Tennis at 'The White House'

Earlier this year a select few were invited to the White House in Denham to partake in Phillip Courtenay- Luck's annual tennis tournament. The weather was fine, the competition stiff and the company excellent.

Things kicked off controversially though; in the very first game I was up against our host Phil who had obviously heard about my tennis pedigree and was standing yards behind the baseline awaiting my first serve. Now, this is a competition n'est pas? So I shaped to hammer the serve then snuck in a sliced underhand serve that PCL stumbled forward for, netting the ball (after the 2nd bounce) and wrapping himself around the said net. He wasn't happy: "Not in the spirit of the game!" he exclaimed and turned to Howard Machin for support and a ruling. Now Howard hadn't seen any of this; he was just tucking into his 2nd glass of Phil's "exceptional" Sauvignon Blanc and knew where his bread was buttered; backing Cluck to the hilt. Shameful. I was forced to replay the point and double faulted...

There was still much to admire on the day; 

- the elegance (and short skirts) of Di and Louise Dyson

- Katy Cooper's perfect, text book style as she said 'sorry' after each exquisitely placed shot

- Jim's dynamic play, very muscular and brutally focussed
- Mearsy disproving that old fashion maxim that black is slimming

- Cluck's ability to endorse that old volleying maxim "keep your nose over the net", and doing so from the baseline...

- Chris Guildersleve's scurrying attempts to cover the court as partner Georgina 'Whatever' Mears posed elegantly, indifferent to any approaching ball

- The village idiots Alex D and Michael M and their hapless scoring and ball boy shufflings

- St. John's ruthlessness, in hammering the ball at all women and small children's bodies. He didn't make many friends in the crowd that day...

- Irene's beautiful cream tea designed to weigh all but Phil down before the semi finals

- the beauty of the White House and environs at sunset

- and finally, Howard's ability to imbibe 2 bottles of the afore mention Blanc and still win the tournament with his witless partner (moi)... btw some wag suggested that my hairstyle makes me look like a lesbian tennis player.
What do you think?

After the action we took to the pool for a peeing competition (didn't know that did you Phil?) and then, showered and gelled up, were treated to an excellent home prepared Indian banquet made by Irene Cluck's own fair hand, our charming hostess.

Howard fell off his chair after polishing off the day's 3rd bottle in celebration and we all skipped off happily into the night.
Thanks Phil & Irene. 

Here are a few photographic memories of a truly memorable day.