8.2.09 London

Yay for Sunday. Today was another wonderfully relaxing day, started out right by us heading off to church at 9. We opted to go to the family ward this week so we could have the rest of the day to do stuff.

Off to worship

After church the girls stayed home and I headed off to fulfill a life long goal of mine- go to Wimbledon. Sadly the championships ended the first week of July, but I was able to go to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for a tour of the grounds and the museum. However, one day I will attend the actual tournament; but this was a pretty great substitute.

View of the outside of court number 1

Before...

After. Sad for Andy Roddick though

There was a group of about 30 on my tour and it lasted about 2 hours. We were taken everywhere there is to go on the grounds. We started out by seeing some of their outside courts which are used by the regular club members and were then taken into court number 1.


Court number 1 and Center Court are only used for two weeks out of the year; the two weeks of Wimbledon. As soon as the tournament is over they strip off the top layer of grass, make the ground perfect again and then reseed for the following year. Court 1 is used mostly for only the big name players in the top 10 for their matches and the semifinal matches. Then the finals are played out in Center Court. From there we walked around "Henman Hill" where fans sit and watch the live play on a giant jumbo screen.

They put up a screen that is as tall as the roof and goes right in the middle
of where that entrance is. The hill accommodates around 3,000 people. But, just to get in
for the day you have to be in line at least 3 hours before the ticket office opens.
Day prices are around 20 pounds.


Not only were the grass courts gorgeous and the facilities very nice; but the grounds
were incredible! This place was manicured to the "t" everywhere you looked.

We then were shown the press room where all the player interviews take place live after every match. I learned that every player whether they win or lose have to be interviewed whether they want to be or not. The penalty if they dont is a big fatty fat fine.

Me. Sitting in the same chairs as the greats.

We walked to where all the players hang out and eat when they arent playing and had a great view over all the grounds.

Some of the club members playing.

The new court number 2

From there we headed towards Center Court passing pictures of past champions from all the years.

We were led into a tunnel that our tour guide told us the tunnel the players walk out of to the court. I felt special. Then we beheld her...

If it looks a but like a soccer field and not a tennis court, its because they already
have reseeded for next years Wimbledon. So its not mowed and doesnt have the lines
painted on it; but it was still cool. You can also see the new ceiling that was
installed for this years championships.

I will be back one day. But as a spectator, not a tourist.

After the tour we were free to wander through the Museum, which had exhibits featuring tennis' roots, fashion, lengends and icons, as well as match highlights and a film about the club.

Josephine and Clint were a real good time at the "match".
Thank you for spectator manicans I can pose with.

The trophies presented to the champs. They dont actually get to keep these, they get
smaller replicas. They only get to hold these ones immediately after the match,
then they have to give them back. Lame I know.

All and all it was three and a half of the funnest hours I have ever spent. A great leisurly afternoon activity for me. On the walk back to the tube station were tons of really cool high end residencies. Most of which were behind huge gates, but some were jazzy looking row houses.

Once I got back to South Kensington I of course got my camera out as I always do to be ready to snap a pick of some steezy car cruising around. Its such a regular occurance thats its usually not hard to find one. Today was different however, so instead I am highlighting a more misunderstood steeze. With that, the Smart Car.

Where it likes the style aspect of steeze if makes up with the ease aspect.
Small on size and gas prices, this little philly makes us all proud by its low impact
on mother nature and by filling those awkwardly small parking places we all wish
we could fit into.

I got back to the flat and what did I find? The girls at the table with a feast of a sunday dinner all made. How I love them.

Chicken Pesto on bow tie with potatoes and veggies.
As usually, I was perfectly content with me doing the dishes as
my contribution to such a delicious meal.

Cheers!