On The Beach

Hope you've had a good summer everyone. For one reason or another I didn't get away and had to make do with North Berwick or my back garden (one of Scotland's best kept secrets).

Anyhow, on my main home today, I stopped off at the car wash - yes I lead an exciting life! It's one of those places where, for 10 minutes, there's not much you can do, apart from scratch your nose and delete your text messages. Bit like the laundrette I suppose. However, as I sat down in the forecourt, the sun emerged from behind the clouds and it felt warm - perhaps even a blistering 16 degrees. So I sat there in repose and pretended I was on a sun-kissed beach nurtured by the sounds of distance waves (that was the power spray against my hub caps) and warm sand between my toes. I was struggling a bit with the G & T and leggy blonde but it was a pleasant moment.

I am a great believer in visualisation, which despite the word is nothing complex or dramatic. It is merely replacing a negative thought with a positive one. So if you worry about double faulting, take a couple of deep breaths before your second serve, bounce the ball a few times, and picture the ball going over the net and in. It works - honestly.

Here's something else to try which wont embarrass the neighbours. Next time you step out the door, walk slowly, breathe deeply, and picture yourself as tall and handsome / beautiful (which you may well be!) If you feel fantastic, please send me a cheque for £100..............ok just joking.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

They think it's all over....

Well it is -that's the SW19 extravaganza over for another year.

I had the good fortune to have tickets for the Centre Court on the middle Saturday - not the Royal Box I hasten to add. Nevertheless I was able to admire Sue Barker's trouser suit from a distance, plus Woz, Federer, Bagdatis and the alternative Scotsman Novak Jock O'Vitch (a Brit champion to keep the media happy for another 75 years)

Ok, hands up, he is really Serbian but he was a skier at one time, which makes him a bit Scottish, and he eats grass which we all do up here - when we're not getting stuck into haggis and deep fried Mars Bars.

Some unique celebrations came to the fore this year, apart from eating the Centre Court. I have tried out Tsonga's war dance without any painful damage - but I draw a line at going flat on my back at the end of each match. Apart from the washing implications, I would need a lot of rolling around and kicking to get back up with any dignity.

Forty years ago, players shook hands and said "jolly good show" (Virginia still does it) and sometimes the gentlemen jumped over the net - an amazing feat in long trooosers. In those days the ladies wore frilly knickers.......ok enough enough.

Last thought for Wimbledon - well done Andy - like Jo Wilfred you entertained us - and that's what its all about!

Here Comes Summer!

Hi everyone

Welcome back to my blog page. Well it's not quite summer but good to play outdoors again. Halfway through December we were beginning to doubt whether our outdoors courts would ever reappear.
It's certainly the worst snow I can remember since 1947 - yes I was around then but oblivious to snow drifts. My only concern was the supplies of Cow & Gate.
Enjoy the sunshine!