LA MANGA-TASTIC!

Organised by our Membership Secretary Julie Hunter, a number of our members flew over to La Manga in Spain to try and improve their tennis, and enjoy some autumnal sunshine. 

When asked about the trip, Julie said  'It exceeded all of our expectations - the weather was fantastic, the accommodation, swimming pool and bars were excellent and last but not least everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tennis.  We joined in two afternoons of social tennis with other players from the La Manga Tennis Academy, we booked our own courts for practice and then had two 3 hour organised sessions with two of the La Manga Tennis Professionals. Brilliant . . . same time, next year  ! " 
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​Gerard McCreesh was one of those who went to enjoy the Spanish hospitality - and play some tennis... below he shares some of his experiences as part of 'Knutsford Tennis Club on Tour'

La Manga ( 8 - 13 Nov 2017)
'I can't dance but given the right combination of food, wine, music and of course company I can delude myself into thinking that I can. So it was, at the opening dinner at the La Manga club. Fortunately, the other members of our party had similar delusions and so a great time was had - finishing with the conga at 1.30 in the morning, led with great spirit by Debs Martin.
As a respite from conventional holiday pursuits we did actually play some tennis - two or three hours a day, as my shoulder keeps reminding me. La Manga is well equipped with tennis courts, there are 20 clay courts and it was on these that we honed and refined our tennis skills - to a level which few would envy and none aspire. We practised serves, we practised volleys, we practised pointing our spare arm skywards for overhead smashes. Positional sense, fancy footwork, approach shots - there was no limit to the improvement opportunities we were offered.
Of all the advice offered, the most important for me was one o'clock. This was the hour of adjournment most nights but it is also the optimal angular position for pitching the ball for a service - try it, it does work.
I can't write poetry but this did not stop me inflicting my efforts on the rest of the party. Here is one about flying budget class.'

HAPPY LANDINGS
 I travel cattle class you may do too
No champagne lifestyle, just do as you’re told
Some zigzags then a scan and you are through
Make sure you store hand luggage in the hold
 
I know the lifebelt drill it’s such a hoot
Do not inflate your belt inside the plane
Quite frankly I’d prefer a parachute
At 30,000 feet the need is plain

'Above all thanks to Julie Hunter - our organiser, group leader and pacemaker for the social activities.

Your tennis will improve if you go on a trip to La Manga, you will enjoy the pool and the winter sunshine - and you may even feel like dancing.'