Wanderlust Wednesday: Hitting the Courts at Wimbledon

Everyone has World Cup fever right now – and who could blame them! But there's another major sporting event that got underway this week, and it's one I've been dying to attend ever since I picked up a racket over 20 years ago.

Wimbledon Logo. © Wimbledon

Wimbledon. The oldest tennis tournament in the world, and arguably the most popular of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The major has been held at the All England Club in London since 1877. Every June, I remember my parents turning on Wimbledon first thing in the morning, eager to see who would advance to the next round. For two weeks, we'd cheer and scream at the television as the sport's best athletes took to the grass in the hopes of raising a trophy at the end of it all. I've watched from a distance for years, tuning in when I can and envying all those lucky fans sitting in the stands, and even the ones able to watch on the grass hill outside the grounds.

I have actually been to the All England Club, but it wasn't during the tournament. My aunt and uncle used to live in the neighborhood, and I visited them when I was very young. I don't even remember what it looked like, and I'm sure a lot has changed since then. If I can't manage to get tickets to the event itself, I would definitely be interested in visiting the grounds again and taking a tour of the facility. What a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at where it all happens, where the players prepare to take the court, where the crowds watch in silent anticipation during every point. It seems almost magical to think about.

Obviously, my biggest goal is to make it there during those wonderful two weeks of tennis bliss, and take part in all the excitement. I would love to enjoy some traditional British strawberries and cream and a Pimm's Cup (although I could make that at home). But mostly, I'd just love to be in the crowd, take in the energy of the event and experience a true piece of British and sports history.

Aerial View © Bob Martin/AELTC

Day Two of Tournament © Chris Raphael/AELTC

Aerial view of Grounds © Bob Martin/AELTC

View of Grounds © Tom Lovelock/AELTC

It has long been a dream to attend Wimbledon, and I know one day I'll make it there. But for now, I'll settle for experiencing it through the television. I'm curious to see if Andy Murray can defend his title from last year, and by the looks of his performance so far, he's going to be tough to beat. But I think he'll have some intense competition, so it should make for some very entertaining tennis. On the women's side, I don't really have a favorite in mind to win, but I'm keeping my eye on Petra Kvitova (Czech) and Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland). We'll see who makes it to Centre Court and ultimately raises the silver gilt cup (men) and the "Rosewater Dish" (women).

Experiencing "Downton Abbey" in America

Donwton Abbey

Fans of the British period drama Downton Abbey are familiar with the beautiful manor where the Crawley family and its live-in help reside. Highclere Castle is located about 60 miles west of London and is owned by the Earl of Carnarvon and his countess, who live there part-time. The manor has a starring role in the show, and admirers of castle and the show have been flocking to the area to get a first-hand look. Ticket prices range from $8 for walk around the garden to $29 for the grand, but bookings can be hard to get, so I recommend reserving spots early. A number of tour operators also offer packages that include tours of the Castle; while hotels havae introducedd Downton Abbey-inspired pacakages with high tea, personalized butlers, and transportation in a Rolls-Royce.

Of course, it is a little more difficult for American fans of the show to get over to England to get the grand tour. Luckily, there are some alternatives closer to home. The mansions of Newport will certainly satisfy Americans' thirst for an inside look at aristocratic society in the early part of the 20th century. The wealthiest families in the country--at the time--built their cottages on the seaside, and would move their households there during the summer months, servants and all.

Many of the mansions have been open to the public for decades, but most of the tours focused on the wealthy families. And while the history of these families is certainly fascinating, Downton has shown us that what happens behind the scenes can be just as scandalous, mysterious, and fascinating. The Newport Preservation Society has been digging into the archives to learn more about the servants of Newport, and have discovered photos, documents and family histories. As a result, many new tours have been created about the help.

The Elms. Source: Newport Discovery Guide

Recently, The Breakers, one of the grandest mansions in the area, started adding some information about the servants who lived there. The new tour at The Elms is dedicated solely to the servants, giving visitors a unique look at unseen parts of the home, such as the kitchen, boiler room, and servants quarters. The rooms, furnished as they would have been at the time, include pictures, journals and other documents. One room has census records that show names, occupations and birth countries. The tour discusses the "kitchen ratchets," parties held in the mansion kitchens, with food, drink and gossip galore.

As someone who is interested in historical tours, and is riveted by the show, I would definitely take a trip to Newport to check out these mansions. And a servant-focused tour would certainly be in order, because, let's face it, that's where the real stories come from.

A Royal Affair

The alarm went off at four-thirty this morning, and I did not bolt right up in my bed. No, in fact, it took me a good five minutes of self-loathing and stubborn debating in my head before I whipped the covers off and peeled myself out of bed. I quickly changed, splashed my face with water, came out to my living room and switched on NBC to watch the event that so demanded my early rising: the Royal Wedding.

Credit: Royalwedding.com

4:45 am: I caught the first few royal family members driving up to Westminster Abbey, including Queen Elizabeth as she stepped out of her car in a classic suit and a hat--because she's never without one. And then I saw Kate Middleton sneak into her car, and caught a glimpse of the top half of her dress, a long sleeve lace overlay with the sweetheart neckline. Her ivory silk tulle veil draped across her face with perfection, and her sparkling tiara was something to be envied by every bride-to-be, or young girl watching at home. As she stepped out of the queen's Rolls-Royce Phantom VI (yeah, I know cars), the full extent of her gown was revealed, and it did not disappoint. The dress, designed by Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton, featured an ivory satin bodice and a low cut back, with lace to cover her bare skin. Its shape was extremely traditional, with a nine foot train, which was carried by her sister and maid of honor, Pippa. (I won't go into the details of her dress, but it was spectacular, too!)

As Kate clasped onto the arm of her father, Michael Middleton, I sensed that the nerves started to set in just a little. At one point, I swear I saw her stumble slightly, though that could have been the shoes she was wearing, or a bump in the carpet leading up to the doors of the church, but I'd  like to think that it was a moment of weakness in an otherwise flawless ceremony.

Credit: Royalwedding.com

Kate walked down the aisle to the tune of The Introit, as well as the anthem I Was Glad, written by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (wow that's a lot of names). It took Kate three and a half minutes to walk down the aisle to William. (I didn't actually time it myself, I just read that in an article.) The couple smiled brightly at one another as they stood hand in hand listening to the priest give his opening prayer. They wasted no time in getting to the vows and the ring exchange. And as the couple committed their lives to one another, and consented to be husband and wife, I could hear cheers from the crowds waiting outside. Both Kate and William held back tears as they spoke those sentimental words, and I have a feeling thousands of others cried tears of joy for them.

After the vows, there was no kiss--that was saved for later--and the service continued. Catherine (which is what she is requesting people call her now) sat next to William off to the side of the altar, as her brother, James, stepped up to give a reading from Romans 12:

I APPEAL to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

I was not planning to include the whole reading, but I thought it was so fitting for the occassion--which is obviously why they chose it--and it also spoke to me and how I should act in my own life. Anyway, I digress...

At this point, it was a little after five thirty in the morning and I was starting to get tired again after my initial excitement began to wear off. But then the Right Reverend and the Right Honorable Dr Richard Chartres stood up to give his address and he started with "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." Those immortal words were spoken by Saint Catherine of Siena, whose memory is honored on this day, too. It was such a powerful way to begin, and he had me hooked from that moment on. This man is a scholar, a well-spoken, intelligent and insightful man, and I personally would love for him to give me an address as elegantly delivered as this one. I regret that I had my hands full with other tasks and was unable to jot down everything he said, but I was able to catch a few things:

In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and the groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future.


A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life.


Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art. It is possible to transform as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner. There must be no coercion if the Spirit is to flow; each must give the other space and freedom.

We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.

When the service was over, William and Catherine made their way back down the aisle and stood in the entryway of the church to greet the world as a newly wedded couple. Of course, now they will not just be known as William and Catherine--though I plan to call them that. They were given a slew of new titles, the first being the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with dukedom as the highest rank in the British peerage. They will also be called Earl and Countess of Strathearn and Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus--the latter makes me giggle just a little.

The Kiss! Credit: ABC News

The couple climbed into an old horse-drawn carriage, and rode off back down the same route they took to get to the church. The whole family followed behind as they made their way to Buckingham Palace. Between their arrival there and their appearance on the balcony out front, I had to tear myself away from the television quickly to get ready for work--because some of us still have to go to the office. Luckily, I made it out of the shower and into the living room in time to witness William and Catherine's first kiss. It was a bit lackluster, to say the least, lasting a mere two seconds. I actually missed it, because I was looking down at the delicious Ann Sather's cinnamon roll that I ate for the occasion. Thank God for DVR. Though I was disappointed in the kiss, they made up for it by giving the crowd a second, much longer smooch, and then I was satisfied.

I am not sure what the rest of the day holds for the royal couple, but sources have said they will have an official reception with the Queen and her subjects in the afternoon, followed by their own personal ceremony this evening. The event tonight will be a smaller, more intimate affair, with about 300 guests and all the traditional wedding happenings, including the best man's speech and the first dance.

While I was forced to get up very early this morning, it was nice to get lost in a fairytale world for a few hours. It was like a dream watching Catherine shine in her gorgeous wedding gown as she declared her love for William for all the world to see. This is truly a special event, and one I will not soon forget.