London, and Harrow, is going to feel very flat when the Games are over.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
The torch came through Harrow
And it was a very exciting day too. It also happened to be my birthday.
London, and Harrow, is going to feel very flat when the Games are over.
London, and Harrow, is going to feel very flat when the Games are over.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Opening Ceremony - Technical Rehearsal
I went to this as a result of a ballot for Gamesmakers. I suspect all applicants were lucky though. 2 tickets would have been better. I was sent 2 but one was withdrawn as it was an error. Bad luck sis.
It is hard work getting to the stadium from the station if you are a bit disabled like me. I made the error of taking the free shuttle bus which took an age to get through the security (I'm sure one of the soldiers on the round was Prince Harry)! After all that it only seemed to take you about 100 metres nearer. No sign of any buggies to catch so I walked and I was very tired when I got to my seat.
Everyone was very friendly which was just as well because the whole thing took ages to get going and seemed very disjointed at first. I think this is because you don't get the full picture (like on the telly) when you are a spectator.
I loved it! From the cows, the Chelsea Pensioners, Frank Turner, Rowan Atkinson, the cheesy announcer, the NCO, NYO and LSO and Simon Rattle, to the glorious pyrotechnics. Fab. Well done Danny Boyle.
And I left early because of getting back to the train. Lovely atmosphere, lovely company both in and out of the stadium and on the ride home.
Cannot wait for the real thing. And we have the Olympic torch tomorrow!!
"Save the surprise" was last night's plea from LOCOG. Good job my photos were rubbish. I'll leave you with a couple that don't give too much away.
It is hard work getting to the stadium from the station if you are a bit disabled like me. I made the error of taking the free shuttle bus which took an age to get through the security (I'm sure one of the soldiers on the round was Prince Harry)! After all that it only seemed to take you about 100 metres nearer. No sign of any buggies to catch so I walked and I was very tired when I got to my seat.
Everyone was very friendly which was just as well because the whole thing took ages to get going and seemed very disjointed at first. I think this is because you don't get the full picture (like on the telly) when you are a spectator.
I loved it! From the cows, the Chelsea Pensioners, Frank Turner, Rowan Atkinson, the cheesy announcer, the NCO, NYO and LSO and Simon Rattle, to the glorious pyrotechnics. Fab. Well done Danny Boyle.
And I left early because of getting back to the train. Lovely atmosphere, lovely company both in and out of the stadium and on the ride home.
Cannot wait for the real thing. And we have the Olympic torch tomorrow!!
"Save the surprise" was last night's plea from LOCOG. Good job my photos were rubbish. I'll leave you with a couple that don't give too much away.
Monday, 16 July 2012
Venue training - nearly there!
Two weeks to go until the Olympic Games, London 2012 or whatever you want to call it, begins. Those of us based at Lord's were summoned to one of 3 Venue Training sessions at the weekend. I chose Saturday. Like the summer so far it was wet. Very wet. The wettest July on record in fact, close on the heels of the wettest June. Surely it must buck up for the Olympics?
There is much in the press about the security of the event being a fiasco. Be that as it may there were loads of G4S guards on duty at the East Gate entrance. One of them directed me to the furthest corner of the ground, God knows why. Fortunately I sussed something was wrong before I got too far. In fact the Portakabin I should have been sent to was to the left of his signing-in table. Doesn't really inspire one with confidence does it? I'm sorry for any Forces personnel missing their leave but I for one am glad they are going to be there.
We began by having our accreditation checked and being given a cereal bar from one of our sponsors. We then foregathered in the Thomas Lord Suite, watched from the walls by Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, for a briefing and intro to our Team managers.All very straightforward. This was followed by a tour of the important parts of the ground from our point of view.
The hallowed Long Room.
Alas I was told off by a Member for taking pictures inside so that's all I can add.
Our meal area is on top of the Mound Stand where we get a splendid view of the ground but not necessarily of the archery which is confined to the section in front of the pavilion. All sorts of structures have been erected and you have to wonder what state the cricket playing area will be in once the archery is completed.
Finally we repaired to one of the Corporate Hospitality boxes which are being used as offices for the Games. Here we were told that we are in teams of 6, there won't be any mobility scooters (!) and that as 3000 per show is a relatively small crowd we will proably be on General Information and pushing wheelchair duties. I didn't like to point out that a lot of the time I could do with a wheelchair myself, as it was fairly obvious from the way I had to keep using the only lift that was in operation on Saturday. This could be a problem. We shall see.
We are all apparently going to get walkie-talkies so I must busy myself learning the jargon. I think it was something like Z Victor 1. Or was that an another life?
There is much in the press about the security of the event being a fiasco. Be that as it may there were loads of G4S guards on duty at the East Gate entrance. One of them directed me to the furthest corner of the ground, God knows why. Fortunately I sussed something was wrong before I got too far. In fact the Portakabin I should have been sent to was to the left of his signing-in table. Doesn't really inspire one with confidence does it? I'm sorry for any Forces personnel missing their leave but I for one am glad they are going to be there.
We began by having our accreditation checked and being given a cereal bar from one of our sponsors. We then foregathered in the Thomas Lord Suite, watched from the walls by Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, for a briefing and intro to our Team managers.All very straightforward. This was followed by a tour of the important parts of the ground from our point of view.
The hallowed Long Room.
Alas I was told off by a Member for taking pictures inside so that's all I can add.
Our meal area is on top of the Mound Stand where we get a splendid view of the ground but not necessarily of the archery which is confined to the section in front of the pavilion. All sorts of structures have been erected and you have to wonder what state the cricket playing area will be in once the archery is completed.
Finally we repaired to one of the Corporate Hospitality boxes which are being used as offices for the Games. Here we were told that we are in teams of 6, there won't be any mobility scooters (!) and that as 3000 per show is a relatively small crowd we will proably be on General Information and pushing wheelchair duties. I didn't like to point out that a lot of the time I could do with a wheelchair myself, as it was fairly obvious from the way I had to keep using the only lift that was in operation on Saturday. This could be a problem. We shall see.
We are all apparently going to get walkie-talkies so I must busy myself learning the jargon. I think it was something like Z Victor 1. Or was that an another life?
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
I have the uniform
Another interesting day out involving the DLR. This time to a station called Star Lane. In my childhood this particular stop would probably have been called a halt so tiny and insignificant is its location. In the distance I could see the Emirates Cable Car that is being constructed over Greenwich. It seemed to be working!
And I collected my uniform. All very efficiently done by LOCOG. So what do you think?
I quite like it! Trousers are a size 20 although I could just about fit into the 18. The top is an 18. Trainers are size 9 . . . .
I quite like it! Trousers are a size 20 although I could just about fit into the 18. The top is an 18. Trainers are size 9 . . . .
Saturday, 7 April 2012
And so to Hackney
I am on a maintaining spree at the moment with SW. My head is there, but only just, and there is too much chocolate about.
Yesterday we took the Role-specific part of our training, at Hackney Community College. Very professionally done and I now feel a bit more prepared. The sad thing is that there are to be no electric buggies at Lord's. The venue is too small. Instead we are charged with mobility scooters and wheelchairs. I thought I would mind but, to be honest, if Lord's isn't big enough then I am quite sure I won't have the stamina for any of the larger venues. It has amused me that I achieved qualifications that can be set towards NVQs and City and Guilds certificates. No doubt this will come in handy when I am made redundant by the Music Service. What did we learn? Well nothing I hope that we don't do already in our lives. Be friendly, helpful, alert and caring. Welcome the rest of the World to this wonderful event. Can I work a Mobility scooter yet? Probably not. Can I open and shut a folded wheelchair? Yes. Can I guide a partially sighted visitor to his or her seat? Hopefully. One worry. There were a couple of volunteers there who still hadn't done anything about where to stay and who thought that if all else failed they would go to a hostel. It doesn't seem to have occurred to them that there just might be a million or so spectators with exactly the same idea. It is of course very likely that if you don't live in London you haven't quite grasped the scale of this. I do live in London and I'm not sure I have!!
Yesterday we took the Role-specific part of our training, at Hackney Community College. Very professionally done and I now feel a bit more prepared. The sad thing is that there are to be no electric buggies at Lord's. The venue is too small. Instead we are charged with mobility scooters and wheelchairs. I thought I would mind but, to be honest, if Lord's isn't big enough then I am quite sure I won't have the stamina for any of the larger venues. It has amused me that I achieved qualifications that can be set towards NVQs and City and Guilds certificates. No doubt this will come in handy when I am made redundant by the Music Service. What did we learn? Well nothing I hope that we don't do already in our lives. Be friendly, helpful, alert and caring. Welcome the rest of the World to this wonderful event. Can I work a Mobility scooter yet? Probably not. Can I open and shut a folded wheelchair? Yes. Can I guide a partially sighted visitor to his or her seat? Hopefully. One worry. There were a couple of volunteers there who still hadn't done anything about where to stay and who thought that if all else failed they would go to a hostel. It doesn't seem to have occurred to them that there just might be a million or so spectators with exactly the same idea. It is of course very likely that if you don't live in London you haven't quite grasped the scale of this. I do live in London and I'm not sure I have!!
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
One year on
It is a year since my lovely Italian lady doctor broke the news to me that I was very overweight and that the amount of alcohol I was drinking was showing up as a near-death experience on my blood tests. None of this was of course news. I have been in denial for years.
I haven't been a very good Fat Clubber for the last couple of weeks. I've worked hard and I've needed comfort (chocolate), so I don't think my SW result tonight is going to be anything other than a couple of pounds on. I can live with that.
The good news however is that I went to see the lovely doctor again today and I have lost 14 kilos since she last weighed me. She was absolutely delighted. Words cannot express how chuffed I am either. I still haven't made my 2 stone award at the meeting but I have lost that, and a couple of pounds more, in a year.
If that doesn't spur me on then nothing will.
I have another Olympic training session this Saturday. In Hoxton. Wish me luck.
I haven't been a very good Fat Clubber for the last couple of weeks. I've worked hard and I've needed comfort (chocolate), so I don't think my SW result tonight is going to be anything other than a couple of pounds on. I can live with that.
The good news however is that I went to see the lovely doctor again today and I have lost 14 kilos since she last weighed me. She was absolutely delighted. Words cannot express how chuffed I am either. I still haven't made my 2 stone award at the meeting but I have lost that, and a couple of pounds more, in a year.
If that doesn't spur me on then nothing will.
I have another Olympic training session this Saturday. In Hoxton. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Club 10
It has been a close-run thing but tonight I reached Club 10. That means that since starting Slimming World I have lost 10% of my body weight. It shows, despite my still being fat. In fact there was a girl there last night who won a Biggest Loser award, 4 and a half stone off since July. Amazing. But she still looks large.
Am pleased though, and the dreaded Image Therapy or whatever it's called was quite motivating for once. Although I had to sit next to the resident mad woman. It was also buffet night. There was some seriously good stuff there. And one or two weirder offerings. I now know why I don't make SW frittata!
Hey ho.
Am pleased though, and the dreaded Image Therapy or whatever it's called was quite motivating for once. Although I had to sit next to the resident mad woman. It was also buffet night. There was some seriously good stuff there. And one or two weirder offerings. I now know why I don't make SW frittata!
Hey ho.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Not much to report
Which is why I've been quiet. Generally I am still losing but half term got in the way - I put on 4lbs in a week - not good. Have now lost it and am 16 stone exactly, still 2 pounds away from Club 10. I HAVE to make that next week.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Olympic matters
Today was the second big day on my Olympic journey. The prospective Gamesmakers were invited to Wembley Arena for something called Orientation Training. I had no idea what that meant but was jolly glad it wasn't Orienteering Training which sounded far too energetic for me.
Before you ask, and I know you want to, the diet is frozen. As am I. We are currently experiencing temperatures well below zero and I need comfort. Like toasted cheese which is frowned on by SW. And Cadbury's chocolate. Ditto.
The day began with a dither. It being so cold I couldn't decide whether to drive to Wembley and face a £10 parking charge, or, take the tube to Wembley Park and have a walk that is just slightly less than comfortable for my poor wrecked knees. I drove. It was the wrong decision. I had thought that being an almost-local I would be able to find a convenient side street in which to park. Roadworks everywhere put paid to that. To cap it all whilst I was looking for a parking space I overtook a parked bus and inadvertently jumped a red light which the bus was concealing. You would know that there was a Police van immediately behind me. I don't know whether I have been done or not. The Police were very nice once they'd ascertained that I wasn't a boy racer and that I was properly taxed and insured but time will tell. If I have got 3 points then actually I can probably say goodbye to my Olympic career as an Electric Vehicle operative.
And so to the Arena. We were greeted by Wenlock and Mandeville, the 2012 mascots.
As an aside, the official Mascot song which is very catchy indeed has been composed by Tom from McFly and is sung by he and his sister Carrie Fletcher. I taught Carrie the recorder when she was in Year 2 - a tenuous claim to fame I know but we are still in touch via Twitter and I work with her mum!
The Arena was full. And yesterday was one of many Gamesmaker presentations so it really brought home the scale of the volunteering programme. Awesome is the only word that gets anywhere near doing it justice. And people came from all over the UK voluntarily, unpaid. The guy in front of me was from Northern Ireland, the Nigerian next to me ran an ethnic athletics programme in a poorer area of Birmingham. And there were whole families who had volunteered and been accepted!
We were entertained and inspired by Jonathan Edwards the triple jumper, Huw Edwards who reads the News (he was so good)!, Lord Coe and comedian Eddie Izzard whom I was fortunate enough to meet later. We saw our uniform (the jury is still out on the epaulettes and the colours), we received a workbook (and have to learn the British sign-language alphabet by our next visit), and plenty of instruction from videos and other Gamesmakers. We have to learn politically correct jargon - e.g Accessible toilets not Disabled ones (although I always laugh at the thought that a toilet is disabled).I could have done without the Cadbury's karaoke in the interval but we did get free chocolate! All the interpersonal skills will be the subject of our next training session in the depths of Hackney next month.
It was dark inside and my other pictures don't do the occasion justice but in my wildest dreams I don't think until yesterday I had comprehended just how huge London 2012 is going to be.
Bring it on I say!
And the diet? Well today it's getting back on track but I have a filthy cold and don't much fancy food anyway so that has to be A Good Thing.
Before you ask, and I know you want to, the diet is frozen. As am I. We are currently experiencing temperatures well below zero and I need comfort. Like toasted cheese which is frowned on by SW. And Cadbury's chocolate. Ditto.
The day began with a dither. It being so cold I couldn't decide whether to drive to Wembley and face a £10 parking charge, or, take the tube to Wembley Park and have a walk that is just slightly less than comfortable for my poor wrecked knees. I drove. It was the wrong decision. I had thought that being an almost-local I would be able to find a convenient side street in which to park. Roadworks everywhere put paid to that. To cap it all whilst I was looking for a parking space I overtook a parked bus and inadvertently jumped a red light which the bus was concealing. You would know that there was a Police van immediately behind me. I don't know whether I have been done or not. The Police were very nice once they'd ascertained that I wasn't a boy racer and that I was properly taxed and insured but time will tell. If I have got 3 points then actually I can probably say goodbye to my Olympic career as an Electric Vehicle operative.
And so to the Arena. We were greeted by Wenlock and Mandeville, the 2012 mascots.
As an aside, the official Mascot song which is very catchy indeed has been composed by Tom from McFly and is sung by he and his sister Carrie Fletcher. I taught Carrie the recorder when she was in Year 2 - a tenuous claim to fame I know but we are still in touch via Twitter and I work with her mum!
The Arena was full. And yesterday was one of many Gamesmaker presentations so it really brought home the scale of the volunteering programme. Awesome is the only word that gets anywhere near doing it justice. And people came from all over the UK voluntarily, unpaid. The guy in front of me was from Northern Ireland, the Nigerian next to me ran an ethnic athletics programme in a poorer area of Birmingham. And there were whole families who had volunteered and been accepted!
We were entertained and inspired by Jonathan Edwards the triple jumper, Huw Edwards who reads the News (he was so good)!, Lord Coe and comedian Eddie Izzard whom I was fortunate enough to meet later. We saw our uniform (the jury is still out on the epaulettes and the colours), we received a workbook (and have to learn the British sign-language alphabet by our next visit), and plenty of instruction from videos and other Gamesmakers. We have to learn politically correct jargon - e.g Accessible toilets not Disabled ones (although I always laugh at the thought that a toilet is disabled).I could have done without the Cadbury's karaoke in the interval but we did get free chocolate! All the interpersonal skills will be the subject of our next training session in the depths of Hackney next month.
It was dark inside and my other pictures don't do the occasion justice but in my wildest dreams I don't think until yesterday I had comprehended just how huge London 2012 is going to be.
Bring it on I say!
And the diet? Well today it's getting back on track but I have a filthy cold and don't much fancy food anyway so that has to be A Good Thing.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
A good result!
I have lost another pound and thus gained my one and a half stone award. Instead of my regular Wednesday group I took a chance on going to the earlier Monday one as I am eating out today (Tuesday). It paid off and of course I now have 8 days before my next weigh-in. I am 16 stone 2. It would be great (and not impossible) to break the 16 stone barrier.
Alcohol still doesn't feature and I think I have cut my chocolate intake. Not enough though.
In fact there are two other targets. 15 stone 10 would take me to Club 10 - that's when you have lost 10% of your enrolling bodyweight. 15 stone 9 would be 2 stone off.
Come on Jude. You know you can do it!
Alcohol still doesn't feature and I think I have cut my chocolate intake. Not enough though.
In fact there are two other targets. 15 stone 10 would take me to Club 10 - that's when you have lost 10% of your enrolling bodyweight. 15 stone 9 would be 2 stone off.
Come on Jude. You know you can do it!
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
The daily diary
Friday 6th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres.
1 apple, grapes, dates (Syns)
Ham
Shape yogurt
Redbush tea
More ham
Salad
3 mini Babybel lite
1 clementine
Grapes
100g Green and Blacks extra creamy milk chocolate!!!
Spaghetti Bolognese SW-style
4 TUC biscuits
Hartley's Low-cal jelly (Syns)
In my defence re the chocolate . . . it's Friday, I'm tired, I needed a reward and the chocolate was in the cupboard. And it was better for me than drinking alcohol.
Saturday 7th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres
Bacon roll
Redbush tea
Gammon
Green veg
New potatoes
Pineapple
More chocolate
We will gloss over Sunday which was a disaster but fits into Flexible Syns Day.
Monday 9th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres
2 small slices wholemeal toast
Extra-light Philadelphia cheese
Redbush tea
Lunch at aunt's house so no chance to diet:
Lamb steaks with tomato and onion
Mash, broccoli
Apple pie, cream, cheese, biscuits
Fruit for the rest of the day
Tuesday 10th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres
2 slices wholemeal toast with low-fat Philly
1 clementine
Redbush tea
10 Cadbury's mini-eggs
Tin of Weightwatcher's Chicken, potato and leek soup
Grapes
Chicken livers, courgettes and tomatoes fried in Fry-Lite
Hartley's Low Cal jelly
More bloody chocolate. What is wrong with me??
Grapes
And today (Wedneday and weigh-in day) wasn't much better chocolate-wise. However, have just been to SW and have lost another 2.5lbs.
Am astonished.
It must be the alcohol-free zone I have entered. Let's see if I can be chocolate-free as well for the next week.
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres.
1 apple, grapes, dates (Syns)
Ham
Shape yogurt
Redbush tea
More ham
Salad
3 mini Babybel lite
1 clementine
Grapes
100g Green and Blacks extra creamy milk chocolate!!!
Spaghetti Bolognese SW-style
4 TUC biscuits
Hartley's Low-cal jelly (Syns)
In my defence re the chocolate . . . it's Friday, I'm tired, I needed a reward and the chocolate was in the cupboard. And it was better for me than drinking alcohol.
Saturday 7th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres
Bacon roll
Redbush tea
Gammon
Green veg
New potatoes
Pineapple
More chocolate
We will gloss over Sunday which was a disaster but fits into Flexible Syns Day.
Monday 9th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres
2 small slices wholemeal toast
Extra-light Philadelphia cheese
Redbush tea
Lunch at aunt's house so no chance to diet:
Lamb steaks with tomato and onion
Mash, broccoli
Apple pie, cream, cheese, biscuits
Fruit for the rest of the day
Tuesday 10th January
Extra Easy
Swam 400 metres
2 slices wholemeal toast with low-fat Philly
1 clementine
Redbush tea
10 Cadbury's mini-eggs
Tin of Weightwatcher's Chicken, potato and leek soup
Grapes
Chicken livers, courgettes and tomatoes fried in Fry-Lite
Hartley's Low Cal jelly
More bloody chocolate. What is wrong with me??
Grapes
And today (Wedneday and weigh-in day) wasn't much better chocolate-wise. However, have just been to SW and have lost another 2.5lbs.
Am astonished.
It must be the alcohol-free zone I have entered. Let's see if I can be chocolate-free as well for the next week.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
New Year resolutions
I'd lost half a pound this week. But to be honest the New Year festivities (and subsequent leftovers) have led to a diet of bingeing and fasting, not the most sensible approach. But I am fired up with enthusiasm now and restart the whole thing today. I didn't get off to a good start however. We have had serious gales this week and last night the howling wind kept me awake for ages. So I missed my swim this morning. On the plus side I haven't touched any alcohol since New Year's Eve so I must have a bit of a head start there. I'm going to keep a food diary this week so that I can see if I am making any basic errors - I still haven't read my new pack.
Thursday 5th January
Extra Easy
35g All Bran
Semi-skimmed milk
2 mugs Redbush tea
Chicken and ham pasta salad
1 clementine
1 mug Redbush tea
Grapes, Caffeine-free Diet Coke
Jacket potato, baked beans, broccoli
Syns: 1 chocolate truffle, 6 dates, 3 small squares of Brie
Thursday 5th January
Extra Easy
35g All Bran
Semi-skimmed milk
2 mugs Redbush tea
Chicken and ham pasta salad
1 clementine
1 mug Redbush tea
Grapes, Caffeine-free Diet Coke
Jacket potato, baked beans, broccoli
Syns: 1 chocolate truffle, 6 dates, 3 small squares of Brie
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