We left Leamington Spa at 0714, and that train was busy, standing room only by the time we'd passed Banbury, and I don't think I've ever seen it that busy in the week. Arriving in Marylebone, we made our way through the barriers, and saw the first of the armies of deep purple clad volunteers. We were handed a walking map to give us options beyond the Tube, and made our way out into the city.
We grabbed breakfast on Baker Street before moving on to Oxford Street and boarding the Central Line at Marble Arch. The Games was unmissable, wherever you were, and Marble Arch station was virtually taken over by Coca-Cola, their sponsorship adorning all parts of the station.
The Underground was a pleasant surprise. We walked on to the Eastbound platform, and were the only ones on there! All the way out to Stratford, there were only 2 or 3 people standing. So far, so good. The much hyped Underground Apocalypse was nowhere to be seen.
When we got to Olympic Park, this also went smoothly, through security in no time, helped by members of the armed forces, not the clowns at G4S. It's an impressive piece of 'place making' (as Wayne Hemingway called it in the official programme). The venues themselves are incredibly impressive, and the public spaces that surround them are beautifully laid out, and enjoyable to walk around. As we wandered past Anish Kapoor's 'Orbit' sculpture, we noticed a line of people, creating the edges of a road for a VIP to enter. While the security guard was playing it a bit coy, the VIP arrived - none other that Her Majesty, The Queen. Great timing to arrive for that. She was going up the Orbit Tower, in the wonderful company (I'm sure) of Boris Johnson.
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Strolling around the Park was great - not only were there a lot of lovely people, and great volunteering staff, but from time to time, an Olympian would run past you, keeping themselves in shape for the upcoming events. It's great to think about how they must be feeling now - 4 years of immense effort and commitment, trying to qualify for the greatest sporting event on Earth. What must it be like to know that it's here, only a few days away perhaps before the culmination of those 4 years, where dreams can be realised or shattered by the finest of margins.
The venues are great. The Olympic Stadium itself is huge, and through the gaps in the side, we caught a glimpse of the flame, lit the night before and still burning in the centre of the stadium in the beautiful copper cauldron. The Aquatics Centre was alive with cheering from the moment we arrived, with the temporary stands decorated with the Olympic rings. And perhaps the most impressive (and apparently the most eco-friendly), is the Velodrome, nicknamed 'The Pringle' on account of its curved appearance.
We walked back towards the exit via the 'wetland' area that's been created. It's a rare peaceful moment on the park, which is otherwise alive with spectators, music and noisy Coca-Cola representatives.
Earlier in the day, I had spoken to one person of his hopes for the Games - Dr. Dave Higgins, team doctor to the US hockey team, and a veteran of 5 Olympic Games - and he was looking forward to a US v GB final. It was great to have the chance to speak to someone so closely involved in the action.
Also very encouraging was his appraisal of the organisation and facilities - "Don't believe what you've read in the media", he said. "This place is fantastic".
And he should know.
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