Supporting Andy in Mallorca

On the Sunday before Bank Holiday Monday while watching the Ashes I toyed with the idea of going to the Rafa Nadal Challenger to support Andy. Texted my son who was still in London after the Rugby League Challenge Cup and he said Go For It! As I was looking after that dog Tess knew I could only fly after she was picked up on Monday lunchtime. Started looking for flights and accommodation when the Test was won and it wasn't easy. No accommodation in Manacor so looked at Porto Cristo, nothing there either. Luckily I knew this part of the island as Alan, Tim and I had stayed in S'illot three times in the 80s so I found an hotel in Cala Moreya. I eventually booked a flight which arrived in Palma at 9.30 in the evening so was all set to go and cheer on Andy in his Challenger.

I packed, wondering how I'd get euros cursing myself for cashing in €200 when I came back from Granada in May. On Monday Sarah came to pick up Tess and to take me to the airport. The flight was delayed slightly but soon I was having wine and a salad box on my way to sunny, hot Mallorca. I had tried unsuccessfully to get in touch with the hotel for a transfer so had to get a taxi. With the cost of €90 and the outrageous cost of buying currency at Manchester airport I hoped it would be worth it and get to speak to Andy. Well, it was more than worth it!

Woohoo, a SG blog. :thanks: Can't wait for the next installment. :jitterbug:

I'd managed to get on line on Sunday for the free tickets but then couldn't really understand the e-mail sent to me. So when I arrived at the Hotel Peymar asked the young man in reception if he could translate for me. He did better than that as he was able to show me my tickets. So went to my room knowing that on Tuesday I would see Andy. It was late so just went straight to sleep.

Woke up early, unpacked and got ready for the day. After breakfast strolled outside and saw an area where taxis arrived. There was a large board showing prices to different towns. To get to Manacor it would be €23 and coming back after 7pm €27, so €50 per day though it didn't always work out like that. I asked the very friendly and helpful receptionist to book me a taxi about 1215 and went outside to wait. Unfortunately it had started to rain
:rain::rain:
but as I'd checked the forecast had umbrella and jacket with me.
It was unfortunate on two counts......
1) I probably wouldn't see any tennis and
2) taxis were in great demand as holidaymakers left beach and pools to visit other areas.
About an hour later my taxi arrived for the 15-20 minute journey to the Rafael Nadal Academy and Sports Centre. By the time I got there it was raining heavily accompanied by thunder and lightning. I could see a very long queue but quickly found out it was for the Rafael museum so walked through into reception and without looking at my phone I was waved in.
:thumbup:

I walked through the little shopping area, past a table where two gorgeous young ladies were trying to sell the Not Davis Cup tickets. I came to the large Sports bar which was packed and walked through onto a very spacious balcony where I managed to get a seat under cover. The Centre Court was just below and I wasn't too happy to see the seating was exactly the same as in Belgrade albeit set in a much more pleasant setting. The storm was getting worse and the thunder and lightning quite spectacular. I wondered if there would be any tennis today.
:sad:

There were mutterings and musings regarding play and the wet afternoon wore on. I ate, drank beer and water, chatted to a couple from Holland and then met a lovely couple from England. They were on holiday in Palma and had driven over to see Andy. It was very interesting sitting and chatting with them as he was a retired sports journalist who had worked for The Times and she had absolutely no interest in sport at all. A widow for 13 years she had met him on a train to London last December on her way with friends to see a show. He lives in Wimbledon and they chatted. He managed to get her phone number and they've been together since then. Very romantic I thought.

During our conversation I noticed two young men with camera and mic equipment who kept smiling at me. Eventually they came to our table and said they'd overheard my story of deciding to fly to Mallorca and they would like to interview me. I just thought....here we go again.

By late afternoon the rain stopped, the clouds cleared and the sun appeared.
:big grin:
The courts were dried and there was a Buzz around the grounds. We were going to see some tennis but Andy was third on court so it could be a late one. I moved down to watch his match and sat near the tunnel about three rows up. It was great to see him walk out for a singles match and I confess I felt a little emotional.
:love:

When I started shouting Let's Go etc everyone around me was staring and some even sniggered. I didn't care, I carried on with my loud vocal support. I'd come to support him so that's what I did. Towards the end of the first set my new French friends found me and proceeded to prepare for the interview. I had to put a mic under my t-shirt, that was funny I can tell you especially as it was causing a lot of interest.
:whistle:

I did the interview during the break and I enjoyed it. Talking about Andy is one of my favourite topics of conversation.
:thumbup:

The match ended, Andy had played well and moved well and looked comfortable. After the on court interview he signed autographs and had photographs taken with the very people who had stayed silent and who had laughed at me. As he walked down the tunnel I leaned over saying Well done Andy. He looked at me, grinned and gave me a fist bump



:cheer:

I was very happy and looking forward to the next day, Wednesday when he wasn't playing. I was hoping to watch him practising and maybe, just maybe getting another photograph.

It was very late when I asked a young man at the reception desk to phone for a taxi and going outside I saw a middle aged couple, well, they were probably my age
;)
and a young family also waiting for taxis. The couple were from Scotland, originally Glasgow and now living on the coast. I've forgotten the name but it sounded absolutely idyllic, I remember they were near a famous golf course. They were on holiday in Cala Millor so I said that it was quite near where I was staying and maybe we could share. The wife looked a bit doubtful but when a taxi arrived it was for them. The taxi driver asked where everyone else was going and when I said S'illot he said jump in. I reckon it was about half past midnight when we left and I was dropped off first. My hotel was in darkness and I got to my room without seeing anyone.

Let's Go Mo, Let's Go!!!! :jitterbug:

My goodness...how I have missed Mo's blogs!!!!....Brilliant!!!:thumbup:

Wednesday was hot and sunny. I went on the terrace with my coffee. Most of the tables were occupied so I sat opposite a lady in her 50s. I smiled and said Good morning whereupon she shook her head, held out her hand, palm facing me, said Nein and got up and walked away.
:surprised:

At breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday ate alone but had a book with me. This was my first social encounter and after muttering something under my breath I watched her go to another table.
:lol:

I decided to go early to the Rafa Nadal Centre and went to get ready. The receptionist booked my taxi and it arrived within ten minutes. I was feeling quite excited, looking forward to some tennis in the sun and also hoping I'd see Andy.
:big grin: