Toby Anstis' Blog

Too much sun and Pimms, and look what happens! 

Yep, the weather's great. But the heat and the sunshine (and possibly a drop of alcohol) does sometimes make us do stupid things. Well, it does me anyway.

A load of us met up at a pub called The White Horse on Saturday night. It's this really nice place on Parsons Green in Fulham. They've always got the barbeque going all night, tons of people spilling out onto the terrace, and spilling jugs of Pimms all over the place! But great atmosphere. I highly recommend it on a summer's day.

So we rock up at about 8. Find a decent spot (close to the barbie!), then I saw someone really familiar standing with a group of guys just close to us. One of those moments where you go " hey, look who that is." And then embarassingly everyone turns round to look at them at the same time. They all go "Where, who are you talking about Tobe"...."That chap, by the door, the famous tennis player."

They're all a bit confused and obviously don't recognise him. And I can't remember his name either. But then it comes to me. He played doubles with John McEnroe in the 80's. I used to see them winning Wimbledon as a young kid every summer for years. They were a legendary male doubles pairing. Won everything. "Fleming....John Fleming." No one knew him. Ridiculous! He was a tennis star, now commentates for the BBC at Wimbledon, occasionally with McEnroe.

For some weird reason, I was quite excited. Maybe because it was kind of nostalgic thing. So on the way to the bar to get the drinks in, I saw him at the bar, said "Hi John. Watched you playing with McEnroe when I was a kid. Brilliant. Are you still playing?"

"It's Peter actually. And yes, still play a bit, but not that often."

At which point, slightly awkward moment, saved by the barman taking my order. I'm starting to feel a bit hot, so a quick cold drink is required to cool down.

I got outside, they asked me if i'd spoken to "that John Fleming bloke".

"Yea, very brief chat with PETER Fleming. "No. You got his name wrong?" Yep!

Too much sun and Pimms, and look what happens!

Got my karma later though. This girl comes up and says " Hi Jamie! Can I get you a drink!"

Funny.

Toby

Posted by Toby Anstis on May 12, 2008 at 09:27AM

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