WIMBLEDON

Yesterday, me and a few other Masters students joined a small group of 3rd year students on a 'field trip' to the Wimbleson courts for a tour. I was really excited, and didnt know that much about the competitions or much about the courts and stadiums and whatnot.

the tour lasted a little over 2 hours, but i could have toured for 4 hours! everything was so interesting to me! And the weather was unbeatable. it was about 60-ish degrees with sun and just perfect for a stroll outside among the courts.

We got to see the outside courts (there are 18!) and inside the Court No. 1, but weren't allowed into the Center Court (the mother of them all) because its strictly for players/during the competition. but we did see the top of the new retractable roof! We also got to look around the museum they have in the 'basement' of the gift shop. its actually full of old rackets, tennis outfits and videos of years and years of the championship final matches. Just watching them got my adrenaline rushing and i nearly could have started jumping and screaming for joy with the winner!!

We also went into the BBC T.V. news room in the new Media building, and the press conference room too, i got my pic taken up on the stand...if only i were up there after a REAL MATCH! :(

The info about the grass courts seemed, to me, the most interesting. First of all, becuase the courts are GRASS, and secondly because of the OCD way that they are cared for. The grass is called 'jessica' since that is the name of the seed used. The grass is very thick and silky to the touch (nicer than a golf course!!), and is cut only 1mm at a time so the grass "doesnt go into shock"..... It is cut at 11mm for matches, and is protected either by electric fences or a 24 hour guard/dog, to keep the foxes from ruining the grass!!

Also, in the winter when the sun is not as high, they use a massive sun lamp for the areas that dont get enough sun, so there are no patchy spots. And they also use a new kind of material/fabric for the tarp to pull over the court when there is rain: it doesnt gain weight when wet, is translucent, lets the sun rays thru, and is breathable for the grass to get O2. COOL!?

So, I am pretty sure I am going to go there in June when the competitions start and try to get a ticket to see a match, even if its only in one of the 'warm up' outdoor courts!

The birds have flown the U.K. nest....

Early this morning on April 14, my parents left for the U.S. and Zach and Amy had already left Easter Sunday, so it left me with some alone time with mom and pops which was fun.

in our last few days, we chilled in Eastbourne, then the last full day we visited a small town near Eastbourne called Hastings (NOT the one in MI!) and visited the castle ruins there and played adventure golf near the channel! i came in second, freddy first, and mom last ;) Freddy got 2 hole in ones!! what a pro.

Everyone said they had a great trip, and i cant believe that it is all over now! so much planning, prepping, and anticipation, and it just sweeps by so quickly! the weather, thankfully, was in our favor for most of the trip. the first couple of days in Eastbourne were foggy but the we were able to see the views from Beachy Head and whatnot. The weather in London was really great too! we didnt need our coats for most of our time there, and it was always busy with sight seeing and of course EATING!!!! i know we all have to go on diets when our lives get back to normal. i would say its a safe bet to guess we each gained at least 3 pounds? :p

Although london was really cool to see and our hotel (thank you my dear associate ;) was really nice, after the first night in a crappy apartment that had lied to me on the internet with such luxe looking pictures, then the real deal was quite far from what i had seen. so Zach found a great place for us and we enjoyed our stay there!

However, i believe that St. Andrews, Scotland was everyone's favorite place!! I had visited Scotland for a few days back in Feb, and just couldnt bear the thought of the fam coming here and not taking them to see its beauty, and listen to the wonderful accents!!

The town we stayed in is the birth place of the game of golf! so of course, zach and dad were mesmerized with its history and trying to get a chance to play on the 'old course'. though they werent able to get a tee time, we enjoyed the views and got pictures of the course. we also went to the castle ruinds down the road from our B&B and that was amazing!! so much of it was still standing and you could walk around and go inside of it. there was a long tunnel underground too that was once used by enemies trying to burrow their way into the castle! mom and zach and amy went down there, but freddy and i chickened out cuz it looked pretty tight, and i was wearing my new running shoes........so vain, i know ;P

We spent a day in Edinburgh too, and of course it was another fav of the fam! we went inside Edinburgh castle, and walked and shopped on the Royal Mile and loved the food! and zach had a good time impersonating the Scottish accent, which he is quite talented at. :D

We also had the world's best sticky toffee pudding while in St.Andrews too! Just ask freddy where to go for the best pudding in the U.K. He tried nearly every play that sold it! :)

It was busy, and fun having the family here, and now i feel quite motivated to get my ace crackin and get work done so i might be able to go home and finish up my disseration in the U.S. and keep searching for jobs!!

It was a great time, and i loved planning everything and showing the fam the history of England and Scotland!