Before Day Seven, there’s the rest of Day Six.  Last night I went to a tribute show at the Eastbourne Bandstand – Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics.

My God … that woman was Annie!  She belted out the hits, her trench coat flowing and her voice snarling.  Wish I’d got a closeup of her wide open face.  And just behind Annie, seagulls were riding the wind right to left.  It seemed like they knew the soaring parts of songs for their fly-bys.

I sat next to a couple from Iceland.  They knew Annie’s music and were up dancing for most of the evening, their faces full of glee.  I was on the dance floor for the last part and I saw him walking out of the venue at the end.

“That’s too bad.  I wanted to say goodbye.”

I sat on a bench outside, talking to Google Maps about my homeward journey. And here comes my Icelandic friend. He had been walking to the women’s washroom to find his wife … and then he went looking for me. Very cool.

***

Because of the rain yesterday, a men’s semi-final was postponed to this morning – on a court that was first come first served for us spectators. I arranged to be first come … and first row. Here’s a photo of Tommy Paul serving to Grégoire Barrère:

The cool thing about my seat is that I was in the line of fire for serves launched from the other end, often at 200 kph. This wasn’t the casual watching of a tennis match. I had to be constantly alert when the server was at the other end. Several times, I threw my hand in front of my face to avoid a missile. Happily each time the receiver got his racquet on the ball.

***

One of the food kiosks at the tennis centre was called “Goodwood Organic Foods”. I got to know five of the employees as they hustled the food out to guests. Today I showed them my favourite t-shirt. It looks like this:

“We all have tummies.”

These folks greeted me every day and I returned the favour. They enjoyed my humour. And I enjoyed them. I dearly hope that I’ll be talking to them next year – for I’ll be back.

***

I suppose a normal person wouldn’t go to the Eastbourne Bandstand two nights in a row, but I’m not feeling normal today. I’ll say hello to a version of Amy Winehouse for you.

Until tomorrow …