Volleyball

Last night was a truly awful night of no sleep so getting out early for Olympic Volleyball was not easy. In fact it was very stressfull, mainly due to me charging about demanding everyone get in line with Seb Coe's thinking that we have to be there early, early doors. The tiredness was mainly due to Boy and I having to swap beds in the night meaning we got broken sleep, and very little at that. When Girl woke she saw me in the bed next to her and asked "Daddy, does it ever get dark in London?"

As it was even with the stress and lack of sleep we left in good time and as it was at Earls Court we only had a twenty minute bus ride ahead of us. The tube would be quicker but we decided that we were not ready for that with the little ones and that actually you get to see more on a bus anyway. We were right as we did get to see a lot as due to a Triathalon rehersal the roads around Hyde Park were closed and all bus routes were diverted up Sloane Street where we were going. From looking at the road it was as though ever bus in London was there. it was about two miles of solid red buses, a tourist site to behold.

After an hour we made it up the bus street and then ten minutes later were at Earls Court for the Volleyball. On the walk to the venue we realised that we were walking next to Dara O Briain. Wife asked him who he was supporting at the match and then we discussed the difficult choice of Serbia or Germany. I have to say he was alovely natural man who was quite happy just to chat, just like everyone else in the city at the moment. We chatted until we got to the belt removal security and thanking my lucky stars that I had not put on my baggy shorts that are too big without a belt we wished him well.

Once we had deposited the buggy we found our seats just as the first match had started. Girl was into it straight away whilst Boy cuddled in close telling me it was too loud. Eventually he watched when they raced to clean the floor between points but in the end I had to take him for a wander. On the wander we found a giant volleyball player model that he loved and then had our picture taken with an Olympic torch before going back to watch the end of the match where Boy managed to settle a bit better.

After a bit of the next game, we eventually managed to persuade Girl to have a break from the Volleyball and the dancers for some toy and hat souvenir and ice cream purchases and a long, long queue for water we decided to leave a bit before the end. The matches were over running and we fancied doing something else outside with the little ones and Boy was overdue a nap, making him grumpier than usual. The Volleyball was great but it felt like there should have been a bit more to do in Earls Court itself to be honest.

We then set off on a long walk to Hyde Park carrying Boy all the way. At Hyde Park we watched the cycling on the big screen and settled down for dinner. Again walking the long way home we walked past Micheal Barrymore coming the other way. As we did he lifted his Oylmpic shopping bag to the lady next to us and said just been out to get the milk, she laughed. We asked if she knew who he was due to the odd exchange and it appears she did. I told her I met him when he was starting out in Butlins but probably didn't remember me. Confused she smiled and we headed for home.

In the evening I asked the little ones what was their favourite part of their Olympic day day. Girls was the dancers between the matches and Boys was the cleaning of the court. Somehow I don't think they are going to be big sports fans.