Our Day at the O2 or The Old Codgers Do It Again!

[supergran]

Once again I didn't have tickets, hadn't booked tickets but for the fourth year running got there! This is how it happened this year. On the 18th October I wrote a letter to the CEO of Barclays telling him that I was an avid tennis fan and a passionate supporter of Andy Murray. ;);) I also complimented him on a marvellous tournament and said how much we had enjoyed being there last year.:):) Adding that we had been loyal Barclays customers since the 60s I sent off the letter. The following week I had a charming reply from the Sponsorship director. He thanked me for my letter and said it would give him great pleasure to offer me complimentary tickets for one session as a goodwill gesture for my and I quote "nearly 60 years of being a Barclays customer":big grin: You can imagine my delight and so we waited for the tickets which he said would be sent out after the 31st.:dance:

[pabbers]

Crawler...........:lol: Seriously though, that's fantastic. Just keep it under your hat or he'll be inundated with compliments next year!

[Jan]

lucky you SG!!!

[KnightOwl]

Ooooh, you sneaky thing ;)

Brilliant, though...!

[cazza99]

Well done SG. I think Barclays wil be geting a lot of letters next year :)

[RFS]

HAHAHAH! Well I have been with Barclays since I was about 9 so I only have a few more years to go before I try that!

[JAMES4578]

Awesome Supergran, how thrilling for you!

[supergran]

:red devil:The tickets arrived on Friday the 2nd by courier.Had to sign for them no less.:boogie::boogie: By that time I had booked the hotel and the train. Remembering last year and Supergramps problems I was determined to treat him well.:thumbup: As you know he is a mad rugby fan and a lukewarm tennis enthusiast so I really wanted him to enjoy this unexpected treat.:cheers: Luckily I remembered that the hotel last year was on the wrong side of the river so hotel booked in Greenwich and first class tickets to London and we were good to go.

[supergran]

Now for those of you who think all right for some let me tell you something. My husband was a Station Officer in the Fire Service and I was Head of English in a Secondary School....but we had no money!:shamed: Our two children didn't get grants because of what we earned and it was hard going keeping them both at University and living our lives without luxuries and expensive holidays.:grrr: Now we can do a bit of that so First Class travel albeit with Senior Rail Cards is definitely on the cards from time to time.:thumbup: So there we were at Wigan Station ready to board the 13.09 Virgin train to Euston. Lovely seats, lovely food and we enjoyed our trip. Next treat was a taxi to the Holiday Inn in Greenwich.

[supergran]

At check-in we were given a voucher for complimentary drinks which was a nice touch. We had dinner there, watched the evening match and then went to bed.:sleepy: We were up early on Tuesday morning. At breakfast could see many tennis fans and quite a few people wearing t-shirts supporting Federer.:rolleyes::rolleyes: As we were leaving the dining room spotted Elizabeth so went across for a chat.It was lovely to see her. Met her a bit later as we were all leaving for the 02. I asked Elizabeth and her friend if they wanted to share our taxi but they had decided to walk so we said goodbye and the taxi took us on the short ride to the 02.:)

[supergran]

Pre-Match Activities: Unlike last year not only was Supergramps fit and well but he was also going to see the tennis and looking forward to having a good look around.:thumbup: We made our way the the Barclays Premier Lounge and were told it opened at 11 so we walked to the practice courts and got seats to watch Colin, Ross and Ivan practising while Dani looked on.:) We had been told that Andy was due out and the seats soon filled up. I went over to Dani and asked him would he give Andy my card. He was lovely and took it away quite quickly and then came back which made me think that Andy wouldn't be long.:yahoo: At the end of the practice session I asked Colin and Ross for a photo and Supergramps took it. I told them I would see them at the Davis Cup. Then spotted Petch who had arrived to talk to them all and had a chat and a photo with him.:cheer: They all left and people started to leave. Andy didn't come out so at just after 11 we left also and walked to the Premier Lounge completely unaware of what was to happen next.;);)

[Jan]

ooh I wonder what was going to happen next?????.........
Please don't leave us in suspense too long!

[Alis]

Great cliffhanger SG!

[supergran]

In the Premier Lounge: Anyone who has a Premier Banking account can get into the Lounge.
:thumbup::thumbup:
You don't have to have an invitation but because they let in people on the list first you should perhaps be there before the doors open at 11. All you need is your bank card so if next year anyone would like to have a drink and some canapes before going into the arena you know what to do. We went in and took the lift to the first floor. There are two areas with seating and tables and on entering we were given a glass of Buck's Fizz (Mimosa to friends across the pond).
:wino:

Food was laid out on a table and we were given programmes and the daily schedule. We walked to a table for two near a large tv screen on the back wall and settled ourselves for a very pleasant interlude before we went to watch the tennis.
:yak:

Most of the people were couples of a certain age. There were a few with young children and a group of very glamorous young women. I went and got some food for both of us and we chatted as we watched various short clips of the tennis.
:) :tennis:

Then we heard a voice asking us for our attention. I turned around and my heart sank. I grimaced to supergramps who grinned at me as the Barclays man introduced the speaker.
:facepalm::eek::hide:

[AllyB]

Bouncy?

[-J-]

Bouncy?got to be hasnt it

[supergran]

Storming the Castle: And there he was....some of you guessed....Andrew Castle or "Bouncy" as we refer to him affectionately.:grrr: He started off by saying that, although introduced as someone from the ITV morning programme as we were all Premier banking and were probably wealthy we would have not seen his programme as we would all have watched the BBC.:ill: Another humorous remark he made referred to his No 1 position in Britain many years ago..he said that if any one of us had played tennis then we would have been No 1 also. :rolling::rolling::facepalm: He then told us how he like to prepare for his commentary, gathering as many facts and information about the players to tell the viewers.:hide: He carried on talking but I wasn't really listening. I had finished my drink and said to SuperG that I was going to get another. "You can't go now" he said whereupon I replied "Watch me".;) I walked straight past him and he said "Oh dear, is it something I said?" "Yes" I replied carrying on walking to the front of the room....................I am not going to finish this part of the story as I'm not sure if it will be allowed though I assure you that what I was going to write is exactly how it happened. .................He was talking to my husband when I came out of the Ladies later on and another conversation ensued.:big grin:

[-J-]

ifyou cant finish it here , you can post it on facebook, im intrigued you cant leave us dangling on tenderhooks

[Alis]

I'm not on Facebook - you have to finish it here SG. You can't offer that sort of carrot and then take it away - too unkind!

[AllyB]

I'm not on Facebook - you have to finish it here SG. You can't offer that sort of carrot and then take it away - too unkind!

My thoughts exactly

[millypops]

I like the idea of Bucks fizz and Canapés before watching tennis, although as a Pensioner now I wouldn't qualify for a Premier Account.
Please don't keep us in suspense Sg,
One thing I would say, Bouncy really gets on my nerves when he commentates but about 5 years ago my Best friend had just lost her Husband and it was her 60th Birthday, we were at the Seniors event so I asked Andrew if he would send a card to her as she really liked him, and he did and put a lovely message inside as well.

[-J-]

the real worry is she will forget the rest of the story, you know what they are like at that age ;)

[jeannie13]

the real worry is she will forget the rest of the story, you know what they are like at that age ;):laugh: She'll get you for that!!:cauldron:

[AllyB]

the real worry is she will forget the rest of the story, you know what they are like at that age ;)

forget what story?

[Golden Lady]

Ha ha, brilliant so far SG but you just have to spill the rest!

[supergran]

Sorry for the delay. Not just the funeral which caused it but I have been frantically searching for something but I couldn't remember what it was until today. Then I found it!! To lose your caustic wit is very sad as I was unable to reply to a certain Scottish "gentleman" and that was really bothering me. Suffice to say I've found it now so when I have finished my tale I will be putting him in his place......mind you the place he is in is far enough away at the moment.:cauldron::big grin:

[lynne]

:laugh:...Love the wit!!!!!:thumbup:

[supergran]

Storming the Castle...cont: I walked past him in full flow and he stopped and said "Is it something I said?" I replied yes and he looked a little confused but he was rather silly as he didn't let it go at that.;);) He then asked what and I looked at him and told him that he had given me the v-sign at Braehead. By this time everyone was very interested in the exchange and I couldn't believe it when he said he would speak to me later and made a comment about rowing on twitter. I didn't understand this remark as we had never rowed on twitter. When I got home from the DC I followed him and tweeted that I was the person at Braehead and would like an apology. His reply was...Have a nice evening...and then he blocked me.:lol: So I told him that he had blocked me on twitter. At this he repeated he would talk to me later and carried on with his talk.

[-J-]

Sorry for the delay. Not just the funeral which caused it but I have been frantically searching for something but I couldn't remember what it was until today. Then I found it!! To lose your caustic wit is very sad as I was unable to reply to a certain Scottish "gentleman" and that was really bothering me. Suffice to say I've found it now so when I have finished my tale I will be putting him in his place......mind you the place he is in is far enough away at the moment.:cauldron::big grin:did you find it behind the sofa along with your marbles ;)

[supergran]

I stood behind a group of people listening to him droning on and on. I couldn't see him and he couldn't see me. I heard him say "So who is your favourite player?" and quick as a flash I shouted "Andy Murray" very loudly.:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer: And would you believe it he mentioned Andy for the first time saying that he'd done very well winning the Gold medal and then the Olympics....and that was it really. Someone mentioned Rafa and he talked about him then. I think he also talked about Fed and what a great player he was but I switched off again.:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[supergran]

The talk was now over and he was surrounded by people wanting autographs and photos. I walked back to supergramps and he laughed and said "Well you certainly made yourself known." We then discussed whether he would come over but I needed the loo and, of course there was a queue.:jitterbug::jitterbug: When I eventually came out to my surprise there he was talking to my husband. I laughed to myself wondering what on earth they were saying.:lol::lol: He turned around as I got back to the table and looking extremely pained he asked me what it was all about. I looked at him and said that he knew. That he had given me the v-sign. He then launched into an explanation which was more like an admonition talking to me very slowly and carefully. He started by saying "You see I'm a tennis commentator not an adoring fan and you said something you shouldn't, what did you say?"

[supergran]

I looked at him straight in the eye and said that he knew what was said but I would tell him. I explained that a group of us had called out "If you can't say anything nice about Andy, don't say anything." I told him that he had turned round and looked up and asked us what we had said.:confused::confused: I called out exactly what we'd said and told him so. He replied "You did that in a public place." "Hang on", I said "You then shouted to me "You ought to think about yourself love to which I replied you don't know me well enough to call me love...and then you gave me the v-sign and walked off":pirate::pirate: He stared at me and repeated that he was doing a job and had been insulted in a public place. I laughed and said that there were very few people in the arena and hadn't he given me the v sign in a public place.:shocked::shocked::shocked: He had to agree whereupon I told him that there had been no row on twitter. That I had followed him and asked for an apology. His answer had been "Have a good evening" then he had blocked me.:doh::doh:

[supergran]

He looked at me. He was clearly discomfited and he then apologised. I just replied OK without smiling and he was then practically dragged away by a man who had been hovering close by. Of course when he left I thought of something. I should have said "Sometimes saying sorry is not enough!":laugh::laugh: The best lines are not always on the top of your tongue.;);) I then asked Supergramps what had been said before I came out of the loo. He told me that Andrew had come across to him and asked where I was. "If you're brave enough to speak to her, she'll be out in a minute" replied SG. "Please tell her that I wanted to talk to her but I'll have to go" he said just as I walked over.:big grin: We looked at each other and SG said to me "Well, I think you won that....so let it rest." :clap:

[AllyB]

I think we should all club together and buy Supergramps a video camera before next year! #viral

[supergran]

I think we should all club together and buy Supergramps a video camera before next year! #viralWe actually have a video camera bought years ago when are grandsons were babies. Compared to today's it is huge!!

[supergran]

The Tennis: So we retraced our steps back to Entrance H and went through security, up the stairs and into the arena. I was looking forward to watching the doubles between Marray and Nielsen:cheer::cheer: and Bhupathi and Bopanna much more than seeing Federer:grrr:play Tipsarevic. Our seats were really good. Two end seats by the steps in Row N just to the left and above the entrance tunnel affording an excellent view of the court and the players.:thumbup: Early on there was little cheering so at one point I shouted loudly "Come on Jonny and Freddy!" :cheer::cheer:Well, first of all SG whispered "Do you have to?" to which I hissed "Yes, I do" and then people around me stared, glared, smirked and murmured.:hmm::hmm: Why do they do that? Why do they look at someone who is supporting loudly as if they are a strange alien being?:confused: Well, it's red rag to a bull to me so I kept it up. I'm not saying I was the only one cheering as many were supporting loudly in other areas.....just not where we were!!;);) The match as those who watched it know it was very exciting and went to a Match Tie-break which was really thrilling as the score changed so quickly. Eventually Marray and Nielsen prevailed and I was thrilled to see them win against tough, experienced opponents. The crowd really cheered them as they had done throughout the tie-break. SG really enjoyed the match as he has always liked doubles and to see a British boy win was most satisfactory for both of us.:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

[supergran]

The Anti-Climax: I looked at my long-suffering husband and whispered those words that he loves to hear....."Do you fancy a pint?":laugh: Besides sitting in one position for quite a while it was so hot and I was glowing!!:fanning: I had noticed that many young men in suits had come in well equipped with liquid refreshment towards the end of the doubles.:wino::beer: We went out and while SG went to the loo I queued up for a beer and wine. I reckoned I'd need a drink to watch the next match.:rolleyes: By the time we had our drinks we could see on the tv screen that the players were making their entrance. Thank God I missed the adulation!! We took our seats before the start of play and there was such a buzz of excitement and anticipation around the arena. I immediately shouted "Come on Janko!" a lone voice....then I heard a few more. One seemed to come from behind the umpire's area and a couple from up on high. The noise for Fed was deafening and I must admit that to hear grown men's voices shouting "I love you Roger" is rather nauseating.:facepalm: The people around us who had sat in silence during the first match seemed to wake up and although they didn't shout, their applause and pleasure as Fed clinically demolished poor Janko was very evident.:grrr::grrr:

[supergran]

Apres Match: I must confess that before the end we took our leave. I couldn't really stand the thought of seeing Fed win and hear the adoring crowd cheer him to the rafters.:worship::drool: So out we went and back to the Practice Courts where Tsonga and Gasquet were.:tennis::tennis: There weren't many people around so we weren't being ushered into seats as we had been in the morning. At one point Jo sat down and Richard walked off the playing area towards him. I had my camera out and hoped to get a photo through the wire mesh. I said "Hello Richard, can I take a photo please?" whereupon......he turned his back on me and walked away.:shocked::confused::lol:

[ljs]

Just got around to reading this 2day .
SG , you are hilarious !!!! Wish I could meet you !!! :lol:

[supergran]

We left the practice courts and strolled through the 02. We could have gone back into the Premier Lounge before the evening session as our train was leaving Euston at 7.30 but we decided to go to the American Bar and Grill for more liquid refreshment.:cheers: We sat in the outside area and that's when I spotted a lively group of young men wearing masks of players.;);) One of them had an Andy mask at the back of his head and it was so real. :thumbup: I decided to go and speak to them. I do this often....speak to young men, that is.:halo: There's something about a group of happy young males that draws me like a magnet.:boogie::boogie: And I did fancy that Andy mask!! I went to their table and started talking to them. Supergramps with a patient sigh had by then got from his blazer pocket his sudoku, reading glasses and his pen.:big grin::big grin:

[Genbrit]

Great blog as usual SG. I'm really enjoying it. Would love to have been a fly on the wall when you met AC!!!!

[cazza99]

... So out we went and back to the Practice Courts where Tsonga and Gasquet were...... I said "Hello Richard, can I take a photo please?" whereupon......he turned his back on me and walked away.:shocked::confused::lol:

Dammit

[hfwardhouse]

Loved the blog SG - brilliant reading as always .... :cheer:

[supergran]

Need to Finish This Bog before Christmas: Had a delightful time and a great laugh with the young men who were all going to the evening session.:laugh: Not only were they going to the evening session but they were really having a session!!:beer: We chatted about tennis and certain players. They had masks of Federer, McEnroe, Rafa and Andy. I was offered one of Federer but turned it down and said I would love the Andy one.:lol: I tried my best offering drinks and even money but my luck was out. They would not part with their Andy masks and I didn't blame them.:sad: Then one kind young man offered my a Mac mask and I eagerly accepted with many thanks.:thanks: I put it on so that the mask was at the back of my head, shook hands all round, got a few hugs:hug::hug: and said goodbye.:swingin: Soon after we left, caught the tube and eventually arrived at Euston with an hour to spare. We went into the First Class Lounge....well it beats paying 30p for a pee and although the drinks weren't free the nibbles were and we could sit in comfort waiting for our train.:thumbup:

[supergran]

The Leaving of London t'go Up North (God's own country) : The Virgin train to Glasgow was in and people rushed across the concourse to the platform. We didn't rush as to be honest neither of us can rush these days.:big grin: Well Supergramps certainly can't.:whistle: We settled in our seats in an almost empty compartment. There was a family group of six, a lone business man and us. We were fed and watered on the way and were surprised to hear that for some reason we were going to be late even though we left on time. Talking to the young Scottish stewardess was told that the train would arrive in Glasgow Central at approximately 1 am. It had been due to arrive just before midnight.:sleepy: We knew that we would still be able to catch the Liverpool train to St Helens from Wigan so weren't too worried. But when we arrived there were no trains and a bus waiting for us. I've experienced this before. Work on the lines at night and a bus instead of a train.:sad: The only problem is that the bus has to travel to each station to pick up passengers so it is a bit of a roundabout route and takes far longer than the direct rail route.

[Elizabeth]

Loved reading your blog Supergran and was so pleased to meet you in hotel. Thanks for the offer to share your taxi but this old codger needed some exercise as would be sitting all day at O2 and bones sieze up. Glad you had a good day and Supergramps should get together with my husband as tennis also comes first in our house.

[supergran]

Home and Highlights: We were dropped off at St Helens Central.:thumbup: A young woman who had got on the bus at Brynn and was going to Huyton also got off. I had heard her ask the driver what time she would arrive and when he told her she seemed upset. I phoned for a taxi and she came and asked me would I phone for her as her battery was flat. She said something about her grandfather being ill but became a little upset.:sad: I phoned for another taxi and we waited. Our taxi arrived and I suggested she take it but she said she would wait. I asked her would she be ok and told her not to speak to anyone. But as our taxi pulled away hers arrived.:):) We arrived home sometime after 11 o'clock which was later than we had anticipated but we both agreed that we had really enjoyed another 02 experience. Would it be our last, I wondered.......Watch this space!! ;);) Highlights: Meeting Colin and Ross again and having a photo with them telling them to "Get closer boys!"........Chatting to Petch and having a photo together and he said he remembered me from late night twitter conversations!!.............Getting an apology from Bouncy!...........Watching an exciting doubles match with a win for Marray and Nielsen...............Meeting and chatting to so many nice people including the Barclays folk, the 02 contingent, the boys with the masks and, of course, Elizabeth and her friend.........Bringing a smile to tired commuters and tennis fans on the tube trains, at Euston and in the Virgin Lounge by wearing my John McEnroe mask all the way from the O2.:boogie::boogie: Lovely two days!!

[cazza99]

............Bringing a smile to tired commuters and tennis fans on the tube trains, at Euston and in the Virgin Lounge by wearing my John McEnroe mask all the way from the O2.:boogie::boogie: Lovely two days!!

You cannot be serious!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linda]

"Get closer, boys" - to each other, or to you? You shameless hussy, you! :rolling:

When I had my photo taken with Rafa I didn't like to get too close :shamed:

Very amusing blog, Maureen :thumbup: And you are so jammy :rolling:

[supergran]

"Get closer, boys" - to each other, or to you? You shameless hussy, you! :rolling:

When I had my photo taken with Rafa I didn't like to get too close :shamed:

Very amusing blog, Maureen :thumbup: And you are so jammy :rolling: Thanks Linda. Obviously it was to the boys as I was in the middle.:drool::big grin:

[Alis]

Great blog SG - thanks.

[karanga]

Brilliant, Supergran. Thanks. :wino: :clap: :lol:

[jeannie13]

Hi Maureen,
Better late than never I wanted to say how much I loved your blog. I've been busy & under the weather a bit hence this belated post. You have such a way with words & are very good at cliffhangers!!:santa smile:

You had us in suspense a few times!! I loved your confrontation with Bouncy-I think he came off worst from that meeting. Good on you.:surrender:

Have a great Christmas. :candle:

[Caro]

I too have been late to the party reading this blog. Entertaining as ever SG. Can't wait to meet up again at DC - we always have such fun!!