Escaping Winter

Last night we went around to my Dad's to have fish and chips for dinner instead of seeing him for lunch today as this morning he headed off on holidays. My Dad is off to Ireland for two weeks, one week in Northern Ireland and then a week in Ireland before heading over to London for a couple of days. He was lucky enough to win in the ballot to be able to purchase tickets to Wimbledon. 
I knew that the tickets were done by some sort of ballot or raffle but I've never understood how it actually worked or how you could get in the ballot. My Dad entered the ballot through his local tennis club somehow and was lucky enough to secure two tickets to  Centre Court to see some of the round two matches. The tickets were just for Wimbledon, he still had to pay for his own travel and accommodation so he is taking advantage of flying half way around the globe and having a greater adventure. My Auntie (Dad's sister) is going with him for the whole trip and I think that they are going to have a great time. I'm a little jealous as going to Ireland and also going to see Wimbledon are both on my bucket list, well I don't really have a bucket list but I do like my lists so I really should write one down somewhere.
My Dad has always been mad for tennis and my Mum enjoyed playing and watching it too. Dad still plays tennis at least once a week with some of his old cronies and he watches all the tennis that the TV has on free to air as well as any of the pay TV channels too.
When I was a teenager, twice Dad took the whole family to Melbourne to see the Australian Open. Both times Dad purchased three tickets to the first ten days of the tournament and between the five of us we took it in turn going and spending the day at the tennis, except for Dad, I'm pretty sure he went every day.
A few years ago I took my wife to the Australian Open for one day, we flew down the day before and flew back the day after. Unfortunately my wife had sprained her ankle the week prior to going so she was hobbling around the place so probably didn't enjoy it as much as she should have. I think we'd both like to go again some time but I would love to go to the Men's Final or at least one or two of the night matches as I've spent many days sitting in the sun at the tennis but not once gone to a night match.
I don't enjoy watching the tennis on the TV as much as my wife does and neither of us are as fanatical about it as my Dad, but there is something about seeing it in person that really makes a difference.

Bomber
Sorry about yesterday, I was pressed for time.