Arundel

Forget Glorious Goodwood, for me the place to be on a hot summer’s day was Arundel, the Castle Ground, which was hosting a 30 over match between the Duke of Norfolk’s XI and The Lords Taverners.

The  Lords Taverners had assumed the organisation and the match was a charitable fund raiser.

I decided to swerved the 2 hour lunch at £80 between innings in a marquee.

One of the better elements of growing old is that you do not feel obliged to attend events you do not enjoy and long cricketing lunches in a poorly-ventilated tent with an indifferent meal, long speeches, an auction and silly games like ‘heads and tails” are in that category.

Instead we sat under a tree and took in a view of what must be the one of the most beautiful grounds anywhere.

It is lined by old trees with one gap with a view over the South Downs and River Arun.

That the match was a celebrity one, with Mike Gatting and David Gower umpiring and ex-internationals in football and rugby – David Seaman and Rob Andrew featuring – was far less important than being in Arundel.

Sussex CCC had just been thrashed in three and a half days by Nottinghamshire coached by Peter Moores – the Sussex coach in the glorious noughties – and Marc Cucurellla of Brighton HAFC has put in a transfer request but, as my guest said, in such a serene and peaceful setting troubles seem to float away.