Shirley's blog on her writing and on living in Egypt etc

( Mauresmo)

I went to Wimbledon yesterday with my son.

I had to get up at 4 15am. We took the train from Dorking, which is a direct route and was just thirty minutes.

There are always plenty of buses from the station , they are especially laid on to take you to join the queue! (£3.50 return)

This year standing in the queue was a lot more pleasant, as it was in the park and not on the pavement by a busy road.

There were various refreshment places and every now and then people distributed free soft juice drinks from dispensers hanging on their backs. They reminded me of the 'kakaday' drink sellers in Cairo!  Free bottles of Evian water were also given out.

Everyone in the queue is always very chatty and it wasn't long til we struck up friendships with the people around us- albeit brief ones as once we reached the security check everyone was sent to different queues, as when you travel by plane.

I had a body search too!

Then after this we had to walk over a footbridge into the stadium.

We had just missed out on the free wrist bands that would have allowed us to sit on number two court so we bought tickets for the outside courts. They cost £20.

We had to wait a further thirty minutes until the grounds opened at 10.30am.

Then we went on Henman Hill and had our picnic 'brunch' facing the big screen.

There were people from a tennis club sitting near us who bought an iced bucket of champage for £50.

I was quite content with my free bottle of Evian water-never have liked champage, which is just as well given the cost.

We had a browse in the shop. Things were quite pricey there.

I didn't buy anything as I had bought Wimbledon souvenirs on a previous visit.

After lunch we watched a match between last years finalist Marion Bartoli ( FRA) and Taliana Perebylynis (UKR)

I was fascinated by Bartoli's service action- the lead up. She seemed to take a while to get it going sometimes and one woman next to me muttered 'Get on with it will you'

Whilst another behind said to her friend.

'Does she know we are waiting?'

Personally, as a former tennis player and Captain of the college tennis team I know how hard it is to get your serve right and those prelimary actions can make all the difference!

Bartoli went on to win.

Mauresmo came on the court next. ( former Wimbledon champion 2006) She is seeded 29 this year and it was clear she is not playing that well at the moment.

We drifted to various other courts and then had a walk to view the new number two court, which will open next year.

It was a great day. There is something about the atmosphere at Wimbledon that is unique.

Perhaps one day I will be able to watch a match on the centre court, that is still my dream.

(Highlight of the day Belluci ( Brazil) was told to change his tee shirt:) )

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this