We went down to London yesterday as we had tickets for Beach Volleyball (I know, I know). We also went into the Hyde Park Live Site, and to the Royal lLbert Hall for a family (Wallace & Grommitt Prom). (For anyone with kids, the family Prom there is a fantastic experience, and very cheap- definitely worth a go, u don't have to be into classical music) For anyone going to the Olympics events, a few thoughts:- Transport - not nearly as difficult as being made out. In fact a doddle. Nowhere near the volume of traffic we were expecting. Parked for free at Stanmore, tube in. Easy. Managed to get a seat on every train, no probs. Hyde Park was a bit disappointing tbh. Plenty of big screens up, so if you catch a good event, on a nice day, it's probably ok, but they've got you over a barrell. Airport style security checks, full on bag searches, no food or drink to be taken in, and then once you're in, food = £6.50 a sandwich, £4.50 - £5 a pint. The Volleyball was great. What a stadium to say it's a temporary structure! Really enjoyable, and they get the crowd going good & proper! (and the players do, I think!) Only downside - again the queing for bag checks. Ended up walking up & down the length of St James' Park just to get in. You really need at least an hour to get into venues. Have to say, every single member of staff we came across was so polite.... overly polite really. From the underground staff, to the stewards, the security staff - they couldn't do enough for people. Not seen the Olympic Park yet - saving that for a later trip, but we had a really great day.
Thanks, we're at the beach volleyball next Saturday night, so will bear in mind how long it takes to get in. Was going to go to Hyde Park on Sunday morning, but might swerve that now from what you said. Then Olympic Park on Sunday afternoon, then Earls Court for volleyball on Monday. Actually really looking forward to it now.
Re the queues for the Beach Volleyball.... We got out at St James' Park and walked directly into the top end (Downing St end) park, with the stadium to our right. We ended up having to walk all the way down to Buckingham Palace, and then back up to the opposite side to get into the stadium. In hindsight we'd have been better off approaching from the Mall side. AMybe if there had been some bands on at the time we were in Hyde Park, it would have been better, but there was only screens. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the Beach Volleyballl though.
Went to football at Old Trafford last Thursday That was a doodle to get in if you didn't have a bag. Emptied your pockets into a plastic bag (which wasn't actually inspected as you walked through), a quick pat down by one of the volunteers and we were in. No liquids allowed and then £3 for a bottle of Oasis once inside. The Olympic experience was dismal - it's obvious that all the money has been spent in London. There was no pre-mtach entertainment, no half-time entertainment, an hour between matches when nothing happened, no MC to warm the crowd up, no mascots, cheerleaders, gymnasts - absolutely nothing. 72,000 in there, mainly families - you'd have thought there'd have been more razzmataz than that - even boot a few autographed plastic footballs into the crowd would have been something. Oakwell's like the Olympic opening ceremony compared to what we got. Watched the beach volleyball yesterday and that was different altogether with an MC revving up the crowd, songs to sing along to and a much better experience. I think the football must be paying for some of the other events because they must have took in at least £4,000,000 in ticket,program and food sales at Old Trafford with no outlay on entertainment and all the attendants being volunteers.
I was looking out for you, mate But these lasses in bikinis kept getting in the way. It really annoyed me!!
Re: I was looking out for you, mate You must have been cheering for Argentina then ... the only ones brave enough. They had quite a following by the end of the game. I was the one at the back who got the Mexican Wave going.
Re: I was looking out for you, mate If it really was you getting it going well done - we noticed it happening in the background as we were looking out for you too.
