ironbrew

Did Andy not reach semi in Paris last year? QF at least. A year which was not a good one for him. Reckon Djokovic`s big target this year will be to win at RG, likewise for Federer. I reckon Murray has more chance in Paris than at Wimbledon. First up tomorrow where I reckon he has a chance even with Rafa having crowd and surface in his favour. If Andy wins, will he be first to win same tournament on 2 different surfaces?

If authorities have decided pyramid system should be introduced should they not offer financial help for clubs with high traveling expenses? As an example, Spanish league clubs in Canary Islands (probably Balearics too) and North Africa (Ceuta and Melilla) in 2ª (3rd level) and maybe higher levels get financial help from Spanish FA to help with having to travel to mainland Spain every two weeks. No bus company interested in sponsoring lower divisions in Scotland?

Don`t think it would be available on Spanish NHS (only extractions I think) but private Spanish dentists would charge about half or less what private Scottish dentists would charge. Maybe same for opticians? And in Hungary or Poland less than half.

Losing 5 out of 5 is pretty bad to say the least and we were well outplayed today but we could easily have won any of the first three matches and played well at times at Twickenham. When we had a winning team at times in late 20th century we always had a lot of players from Borders clubs. Realise sport is now professional but are there still good players from Borders in our team? As with football, need to get more people playing sport at an early age whether at school or at clubs. A question, when people mention elitism and rugby/tennis etc and say "public" schools why don`t they say "private/fee-paying/independent"? I thought "public" schools in Scotland meant what English call "state" schools. Certainly was the case until quite recently. Another case of Anglicisation.

Eibar in Basque country have Scozia la Brava or similar. Tenerife flags are Saltires I think.

What about flights to Lisbon and Seville (holiday weekend in Spain as 12th is Spain`s national holiday) both great cities to spend a day or two in? Buses from Seville to Faro and trains and buses from Lisbon.

Town of Pottsdam is worth a visit. Last stop on local train so day pass is valid. Nice village to wander round and open top bus to visit nearby palaces.

Could be some fixture problems at end of May with last round of playoffs and cup final about same time. Matches in June perhaps.

Does this mean there`ll be a weekend friendly for first team in March 2016 or maybe 2 friendlies that week? Or would league continue despite Under 21 matches on Friday and Tuesday?

Stayed at Catalonia Atocha recently and it was fine. Within walking distance of Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, museums etc and lots of bars and restaurants nearby. Metro station next door and near Atocha station if you want to visit Toledo. Other Catalonia hotels in same street too.

Nadal through and only dropped 6 games. Looks like round 2 scare has woken him up.

I did 2 Interails in my late teens a long time ago and they`re still the best holidays I`ve ever had. I still travel a lot by train for work and holidays and have used Interrail cards in recent years (Global and single country) on some trips. Unfortunately many night trains (Spain to France/Italy/Switzerland, Germany to Denmark etc) have been withdrawn in last 3 or 4 years (really hope Caledonian Sleeper can continue since night trains have many advantages that high-speed day trains or flights will never replace). There are still night trains within France and you have option of booking whole compartment for yourself with a supplement (amount depends on number of people but maximum is 70€ for one person having 4-bed compartment to themselves). No showers or anything but safe and comfortable and there are showers in all Paris stations and others in France. I also recommend seat61.com and for booking loco2 and capitainetrain (can keep reservation without paying for 20 days) are good especially for France. Modern stations have become like airports and I`ve noticed that rail passengers don`t speak to each other much but it`s still a great way to travel, see places and meet people. If we qualify for Euro 2016 there`ll be loads of threads about rail cards etc but fortunately there are loads of options in France and surrounding countries.

For early March it`s got to be indoor. Elsewhere in Europe where sports like basketball are popular it`s probably easy to find indoor venues with capacities of between 4000 and 10000 but in Scotland , England or Wales it may not be so easy without spending a lot on building a court in a concert venue.

Thanks for replies. Never really expect to sleep much if at all on overnight trips but at least lying down makes you feel you`ve rested a bit. On a train, you can snore yourself or not be bothered by snorers but on a bus that`ll be different. High price of Gold suggests people pay it for some reason. Hopefully I`ll get a day bus but will consider Gold if not possible. Maybe for another thread but is UK the only country in the world where there are no trains (except Eurostar and maybe Strathclyde trains on Boxing Day) on 25th and 26th December? One excuse is maintenance work but when do they do that in other countries?

Anyone used Megabus Gold? Been looking at night buses from London on nights when there`s no Caledonian Sleeper and Megabus Gold looks good on video but is also more expensive than usual bus. Is it worth paying the extra? Not sure if food is included so main advantage seems to be being able to lie down.

Playing at Viena 250 this week. Ferrer too and other rivals for London in other 250s this week. Then maybe Valencia in 500 before Paris. Ferrer in great form after irregular season so doubt he`ll catch him. Didn`t see Ferrer defeat but Murray looked jaded in previous round despite win.

Tavira (boat to island with beach), Carvoeiro or places just over the border in Spain (Cartaya,Isla Cristina..). Faro would be for a 1 night stay not for a holiday.