Over the past couple of days I've been bringing you Rafan's reports as she did the traditional Wimbledon experience and Camped for Rafa. She's back now after her adventure, and lucky for us, she's spent the time to write us this report and to bring us her photographs. So let's turn this post over to Rafan, and I hope you enjoy reading about her experiences ...
"I'm home safe and sound and busily uploading my photos in the background!
So to continue my story...once we'd got our wristbands we waited around for a while longer before we went through "airport-style" security and then marched up and over the footbridge to just outside the grounds. We were held there for a while longer, then they opened up the gates. What you have to do is decide where you want to sit, then go to the kiosk selling tickets for that block. We'd decided on Block 113 opposite the umpire, and we managed to get 9 tickets together. :)
Once you're in, they hold you there a while longer, then you are able to escape to get food and use the toilet facilities. *phew* You then move up to a chain held by 4 security guards and - guess what? - wait there for a bit longer (until 10.30 am). While I was standing there a man from the Daily Express asked if I'd speak to them, so he asked me my name, age (could barely remember *cough* ), where I came from and what it was about Rafa that made me support him. Rather than just going *thud*. I said something cheesy about his passion and determination and what a lovely person he is. I don't know if it'll ever get printed, especially as three Brits got through to the second round today! At 10.30 am they walk you slowly up the stairs before dropping the chain and setting you free to run like crazy (or walk stiffly in my case) to the practice courts, or wherever else you want to be.
We headed for Aorangi, and hung around the end at Court 3, where me and Wooffs saw Rafa last year. Mahut was already there warming up, and then Baggy came along. We got word that Rafa was going to practice on an empty court - number 11 - which seemed strange, considering the amount of people they'd have to get him through, but turned out to be true! Unfortunately by the time we got there, there were already oodles of people so I couldn't get a clear view, but I did manage to get a few pictures. We'd missed the beginning, and Rafa didn't practice for long. As you can imagine, there were slightly chaotic scenes as he left the court, he signed for a few people and then, flanked by security, managed to make his way slowly past and escape the hoardes.
As we also pushed through I saw Toni's wife/partner with the children, and wished her good luck for Rafa. She said "thank you" and probably wondered how I knew who she was. :D
I went and got some lunch and we sat up behind Henman Hill - there's a lovely shady picnic area up there which I didn't realise!
By that time Kvitova was on Centre Court, so I decided to go and watch her, seeing as she's defending Wimbledon champion. Luckily (after a slow start) she finished off fairly quickly, and a brief shower didn't interrupt proceedings for too long.
Then it was Rafatime . It was lovely to see him, and even though he went 4-0 down I didn't feel too I just thought there was no way Bellucci could beat him in a best of five. It was fab when Rafa got into it and (from what I could see in between taking pictures) he played some fabulous points. The TB was a drim, noh?
The second set went by in a flash, and the third set not much longer. Before I knew it, it was all over and Rafa was waving goodbye. At that point I did wish I'd booked tickets in the block where Rafa came in, but I'll know that for next time.
So, I'd do it again...but I don't know if I can do it again as soon as Friday night for Saturday. I'm going to Wimbledon again tomorrow - this time with a ballot ticket for Court 1 (where there is a totally rubbish OOP - oh and guess what - I get to see Simon again *gaah* ) - and it's so tiring, I feel at the moment like I couldn't face going camping again on Friday! We'll see anyway. I'm hoping to see a longer Rafa practice tomorrow, if I can find out where he is, and then maybe go and watch Marc! and Marcel on an outside court, and maybe Fer too. Hope my friend doesn't mind!!"
My pictures are currently uploading, I'm doing them a few at a time, and the link is here.
So for now I wish you goodnight my lovelies and thank you for the nice comments, and to Wooffs for uploading the pictures."
I can't thank Rafan enough for the hard work in bringing us her pictures and stories. Its so tiring when you're experiencing it, never mind doing all this too, and I've found it fantastic to be given this insight on Camping for Rafa and what it all entails. Remember, the link to her pictures is in the report so make sure you go along for a look.
I'd like to thank Rafan so very much for allowing me to publish all her stuff on this blog, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it. And if she can summon up the energy to do it all again for Saturday ... make sure you keep posted.
VAMO3!!!
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