Set all the alarm clocks on arriving back from Winscombe badminton social (pub skittles - don't know why but badminton players seem to have an affinity for pub skittles) as we can only have an hour's nap before getting up again to pick up Steve just before 1am for the drive to Gatwick. Steve is ready when we arrive and we make good time, Jenny and Steve keeping me awake while I drive by arguing about gender differences.
Check in at North Terminal opens at 4am, then we queue through passport and security checks behind a very camp, Hollywood guy who chatters non-stop to cover his nerves.
Jenny and I have breakfast, anticipating correctly that food on the flight will be unappetising, while Steve buys duty free alcohol and tobacco to see him through the holiday. Jenny spots Debbie, also from David Lloyd Bristol, who, it transires, is also on the holiday. So now there are four of us - maybe Jenny and I won't look so odd as a couple on a Solo's Holiday.
Legroom on First Choice charter flight would cramp a five year old. We're so tightly wedged in that Jenny, who can normally cope by putting her knees up the back of the seat in front is unable to manage even that.
Short transfer to hotel El Kanta in Port El Kantaoui. Check in and bags taken to our separate rooms. Rooms practically identical so we opt to move my stuff into Jenny's room - shock, horror! (Will we be first people to go on a Solo's Holiday as a couple and come back single? Or wll we find ourselves featured in next year's brochure as "True Romance blossomed on Solo's Tennis Holiday"?)
Go for a wander and find restaurant in the marina serving freshly caught fish. After lunch play a couple of sets with Steve and Debbie.
Monday - Dawns hot and sunny for a full day of tennis. Maryette the tour leader organises us. The three women who've been before Pam (big, blonde ex-PE teacher), Jane and Vicky from Ireland. Barbara - good player, from Devon, who flew in separately from Bristol (wish we'd organised that!). Benta - probably the best player of the lot of us. Chris - a middle-aged left-hander who will end up looking like Rumpole of the Bailey (probably). Nick - a nice, but vague man who drifts serenely through life, oblivious to much that is going on around him. Andrew - a bit aggressive and, it turns out, a bit of a would-be Lothario. Doug - a nice guy who works in insurance and looks like he should have 2.4 kids etc. Harry - tries to be the life and soul but ends up being a bit of a bully to the staff - seems unhappy and drinks too much to avoid facing it. Asisa - not her real name, one she took on after travelling in Turkey. Kathryn - dark and slim, enjoys being the centre of attention from the men.
Good coaching session during the afternoon. Brought on my forehand though it's still nowhere near Jenny's standard.
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