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Former tennis player Andrew Castle
1. Tennis
When you do something you love as a career it can become a job rather than a pleasure, which is what happened to me with tennis. After retiring at the age of 28, I didn’t pick up a racket again for more than a decade. So the first time I played again was a rather spiritual experience. In fact, I was so moved that I started laughing out loud. In that single moment my old love of tennis returned. I recently had a hip replacement but it hasn’t diminished my passion for the game and I play as often as I can. There is something so magical about the bounce of the ball on the strings and the feel of your feet gliding across the court.
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2. Musicals
My daughter Georgina has always dreamt of being on the stage. Last year she appeared in the West End musical Dirty Dancing and she is currently starring in Mamma Mia! Musicals have become a really important part of my life and I love losing all sense of myself in a theatre.
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'The first time I played again was a rather spiritual experience'
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The moment I got home from school, my mother used to make me Marmite on toast
Andrew Castle
3. Marmite
The moment I got home from school, my mother used to make me Marmite on toast and the spread has always been a real taste of home for me. When I was travelling the world as a tennis player I always made sure I had a jar with me wherever I went as it could make even the most disgusting dish palatable. I love eating but I have never been what you would describe as a foodie. For me, food is functional rather than an art form.
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'When I was travelling the world as a tennis player I always made sure I had a jar with me'
The sexiest tennis outfits of all time
Tue, July 12, 2016
As Nike recalls their new tennis dress for being to revealing, we take a look at the sexiest tennis outfits of all time.
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The sexiest tennis outfits of all time
4. Noise cancelling headphones
At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man, I think the world is becoming far too noisy and it is difficult to find a moment’s peace. Everywhere you go, people are on their phones or there are radios blaring. These days there is even music in lifts. The endless racket of the traffic and building work has become so bad that at times I have even thought of leaving London, which is a shame because it is a city I love. At least my wonderful headphones give me some respite from the constant clamour.
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'In January most of us need to see the sunshine'
5. Sunshine
At this time of year my mother used to spend hours browsing through sun-kissed holiday brochures, which I always thought was strange as she very rarely went on holiday. Now I completely understand it. In January most of us need to see the sunshine, even if the nearest we get to it is in a magazine or on the television. I love blue skies and the warmth of the sun and need to know that there is a balmy beach break not too far on the horizon. My wife has never been keen on the idea of trekking and that suits me as I am happy lying on the sand by the sea. l Andrew Castle is supporting #Scarfie, Asthma UK’s latest campaign. Social media users are encouraged to wrap, snap and share a selfie with a twist to reduce the risk of asthma attacks brought on by cold winter air. Visit asthma.org.uk/ scarfie.
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