Raindrops Keep Falling ......

Just back from a week's tennis in the Algarve and, yes you're right, we got lots of the wet stuff.  First indication was when we landed at (or aquaplaned into) Faro Airport, then the taxi man said "I'll try to get you there", referring to my destination at Praia Da Luz.  That was a bit disconcerting but he got me there, average speed around 80 mph, then I had to 'wade' to my apartment with my suitcase floating behind me.
So it set the scene for most of the week but being British we played on - and by Friday the sun was splitting the skies, as it was on Saturday when I had to come home.
I managed to hide my coaching credentials for most of the week - the benefit being that I could play bad shots without people thinking "good gawd how did he become a coach."
We had 5 Portuguese coaches, all equally good looking, and I wonder if I would have turned out good looking if I'd spent my life in the Mediterranean. There's a thought!
Anyhow I learnt a lot which hopefully I can pass on to my adult pupils, and perhaps improve my own tennis as well.
There's a belief amongst many players as they get older that they can't improve.  Well I don't subscribe to that and so often I see 'mature' people outplaying people half their age.  Apart from technical skills and experience, it's all about anticipation and being in the right place on the court - so you don't have to scurry around like a madman.
Anyhow, on retrospect, I really enjoyed my week and met some lovely people, which makes it all worthwhile.
Next thing on the horizon - the Aussi Open in January.  No rain there I bet - famous last words!!

Man Flu

Now this is of no interest whatsoever to my female friends - because you'll never get it!
Anyhow on Wednesday afternoon I was innocently going about my business when I was hit by something from another planet.  All of a sudden my throat felt as if I'd been grabbed from behind, my eyes started to water and I gave three almighty 'whooooshes', that nearly knocked me off my feet.
Mr Darcy immediately ran for cover, thinking I was having a major wobbly.
Now I didn't have a medical encyclopedia handy, but I suspected it could be man flu (if any females are still reading it's similar to child birth)
I headed straight for the medicine cabinet and found a box of Max Strength Super Hot Lemon and Glycerine powders by Beecham, designed to have you right as rain before night-fall.  I was about to pour one down my throat when I noticed the expiry date - 04/09.  I never pay too much attention so use by /sell by / throw out by dates so I knocked it back with a hefty G & T to water it down.
I can't say I'm cured but at least by the expiry date I'm confident that Man Flu will only come knocking on my door every 5 years.
As a little aside, and I wish I could get this on You Tube, when I sneeze, Mr Darcy sneezes.  He doesn't do it every time, and sometimes there's a delay, but it does happen.  I guess that's a pet phenomenon, or perhaps sympathy/ empathy, or maybe he's just taking the p..s.
Anyhow I will be on court tomorrow, with my Man Flu Lozzers an abundant supply of super man size nose wipers, and doped up with paracetemol or anything else within 5 years of it's use date.
I won't be playing my best - but my view on life is it's best to keep going if you can....
Happy New Year everyone!
ps if you've got the real flu, and you will know if you do, don't play.  But you knew that anyhow!