MOUNTAINS & MEN

Looking out from the Vignal courts in a north-northeast direction, we have the pleasure every day of seeing the nearest mountain: it's called 'Les Courmettes'. (photo) Many are surprised that it's altitude is over a thousand metres : in fact 'Le pic de Courmettes' has a height of 1 248 m! Only 96 m less than Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the British Isles).

Looking northwest, the highest point is somewhere above Le Pas de la Faye, at over 1 400 m (photo) & north of St. Vallier: thus, higher than the Scottish peak (1 344 m).

Those of you wishing to be seen on the summit of our neighbouring mountain, must take the road through Bar-sur-Loup, Pont-du-Loup, continuing a hundred metres in the direction Tourettes-sur-Loup, & there turning sharp left to the village of Courmes. There you will find refreshment before leaving the car & walking up to the summit. Please tell us when you set out, & wear something yellow, so we will be able to see you waving!

I have often been surprised when chatting with Vignal members & visitors, by the unexpected activities of people: these surprises have sometimes occurred after many years of aquaintance. Imagine after about 10 years, finding that the late friend Hank, of the Dutch group, had not only been a racing driver, but was well-versed in the intricate construction of stringed instruments & especially of double-basses! It is certainly interesting to talk to people - to be friendly towards others - however much they are strangers in the first place. You never know what you may learn.

All this is an introduction to what I recently learned of one of us: he hasn't been a member very long, but when he passed by my balcony the other day, not having seen him for some time, I asked him why he hadn't been playing recently...........

He had been training to climb Kilimanjaro!!

The details followed by email: this is an amazing effort by Jonathan Hooker, to raise money for poor children existing in the village of Amani, at the foot of this mountain.

You may find all the details of altitude, volcanic activity, exposure to high winds, lack of oxygen, &c here. This will be a feat, starting October 13th, needing considerable endurance & courage.

Jonathan is appealing for sponsorship from friends & relations, & any of you inspired by this example. He has sent me the following links :

www.justgiving.com/jonimanjaro to donate.
www.amanikids.org to find out more about the childrens home.
www.facebook.com/jonathan.hooker1 to see my progress.
www.twitter.com/jonimanjaro to see my progress.

TOURNAMENTS

The earlier announced Exhibition match, postponed from the previous Saturday, eventually took place on the afternoon of the 25th September. This turned out to be an appropriate day for this celebration, as it was also Jean-René's birthday. During an appropriate warm-up for such a strenuous match, the strokes became more & more rapid, the serves rose to a lightening rate, the volleys & smashes took on an incredible force & accuracy, until the actual match was underway. It soon became evident that the younger contestant had an extraordinary mobility, with always that magnificent stability & balance at the moments of making a stroke. Manu, on the other hand, covered the court with increasing rapidity with his enormous strides, & was the more enterprising in his frequent adoption of service-volley tactics. This, of course made the exchanges very exciting, & the appreciative crowd roared their approval. Perhaps Manu was more favoured by the applause, being better known by the Vignal members, & apparently winning slightly less points...........

We have to remark at this stage, that the umpire, David Gorman, seemed gradually to make more & more errors in announcing the score! This was of course very unusual in a match at this level; fortunately the audience took all this in good part, as these errors were always to the advantage of their favourite player......

To add to the unorthodoxy of the umpiring, there was obviously a certain collusion, between both players & David (see photos), as it shortly appeared that neither contestant had won this match, & as we all know, tennis matches can never result in a draw.......

The occasion finished outside the Restaurant, where food & drink & prizes had been efficiently organised by Lori. The prize-winners were from the recent Club tournament: one small family predominating here, (which we hope will be remedied at subsequent events). Come on you others!!

EXHIBITION MATCH & BARBECUE

The club tournament matches played off this last weekend will be followed by a series of finals this Saturday the 18th. If you hadn't entered this tournament through modesty, fear of being beaten, or any other reason, you must still be interested in seeing some high class tennis on court rather than on TV. An Exhibition Match has been promised with one of the players being our resident Top Player, Jean-René Lisnard, mentioned in an earlier blog. This is to be arranged starting at 5 pm, & will be followed by a Barbecue, as a fitting end to all this great tennis. Reserve your places with the Restaurant (04 93 66 55 73), bringing friends if you wish.

I'm adding photos of our English Coach, David Gorman, & our old friend & Monaco Davis Cup Team Captain, Emmanuel (Manu) Heussner, both organisers helping to revivify our Vignal Club. Support them!

CLUB PLAYERS

After writing about 'top players' recently, I come back for a moment to our more modest 'Club players'. They have been making their own efforts, which I think should be recorded.

We should congratulate, first of all, our enthusiastic doubles couple, Ken & Joyce, who, not content with winning honours locally (see photo), made the journey to England this summer, to take part in a tournament on grass at the Tunbridge Wells Tennis Club. They reached the doubles final together & were only beaten by a couple of their own countrymen. Well done! They have also played separately in Singles tournaments: Joyce narrowly missed winning the final of her category in the recent ITF tournament in Grasse La Paoute.

I have earlier mentioned our Irish Veteran Captain, Neagle Cathcart, who continues to grace our courts with his efficient presence: he, also took part in this recent tournament in Grasse,& while being eliminated in the over 55 men's final; combined with our loyal, Lucien, won the men's doubles convincingly.

Neither has our youth been idle in competition: Alexander Pearch was only beaten in the 4th round of a Bath tournament. He has already shown his promise in several tournaments in this area, as photos on the Club office door testify.

That our Club is becoming a hotbed of junior talent, is shown from day to day by the participation in high-level training of the family Ferro, for example. All three siblings were here again this evening: Fiona, telling me she only lost in the Sophia final at the incredible level at that age-group of -4/6! Here's a promised photo of this 12-year old France number 1.

More news of these gifted youngsters profiting from vigorous training here in the Vignal, in future posts.

I promise not to forget to comment on all we others: but please take more balls in the air in your doubles matches..............

Don't be dull base-liners! Aggress!