Day 3: Beach Volleyball and the Olympic Park Greenway Gate

Heading down to the Beach Volleyball, the Admiralty Arch end of the Mall was looking all 'Jubilympics' with its union flags and Olympic signage.

The temporary stadium at Horse Guards Parade from the outside...

 ...and from the inside, with the fabulous backdrop (and with the Latvia v South Africa men's Beach Volleyball game in full flow).

Adding to the congas, macarenas and even the Benny Hill Show theme tune that have been reported on TV, here's the Cliff Richard 'Summer Holiday' sequence from the dancers. Most odd.

I have to say that, for all the jokes about it being an event designed to showcase, um, ladies' charms to gentlemen perverts rather than sporting prowess, I rather enjoyed the Beach Volleyball (and that has absolutely nothing to do with the rather attractive Norwegian gentlemen playing in the 3rd match of the morning. Of course not...!).
In all seriousness, credit must go to the compere for geeing up the crowd to create a really buzzing atmosphere (no mean feat at 9am). Also to the commentator for making a good go of explaining what in the world was going on on the pitch to a clearly novice crowd. All in all, a really enjoyable morning watching sport.

From there, it was back off to the Olympic Park for another shift. From Horse Guards Parade the District Line was the easiest option, so I decided to check out the Greenway Gate. Basically, it's a 20-minute walk from West Ham station along the disused railway line that is the Greenway...

...but for the Games it's full of smiley, chatty Games Makers. Most of whom are also wearing large foam hands for you to practise your high-fiving as you banter and bimble on by.

Going through the gate itself (by Pudding Mill Lane DLR) and underneath the railway tracks, you climb a gentle slope towards the Olympic Stadium, with the Orbit and Orbit Circus to your right.

It seems a lot emptier than every gate, except for Eton Manor on the North Side. I highly recommend it as an alternative to the congestion of Stratford Gate if you are coming from the south, or even central London.

Heading back into the Copper Box for my shift, it was good to see that those of the copper-haired persuasion are being catered for by LOCOG.

Monday was another day of great Handball (which I will talk about at length in another post), and the last game of the day was Sweden women Vs Norway women. The involvement of Norway means fabulous, loud supporters really whipping up a storm of atmosphere.

Oh, and MORE COWBELL : )