The Eastbourne Open

  The police had discovered a bottle of "mysterious liquid" in a house in the centre of town and had sealed off and evacuated the surrounding streets. It was all very discreet and if the Daily Mail hadn't told us to look left as drove up Grove Rd we'd not have guessed anything was out of order.  Entrance to the afflicted area was sealed off with tape and a single affable copper was standing by to deter the general public from ducking under it.

Nothing to see here. Now move along please.....

We were on our way to the tennis. The Eastbourne Open has been downgraded this year but a good number of top players have shown up anyway. I sat myself down alongside Court 4 and watched this match....



Note that Rakhimova doesn't get a flag which means she's Russian.

Here she is



And here's Cocciaretto....



Rakhimova won.

I've never been to Wimbledon. A friend who has been to both says Eastbourne is quiter, more relaxed and better tempered. There's no champagne, no strawberries and cream, but the sea-food infused mac and cheese I bought off a kiosk was perfectly nice. They have a big screen so that those who haven't paid for seats on Centre Court can watch the action at one remove. No extra charge is made for the very comfortable deckchairs.....

You know, I think this is the very first time I've attended a professional sporting event of any kind.