Final Volleyball shift

So Saturday today, I think. 

Women's finals day. 

I was to be there for the Bronze medal match which kicked off at 3pm, with shift starting 11.45am. To be honest we really didn't need to be there that early as the team last night had already set things up ready to go, there really wasn't much to do, but everyone set about doing it anyway.

Our final gift was collected, a nice dry bag with towel, soap and a thank you pin.

More posters needed to be removed from the warm up room walls, but these weren't needed for families. Sadly I was in the canteen at the time, so missed being able to take the one I wanted to keep, but I did manage to get 2. (More things not to go on display I guess)

There really wasn't much to do this afternoon until the match finished by which time the next shift had arrived.

I watched a bit of the game on the TV in the athletes lounge, which eventually Brazil lost to Canada (0-3), so Canada got the Bronze. 

Later found out that the Gold went to USA and the silver to China (3-1)

I also found out that the Chinese teams had little pandas to give out. Darn, missed one of those.

I had a chat, in French (yep I was impressed too) with the companion to the mascot. Quite pleased with myself that I could be understood. a bit more Franglais than French maybe. Sad to go home now I'm getting a bit more confident to speak more.

End of shift arrived and we all piled onto the court for photos, it's been a huge team at this arena that's for sure.

I'm in here somewhere (can you spot me?)

There was a gathering in the volunteer centre at 5pm but there were so many people there we decided just to say our farewells and head off. It was quite sad to be saying goodbye to the friends we've made over the past 2 weeks.

I needed to buy a couple of bits at the shop on site, but as we got there we were told that we had to wait 30 minutes while they had to shut temporarily. So as it was trying hard to rain, I decided to try and get to the megastore tomorrow and hope they had what I needed. 

Liz and I then headed off to the RER to go and have some food at a restaurant near Gare du Nord.

We sat on an outside table, but so many people were smoking around us. It's amazing how many of the French do smoke.

A set meal, we both had pate followed by steak and chips, washed down with a beer.

Hot food with some taste.

We then went our separate ways. I have the marathon volunteer shift in the morning at some unearthly hour and then the evening at the closing ceremony. 

Going to be a long final day.