‘So I convalse and I ease the stress because DNA means does not accept. So I rehabilitate and get my body straight because nothing fits like it used to fit.’ The Convalescent – The Manic Street Preachers – 2001.

Whilst not wanting to dwell on the negatives or wallow in self pity it is important to put it into context, my health is somewhat declining. Physically I am struggling daily with very heavy fatigued muscles, especially in the legs and intermittent pain across my lower body. The fatigue is also mental to some extent and casting clouds over my judgement. Coming to Wiesbaden was a last minute decision and somewhat a risky gamble knowing I am not well. Yet I reasoned a few days in the sunshine watching a couple of my favourite tennis players may help to ease my pains. The trip from Bristol in the South West of England was exhausting, both coaches were delayed long enough to make me anxious about potentially missing my flight yet both drivers made up time on the road to significantly trim the deficit and actually arrive close to the original arrival time. The pain comes and goes, one of the hardest things to contend with is standing for long periods of time without supporting my body so the delayed coaches and lack of places to sit taxed my weak frame. The flight was uneventful and I arrived in Frankfurt late last night. To extend my hotel in Wiesbaden just by one night meant doubling the total cost so I elected to spend the night in the ‘Bristol Hotel’ Frankfurt City. Like picking a horse in the Grand National, ‘Bristol’ being my home city gives me oppotimism yet 30 pound a night gives me reason for concern. Germany, is a beautiful country and driving through the tranquil city in the middle of the night was calming, the clean streets, lots of lit up buildings and trams everywhere. Bristol Hotel does look pleasant and modern, the receptionist seemed about as tired as me however. The room was pleasing enough, I unpacked Positivity Penguin who settled in nicely. It is one night so I cannot unpack too much. I have a copy of my book ‘Advantage Dalca’ that is a gift for Gabi Lee, one of the Romanian tennis players my novel is lovingly dedicated to. She was knocked out in the qualifying but I believe she is still here as she waits with Miriam Bulgaru, also Romanian, as alternates in the doubles tournament, they are my two favourite players so seeing them play doubles together and live would be like all my Christmases come at once, we just need one case of food poisoning. So I am going to walk around with a book and a penguin on day one. Physically and mentally exhausted I settle down to bed, thinking my room is okay, yet the mattress is quite hard, I am soon asleep regardless.

I slept soundly enough but did wake a little earlier than I had hoped for, this has been happening lots recently. The shower was good, strong pressure and very hot as Hotel Bristol bounces back from the hard mattress. As I negiatoted the floors with two Germans in the lift I was reminded I can speak a little Deutsch and should try and make more of an effort this week. Difficulties with the sun tan lotion, as there was plenty of liquid inside but the squirty bit was not having it so I took the top off. It is expected to get very hot this week. I am wearing my Miriam Bulgaru T Shirt, my favourite player, she is playing later on court three. First up however is Simona Waltert from Switzerland, I have watched Simi a few times and not only is she a great player and having a good season she is one of the friendliest people you could meet. Positivity Penguin wanted a picture with her in Iasi but I forgot to ask. Perhaps he will get one today? Only if she wins though, do not approach a Tennis player after they have just lost they will not see or hear you they just go into a dark internal cavern. That is later however, I still need to switch hotels and walk to the tournament.

I check out and taxi to my new hotel which is quite pleasant again. The reception upsell me breakfasts and early check in and I go to the room to unpack my Miri T Shirts. I plan to walk to the tennis each day but a little fatigued today and running late I elect a taxi just this once and I arrive at the venue in good time.

Simi’s match is good, she’s been playing well this year she dipped in and out occasionally and had a few murky moments yet eventually gets the job done. Her opponent objects to my partisan support which is fair enough and I make a point of clapping a few of her points too yet by set two I’m starting to get tired and achy and do not have too much energy to support Simi but she gets the job done! I have a little chat with Miri and her coach and then try to stretch my aching limbs. I have had two bottles of water and now they tell me they are out of still and can only offer sparking.

The match before Miri’s is very one sided so I get my seat behind court three. I soon realise I am sitting by her opponent’s coaches chair and I quickly move to the other side and am sooned joined by Miri’s coach. I still have Gabi’s book with me, I have seen her a couple of times but she has been too far away. I had hoped she would join us for Miri’s match but it’s just her coach and me and PP of course. Very slow lacklustre first set for the Little Champ as she cannot get anything going and is very frustrated with how she is opening up the court for her opponent. She takes a bathroom break and then more energy comes and we have a Bulgaru Bagel, the final set was a little close, the German qualifier pushed her a few times yet she stayed calm and focused in some very long service games. Given her recent form and confidence this was an excellent win for Miriam.

After the match I have a good catch up with Miri and her coach and then I finally get to meet Gabi and give her her book. PP also gets a picture with her. Gabi is lovely and we talk tennis and being proper handed single handed backhand players. Miri had given me her towel and water bottle and I’m starting to get a little tired again so I walk back.

The walk back to the hotel is lovely very scenic, particularly a long the fields as I leave the complex. It has been a lovely day but as I return to the hotel thinking about where to dine and will there be anywhere to watch the Arsenal match my body soon starts to remind me of the pain. I lay on my hotel bed writing my diary and drinking coffee. It was emotional day with a Miri roller-coaster and meeting Gabi 🙂