London 2012: Rowing at Eton Dorney

A 5.30am wake up on a Saturday morning is only even remotely acceptable when a) you're going on holiday or b) you're going to the London 2012 Olympics.  I was lucky enough to be able to get tickets to day one of rowing - the longest day in the whole rowing competition.  

The organisation for the whole event was superb - we arrived at the park and ride at Windsor Great Park for 7am to find no queues and although busy, there were plenty of buses and volunteers on hand to direct everyone.  When we arrived at Dorney itself, we were guided through the entrance onto the concourse that led to the entrance.  The staff were really smiley and friendly, waving and grinning as we all walked in.  At security, we were met by soldiers who were just as smiley as the volunteers.  Although exactly the same as airport security (we had to put our bags in trays that went through an x-ray machine whilst we walked through a scanner), the Olympic security seemed much better organised and there was only a queue of a minute or so before we were safely through and on our way to the stands.

Around the main grandstand area, there were numerous shops, stalls and food outlets.  There were considerable queues for food and drink but again, when you spoke to staff, they all seemed very happy to be working there despite how hectic it must have been for them.  My only complaint would be that when I went to the shop to buy a team GB flag (we were sitting in the front row, so I had to get a flag to drape over the barrier in front!), they only appeared to have one card machine.  It lead to complete chaos since we had all been told that cash and Visa would be accepted at Olympic events.  That said, I did get my flag and an Olympic keyring so I was happy in the end!

Unfortunately Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter weren't rowing but the first heats started with the women's pairs in which Team GB's Helen Glover and Heather Stanning set a new Olympic record!  What a start to the day!  Team GB also went straight through in the men's double sculls, men's lightweight four, men's quadruple sculls, men's pair and men's single sculls.  All in all a great day for Team GB!

I'm now frantically trying to get tickets for more events - I had a great day and I'd love to see some more Olympic action live!

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Weekly round up

Our house is beginning to look less like a bomb's hit it and more like a home now thankfully!  After frantic painting and decorating to get the walls and skirting boards done, we had the floor fitted in the living room/downstairs toilet/hallways this week.  We're both really pleased with the great job that the guy did and it looks great!  The living room furniture and dining table and chairs also arrived this week, so we're just waiting for the sofa until we're there!  After that, the fun bit of accessorising begins and Emily, I assure you I'll put photos up and give you a tour when it's all done :)

I managed to avoid most of Euro 2012 (I like football but we're always hopeless so I've kind of lost interest - not very patriotic of me is it?) but we did head down to the pub to watch the game vs Italy.  I'm a bit worried that I was some sort of jinx though since that's when we went out....

On Friday night we went to see Rhod Gilbert at Southampton Guildhall.  I got tickets for Danny's birthday (New Year's Eve) so we've been waiting a while for this to come around.  It definitely wasn't a disappointment - Rhod was hilarious!  The Guildhall doesn't appear to have air conditioning though unfortunately so it was absolutely roasting inside.  Has anyone else been to any events there?  It was a bit distractingly hot to be honest but we had a great time all the same.

Oh, and just because a weekly round up wouldn't be the same without some form of food, check out the Gü chocolate soufflé that I had for dessert last night.  Deeeeeelicious! :)