pay in action for Canterbury-Bankstown. Pay scored a try in the 1994 Ashes decider.
Dean Pay in action for Canterbury-Bankstown. Pay scored a try in the 1994 Ashes decider.
Canberra Raiders' winger, John Ferguson
Canberra Raiders’ winger, John Ferguson
Don Lancashire and his wife, Carol at their Mount Warren home in Queensland
Don Lancashire and his wife, Carol at their Mount Warren home in Queensland
Western Division coach, Johnny King holds the Amco Cup aloft after the country boys' 6-2 win over Penrith in the final of the knock-out competition's inaugural season in 1974. To King's right is cult hero, 'TV Ted' Ellery.
Western Division coach, Johnny King holds the Amco Cup aloft after the country boys’ 6-2 win over Penrith in the final of the knock-out competition’s inaugural season in 1974. To King’s right is cult hero, ‘TV Ted’ Ellery.
Alex Murphy holds the Challenge Cup aloft after leading Leigh to victory over Leeds at Wembley
Alex Murphy holds the Challenge Cup aloft after leading Leigh to victory over Leeds at Wembley
Jack Reardon (right) with former QRL boss, Ron McAuliffe (centre) and noted Brisbane journalist, Paul Sweeney
Jack Reardon (right) with former QRL boss, Ron McAuliffe (centre) and noted Brisbane journalist, Paul Sweeney
Claude Mantoulan on the attack in a Test against Great Britain
Claude Mantoulan on the attack in a Test against Great Britain
Adrian Lam on the attack for Brisbane Wests with Ipswich Jets lock, Jeremy Schloss applying the pressure in defence.
Adrian Lam on the attack for Brisbane Wests with Ipswich Jets lock, Jeremy Schloss applying the pressure in defence.
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Ross Strudwick sells raffle tickets at the Kirra Beach Hotel in the 1980s
Ross Strudwick sells raffle tickets at the Kirra Beach Hotel in the 1980s
French manager, Antoine Blain receives the symbolic gift of a Kangaroo from Queensland Rugby League president, Vic Jensen during the historic 1951 tour
French manager, Antoine Blain receives the symbolic gift of a Kangaroo from Queensland Rugby League president, Vic Jensen during the historic 1951 tour
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Wigan superstar, Ellery Hanley
Wigan superstar, Ellery Hanley
David Waite (right) when he was Great Britain coach. His assistant at that time, Brian Noble, is the other man in the photo.
David Waite (right) when he was Great Britain coach. His assistant at that time, Brian Noble, is the other man in the photo.
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Ben Ikin (left) with former Broncos' Test prop, Shane Webcke at a Men of League function.
Ben Ikin (left) with former Broncos’ Test prop, Shane Webcke at a Men of League function.
Clive Churchill (centre back) in the official Easts team photo from 1965. In the centre at the front is skipper, Ben Wall.
Clive Churchill (centre back) in the official Easts team photo from 1965. In the centre at the front is skipper, Ben Wall.
FRL
Wally Lewis, pictured here during his stint with English club, Wakefield, played in five Brisbane grand finals, winning three.
Wally Lewis, pictured here during his stint with English club, Wakefield, played in five Brisbane grand finals, winning three.
Manly skipper, Fred Jones celebrates the Sea Eagles' 1972 grand final win over the Roosters. Allan Thompson is behind him and Terry Randall on the right.
Manly skipper, Fred Jones celebrates the Sea Eagles’ 1972 grand final win over the Roosters. Allan Thompson is behind him and Terry Randall on the right.
Eric Harris (centre) with Leeds' teammates, Welshman, Con Murphy (left) and John Kelly before a match in the 1938-39 English season
Eric Harris (centre) with Leeds’ teammates, Welshman, Con Murphy (left) and John Kelly before a match in the 1938-39 English season
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Gene Miles in action for the Broncos. He started his senior career with Souths in Townsville.
Gene Miles in action for the Broncos. He started his senior career with Souths in Townsville.
Don Fox scores for Featherstone with referee, Eric Clay on the spot to award the try. Australian defenders are nowhere to be seen.
Don Fox scores for Featherstone with referee, Eric Clay on the spot to award the try. Australian defenders are nowhere to be seen.
Kiwi Test hooker, Duane Mann in action for New Zealand Residents versus Australian Residents at Lang Park in 1994, watched by rival hooker, Shane Christensen.
Kiwi Test hooker, Duane Mann in action for New Zealand Residents versus Australian Residents at Lang Park in 1994, watched by rival hooker, Shane Christensen.
The late, great Harold 'Mick' Crocker.
The late, great Harold ‘Mick’ Crocker.
Frank Stanton as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin side in 1984. Legendary trainer, Alf Richards is on his right and prop, Peter Tunks on his left.
Frank Stanton as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin side in 1984. Legendary trainer, Alf Richards is on his right and prop, Peter Tunks on his left.
French captain, Puig Aubert (right) shakes hands with British counterpart, Scotsman, Dave Valentine, ahead of their World Cup clash in Toulouse. Watching on is English referee, Charlie Appleton from Warrington
French captain, Puig Aubert (right) shakes hands with British counterpart, Scotsman, Dave Valentine, ahead of their World Cup clash in Toulouse. Watching on is English referee, Charlie Appleton from Warrington
Scene from a Brisbane v Toowoomba Bulimba Cup match at the Gabba in the 1950s, with Brisbane on the attack. Photo from the Melit family collection.
Scene from a Brisbane v Toowoomba Bulimba Cup match at the Gabba in the 1950s, with Brisbane on the attack. Photo from the Melit family collection.
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
Tall winger, Darren Plowman. He was one of the Crushers' best in their first top grade hit-out against Manly at Emerald
Tall winger, Darren Plowman. He was one of the Crushers’ best in their first top grade hit-out against Manly at Emerald
Noel Cleal in action for NSW
Noel Cleal in action for NSW
Darren Smith in action for his first club, Brisbane Easts
Darren Smith in action for his first club, Brisbane Easts
'Sister Dorrie' and Tex Morton. Born Dorothy May Ricketts, 'Sister' Dorrie was my great Aunty.
‘Sister Dorrie’ and Tex Morton. Born Dorothy May Ricketts, ‘Sister’ Dorrie was my great Aunty.
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
Referee, Stan Scamp issues a caution to Easts, Greg Holben, one of many the fiery five eighth received in his career
Referee, Stan Scamp issues a caution to Easts, Greg Holben, one of many the fiery five eighth received in his career
Duncan Thompson
Duncan Thompson
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