Sunshine galore

A second day to explore before heading back to shifts from tomorrow, so I decided to take a walk to Stanley Park.

It was glorious sunshine, though bitterly cold.  Snow melting slowly into ice patches, though the sun not really warm enough to melt it completely.

I ambled along the sea-wall starting ftom Sunset Beach Park,  where there was an art piece, being used by a small group in photos. 

Further along there were more art pieces and an aids memorial wall.

On the edge of English beach was the Inukshuk, a stone symbol of the Inuit culture, with a big I AM alongside.

Continuing along, I spotted a brightly decorated building so headed off the path to take a look and came across a sculpture of 14 cast bronze figures, all in differing laughing poses.

Continuing along the seawall, I ended my walk at second beach, where the children's pool was completely iced over. Just as well it was closed.

I then had to start heading back as I was meeting a friend of my sister's for lunch. Melissa had met my sister through an online game, so when she knew I was here, suggested a meet up. 

Had a lovely lunch and chat, putting the world to rights. The food was lovely and I just had to go for the sticky toffee pudding to finish off.

All in all a very chilled day, which was just as well as I feel a cold starting. 

Let's hope tomorrow's shift isn't too taxing. 

Whistler

First of 2 days off today. I had thought about chilling, but Ian also had a day off, so we decided to head up to Whistler for the day.

Most competition for the snow sports, is taking place on Tuesday, so we thought it might be quieter for a look round though I don't think ski slopes do quiet.

We caught the 7.45am bus up to Whistler Village, arriving around 9.45, having travelled through some spectacular scenery to get there. 

Once off the bus, we headed into the tourist office, picked up a map of the village and area, then bought gondola tickets to take us up the mountain, then to ride on the pass to pass cable car, which ran between the 2 main mountain peaks and get us back down again.

We proceeded to head to the gondola that would take us up to Whistler Blackcomb and the restaurant area. With the windows lightly frosted up, the views were a little obscured, that and facing the wrong way to see them. 

We headed into the restaurant area, a place filled with people who had been or were about to enjoy some great skiing on the slopes.

Hot chocolate and some pastries ordered. Leek and parmesan, pumpkin and cream cheese. One sweet one savoury to share, then discovered that a counter round the corner was serving breakfasts. Hey ho, next stop maybe.

From being inside in the warm we went to take some photos of the views from the outside terrace, my what a contrast in temperature. To be honest, it was refreshing and just what my head needed to help clear it.

That's me waving 😀

Have to say the uniform jacket and fleece that we were provided as part of the uniform was doing its job. Along with the base layers underneath, it was definitely toastie.

From here we headed to the peak 2 peak cable car, apparently the longest unsupported span in the world. 

Some fabulous views and a glass bottom to see what we were travelling over.

Everyone in the car with us was so friendly, some actually working for Amazon as part of the Invictus Village promotors and sponsors.

So many photos to choose from...

At the other end the slopes were even busier. How anyone remembers where they "parked their skis" when going into the restaurant is anyone's guess.

We stopped to take pictures of the Olympic rings before heading through the restaurant to a little outside bar called the "umbrella bar" where we passed a while with a cold beer watching the windows defrost as the sun moved round.

Now  at this point my phone decided to "die". I cursed not having my charger with me so had to go onto my camera for further pics. So once I can access them there will be other pictures to add to the rest of this. I cursed a lot, but laughed when getting back to the appartment, I found the charging lead at the bottom of my rucksack, with the power pack in the pocket. Doh!

We spotted some of the the Nigeria team taking their snow pics and we chatted to a few people, with Ian spotting the wife of a friend who was competing, so he dashed off to chat.

We then headed off to find the gondola that would take us back down the mountain, stopping on the way down at the station where the Invictus sports were taking place. So we watched for a while some of the competitors practicing for the adaptive skiing.

After which we continued to the bottom and back to the Village, where we stopped for something to eat, chatted to a couple who were here for a long weekend skiing, he was originally from Milton Keynes she was American, they lived just north of Seattle, so often come here to ski.  Watched many skiers and snowboarders finishing their run and while I still didn't get the courage to try the Canadian, "poutine" there were those around me that did. A perfect opportunity missed maybe. 

Ian had Duck poutine..I stuck with hummus and pitta.

From here we headed back into the Village, our time here nearly done as our bus was due to leave at 4pm.

We discovered that an opening ceremony was to be taking place starting at 3.30pm. Darn it, if we'd only booked a 5pm bus we'd have been able to see it and Michael Bublé was there too 😞

The bus back left on time and we wound our way back to downtown Vancouver, with stops on the way to drop off and pick up passengers, many heading back to the airport.

I'll add some sunset pictures in later, but imagine the beauty of a glowing sky with water in the foreground and mountains silhouetted in the rainbow colours of green yellow and orange. (Imaginary pictures are far more fun)

We eventually made it to our final stop, where we'd started many hours ago. A walk back to the appartment an early night (never a good idea as it means I wake early) but a day well spent in glorious sunshine and great company, is always something to enjoy.

Baby it's cold outside

The day didn't start so well as I woke at 2am (10am UK) and made the fatal mistake of checking mum's blink camera to see if she was ready for her trip to stay with my sister for the week. The chauffeur (AKA Michael) arrived and I started emailing him to get mum to check various things, still trying to help her pack from 4700+ miles away. Sadly it didn't stop the pot of medication, that I'd carefully prepared before going away, from going missing. 

Things were moved to the car, I prompted about taking a coat, the door was locked and they were off. 

Foolishly I switched to the life360 app to follow the journey to the switch over point, and 5 hours and a bit later, I eventually watched the arrival at my sister's. I did try to sleep, but no chance, so I was up, dressed and heading off to my first proper transport shift, starting at 8am.

Checking in at workforce and receiving a meal voucher, I was directed to the transport office where there were several people sat around, drivers I assume. "Tucker", a giant of a man, asked if I'd be happy outside or inside. Cold is fine, but didn't expect it to be quite so cold. 

I was paired with TJ, who hadn't been expecting to be outside, so hadn't worn the extra layers and as it started to snow, we were stood around not moving much, you could almost see the icicles forming.

Our task was to check with the competitors coaches when they arrived to make sure they were correctly labelled and in the right place. We waited, but the coaches were few and the air got colder. So we moved inside to see if we could find a warmer area to be.

We tried heading to where the buses unloaded inside the East building, but that was just as cold. 

Decision made to go back to base to warm up and we bumped into Barb, who I'd worked with on Friday. She was in need of some help moving snacks around again, so TJ and I offered to help. We ended up restocking the workforce snack areas and checking water coolers in case of top up need. Not the most exciting of tasks, but warm. 

While heading to restock the media room, we bumped into Mary, a volunteer I'd worked with in 2017 and had a catch up on an RER in Paris last year. Looks like we're destined to cross in corridors.

More snacks needed moving from the loading dock to the Nations Home snack bars, so I headed to help, but there were a few security staff helping to shift stuff around, so I wasn't really needed there, so instead TJ and I headed across to the "Village" in the East centre, where there were loads of activities etc for the general public. We picked up some pins, caught up with some mascots and then headed back.  Restocked a few more snacks then called it quits.

18585 steps today!!!!!

No shift now until Weds, so tomorrow going to head up to Whistler, to see what's going on up there. I think just skeleton for sport. Will see what we see eh? Just a little 2 hour bus ride to get through. Both ways.

 

The Opening Ceremony

Saturday 8th Feb.

There can only really be one topic for today's blog... the Opening Ceremony.

This is my 3rd opening Ceremony, with the speeches and team entrances, and Harry's address to the competitors as Patron.

I was at the OC, for both the first in 2014 in London, and for the previous games in Düsseldorf in 2023. This year in Vancouver the emotion, as the athletes entered the stadium, was palpable, as speeches took place, you could again see how much being here meant to those taking part. To be part of a team again, with others who had served, like them, who understood them, who gave them their purpose again. 

It's truly a privilege to have been selected to volunteer here and support all the competitors and their support groups of family and friends. 

I initially didn't manage to buy an OC ticket, so was very grateful that a fellow volunteer I had met some years ago, who had also been in Düsseldorf, had a spare. So for the price of a coffee and scone, beer and a Vietnamese meal, (and probably another drink needed too), the cost of the ticket was just about covered. (Many thanks to Ian for accepting the payment in food and drink instead of cold hard cash)

The Ceremony was due to begin at 1pm, unusually an afternoon start, but nice for heading home after, in daylight.

The usual parade of athletes, speeches and crucially the thanks to the 4 home nations on whose lands the games are taking place.

The speeches were peppered with musical interludes, Nelly Furtado, Roxane Bruneau from BC, Noah Kavan, Chris Martin (he of Coldplay) who had put the Invictus poem to music, sang with the backing of 4 others and a choir, then sang a couple of other songs with just the guitar to accompany him.

One Invictus participant in Düsseldorf had been mentioned in that OC by Harry, for having been traumatised by seeing bagpipes, as a result of having played pipes for over 60 coffins being sent home. Today, he was in full uniform playing the pipes, backed by scores of other pipers and drummers, it was incredible, and had been part of his healing journey. 

Prince Harry, as ever, gave a heartfelt and rousing speech to everyone. 

The Ceremony closed with Katy Perry doing a medley of her songs. A fabulous way to end the "show". And, a great way for many to see their favourite singers and performers for a bargain price. 

A few competitors were leaving early,  competition preliminary rounds taking place for wheelchair basketball this evening, so maybe off to prepare.

Good luck to all taking part, I hope I'm able to get to see some sport while I'm here.

I'm on shift in the morning, an 8am start. Let's see what "transport and logistics" really is all about.

Transporting snacks and building ikea lamps

 Friday 7th Feb

So my plan to stay up late didn't go so well, I did manage until 8.20pm and gave in (4.20am UK) but then I woke around 11.50pm (UK 7.50am) so body clock kicking in. 

Finally slept on and off until my alarm at 8am (4pm UK), hoping I'm now sorted on Vancouver time.

Off to collect Uniform today, then my first shift at the Vancouver Conference Centre as part of the transport and logistics team.

So to breakfast first and Oh dear!, basic rookie error, mistaking the freezer for the fridge, now all my stuff for breakfast is frozen. Oooops, gotta laugh really. Frozen cheese and ham sandwich anyone 😋 

Luckily the cheese defrosted fairly quickly, and frozen raspberries aren't bad. 

Decided to get a "lyft" (bit like an uber) to the uniform place seeing my collection time was 12 noon and I had to be on shift at the convention centre for 2pm. 

Was pretty quick getting uniform after accreditation was sorted. We picked up 2 long sleeved base layers, a fleece, a padded jacket, a bum bag and a hat (toque). (not sure about the hat fit though)

Met Jackie there, who had been in media in Dusseldorf, we had crossed paths there. She's staying not far from me, so we shared a Lyft back to the hotel, and she walked down to her hotel from there. We'll meet up for a drink at some point when our shifts align. She is from Toronto, still over a 4 hour flight away.

A dash back to the hotel, change and walk the 25 mins to the convention centre for my first shift. Checked in at workforce, but there was not really a lot to do for transport today, so there were half a dozen of us seconded to help replenish the snack bars in the Nations lounge where the competitors and friends and family can chill out and relax. 

We moved trolley loads of crisps, popcorn chocolate, gummy bears, chewy bars, fruit etc etc. Moving back and forth between the loading bays, through the dining area into the lounge and back again a few times.

We finished bringing things through and returned the trolleys back to the workforce area before heading for a break and some food/drink. Thai green curry , rice, Thai chicken and some noodles. 

After eating, two of us, myself and Mary, headed across to the "East" centre side, where we spent time unwrapping and checking 19 small touch lamps worked, then placed them on tables round the room.

We then had some IKEA lamps to put together, sadly we ran out of light bulbs, (someone miscounted) so we built 3 complete and 3 we part built in readiness.

After finishing the lights, we headed to a workforce break area to grab a drink and a snack.

Then we headed back to the West side where we were presented with a box of snacks for our help. Did return most back to the snack table, but kept some "ketchup" crisps to try. Apparently a Canadian specialty.

Teresa and Mary, who I have been working with today, gave me their numbers and said to get in touch if I needed to know anything about the transport in the area. Always useful to have local knowledge.

Then I headed out to walk back to where I'm staying. Still some snowy patches around, which the locals here are saying it's unusual.

I managed 17590 steps today and my feet hurt, so time to sleep I think. 

Free day tomorrow with possibility of going to the opening ceremony. I'll let you know

The day with a lot of travel and time shifts

 Thursday 6th Feb 2025

So... finally off to the Invictus games in Vancouver. The bit of flying I hate is the build up before getting on the plane. Nerves set in, and headaches start to build, even though I know when on the plane all will be fine. I don't dislike flying, the take off and landing is the best bit, its the actual flight itself that's boring. A bit like a long drive, you just want to get there.
I'm heading first to Amsterdam. I'm getting lazy in my older age and travelling to London for a direct flight no longer appeals much. So a quick trip along the motorway to Southampton Airport, flight to Amsterdam and then on from there.

Of course the plane is delayed, what else do I expect. I have a tight turnaround at Amsterdam so fingers crossed all works out OK to get me to my connecting flight in time.

After my last minute packing I always hope I've remembered everything. I guess as long as I have my passport and some money, the rest is sortable.

So the next adventure in the list begins.
My 3rd Invictus Games, this time in Vancouver, with winter sports for the first time being included at Whistler. Hoping I can get up there to see some of it, or even just to experience the atmosphere.

A quick snack of an oatmeal cookie and  glass of water, while taking advantage of in flight charging for my phone. Only a short hop, but every little helps, as they say.
Looking out of the window it's a very alien landscape being above the clouds. I wonder what the underside of these very fluffy, pillowy looking clouds is like.

Landed at Amsterdam and had a long bus ride from the plane round the edge of the terminal buildings to get to where we needed to be. A long walk from there to find the departure gate for the next section of the flight to Vancouver.  

The Netherlands Invictus team with family and coaches was waiting to get on the same flight. As I got on the plane I spoke to a lady who was travelling with her husband who was competing in some of the winter sports, for the first time. What an experience for a first go at snow sports.

We took off a little later than scheduled and with a 9 hr 15min flight ahead we set off. Not long after we were treated to a bottle of water, a refreshing towel and some earphones for the in flight entertainment.
Then food arrived, chicken ratatouille with rice and some tapas bits (stuffed tomato, what looked like taramasalata and some pickled onions) with a roll and a chunk of cheese. Washed down with my first beer of the trip, a Heineken zero (which I managed to spill over me when I knocked the tray, doh!!!)

According to my phone its now 3.30pm at home and 7.30 am in Vancouver so we're in limbo. They've dimmed the lights and people are sleeping. Not sure whether to join in or not, there's still 6 hours to go and while I'm tired, I'd rather not sleep and upset my sleeping pattern so early on. So, games and writing it is.
I did watch my first movie "Juror number 2", had seen it advertised a lot. Quite a thought provoking film.

Sat next to a girl from Tel Aviv, who is studying in Vancouver, she says it's a lovely place to visit but living there I think she finds it, much like most other places, that people are so busy working they forget to enjoy life.

People starting to stir, so must mean food's imminent, yup a sarnie (not quite sure what's in it, seems like a cross between pesto and falafel), and a bottle of water. Looking out the window, there are no clouds and below it's either snow or a mass of sea ice. The map says we are over Greenland and still have 4 1/2 hours to go. Spoke too soon, back into the clouds again.

Couldn't decide on a 2nd film to watch so have gone for a bit of music, can't beat a bit of George Michael 😀

OK so decided to watch Barbie, just to pass some time, weird film.

We then got served more food, pizza, choc mousse. Think I'm all fooded out now.

After they cleared the trays away, I realise my reading glasses were missing. Bugger, so one of the crew went through the bin for me to check. Didn't find anything. No idea where else they would have been, so I guess first stop is to find some ready readers. 😞 at least it wasn't my expensive prescription glasses. Though at least I can wear those and take them off to read. Unlike my contact lenses where I definitely need reading glasses. Now why didnt I think about bringing spares just in case? Doh!!
Reminds me of when I went to Rio paralympics and the only glasses I took were tinted readers. I managed to find some readers in the lost property box that kept me going while I was there as tinted readers were a little dark to use indoors. If only I was better prepared eh?

So arriving in Vancouver, decided to stay on the plane after most had left to check again if the glasses were on the floor. My very lovely seating companion found them where they must have fallen out of my pocket and gone under the panelling at the side of the plane. So hurrah! All was saved.

Once off the plane, headed through passport control, all on consoles, do-it-yourself, answer the questions and get a ticket to present. No passport stamping. Already had an e-visa linked to my passport, so they know I'm legal.  😀 

Collected the case and went through to arrivals where I signed up for the "lyft" travel app and booked a ride to the "suite" where I was to be staying. Lovely man with a Tesla, very smooth ride and all paid through the app via card so no money changes hands.

Arriving at the "hotel" I realised it's actually an apartment ( though I'm sure I knew that) For the 11 nights I'm here it'll be home sweet home. Kitchen (with fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine), seating area, bedroom, walk in shower, great views as I'm on the 20th floor. They're doing some work to help improve the place, so it was a bit noisy until they clocked off. Thankfully I'll be out during the day.
There's complimentary tea and coffee and toiletries with a housekeeping service if I want it, but it's on request.

Made myself a cup of tea and had a few crisps from the stash of food I brought with me, then charged my phone with a very sensible, universal, USB charging point. No need for travel adaptors with those.

My brain is a bit fried, I've a headache, but I'm thinking, maybe I should go and find a supermarket to get some bits to put in the fridge for breakfast. It'll stop me falling asleep at least.
Handily there's a "shoppers drug mart" just across the road and going out into the cold air certainly woke me up. There's a lot of snow on the ground but the pavements are mostly clear, so no slip worries. Didn't plan to go far, so passed a couple of eateries and drinking places, then headed into the mart to buy some bread, butter, cheese, ham, raspberries and cherry tomatoes, plus some jalapeño crisps. Stuff to keep me going for breakfast for a few days. Of course here, no beer for sale except in a "liquor store" so no sneaky beer for me tonight. It's fine, I'll cope 😉 I may though venture out tomorrow after my shift.

I'm not sure if  having been automatically given a "seniors discount" on some of the items is something i should grumble about or be pleased to have saved some money. I think I'll go with the latter.

It's 6.20pm here now (2.20am in the UK) I'm definitely going to be in bed by 9pm (5am)) here, but not planning to go earlier, should then be OK and on Vancouver time by morning when i need to collect my uniform ready for my first shift in the afternoon.
It's been a long day 😴  nice view though😉

Hello, me again.
So a lot of soul-searching for this one.
After Dusseldorf Invictus Games in September 2023, I, like several others, decided to apply for the Winter Games in Vancouver/Whistler in February 2025. I was excited to potentially be heading to Canada with several of my friends, until one by one they all got turned down for a role, leaving me all on my own with a role in Transportation and Logistics.
So after a lot of, should I shouldn't I (you know how it goes, it's the same every time), this one went a little closer to the wire.
Shifts chosen, classes cancelled or covered, Mum sorted for a holiday with my little sis, I took such a long time to finally press the button to book flight and hotel.
So....shortened version.... I am off to Vancouver and the blog is firing up again.

I will miss my friends though.