I've really enjoyed spending the summer in Australia; it's been a good mixture of relaxing and preparing for the 2014 season
Having the Ashes on over here has certainly made it more interesting although I must admit that Cardiff feels more like home to me now.
When I sold my house in Perth to move to Cardiff and set up my life there, it became more like a permanent home, although I still like to come back to visit family and friends and escape from the cold!
Still, when I'm away I find that I miss Wales, especially the lamb. It is usually too hot over here to have it and there is nothing better than Welsh lamb!
I also miss the rugby days, although hopefully there will be an international on when I get back in February. When I came back to Perth in November I played a couple of games in preparation for the game versus England at the WACA. I then had two months off from playing as I wanted to make sure I got the rest I needed to be fit for the 2014 county season.
The game versus England was great fun and from a personal perspective it was nice to know that I am good enough to play against an international side on a pitch like the WACA. To come out of the game with the best bowling figures for either side and to also make some good runs was really pleasing and I am hoping it may lead to more international opportunities.
As for the England performance in the game, I would say it was was OK, but it was early in the tour so they may have been settling in. Bell and Trott both played very well and I was surprised with what happened after that. I think the pressure from the Australian public and media was so intense it was hard for us to come back from the first few losses.
Before the series I did a few Q&A's for various functions and I was predicting 3-0 to England, after that I'm not sure I will be asked back again! Since the New Year I have started playing again for Claremont-Nedlands Cricket Club where I have played since I was 10 years old and also help coach.
It's been a very busy time as I also got married between Christmas and New Year. We had 135 people come to a vineyard just out of Perth and if the bar bill is anything to go by, everyone had a great time! It was an amazing day and we had a lot of fun and it was great to have some really good friends from the UK come all the way over to help celebrate.
Apart from that, it is full on now preparing for the upcoming season and training has really stepped up over here. I am combining that with gaining as much experience in coaching players and leadership on and off the field, as possible. I can't wait to be back in Cardiff next month and get into the outdoor nets in a tent!