Turra Ted's Travels: Day 2 You CANNOT Be Serious!!

After the early start on Sunday it was a long lie today...till 8am!
Up and out by 9 the streets had a different feel than yesterday's quieter arrival on a Sunday morning in London! Today was Monday - so there was more urgency about everyone as they made their way to work! However, there must be more flexitime here as many obviously don't start at 9am. Mind you, with the number of people heading in to Central London there would be no way of getting everyone to work before 9am!
They looked for a breakfast spot and found a nice cafe on Great Titchfield Street. They sat and had toast and coffee and people watched as they came and went or as they went passed the cafe on the street! For men suits and open necked shirts are the in thing or even more casual work wear. As for the ladies they range from 'shabby chic' to outright glam or the ageless 'classic' look which can't be beaten! Mind you....trying to get a good view from the partly opened zip of my camera bag does make it a little bit of a challenge! I'd really need good sun glasses so it doesn't look like I'm staring!
Next they headed off to Oxford Circus tube station to get their tickets! Today they were heading south to the leafy suburbs of Orinoco's Great Uncle Bulgaria's home area!

Apparently they were off to play tennis?

Tickets bought it was more people watching as they waited for the train to take them to Notting-hill Gate where they would change trains and head off to Wimbledon! As it was still early-ish the tube train was still heaving! Everyone crowded on to the train but at least they did not have four pieces of luggage to deal with either!

But the tube is an entertainment! People sit and stare at you! Some avoid all eye contact whatsoever while others plug their headphones in and enjoy their own company while the music thumps and beats away with a tinny echo! Others diet and read.....The Metro is the paper of choice...but as you can pick it up free that does help! Others read books, kindles or magazines! Those with books try and impress by reading books with obscure titles or unknown authors! Those with kindles are more difficult to figure out! Are they reading Proust or sneakily indulging in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'?? Mind you, at 9amis that really going to set you up for the day?

They get off at Nottinghill and change lines to get the next train! This time it is a lot quieter and the train is brand new! They travel onwards both over and under ground (but no Wombles yet!!) through a number of well known places. It becomes apparent that it must pay to be a builder in London! Every second house has either extended upwards, into the loft space or even underground!! They lost count of the number of roof top BBQ's they saw or patio tables perched precariously on roof top decking areas!

Anyway, they made it to Wimbledon and the end of the line. Next was a walk to the 'All England' club! They could have got a bus....but no....it was more walking! House watching and general nosiness meant the soon made the short walk to the hallowed green clad buildings of Wimbledon. You could see Centre Court and Court No 1 towering from a distance and it was easily recognisable due to everyone's familiarity of ot from TV. But nothing can replace seeing it for real and marvelling at the sheer beauty of the venue as you approach and enter the park! But, WHY visit when the tennis has just finished? Gee, talk about bad timing! The guard on the gate said they could get refreshments if they wanted or perhaps had time yo get their photos taken next to Fred Perry's statue next to one of the entrances to Centre Court. So that's what they did and I got my chance too! However, I was worried he might try and volley me out of the park! Well. All I asked him was where was Andy's statue?? He pointed out he had won THREE championships so perhaps Andy needs to win again! Cheeky monkey!

Their tour was booked for 12.30pmand it was only 11.30. They collected their tickets and headed to the 'Wigfield Cafe' for a spot of lunch! The cafe is named after the man who drew up and publicised the rules of 'lawn tennis' back in the 1800s.the cafe did not have an extensive menu on offer - but for Linda it had the one thing she wanted.....Strawberries and cream......Wimbledon style! She was delighted....and the only thing that would have made it better was if they had been heading to Centre Court to see a match!

The tour set off at 12.30pm. Around 30 people were in the group led by Paul and Paul! Paul 1 was the guide while Paul 2 was the man charged with ensuring everyone stayed together, didn't venture where they weren't supposed to and that no one was left behind after the group had moved on!

They started by looking at the huge score boards that were updated daily with details of the matches, scores and player seedings. Then the were shown four of the 'outer courts' which are squeezed in between Centre Court and Court No 1. Two of them were unused this year as they had been dug up so that more press and player facilities could be built under them before the courts were re-laid on top of them! They really use all of the space they have! The next major project they have will be putting a sliding roof on Court 1 so that if rain does come then the two show courts are both available for TV coverage! These outer courts, most of them, have little room round them and would not have many people able to crowd round and watch!

The tour moved to Court 1. Even as you walked up the steps, and you knew there was no play to be seen, the excitement grew to see the arena and the sea of green hits you.....grass, seats, roof and everything else. We take a seat and listen as the guide counters on, often repeating himself, as everyone else looked round avidly or took video or photos! I tried out one of the seats - but why oh why are they always sprung loaded?? I don't have a lot of weight on my side to hold the seat down! I was lucky I did not make an unexpected catapult towards the court when the seat folded closed! But it would be something to see the court full and buzzing!

The court did look a bit worn, but they won't treat the worn baseline grass till later on! The disappointment was that all the 'Wimbledon-esque' items were not there! The green netting round the court where the line judges sit, the fridge for the players drinks and the scoreboards are no where to be seen! They are not left out for us to see and you somehow feel robbed of the full experience! The other thing that hits you is how small the court looks. You know how big a tennis court is - bug it still looks smaller than you get the impression from TV!

So, they moved on from here and then headed out yo Henman Hill or Murray Mound! Well, it has to be Murray Mound! Linda felt it too looked smaller than it does on TV! It is more stepped than you imagine and the big screen too is gone! All you can see is the two points where the massive screen is secured in place! They make their way up the mound but are asked to keep off the grass! This is a disappointment, considering the thousands and thousands who had plonked themselves there during the tournament and the fact lots of it was dry and burnt! But up the steps they went to get the view back over the two show courts and the view out to Central London in the distance!

From there they went down to the broadcasting centre and through in to the players area! We saw the broadcasting centre....well...the corridor with doors saying BBC. ESPN and the Tennis Channel but none of gone doors were opened! Perhaps Sue Barker is locked away in one of them waiting for next years outing!!

From there they went to see the players outdoor tea area and restaurant and they were told that players get a £25 daily food allowance! Well, considering that a first round exit guarantees a £25000 pay day you'd think they could afford their own coffee and sandwich....oh....and of course strawberries and cream!

The press centre was next and a visit to the players after match press conference room! This was impressive and everyone got the opportunity to have a photo taken in the players chairs in front of the gathered press!

I got my chance to be interviewed and explained that really the bets are too high for me and so it was hardly surprising I lost in the final!!
Finally it was across to Centre Court. This was what everyone was waiting for! And believe me it did not disappoint - despite there being none of the centre court items there! Even the Royal Box had no seats! But again everyone sat and waited for the opportunity to get their photos taken!

The your was great and was well worth it! From my point of view it was great.....smuggled in in the bag meant I got in free! So I can't complain!

From there it was off to the museum and.....you guessed it the shop! The museum was excellent and traced the development of tennis from the early days in Victorian times to the modern day and if course Andy Murray's success in 2013! It had a mix of old and new and used up to date technology and 3d films to show off the excitement of the competition. You could track the development of the racquets and clothes ( including several pairs if frilly underwear!!) and there was an excellent multimedia insight from John McEnroe on his views of the championships!

All in all this was excellent and I can just see the two if them next year......oh.....we saw that, we sat there....we were photographed there! I think I will hide for a fortnight!!

They walked back to another tube station and made the journey back to Marble Arch before their off peak ticket stopped working due to the home time rush hour!

They finished off with a visit to Prêt at Marble Arch before taking in some of the shops on Oxford Street! Linda seems to have a fixation about .mulberry handbags.....but they obviously were not for sale....as they did not have price tags!!

They ended up once again in the coffee shop outside Broadcasting House and sat waiting to spot more celebs or B or C listers .....but left disappointed when no one appeared!Tonight they are off to Sergio's Restaurant which is next to the hotel!it is Linda's favourite and again it is quite popular with the celebs!

I wonder....will I get to go too, we shall see!