Friday 6 July 2012

RAPID PROGRESS

Since the day the Club was bought, the premises have been gradually occupied by a host of workers of various trades & occupations. The place has been a hive of activity: first the cleaning by pressurised water of the concrete areas in front of the office & restaurant, then the washing & re-painting of the adjacent room, checking of showers & taps in the changing rooms, pruning & removal of bushes & borders. So there were teams of plumbers, cleaners, gardeners: in short, almost a regiment of workmen tidying-up the area.

Perhaps the greatest apparent change has been the removal of cypress bushes all round the restaurant terrace giving a new view of surrounding courts & players. Tennis lessons & games have continued as usual, with perhaps more interesting glances at the improvements in progress around them. This has not prevented acquaintance being made with members of the new owners' family;  they are tackling the learning of new names & faces of members & friends with an admirable  enthusiasm. How pleasant to see so many smiling faces enjoying this new beginning!

Happenings inside the restaurant were less visible but surely impressive. Drinks were continually served with speed & good humour; a sign of how we all will be served next week!

Yes, indeed, lunchtime meals will be available from Monday July 9th.

The teachers have been busy during this period, & I only hope that our Manu Heussner, has put in enough training to ensure his success in Paris to-morrow. Having beaten all-comers over 40 in the Côte d'Azur, he is now attempting to beat those in the rest of France in that category. He left for Roland Garros this afternoon.