The Last Post

And this will be the last entry in this blog. Our Games have finished with two team mates winning gold - in the C singles and C doubles. The Champagne was poured, the toasts made and tonight we have the official closing ceremony.

I intend to continue running with Ev, working out with Alicia (and my big sister Moira with whom I am not the slightest bit competitive when it comes to boxing circuits), having lessons with Victor and playing on Mondays with the Ace Girls.

Thanks to everyone who has followed this blog and especially to all of you who were personally involved in helping me prepare.

And a special welcome to Spike Jimmy George born on Friday 6th August 2010 - love to his parents Marg and Leesa.

Ciao for now...

Redemption (of sorts)

I played the semi-final of the consolation round and lost. We played in quite heavy rain and I found it difficult with my glasses fogging up and getting rain drops on them. Still, I was pleased with the way I played earlier in the day with a hard fought win 6-2.

Tomorrow, Rae and I play the consolation doubles round. We're not expecting too much but will do our best to have fun.

Down and Out in the First Round

Very disappointing day. I lost the singles 6-2, 7-5 against a much weaker but more consistent player. Not happy.

We also lost the doubles 6-2, 6-1 but the quality of the play was much better.

The consolation round begins tomorrow so I'll have a go at that.

And Judy Plays Doubles

Ripper of a match. Suzanne and Judy were outplayed in the first set but they were resolute in the second and came back from 5-0 down to end up winning 3 games in a row. Suzanne won her service game, Judy held serve and they broke one of their opponent's service games. They might have lost the match but they both achieved their personal best and the equivalent (for them) of winning gold. One of Judy's opponents had Googled her and was blown away that she was playing tennis with a celebrity. A couple of other women came up to Jude and said "Are you Judy Small, - the Judy Small". Very noice.

I could not have been prouder of the way they both played that game - they ran, they stretched, they hit that damned ball. Judy hit two beautiful backhand volley winners and everyone had fun.

As for me, well I'm still 49, still fat but I'm a lot fitter than I was and who knows what will happen tomorrow.

The good news is we think Pete will be discharged from hospital and nothing serious has been diagnosed. Whew all round.

We're having a ball meeting people

Opening Ceremony

It rained a little, we made paper planes, the cauldron was lit, the flag raised, oaths taken, long speeches ignored and the party has started - no I mean competition has begun.

Good news. Rae (my doubles partner) has won her first round 6-0, 6-0. And TJ and Michelle (from the Ace Girls) won their first round as well.

Judy plays tomorrow (Monday) - D Grade Doubles and my first match is on Tuesday.

Had a hit today just to keep the serve warm.

We're a little distracted though because Judy's brother-in-law and her sister (who've come specially to the Games) are having some dramas. Pete had to go to hospital this morning after becoming very ill. Looks like he may be there for several days until his condition can be diagnosed. It's very unsettling - especially for Judy's sister Sue and Judy too. Fingers crossed, folks.

We're here...

we're queer, get used to it...

Actually, where we are is the Radisson Blu in Cologne which is mega comfortable and friendly. Fiona and Jon and Rhys are here, Sue and Pete fly in tomorrow.

We've got our accreditation, the Opening Ceremony is Saturday night and my first game is on Tuesday.

And so, it begins...

I have a court booked for Sunday for some last minute practice . Judy plays her first game on Monday - doubles (D grade) with Suzanne.

You can feel the Gay Games buzz - lots of team members on the train from Paris, gays and lesbians everywhere in the City  and the organisers keep giving us girls - wait for it - condoms... ah well - mass production of welcome kits can only be customised so much and one shouldn't assume that the girls who are here might not also sleep with boys..

I've had my first German beer - yuuuum

Le Dernier Jour en Paris

Rhys has a future as a ball-kid. For one whole hour, he retrieved all our tennis balls - one by one at times and successfully dodged serves, ground-strokes and mis-hits.

I'm much happier with my serve - goes in when I relax - who woulda thought? Judy can punch the ball back all right but she's not so keen on running so I get to play sneaky shots when I play her (not that she's playing singles in Cologne).

A slack afternoon for us today because we have to pack to be ready for the 10.00am train to Cologne.

Rhys, otherwise known as "Underpants Boy" because he has a tendency to drop his dacks, is very excited about the train trip. He's only been on relatively short trips so far. I do hope he doesn't morph into Underpants Boy on the train - but on the other hand .....