London 2012 Day 2 - Greenwich Park

Another 3:00 start this morning as I needed to get to Greenwich for 06:00. A quick shower, and then I had to drive all the way down to Dartford station, from where I could catch a train directly to Maze Hill.

This morning my team was assigned to the North entrance of the park, where we were to greet spectators as they came through the gates and prepare them for security. Despite the weather forecast, it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day, but by the time my team was all in position, the clouds were starting to gather..

My team in poistion at the North entrace

Today Zara Phillips was competing in the eventing dressage at 10:16, so from 08:00 until 10:00 it was extremely busy, as everyone wanted to get in before she took to the arena. Even after 10:00, it was still very busy right up until lunch. The Navy were running the security at our entrance, and you couldn't have asked for a nicer bunch of people to work with.

There are two workforce areas in Greenwich Park, where we take our meals and breaks. These are used by pretty much all of the venue staff and you can find yourself eating with police officers, soldiers, marines and sailors. Everyone is really friendly, and there's a great informal atmosphere. For two weeks we are all working together and it's a bit like a special club.

Eating lunch

In the afternoon we went to the stands, where we were to fill in gaps and provide relief for other Games Makers.

Just as Tina Cook entered the arena for Team GB, the rain arrived and the weather took a decided turn for the worse:

Tina Cook entering the arena

Despite the horrendous rain, Tina Cook did very well, but after she finished a break was called until the shower cleared. One of the problems we had this afternoon was spectators using umbrellas. They're not supposed to be used in the crowd during dressage, as it can distract the horses, but a lot of people (understandably!) refused to take them down.

The showers continued on and off for the rest of the afternoon, but it was still a fantastic day.

London 2012 Day 1 - Greenwich Park

I've just got home from my first day of volunteering. Wow, what a day I've had!
I had to get up at 03:00AM this morning, in order to get to Greenwich Park for my 06:30 start. Pretty much the only people on the train were Games Makers, and despite the early hour we were all excited and keen to get started.

Once I arrived at Euston station I took the bus, which flew through a deserted London as the sun started to rise. Once I got to Greenwich Park, I signed in and headed over to the arena, where my fellow Games Makers were starting to gather:

Games Makers gathering at the start of the day

View of the Naval College

Today's event was Eventing Dressage, and my group was assigned to the stands, directing people to their seats, providing information and generally helping the spectators. When we went in to the stands, the sky was grey and everything was eerily quiet..

Tunnel entrance to the arena

Entering the arena through the tunnel

The arena, first thing in the morning

At 08:00, the gates were opened, spectators started to arrive and the sky started to clear. I don't know much about Dressage, but it's certainly an elegant and skillful event to watch:

Watching the Dressage

Austrian rider

The weather was perfect, all of the spectators were friendly and happy and, despite being on my feet for many hours, it was a wonderful day. Time to go to bed and get some rest for tomorrow!

The Opening Ceremony (addendum)

Now that it's no longer a secret, I can post this video from my favourite part of Wednesday's rehearsal:

It looked great on TV as well, but in the arena it was so powerful and moving. What a privilege to have seen it in person.

Two surprises that they didn't show us on Wednesday were the scene with the Queen and James Bond and the segment with Rowan Atkinson/Mr Bean playing Chariots of Fire. Brilliant!

Time to go to bed, as I have to get up at 3:00 for my first day of volunteering. I'll watch the rest of the show when I get home tomorrow.

Opening Ceremony Rehearsal

Last night I was privileged to be able to go to the technical rehearsal for the London 2012 Opening Ceremony. Like many Games Makers, I received an email a few weeks ago offering me a ticket as a special thank you for volunteering and I leapt at the opportunity. Like many millions of people around the world, I will be glued to the TV tomorrow to watch the official opening, but this was a once in a lifetime chance to see it all in advance.

The Golden Ticket!

Together with two colleagues, who are all also Games Makers, we headed over to Stratford on a gloriously sunny afternoon. Once we arrived, the ticket control and security were blissfully easy and then we got to see the Olympic Park...

Going in to the Olympic Park

This is the first time that I've been to the Olympic Park, so it was really exciting to see it close up. Going in through the main gate, the first venues that you see are the Aquatic Centre on the left and the Water Polo Arena on the right. Straight ahead is the Olympic Arena and The Orbit..

Entering the park

Going past the Aquatic Centre

We then got a closer look at the The Orbit, as we headed towards one of the food areas..

A closer view of The Orbit

The location of the Olympic flame within the Park is still a secret, but there's speculation that it will actually be at the top of The Orbit.

Looking back at The Orbit from one of the food areas

Once we had eaten, it was time to head in to the arena. It was then that we realised just how huge the arena is. Our entrance was Bridge E, which was completely the other side from where we were. To walk around from one side to the other must be at least a mile in distance. On the way, we saw quite a few film crews..

When we took our seats, we discovered that we were sitting just above the royal box and that we had a terrific view.

Block 206, Row 66, Seat 437

The "pre-show" got under way at 08:00 PM, during which Danny Boyle came out, explained what we were going to see and asked that everyone #savethesurprise. So this is where this blog entry ends. What I will say about the show is that it's the most spectacular thing I've ever seen and, even if you're not into the Olympics, it will astonish you. If you possibly can, make every effort you can to watch it on TV tomorrow. You won't be disappointed.

One of the performers after the show

BBC Olympics Trailer

Love this..

Getting prepared..

Three days until the technical rehearsal of the opening ceremony and only six days until my first day of volunteering. I thought it was probably about time to wash my uniform today and start getting myself prepared..

Games Maker uniform - washed and ready to go!

My uniform is clean, my "man-bag" is packed and I think I have my transporation sorted out now - even for the days with the ridiculously early starts. My very worst day is a week from today, when I need to get to Greenwich Park for 6:00 AM on a Sunday morning. The only way I've found to accomplish this is to drive all the way from Aylesbury to Dartford, park at the station, and catch the first train to Maze Hill. If anyone reading this has a better suggestion, and which doesn't involve sleeping in a tent overnight in a London park, please let me know!

It seems like summer has arrived just in the nick of time and, judging by the current forecast, at least Friday's opening ceremony should be dry..

I saw this McDonald's commercial on television yesterday and couldn't help but smile when I saw the segments with the Games Makers in..

Just in case you can't tell, I'm getting very excited!

Venue Specific Training

On Saturday, it was time for Venue Specific Training (VST) at Greenwich Park. This was the first time that we have been able to see the venue, meet some of the people who we'll be working with and really get a flavour of what we'll be doing during the Games.

It was also the first time that I've travelled all the way from Aylesbury to Greenwich Park - not a short trip! Since I was last in London a few weeks ago, pink 2012 signs have been put up in the Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations, indicating the right trains to take for the various venues. These are certainly very useful.

Canary Wharf DLR station

Taking the DLR to Greenwich

Another welcome discovery was the free wi-fi that is being offered in all of the stations this summer. As you can't generally get a mobile phone signal on the Underground, this is great news.

Entrance to Greenwich Park

Once I got to Greenwich Park, I signed in and was directed to a large marquee. We were seated based on which direction we would be travelling to the Games from, so I was sat in the "North" section. This was a great way to share travel tips with people from your part of the country, while we waited for things to get started.

There then followed a series of presentations to inform us about the venue and the various events that will be taking place there. Following this we were split up into groups, based on our roles, and taken for a tour of the park.

Greenwich Park is where all of the equestrian events will be taking place, as well as the running, riding and shooting disciplines of the modern pentathlon. It's a massive venue (74 hectares/183 acres) and it's extremely impressive. We weren't allowed to take any photos, unfortunately, as things are still under construction and the cross-country course is meant to be confidential until Games time, but it's truly spectacular.

It's only when you see a venue up close that you begin to appreciate just how much work and organisation is required to prepare and staff just one of these places. Where do you even begin when presented with such a huge project? When you then consider how many venues there are, the overall scale of the Olympics is breathtaking.

So, another brilliant day! Next up, the Opening Ceremony technical rehearsal!

Olympic Torch Relay In Stoke Mandeville

The Olympic flame came to Stoke Mandeville today, just a ten minute walk from my office. Despite the grey clouds, loads of people came out to see it and there was a really great, happy atmosphere.

Torch Relay In Stoke Mandeville

Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympics (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14896776), so despite being a tiny place, this was a significant port of call for the Torch Relay.

Olympic Flame In Stoke Mandeville

This isn't a great video, but I hope it helps to convey some of the atmosphere of the occasion.

The momentum of the Olympics is increasing rapidly now. This Saturday is my Venue Specific Training at Greenwich Park, on July 25th I'm fortunate enough to be attending the technical rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony, and on July 28th it's my first shift as a Games Maker!

Olympic Pin Trading

Something that I've only recently become aware of is how popular pin trading is at the Olympics. I've heard it described as the "number one spectator sport" at the Olympic Games. Apparently it all started at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, and it has just been growing and growing ever since. It's expected to be hugely popular at London 2012, so I've been building a little collection to get me started..

Ready for trading! - My little London 2012 pin collection

Coca Cola is setting up Pin Trading Centres at the Olympic Park and Hyde Park, but from what I've read people will trade with you just about everywhere, and the Underground is expected to be a good source of trades!

According to the Games Maker uniform guide, we're not supposed to wear pins on our uniforms, but we can put them on the flaps of our bags. Apart from the fact that there are some really beautiful London 2012 pins out there, this seems like a really cute hobby and an ideal way of meeting people at the Games. It's a great "excuse" for striking up a conversation with someone and, even if you don't have a language in common, anyone can understand the process, so it seems like a perfect, international ice-breaker!