Spanish Double Whammy

Wow - what an epic men's Wimbledon men's tennis final, which was eventually won by the very-pleasing-to-the-eye and athletic Rafael Nadal, who overcame the 5 times consecutive reigning champ Roger Federer in a truly exciting five setter.



A double celebration for the Spanish who, as you know, were also the Euro 08 champions (yeah, I know I said don't bet against the Germans but hey, what do I know??Except that I had a sneaky bet at the start of the competition on Spain to win...la la la!)



Anyway, an interesting and different weekend - out on Friday night with the Cheeky Scouser (yes, a mention!) and went to see 'Hancock' which was good.

Then reluctantly on Saturday, I went into the office.

Yes, saddo me went into work as I have such a huge backlog of stuff to do but at least I was able to negotiate some overtime pay. I was quite productive and managed to clear quite a lot but may have to come in again for another blitz. Felt some weight off my shoulders for the first time in ages.

I'm glad I got the work out of the way early on Saturday as I was able to enjoy the rest of the weekend!

It's my nephew's christening next weekend (when I get my godmother status) and I'm painting a piggy money box for him - the painting is very therapeutic and relaxing - if it's turns out ok in the end, I may take a photo when I'm finished!

But what do I wear??! The usual bloomin' dilemma - I so need new stuff in my wardrobe!

Game, Set and Match

After some of the worst and wettest weather in June ever, the biggest surprise about the Wimbledon championships was not that Roger Federer beat Raphael "check out my biceps" Nadal in a thrilling five setter, equalling the legendary Bjorn Borg's five consecutive titles.

Or that a Briton (Scot Jamie Murray, big bro of Andy) won a title for the first time in 20 years (in mixed doubles partnering Serbian Jelena Jankovic) but that the tournament was wrapped up in the two weeks, despite constant delays and stoppages due to downpours.

Hurrah for British weather!

Now that summer sport over, must be time for the football season again soon!

London Calling

So on Thursday, I went down to London for a long weekend to visit my big sis, to meet my new nephew, catch up with my mum and some old friends and get some tennis action. All these boxes were ticked, so how's that for an organised trip? :-)

My four week old nephew - well, there's not a lot you can say about babies, except he was a cute little wriggly thing, he stopped crying when I picked him up so got some brownie points with his Auntie and I managed to avoid any vomit or projectile poo incidents!

On Friday, I was outside the gates of Wimbledon, queueing up with other mad tennis fans in the rain! I thought it was going to be sunny down south so had sandals on but hey, at least I didn't have soggy socks like the guy who was complaining behind me! The rain was intermittant and when it did stop, it was brilliant sunshine.

Only in Britain do you get a queueing card which explains the do's and don't's of queueing - ooh we are just so civilised!

Anyway, two hours later, I paid for my ground ticket and legged it to one of the outside courts. I stayed and watched the ladies match on Court 13 - Michaella Krajicek v Anna Chakvetadze - a great 3 setter with two tie-break sets but which took over 5 hours to complete due to the occasional showers - Krajicek won in the end. I was rivetted to my seat, not just because of the action but because if I'd left, someone else would have jumped into my seat!

And no Pimms or strawberries for me this time, as I was on a budget!

Saturday morning I met up with a friend from uni who lived close by - it was nice to catch up on news and gossip. Later that day, I went shopping with my mum - I haven't seen her in over a year and was a bit apprehensive, given my new singleton status and the lecture I knew I was in for but she wasn't too bad and we had a great day out - of course, we only went into shops she wanted to go into, ie Burberry's and Harrods, stopping for tea and scones in the latter! Am I posh? Yeah, right!

On Sunday, met up in Camden with some old gaming pals O and SM (who turned up with missus and kids in tow) who I've not seen in a couple of years. That day was also the first day England had turned smoke-free so they were continually nipping out for a quick cigarette.

Anyway, it was good catching up although they spent the entire afternoon trying to persuade me to play World of Warcraft. I already know a bit about this game and I know for a FACT that if I played it, I would get totally sucked in and addicted. I want a social life so I reluctantly passed on this...

Five pints of Guinness later, I think I agreed (in principle) that I was going to play the game* and then spent the next one and half hours stumbling around the Underground trying to get back to my sister's - ack, had forgotten it was a limited service on Sunday! Still, I got back before midnight and didn't get too much grief!

And then, it was time to head back up north, to more rain, to the ex-bf, to work.

Won't be long til my next trip!

* fortunately, I found that my laptop at home does not have the specifications to play the game - hurray, I think!

New Balls Please!

I should have put money on the clouds opening on the first day of the Wimbledon tennis championships yesterday but I didn't. Still, I'm grateful for this diversion before the football season starts up again (and annoyed that I didn't get any tickets in the ballot this year).



Without our very own world number 8 Scot Andy Murray taking part (out due to a wrist injury), the hopes and anticipations of the entire English/British (delete as applicable) tennis-loving nation falls on the shoulders of one 'Tiger' Tim Henman.



Whether Tim will progress to the latter stages of the tournament is highly debatable but last night, with his match stopped at 5-5 in the fifth and final set due to bad light, he certainly entertained the crowds, showing some real grit and tenacity.

Tim's not much of a looker, hence the picture of the easier-on-the-eye Andy Roddick...hehe!

Generally, I prefer watching ladies' tennis as I don't enjoy the men's dull powerserving but Tim's one of the good ones to watch, though infinitely frustrating.

EDIT - Well done, Tiger Tim!

New Balls Please

So, Amelie Mauresmo wins her first Wimbledon title, the first Frenchwoman to do so in around 80 years or something. It wasn't a classic final - both she and the Belgian Justine Henin-Hardin suffered from nerves and made errors, but they also played some great tennis.

Women's tennis is generally thought to be more entertaining these days - and not just because of all the pretty, tall, blonde Russians that get churned out from the Florida training camps each year! There was a time when the only athletic woman player on the tours was Martina Navratilova - nowadays, all the women are athletic, taking the games to a higher level.

I hope to be tuning in to watch the men's final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (who must have the nicest biceps in tennis...)

And then after that, there's the small matter of the World Cup final - after Amelie's success, can the French pull a double-whammy?

Wimbledon Queen

After an epic final, Venus Williams won the Ladies' Wimbledon Final for the third time, beating Lindsay Davenport 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 9-7 in an all-American final. The game lasted a record-breaking (for a ladies' final) 2hrs 45min.

If you consider the four women who made it into the last four, they couldn't have been more different as tennis players:

Venus Williams - American, the only black player in the semi's, tall and athletic. Grunts during play. Her motivation in tennis had been questioned recently, with her growing interest in fashion and other bling.

Amelie Mauresmo - French, muscular and masculine looking. A former world number 1 but without any major titles to her name. One of the few openly lesbian tennis players.

Lindsay Davenport - American, tall but also a big girl. She does not look like a professional sportswoman physically but is the current number 1 in the world, with many titles.

Maria Sharapova - Russian, defending Wimbledon champion. Only 18 years old, already the highest paid female in sport, with tall model-like looks and figure. A loud grunter on court. Wants to prove she's not another Anna Kournikova.

Amelie and Maria fell by the wayside in two very good semi-final matches.

In the final, Venus ultimately had the hunger to hang on to win. Lindsay's injury to her back may have taken the edge off her play but Venus was pretty awesome at times.

Bravo!

Tennis, Mussels & Crappy Trains

It's true - the north is always grimmer than the south.

I thought it was hot in Manchester but it was BOILING in London! Phew! Anyway, wasn't able to blog over the weekend, so here's the brief details:

Thurs - Travelled down by train, quite pleasant, no delays. Met up with fellow Quest and Phoenix player for a coupla pints. Stay at sister's flat. Sleepless night as so hot.

Fri - Up early, made way to Wimbledon - weather was scorching. Brushed past Annabel Croft (who was very skinny). Saw the Lleyton Hewitt/Justin Gimelstob match and also the end of the Andy Roddick/Daniele Bracciali match - both very entertaining. Rain stopped play briefly and then again by 6pm but we were ready to go by then.

Sat - Met up with uni pal I hadn't seen for 5 years and caught up on news over a great lunch of mussels, chips and Belgian beer! Met up with sis and we went to see Mr & Mrs Smith. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - what a stunning couple! Film was ok, bit silly in parts.

Sun - Worked out in the gym, lunch and then nightmare train journey home...no air con and delayed! Good job I had some water otherwise I would have wilted for sure! 3.5 hours of hell, though I have to count myself lucky that I wasn't seated next to the out of order toilets... EWWWWW!

A friendly little suntanned face greeted me at the tram station - the bf was on time at least, bless!

A great weekend, marred only by crappy Virgin rail!

New Balls Please!

Got a couple of days off - am off to London today as tomorrow, going to Wimbledon for the tennis. Hope the gorgeous weather holds out.

There's been some great tennis so far - not so great stuff from Britain's Last Hope, Tim Henman, although he pulled off a great comeback the other day.

Yesterday afternoon, most of our Indian team virtually stopped working as they were following the centre court antics (online) of Sania Mirza, India's rising 18 year old star in an exciting 3 setter. Unfortunately, she eventually lost out to her more experienced opponent.

It's not a good time for me to be swanning off and leaving the boyfriend on his own but he doesn't like tennis, or he could have come with me.

Ah well, I'll pick up a little something for him.

Bloated

It's a colleague's birthday today and she brought some cakes in. I just had to tuck into a fresh cream doughnut and now I feel ill and bloated.... serves me right! :( God knows how many steps I'll have to do to get rid of all those calories! Just as well I'm just having soup for tea tonight. Will have to make sure I have a really good gym session this week.

Tweaked the blog side column, adding the AuctionSniper icon and link. I won my Battle of the Planets DVD Boxset using the Sniper, so I think it's great, although probably really annoying for people who don't use them and keep losing out on eBay in the dying seconds of the auction.

The boyfriend is at hospital today - hope all's ok, although he didn't know if it was an appointment for his eye or his stomach! Will find out later.

Applied for the Wimbledon tennis public ballot - hope I'll be lucky again.