Fake athletes

An earlier start today. We needed to be on shift for 9am as we were needed to take part in a pretend match, playing fake athletes so the broadcasters could make sure they had everything working correctly.

So there were loads of volunteers, statisticians (who do all the score breakdowns) and a few others on court for a run through.

It was great fun but blooming exhausting. I know I'm unfit but these para-athletes must be superhuman indeed. I've seen 2 matches that have lasted nearly 2 hours and they are still ready for another set. I had less than 5 minutes and I was ready for oxygen. (From the photos it also looks like I need longer legs, I wonder if that's possible?)

Not sure if this video will work but hey let's give it a go.

One of the funniest parts was listening to the in match commentators, saying how great it was to be watching such a fantastic match, one of the best they'd seen. 😄 

It was also quite emotional as the National anthems were playing and the camera came along in front of us as we were lined up. We were Slovenia (our team leader Ines (Slovenian) was off camera singing her own anthem as they played it) the other team Canada.

We were done by 10am and headed back to finish setting up ready for the first team arrivals. The rest of the day was much less exciting. Delivering water to the Field of Play (FOP) making sure the warm up areas had water and carts for them to take their things to the FOP. Sticking up signs that had fallen, breaking up ice for the drink buckets. All necessary but not overly exciting tasks.

People often wonder why I, and others, volunteer when they hear about a typical day, especially when they realise we have to pay our own accommodation and travel to get there. 

Well it's the camaraderie of working in a team, sharing experiences like this, having some fun and working together to make an event a success. So much often goes on behind the scenes that people never see. But it's an experience that no-one else will have. 

Lunch today was almost hot. I avoided the pasta and chose a veggie burger (Yes I CHOSE A VEGGIE BURGER). It wasn't bad.

At the end of the shift we headed out of the arena and it was busy. Of course today, being Saturday, more people were able to watch events. Our arena is out of town a way, and there's not really much else around it, but I think they'd had over 3800 in today watching. Great atmosphere for them.

Liz (one of my English colleagues) and I headed to the RER, but it was delayed. Finally we got on a train, but it was so packed and hot we decided to get off and wait for the next one. That was incredibly civilised and we were able to get seats.

Back at the hotel, I decided to head to my room after acquiring a beer from the fridge (€2.50 for a 33cl can).

I tried to find online a way to watch my friend Jodie compete in her archery individual compound matches. I watched it on a results update page on the paralympic site for the semi final, already knowing she had made the last 16 qualifying in 4th place.

Just watching the numbers change as their arrows hit the target, I was hoping for a win through to the final. Every arrow from both players was a 10 or a 9. Riveting how close it was.

Jodie eventually won a bronze in the match play off against our other British hope Phoebe Patterson Pine.

https://sportsforchampions.com/athletes/jodie-grinham/ 

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/jodie-grinham-phoebe-paterson-pine-archery-paralympics-bronze-b2605058.html 

I went onto the para ticket website, yet again, and finally managed to get a,  restricted view, ticket for Monday afternoon, the team compound session. I'm now hoping she'll be shooting, and that she'll pick up another medal to match her individual bronze and her team silver from Rio.

Yay go Jodie.

So snooze time now, as tomorrow, Sunday, is triathlon day with some ungodly hour to be out and about. I think it'll be a hot one and tiring.

Gourde Watch

 Another day another shift, threats of rain to come later so while it was still warm decided just to wear the gilet part of the rain jacket. (I really need to get some photos)

Arrived at the North Paris Arena and decided to check in at the volunteer desk, so I could ask about the water bottle (Gourde) we were supposed to get. Turns out we were also due to get a volunteer gift of a watch. Nice 😍 (note the Swatch Pay bit only works in France it seems)

Today we had been moved around roles so I was allocated to the arena to make sure team members and other team roles not on the court playing, were directed to sit in designated seats in the stands. I queried whether there were more accessible seats for any wheelchair users or less mobile team members, but maybe they just tend not to travel with the playing members as the seats were not heavily used.

So, again, was lucky to be able to watch some play. The likely women's gold medal winners (either USA or China. China won 3-1) in a very close match that almost went to 5 sets. (The next match had to be delayed)

And then saw the Ukraine men lose in 3 sets against Iran, who have an impressive winning record.

Lunch was a little better as I avoided the cold hot food and went for the cold cold food straight from the fridge. 

A little on the healthy side, yet again. Getting worried I'll enjoy eating healthily when I get home. 😉

While stuck inside, we had no idea what the weather was doing, it had indeed been raining lots, though eased off as we left.

Back to the hotel, quick change and heading out again to meet up with Whendie who had raved about a little place that did fabulous crepes.

Both of us being a little on the tired side, we ate, drank and headed back fairly early. Though, I still manage to faff before heading to bed.

Being called in an hour earlier tomorrow as there's some dress rehearsal presentation that needs to be done.so a 9am start instead of a 10am. Will I cope?

Oh and didn't do so well on the speaking only French all day as we had a new team member join (English). But a couple of the team were being very helpful in slowing their French speak with me so it was easier to understand. At least when I do try my French they seem to understand and do helpfully correct me. I might learn something after all. 😀

Mascots, just for fun...

(Olympic Phryge in the volunteer centre)

(Para Phryge hanging around in the offices back of House)

First Shift of the Games

So first shift today and I had to head to the North Paris Arena for the Sitting Volleyball. It was a role that was added extra to my roster after a plea went out for help in one of the volunteer groups. I was to be part of the Athlete Services Team. (Didn't have a clue what it involved so this could be fun - fingers crossed)

Chose my socks carefully 😉 I've 3 more pairs like this...

 The hotel I'd booked was near to the Gare du Nord as I knew the journey would be straightforward to get to shift on the RER B line. With a little bit of walking to and from the stations it took about 45 minutes.

On arrival, checked in on the online portal so I could get my lunch later. Nothing else to do and no water bottle to use, so I need to check that.

Found out that I was part of the team working Back of House. Our role to make sure the Changing Rooms and Warm-Up courts had enough water and towels for the teams. Plus water etc to go out onto Field of Play.

We also had the mascot changing room near us so the Phryge was walking around from time to time.

We set up for our first match... Brazil vs Romania, Women.

It was over in around an hour with Brazil winning all 3 games, by some margins.

Watching a couple of bits of games on TV while waiting for the next teams to arrive we discovered the wheelchair rugby and who should pop up but Aaron Phipps, a Totton athlete playing for Team GB. Go GB!!

Then came time to set up for the next match. Men's preliminary (group game) between Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ines, the Back of House manager, asked if anyone wanted to step in as team liaison and as no-one else seemed keen I put my hand up and, having listened to Ines talking through the role for the womens match, I was set for looking after the Egypt men's team.

The timings were all written down as to when we needed to get the teams out for their on court experience. It was a little dodgy on getting the teams to line up on time, but they all made it out on court, sadly the Egyptian team lost after a very close game which lasted nearly 2 hours before Bosnia were declared the winners.

By now it was nearly 4pm and I hadn't yet had lunch. So off I went with Marine (the liaison for the Bosnian team), for some food and we discussed languages over a

 bowl of not so hot pasta.

Then it was time to head back to the hotel on a packed RER after a challenge discussed of only speaking French tomorrow. Um...

Didn't get much else done after getting back. Not even managing a trip to the hotel "fridge' for a beer.

Still there's always tomorrow.

A little exploring

Wednesday started with a metro trip across to meet up with Whendie as she had a free day and offered to do a bit of sightseeing with me, so we had loads planned to fit around my uniform collection and another trip to accreditation to try and get my Navigo (travel card) changed.

All the best days start with some food so we found a nice little restaurant. Whendie decided she fancied some French Onion soup and I had a Caesar Salad. (Yes a Salad !!!, with lettuce, tomatoes, chicken and a poached egg) with a beer of course. And yes it was nearer lunchtime when we got there as we had a nice leisurely start.

We then headed to change the travel card which they reluctantly did and then we were off to the uniform centre. Oh my that was hot and trying on uniforms for sizing was a challenge. But eventually got it all sorted and we decided to drop the bag back to my hotel room, rather than cart it around with me. 

After the drop off it was a matter of a couple of stops on the metro to get near to Sacré Coeur.  Getting off the metro in a not so great area we quickly moved through heading uphill all the time with a flight of stairs to navigate before getting to the "Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre".

What a beautiful building and the views, stunning. We went in for a wander round, along with hundreds of other tourists, and Whendie wrote in the memorial book for a couple of her family that had recently passed. 

We then headed around towards cathedral Montmartre artists area, but got waylaid by a refreshment stop. I'm starting to feel a bit bad here as Whendie went for mint tea and I had another beer. Ah well, its holiday until tomorrow.

We then headed to find another tourist attraction I wanted to see. (Via a very lovely ice cream shop).

Le mur des je t'aime, the wall of I love you. The words featured 311 times in 250 different languages. I'd seen it in a recent film, so thought it would be fun to see.

The Opening Ceremony approached but we were far away from any fan zone or TV so headed back to Whendie's for a cuppa and a lot of chat, passing the Moulin Rouge on the way.

Getting late I headed back to the hotel around 11pm to try to cool off before bed. Air Con is such a boon to help with that.

Only a few steps covered today then... um 22028

First shift Thursday so uniform all sorted ready, like a first day of school, and then sleep.

 Sleep? Pah! Overrated. 

Headed out Tuesday morning to meet Whendie. She needed to get an upgraded accreditation for her first para shift in the afternoon, so I tagged along to get mine too. Bought a day ticket for the metro and headed to Place de Clichy to wait for her train to arrive then I hopped on to join her and we headed to the accreditation centre at the exhibition centre at Porte de Versailles, where we got chatting with a Dutch journalist, Chris.

After a while we got round to the desk to get our passes done. Also picked a Navigo card which allows travel on metro, etc during the games. Sadly it seems I got a dud so need to head back for a new one, but tomorrow I'm off to collect uniform so fingers crossed it'll be an easy fix.

We headed to a little boulangerie along the road near the uniform centre and I indulged in a croque monsieur.  

Then time for Whendie to head off to her shift and I was heading to meet up with  a UK friend, Sue, who with her sister and son were spending a few days in Paris. Today was Eiffel Tower day, and I eventually caught up with them in the gardens under the Tower. 

We decided to take the lift up to the 2nd stage, where we had a fabulous view of Paris and could pick out a few of the sights. 

Sue's son Jos was very excited to see 2 of his you-tube "heroes" just in front of us in the queue, so several photos were taken. (Peet Montzingo) so now I'm down and cool with the kids.

Had a lovely iced slushy which helped cool me a bit from the heat, but must remember to drink more water as the headache was starting to build. 

After our climb we walked towards the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees, where we could see Place de la Concorde and the Orb/balloon where the Olympic flame was and where the Paralympic flame will be lit on Wednesday evening at the Opening Ceremony.

(We'd stopped on the way for a drink and much needed rest from the sun.)

From the Arc we headed to the metro and headed off in our respective directions, back to our hotel/Airbnb.

Truly worn out, I didn't even manage a meal, just a nice early night and more of the same to come on Wednesday. 

(Pic borrowed from Sue)

Planes, trains and automobiles

 Oooh well, just as everything seemed to have fallen into place with flight rebooked, Hotel room with extra night added. Lift to airport sorted, it was just a case of pack and go. (Ya think?)

I was flying out on the same Eastern Airlines plane, with another Volunteer, Whendie. We have been at various games together but our paths haven't crossed very often. 

We arrived at Southampton Airport around 3.15pm, for our 5.10pm flight. Checked in our bags and headed through customs and the duty free shop to departures and decided to get a drink while we waited. We'd just paid for the drinks when an announcement came over the tannoy that the flight had been cancelled so report to Gate 9 and we'd be briefed. Is nothing straightforward?

Due to "Operational" reasons there would be no flight today, next available was Wednesday. Touch of deja vu, as that's the one I was moved to before.

Um... thanks but we need to get there for tomorrow.

Having retrieved our suitcases we lodged our names at the desk, so the Airline would be notified. I'm rather hoping the flight back home isn't cancelled, so I emailed the Airline immediately to make sure we still get our return flight.

So.... what to do now?

One of the passengers booked a flight from Heathrow, so off he went. One lady was in tears as she had an important meeting tomorrow and the young lady at the desk was less than helpful to her.

We tried to persuade her to come with us as we decided to head to London and then catch the Eurostar. But she was too upset, so decided just to head home to Bournemouth. I do hope she can do her meeting via zoom or similar.

Whendie and I got on the train into London Waterloo and after a sandwich search (which we decided not to get) we got the tube across to St Pancras. 

Having sorted our Eurostar tickets so we could sit together we went yet again through customs and had a well deserved drink, while waiting to depart.

The train left at 8.01pm (the time we'd have already been in Paris) arriving at 11.18pm (10.18 UK time). The journey was speedy and uneventful.

The hotel I was staying in was just across the road so it was easy to find. Whendie booked herself a "bolt" to get to her accommodation and as she set off I went to check into the hotel.

Small but perfectly formed room, I eventually settled in for the night.

And... I'm here 😀 Tuesday is another day!!!!

Travel woes before i goes ;-)

 Well, even before I've left things have been fun.

Trying to be organised I decided to get all the paperwork together.

I printed Insurance, Hotel details and flight information ready to take, then thought I'd just check on the actual airline account.  And... just as well I did. 

Apparently my Tuesday evening flight had been cancelled and shifted to the Wednesday. Which, to be fair, is no good to man nor beast as I've things to do, places to be etc..  So, several calls later, it turns out the airline had cancelled all Tuesday flights and sent an email to let me know on August 1st.  An email I had never received. (I really must check Spam more often just in case, but no, nothing)

I remembered another volunteer friend had mentioned she was travelling on the Monday, so after a lot of phone calls, pleading and trying hard to remain calm with the agents, I finally decided to contact the airline directly, and was able to get them to switch me to the Monday with a free and upgraded, luggage allowance as a goodwill gesture for the lack of information.

Exemplary Customer Service and a reminder that sometimes it pays to go direct to the airline to book rather than trying through agencies, who, are still showing my flight as being Tuesday.

So.... it looks like I'm heading to Paris a day early. With a friend of a friend offering a room share for the night, as my hotel isn’t booked until the Tuesday evening due to the sudden flight switch. 

But, on the plus side I do get an extra, chilled evening in Paris. And yes I did contact the hotel to make sure there were no issues with that too. 

Now should I see if I can get an extra hotel night?

Sigh. 

These things are sent to try us eh?

Je vais à Paris pour les Jeux Paralympiques

 (I am going to Paris for the Paralympic Games)

My notebook is ready to help record my daily musings. 

Those of you who know me well, know how indecisive I get about accepting volunteer roles and this time was no different. 

I think various factors at home made me hesitate this time, and while I always accept the roles and proceed as if I am going, my thought processes are usually very much in turmoil. This time seemed even more so than the agony I put myself through before Rio.

So.... Paris 2024 will be my 3rd Paralympic Games eight years after having been to Rio and 12 years after London. So much has happened during those years between.

Volunteering has taken me around the world on my "holidays with purpose" and this time I'm heading to the French Capital to support the sitting volleyball at the North Paris Arena and to support the road events (triathlon and marathon)

I'm not yet too excited about it all, there's still much to sort at home and work before I go, but next week I'll be on a plane for the short hop from Southampton to Charles de Gaulle airport.  That's when it all becomes real, and exciting (I hope, or it'll be a long 2 weeks 😉 )

My French is rusty even with the help of the duolingo app, my ageing brain struggling to remember what my youthful brain used to have no trouble with. I'm sure it'll be fine. (I've watched Only Fools and Horses so I'm sure I can wing it)

So, yet again I'll try to document my adventures as much as I can, more for myself than anyone else, but please do follow along as another adventure begins.

We have a local paralympic hero, so here's wishing all Team GB great success including Aaron Phipps and the wheelchair rugby team.

 I also made friends some 10 years ago with a young lady who was aspiring to be a Paralympic Archer. She won a Silver medal in Rio and while I missed seeing that team event, I did see her compete in the individual rounds. Wishing Jodie Grinham the very best in the archery and I'm really hoping I can find a last minute ticket to watch her compete and catch up again. 

After all my concerns for Rio, it turned out to be a fabulous experience.  I am sure Paris will be exactly the same, great competition, making great new friends and enjoying another experience of a lifetime.

Commence les Jeux. Je suis prêt 😍

(Start the games. I'm ready)