Miss Sharapova

On my trip to the UK to watch wimbledon I managed to bump into one Ms Sharapova. I managed to even get a pic with her after hastily thrusting my camera into some passer by's hand and telling her to take a pic!! (I swear I did, I don't even know how to use Photoshop!!!)

Steve has given me an idea, that would make a Sindle proud, to use the pic to score some free stuff from Cape Storm!!!

As posted on Steve's blog (http://muizies.blogspot.com/)

"Stu managed to co-opt ms Sharapova into a Cape Storm photo shoot. Note how he handles the pressure, very hot under the collar and barely a bead of sweat is visible - that's when selectively porous membrane is your friend."

As for the other pics of actual tennis, well those pics are sitting on a cd at a friends house in the UK!!! Will post them as soon as I get them back!! (It was raining for a large portion of the day I was there so the Sharapova pic is actually as good as it gets!)

Till later

TdF 2

The whole TdF experience was great. It all started with the team presentation on the Friday night. I was their with my sister and we decided that rather than fight the crowds in the middle of Trafalgar square it would be better to wait around the corner and watch the riders coming off the bus. Each team then walked past us, and although there were barriers between us it was still very close. The riders didn't go out of their way to give out their autographs, but managed to get the attention of Tom Boonen, Levi and Frank Schleck and got their signatures on a TdF Meussette (spelling).

The riders then all went inside to prepare for the presentation and we climbed onto a small wall where we could look over the barriers and see the riders very closely. This only lasted for about 3 teams though before the marshals started moaning about "health and safety" and how they would be sued if we fell and broke our legs!! The wall was less than a meter high and about a meter wide. (Brits obviously lack balance!!)

As for the prologue, got there very early 9am, but was worth it because if you were even one row off the fence you couldn't see much. There was a big screen behind us so could keep up to date with the leader board.

The crowd was very much behind the 5 UK riders in the race, but there was also huge support for all the 'big' riders and a huge roar when F.C. blitzed the field

I had put up 2 SA flags on the barriers and the bunch of South African's I was with gave Robbie a huge cheer when he came past and he gave us a quick wave and a smile.

I think though if you want a chance to talk to some of the riders then the stages in France in the smaller towns would be the best bet, especially on the rest day.

All in all it was a magic experience! Now to start saving to see them on the big Alps!!

Le Tour

Yip its a pic of the one and only Vino. And guess who took the pic, yes me!!!! London hosted a great start to this years TdF and I was there to witness it!!!

The festivities of the tour started on Friday night with the team presentation. Chel and I picked our spot near where the riders got out of their busses rather than in the centre of Trafalgar square. From where we stood we got to see the riders up close and even managed to convince a couple to come over and sign a TdF Muessette!! Managed to get Boonen, Levi and Schlek's signatures. I also got 2 others but am still trying to find out who they are!!!

Saturday was the Prologue which we knew was going to be very popular so we made sure we were there first. We were actually meant to meet Dave and some others at 7:20am at Vauxhill station to be there in place at 8am, but after a long night before (the presentation and Stomp) only managed to get there by 9am. Dave already had our spot though which was in a perfect position opposite Buckingham palace. From this spot we could see the riders going up and down Constitutional hill. There was also a big screen behind us so we could keep up to date with the Leaderboard.

The only problem with this position is the lack of free stuff they threw out to us, for some reason they weren't meant to hand out anything where we were??????

The first rider was off at 3pm so it meant it was a long wait, but well worth it and the wait was shortened by the bottle of Pimms that Dave brought.

The crowd as could be expected was behind the 5 local Brits that were riding. As usual they didn't live up to the crowds expectations and Wiggins with his 4th was the best.

After Klodi set a blistering time of 9min 03 secs everybody thought the yellow jersey was his for certain but the world TT champ Cancellara didn't disapoint and knocked over 12 seconds off Klodi to comfotably take the maillot jaune.

What a day. Definatley one of the highlights of my trip. More on my trip to follow...........