7-5 6-3 6-2
Jul. 3rd, 2009 12:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jenepelI should be going to bed instead of posting this, but if I don't do it now I never will, so there. Sleep can wait.
The women's Semis were today, with both Williams sisters playing and making it through. Another Williams v Williams final. And tomorrow, Murray v Roddick! Eek. (That's Murray's last score in the title btw - straight sets to beat Ferrero.)
So this weekend Phil and I did something I've been saying I would do for years, which is tent in the Wimbledon queue. It was, in a word, AWESOME. Seriously, I would recommend it to anyone. (Although it would probably help if you like tennis!)
I've queued the morning of for ground tickets many a time, and that's always fun, but this was a whole other thing. The ground tickets are a great way to spend the day - you get access to all the outside courts, you get the whole general feel of Wimbledon, and you only pay £20 and have to line up for a few hours. Plus of course you can sit on the hill and watch the big screen if there is an important match on.
But this! Tenting! The thing is that we got there around 2:30PM on Sunday (to get Monday tickets) and WE STILL DIDN'T GET CENTRE COURT! We were numbers 1078 and 1079 in the queue. Give or take, first 500 get centre and next 500 get court 1. Luckily there were good matches on court 2, so some people asked for that instead (esp since Hewitt was playing - lots of Aussies asking for that), and despite being over 1000 we ended up with court 1 tickets. We got great seats though; in the 8th row up, pretty central but not blocked by anything.
But that was way way later - like 930AM the next morning. The whole thing actually went like this:
Sunday 2:30PM - arrive and get queue cards, set up tent
Sunday afternoon/evening - hang out, read, eat dinner, etc then sleep
Monday 5AM - wake up and pack up tent
6AM - get in queue to be given wristbands
8AM - get wristbands, join security & ticket queue
9AM - go through security
930AM - buy tickets and IN!
10AM - coffee and strawberries and cream
1130AM - watch at practice courts
1AM - sit in court 1
(sad first match of V Williams v Ivanovic which ended early due to injury, fab second match 5-setter of Vardasco v Karlovic which was made fun by all the [restrained] yelling, and a clean and quick third match where Roddick very competently took care of Berdych)
8PM - our last match (the Roddick one) ended and we went to join the crowd on Murray mount watching the match on the big screen. Which ended at 1040PM. We actually missed the last set because we were given mis-information and thought they were stopping play, but I won't go into that anymore because it makes me want to tear my hair out. Although, on the bright side, that meant we didn't miss the last tube. Still, I got home around midnight.
So yeah, it was a really long two days. But totally worth it. Not just for the tennis, but for the feeling of it all, even down to tenting and being in the queue for hours. Everyone was so excited and talking tennis and ready to dedicate all this time to it. I just don't think buying tickets online (sorry Seb!) can compare. I was all ready to go right back and put our tent up for the men's semis on Wed - if, you know, I could have missed work again!
As for the weather, it has been (and remains) completely beautiful. I was applying suncream[sunscreen] liberally all day, and I also had a huge hat that my mom gave me last month or so. It was perfect for this actually. We had about fifteen minutes of light rain (which was enough of an excuse for them to put the roof up - they've been gagging for it) and that was it. Phil was quick with the umbrella in hopes we would make the BBC montage (seriously, that's what he said!) but I doubt it was sucessful.
So yes, definitely going to try and do it again next year, as long as days off for the world cup and all that don't get in the way. My dad actually went this year (first mon/tue and got court 1 then centre) with some friends, so maybe next year it can be a family thing? Either way I'd like to get a bigger group. It was perfect with just Phil and I; we haven't had quality time in a while so we really got to catch up and hang out, but a large group would be great.
So how about some pictures?
Queue card
This was around 7AM, so you'll have to forgive our bedraggled state. But look at my hat!
Order of play
Venus (USA)
Verdasco (SP)
Oh no! Rain delay.
Roddick (USA) -- I think these player pics are all mid-serve because it's the easiest camera shot to time.
Murray Mount (formerly Henman Hill) - we went down and sat in the front, but this is the view from about mid-way up
Busy few weeks ahead. Tomorrow I'm finally (YAY!!!) going to see Sunshine Cleaning, and this weekend is both the 4th of July and the Pride parade and celebrations. Plus, my brother's girlfriend is in town (who I have never met) so we're planning on having dinner. Should be interesting. Then Tues is the HP premiere in Leicester Sq (OMG!!!SQUEEEEE!!!!) and on Thurs we leave for Serbia for EXIT. And as soon as I get back it's the midnight showing for HP - the two days before that we're planning a huge movie marathon of the first five. Then my best friend from middle school (who I haven't seen in close to 10 years) is in town with her husband and we're getting together. Then it's London Comic-con and my boss is away that week so I'm in charge of the office. And then...
Oh man I have to stop. That paragraph is out of control and not just a little bit scary. And I really need to fit a visit to my parents in there. Hmmm.
So yeah, summer = extreme busyness. But fun. Always fun.
The women's Semis were today, with both Williams sisters playing and making it through. Another Williams v Williams final. And tomorrow, Murray v Roddick! Eek. (That's Murray's last score in the title btw - straight sets to beat Ferrero.)
So this weekend Phil and I did something I've been saying I would do for years, which is tent in the Wimbledon queue. It was, in a word, AWESOME. Seriously, I would recommend it to anyone. (Although it would probably help if you like tennis!)
I've queued the morning of for ground tickets many a time, and that's always fun, but this was a whole other thing. The ground tickets are a great way to spend the day - you get access to all the outside courts, you get the whole general feel of Wimbledon, and you only pay £20 and have to line up for a few hours. Plus of course you can sit on the hill and watch the big screen if there is an important match on.
But this! Tenting! The thing is that we got there around 2:30PM on Sunday (to get Monday tickets) and WE STILL DIDN'T GET CENTRE COURT! We were numbers 1078 and 1079 in the queue. Give or take, first 500 get centre and next 500 get court 1. Luckily there were good matches on court 2, so some people asked for that instead (esp since Hewitt was playing - lots of Aussies asking for that), and despite being over 1000 we ended up with court 1 tickets. We got great seats though; in the 8th row up, pretty central but not blocked by anything.
But that was way way later - like 930AM the next morning. The whole thing actually went like this:
Sunday 2:30PM - arrive and get queue cards, set up tent
Sunday afternoon/evening - hang out, read, eat dinner, etc then sleep
Monday 5AM - wake up and pack up tent
6AM - get in queue to be given wristbands
8AM - get wristbands, join security & ticket queue
9AM - go through security
930AM - buy tickets and IN!
10AM - coffee and strawberries and cream
1130AM - watch at practice courts
1AM - sit in court 1
(sad first match of V Williams v Ivanovic which ended early due to injury, fab second match 5-setter of Vardasco v Karlovic which was made fun by all the [restrained] yelling, and a clean and quick third match where Roddick very competently took care of Berdych)
8PM - our last match (the Roddick one) ended and we went to join the crowd on Murray mount watching the match on the big screen. Which ended at 1040PM. We actually missed the last set because we were given mis-information and thought they were stopping play, but I won't go into that anymore because it makes me want to tear my hair out. Although, on the bright side, that meant we didn't miss the last tube. Still, I got home around midnight.
So yeah, it was a really long two days. But totally worth it. Not just for the tennis, but for the feeling of it all, even down to tenting and being in the queue for hours. Everyone was so excited and talking tennis and ready to dedicate all this time to it. I just don't think buying tickets online (sorry Seb!) can compare. I was all ready to go right back and put our tent up for the men's semis on Wed - if, you know, I could have missed work again!
As for the weather, it has been (and remains) completely beautiful. I was applying suncream[sunscreen] liberally all day, and I also had a huge hat that my mom gave me last month or so. It was perfect for this actually. We had about fifteen minutes of light rain (which was enough of an excuse for them to put the roof up - they've been gagging for it) and that was it. Phil was quick with the umbrella in hopes we would make the BBC montage (seriously, that's what he said!) but I doubt it was sucessful.
So yes, definitely going to try and do it again next year, as long as days off for the world cup and all that don't get in the way. My dad actually went this year (first mon/tue and got court 1 then centre) with some friends, so maybe next year it can be a family thing? Either way I'd like to get a bigger group. It was perfect with just Phil and I; we haven't had quality time in a while so we really got to catch up and hang out, but a large group would be great.
So how about some pictures?
Queue card
This was around 7AM, so you'll have to forgive our bedraggled state. But look at my hat!
Order of play
Venus (USA)
Verdasco (SP)
Oh no! Rain delay.
Roddick (USA) -- I think these player pics are all mid-serve because it's the easiest camera shot to time.
Murray Mount (formerly Henman Hill) - we went down and sat in the front, but this is the view from about mid-way up
Busy few weeks ahead. Tomorrow I'm finally (YAY!!!) going to see Sunshine Cleaning, and this weekend is both the 4th of July and the Pride parade and celebrations. Plus, my brother's girlfriend is in town (who I have never met) so we're planning on having dinner. Should be interesting. Then Tues is the HP premiere in Leicester Sq (OMG!!!SQUEEEEE!!!!) and on Thurs we leave for Serbia for EXIT. And as soon as I get back it's the midnight showing for HP - the two days before that we're planning a huge movie marathon of the first five. Then my best friend from middle school (who I haven't seen in close to 10 years) is in town with her husband and we're getting together. Then it's London Comic-con and my boss is away that week so I'm in charge of the office. And then...
Oh man I have to stop. That paragraph is out of control and not just a little bit scary. And I really need to fit a visit to my parents in there. Hmmm.
So yeah, summer = extreme busyness. But fun. Always fun.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-07-03 12:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-06 01:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-03 07:39 pm (UTC)Sounds like a very busy time. I was going to say do you have plans this weekend or next week to get together (nothing fancy, even just watch a DVD - I don't get paid until 15th July, so am broke right now). Have you already booked tickets for the HP showings? (and are there 2 you're doing, or just the one?). Either way - it sounds like a fun time ahead for you, which is fantastic. Make sure to Blog it all!
Helen
no subject
Date: 2009-07-06 01:54 pm (UTC)Were you interested in coming with us to HP? I can't seem to remember. And I would say getting together soon would be good, except that I literally don't have a free night for another week and a half. But perhaps right after I'm back from Serbia?
no subject
Date: 2009-07-03 11:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-06 01:56 pm (UTC)Pictures
Date: 2009-07-06 01:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-06 01:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-06 01:59 pm (UTC)