Wimbledon

Normally I don't like to move hotels in the middle of a tournament, but I don't normally like to pay 400 bucks a room per night for a tournament, either. So guess what? We moved. It's a little game to us. Search, book and move. Of course, it's not always that easy because we have to find a nice hotel that is seven miles from Bank of England, along with a nice town center around it, or access to the tube. We found a nice little hotel in Clapham for 30 pounds per room per night. Only problem is that we were only able to book it for two nights. So what does that mean? We'll be on the move again tomorrow. But not to worry. It's all part of the game.

Match day. First up. What's the treat in that? Instead of warming up on a regular practice court, we were able to warm up on a match court. The difference? Very large. Granted, the practice courts are solid, but the match courts are grass court heaven...I haven't played at the All England Tennis Club, though...Maybe I'll know grass court heaven there, just maybe.

So I warmed up with my doubles partner Kathrin Woerle. We were both first up, and we figured what the heck. I played right on time, promptly at 11 am. No rain. Just sunshine. What more could I ask for? I won my singles match, 6-2, 6-2, and right after, I had to get ready for doubles. Got a little fuel in me, watched a couple of matches, and then got my game face on. Kathrin and I played the eight seeds---one of them being the girl I had played earlier in singles. We won, 6-3, 6-1. So what does that mean? I am one singles match from a Zac Brown Band concert next week and main draw of Wimbledon. Doubles as well. Who's excited?

PS. Side comment. I figured ya'll would appreciate this. Today, when we were watching matches, I was told that our doubles wasn't before 3 o clock, so I asked this referee to confirm the time: "Excuse me ma'm, is it 1:50?" Her response: "Um, no, it's ten to two." Thanks for that. Anyway, I laughed, so I figured ya'll would as well.

After getting food, practice and transportation sorted for the day and tomorrow, we headed to our new hotel. After getting all situated, I found myself in a room with three beds. Thirty pounds for 3 beds and a couch? Really? That's awesome. That'd be like 300 bucks in the States. So yeah, luckily the hotel is in a really nice, hip area. All the young people are there. Just my kind of place. Not so much for Jeff, but hey, he can blend in.

Before heading to dinner and whilst Jeff waited for me at a pub, I decided to treat myself to a little Irina time. I went purple. Purple nails that is. The ladies doing my nails were absolutely lovely, and they were able to see me right before closing time. Success.

For dinner, we were in the second floor of this new restaurant called Lily's, where I was able to get my chicken, brown rice and broccoli combo. Gosh, could my day get any better?

Tomorrow it's supposed to rain all day. Good thing I have my iPad, Kindle, iPhone and iPod charged. iRina is charged as well...jus sayin'

Ta ta!