Lisbon, Portugal

The ITF Seniors World Team Championships begins on Sunday morning. Yesterday I met Jenny Cerff from So Africa and Susan Wright, one of my Alice Marble Cup teammates, at the Lisbon Airport. I took the metro to the airport, easy without luggage, then waited for them to arrive. I’d messaged both a photo of a meeting spot, because it was chaotic as passengers emerged from baggage claim. It was very busy as all flights emerge from one exit, regardless of the airline.

Jenny’s flight landed early and she was coming from Turkey so passed Customs quickly. Susan’s flight from JFK was late and she went left and we waited right at exit. We sorted things out quickly, ubered to our AirBnb (the Uber pickup at Lisbon is a bit confusing, but I’d done it the day before so we successfully found our driver first time). We left our bags and went in search of water and food. The hotel I stayed in last night as it turns out (ok, I did plan it) was just around the corner, so we went to the same grocery store I’d visited the day before. And I took them up to the rooftop bar for a look over Lisbon.

Jenny, Carolyn & Susan, from the rooftop bar (there’s a nice view behind us…)

View from the rooftop bar

After lunch we practiced at one of the clubs used for the World Championships, with Luisa Guivia, returned to our flat, got some dinner and crashed.

Today we have a practice in the afternoon, with Diane Barker our top player, and then pick up our final team member, Robin Harris at the airport. Tomorrow practice begins early, Saturday we have practice and captains’ meetings and the opening ceremonies, then our first matches on Sunday.

Adios Mallorca, Hello Lisboa