Remember how Rafan met Rafa off the train on Monday? Well, here's her lovely report ...
I read in the papers today that Rafa was catching an afternoon Eurostar from Paris to London. I looked at the timetable and guessed that he’d either be arriving half an hour before I finished work or half an hour after. I debated whether to go to St Pancras (where the train comes in), and when I got to my station I saw that there was a train headed in that direction in two minutes – which made up my mind for me, especially as it’s only two short stops away.
So I got to Eurostar arrivals, and the next thought was where will Rafa come out? I waited upstairs, a train came in, but I saw that the arrives headed downstairs – so I went that way too. I headed outside the station to the taxi ranks, trying to spot any ATP cars with no luck. I did spot a posh looking Mercedes with tinted windows so hung out there – only for a businessman to come along. Boring!
I then headed back into the station – and suddenly spotted a white polo shirt on a very brown person – and there he was! Rafa! And really not that many people after him. He was having his photo taken with someone, so once that was done I just went up to him and said “Congratulations for the French Rafa, really pleased for you” and he thanked me. I then skipped on ahead and down the road a bit – following the route of the rest of his team. His team (Maymo, Marc!, Dad, Tuts, Benito, Sis, Xisca) all marched on ahead, save for mum who waited for him while Rafa was signing a few autographs. He then came belting down the road with his luggage looking for the cars. People were doing double takes and smiling as he walked past.
Once he got down the road, round the corner, and further down the road the cars were there – four big Jags. They needed them – you’ve seen that Rafa doesn’t travel light! Once Rafa had stopped I managed to get out one of the many newspapers I bought today and asked him if he’d sign for me, which he did. I wished him good luck for Wimbledon then walked back up the road to look on from a distance. He was eating chocolate, which he shared with his sister and Xisca, and his mum gave him a playful smack – looked like he was teasing the girls :-)
One of the drivers wanted his photo take with Rafa but seemed hesitant, in the end he decided it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and went for it.
The team finally managed to pack all the luggage (there was a lot) into the cars, everyone got in and off they went. I got a few pictures but was feeling a bit quivery, and also a bit paparazzi (guilt!), so safe to say they’re not my best work!
A friend was already at Queens and had text to say Roig had arrived. I told her Rafa had just left the station – and sure enough less than an hour later he had turned up at the grounds, presumably to hit a few balls.
Vamos Rafa – welcome to the green green grass of our home!
And although she's not one to seek self promotion :whistle: here's her lovely story on NadalNews.
I read in the papers today that Rafa was catching an afternoon Eurostar from Paris to London. I looked at the timetable and guessed that he’d either be arriving half an hour before I finished work or half an hour after. I debated whether to go to St Pancras (where the train comes in), and when I got to my station I saw that there was a train headed in that direction in two minutes – which made up my mind for me, especially as it’s only two short stops away.
So I got to Eurostar arrivals, and the next thought was where will Rafa come out? I waited upstairs, a train came in, but I saw that the arrives headed downstairs – so I went that way too. I headed outside the station to the taxi ranks, trying to spot any ATP cars with no luck. I did spot a posh looking Mercedes with tinted windows so hung out there – only for a businessman to come along. Boring!
I then headed back into the station – and suddenly spotted a white polo shirt on a very brown person – and there he was! Rafa! And really not that many people after him. He was having his photo taken with someone, so once that was done I just went up to him and said “Congratulations for the French Rafa, really pleased for you” and he thanked me. I then skipped on ahead and down the road a bit – following the route of the rest of his team. His team (Maymo, Marc!, Dad, Tuts, Benito, Sis, Xisca) all marched on ahead, save for mum who waited for him while Rafa was signing a few autographs. He then came belting down the road with his luggage looking for the cars. People were doing double takes and smiling as he walked past.
Once he got down the road, round the corner, and further down the road the cars were there – four big Jags. They needed them – you’ve seen that Rafa doesn’t travel light! Once Rafa had stopped I managed to get out one of the many newspapers I bought today and asked him if he’d sign for me, which he did. I wished him good luck for Wimbledon then walked back up the road to look on from a distance. He was eating chocolate, which he shared with his sister and Xisca, and his mum gave him a playful smack – looked like he was teasing the girls :-)
One of the drivers wanted his photo take with Rafa but seemed hesitant, in the end he decided it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and went for it.
The team finally managed to pack all the luggage (there was a lot) into the cars, everyone got in and off they went. I got a few pictures but was feeling a bit quivery, and also a bit paparazzi (guilt!), so safe to say they’re not my best work!
A friend was already at Queens and had text to say Roig had arrived. I told her Rafa had just left the station – and sure enough less than an hour later he had turned up at the grounds, presumably to hit a few balls.
Vamos Rafa – welcome to the green green grass of our home!
And although she's not one to seek self promotion :whistle: here's her lovely story on NadalNews.
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