The rainbow never sets

"That's much better than if you had to unlearn some bad habits." "And how much is a private lesson?"

"For you it will be DM3. I suggest you take one lesson, then practice as much as you can, and a couple of weeks later I will give you another. Then you will be set up for a while."

That sounded reasonable. There and then I decided to take the plunge. I had to buy a tennis racquet and some balls, and on 14 April 1950 I turned up for my first coaching lesson.

First Herr Ramisch showed me the basics, how to hold a racquet, how to swing my arm, forehand first, then back hand, and then he hit a ball to me. I was quite excited and enjoyed it very much, and I don't think I did too badly on the first day. After the lesson, he suggested to practice with someone from the club. I didn't think there would be anyone willing to play with such a novice as me, but there was.

Over the next few weeks I took six lessons in all, and enjoyed it very much. Fräulein Meyer was pleased that I had taken it up, and later on I even played a few games with her.

The major bonus to playing tennis was that I had something to do over the otherwise boring weekends. The club also provided some cheap meals, like fried eggs and fried potatoes, so I spent most weekends from then on at the club.

My social life changed too. By playing tennis with whoever needed a partner, I also met some nice people of my own age, or slightly older. One business man took a group of us in his car on a tour through Carlshaven, Pyrmont and Hameln, along the river Weser, during the Whitsunday holidays. It was a lovely time of the year with the vegetation all out in fresh green. Standing on top of the Porta Westfalica, overlooking the deep gorge the river Weser had carved out of the mountain range over thousands of years, reminded me of the battles that had been fought in the plains below for many centuries. Battles won and lost by ordinary people. A shudder crept down my spine, and not only because of the height. Many young and innocent lives had been lost because of the selfishness and insatiable greed of those who held power over the poor. I didn't care for such power and hoped I would never be part of it.

In Bremen life continued its hectic pace until the summer holidays. It was a relief not to be going to evening classes, and so I spent most evenings playing tennis.

We had another school reunion which took place during the first weekend in July, this time in Hameln. I met Bernd there, and it was good to see him again after such a long time, also the other friends from the boarding house.

The shorter evenings in August at the club house meant that members started to drink earlier, and some of my friends tried to get me into their drinking circle. As I didn't enjoy drinking as much as they did, and didn't have the money to waste anyway, I lost quite a few friends. I found them

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