Hard to believe a year has past since I was last lying in the worlds most uncomfortable bed in an agricultural college hall of residence in Bressuire. I got home with awful backache and a stiff neck after 7 days on a brick mattress and a pillow which could best be described as a cotton sausage.
But here I am again, back at the Top 10-12 tournament with 7 kids in tow and asking myself "what am I doing?". Well actually the answer is easy...
This is one of many fabulous 12U international events which have been held in France for around 25 years and attracts players from numerous European tennis federations. It runs events in 11U and 12U age groups and boasts several Grand Slam champions amongst its former competitors, Safin, Henin, Clijsters and Mauresmo if you're interested.
These are the kind of events that are just perfect for youngsters to cut their teeth internationally. They are usually organised from a main club which links with other local clubs, schools and universities to create enough courts to host a big event for over 150 competitors.
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We got lucky and found a direct flight on Sunday from Edinburgh to Poitiers with Ryan Air for £4.99! What a bonus. Not so lucky going back as this route only operates on Sundays and Wednesdays so it's back from Nantes-Stanstead with Ryan Air then switch to EasyJet to Edinburgh for £89. These events aren't cheap and with the Euro so strong against the Pound at the moment, you need to check out the best deals!
There was a funny moment at the airport check in, the kids had been told that the luggage allowance was 15kg and they mustn't go over that as it's a ludicrous £15 a kg excess. Well, three of them were over by 2-3kgs and were made to move a few things to their hand baggage. It was a good exercise for 2 of them but the third's mother was hovering and insisted on doing it for him. I bit my tongue and said nothing, how on earth do kids learn to look after themselves when parents try to do everything for them?
There was a bit of excitement when they took their bags to the outsize belt. The Celtic footballers were checking in to go to La Manga so the boys all stopped for a few autographs. My street cred hit the roof when Shaun Maloney (Celtic striker) gave me a hug, he asked if I was going to watch Andy. I said "No, I'm off to France to a tourney with these little guys". He said "You're not still doing that are you? Remember when you took me to Solihull? That must have been about 14 years ago!" Haha he was spot on. He used to be a good little tennis player but gave it up when he was 13 to become a footballer.
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Well, we made it to Poitiers without incident - only one wallet, one passport and a pack of Top Trumps left on the plane. We had to wait about an hour at the airport until transport arrived to collect us and then it was 80km drive to Bressuire. Time to sign in, pay the entry fees, pick up the accomodation and meal tickets, book practice courts, check the order of play for Monday and head to the dining area to queue up for school dinners!
After dinner, checked out the club layout so they all know where the referee is, where to book transport, where the practice courts, the match courts, changing rooms and baggage areas are. Sorted.
Back to the college dormitories to unpack then make up the beds, flat sheets and blankets! The kids didn't know what to do with them - another new experience for them. Yes, yes I did help them a little bit. But just a little bit.
More tomorrow!