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Homeward Bound

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Yesterday was my last shift, and the busiest so far, lasting just over 12 hours.  As the day passed, and the gold medals awarded, it became clear that the Games were coming to an end.  Even as competition continued, those parts of the venue no longer in use were starting to be cleared/dismantled - getting the venue ready for whatever next will be coming into the NEC.  The crowds were large, and weather good (25C), and the Games continued to deliver. A quick look at daily step rates, with lowest being 8,864 (non-working rest day) to the highest yesterday at 17,017 - not surprising given the length of shift. Congratulations to Australia on winning their 1000th Commonwealth Gold (the ‘Diamonds’ success in Netball).  Australia top the medal table, with England coming up close behind in second place - due to the four Home Nations competing separately as opposed to the Team GB at other major events. Yesterday morning the Standing Mens 8-10 Table Tennis was won by Wales - a...
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Final Shift - Day 7

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So have reached the day of my last shift.  Last night was a busy night, although we did manage to complete the shift by 2230hrs (as opposed to the 0030hrs indicated on our rota).  As we near the end of the week, the competitions are focused on Gold and Bronze matches.  With medal events, the number of spectators increases, and whenever there is an England player (or more so when a Gold is won), the spectator roar increases significantly. Yesterday was ParaTable Tennis - with two different categories; 3-5 which is for those who have standing problems and need to be wheelchair seated and 6-10 for those who can compete standing (but may have arm/leg problems).  As has been seen with the other para events, the crowd enthusiastically support players, and again it was evident in TTE - when the Mens Singles 3-5 Final was won by England, the noise was deafening. The seating is around 2500 and it was good to see an almost full house. With the England anthem being ‘Jerusalem’,...
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Shift - Day 6

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It was a busy yesterday night, although we did manage to finish around 20.45hrs (shift was listed until 0000hrs).  Managed to walk 15,433 steps in total yesterday.  We had our fair share of infrastructure issues, with a toilet which wouldn’t flush, and a sink which leaked.  Has to be seen in the context that everything is temporary in the back of house area of these standard exhibition halls, and come Tuesday morning  it will all start to be dismantled. On site workforce catering has been generally considered by us to be the worst of any major event - there is essentially no menu variation from day to day or between the set meals.  We get meal coupons for either lunch or dinner.  Last night I had Caesar Salad (again), picked up a yoghurt and a tub of fresh strawberries to be told that I couldn’t’t have the yoghurt, and had to have the separate clotted cream with the berries!  There are two serving stations, and rumour has it that if you go to the one f...
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Shift - Day 5

The final three shifts are all afternoon to late evening (0000hrs finish). So blogs may be delayed due to these late finishes. Today the hotel is seeing the departure of the Technical Officials (TOs) of those sports at the NEC which have been completed.  In particular the TOs for Weightlifting and ParaWeightlifting have left today, but all the other sports will be continuing until Sunday evening/Monday morning.  They have taken off their  uniform (all blue, compared to the rest of the workforce yellow) and been replaced by normal day clothes. The weather has cooled overnight - there is a definite chill today.  With the shift ending late, looks like the outdoor wear will get its first use when walking back to the hotel tonight A piece of trivia:  Birmingham’s water comes from Wales.  It is supplied via the Elan Valley Aqueduct. This is fed by interlinked reservoirs in the Elan Valley in Mid Wales.  Every day over 320 million litres of water travel 73 mi...
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Breaking News

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The Bull has been saved Thousands signed an online petition to stop it being dismantled and recycled It will be retained at a site to be determined in the City centre
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Rest Day - The Bull and more

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 No words are necessary - enjoy the pics from Centenary Square and central Birmingham.   Looking back to Centenary Square and the Library of Birmingham Baskerville House - previously the Civic Centre - now offices The ‘Welcome’ cladding is covering up the demolition of the Copthorne Hotel Birmingham Museum Tower Clock - known as ‘Big Brum’ Birmingham Town Hall (Grade 1 Listed) - Music Venue   Victoria Square Festival site New Street Matthew Bolton, James Watt, William Murdoch Are they discussing a roll of wallpaper? In fact it is a partially rolled up plan of a steam engine    
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Rest Day - Part 1

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Today is a Rest Day - with no work commitment. So time to explore Birmingham City Centre and chill out.  Not quite as hot as yesterday, but definitely less humid. Arriving at New St Station, took the newly opened extension of the West Midlands Metro (tram) to Brindley Place.  From here it is a short walk across the Central Square to the canals and the National Indoor Arena (NIC) - not be confused with the NEC (in the south west, adjacent to the airport).  The NIC has been hosting the B2022 Games Gymnastic events.  I last worked in the NIC in March 2018 for the World Indoor Athletics. As mentioned before, there is an extensive network of canals in and around Birmingham - developed at the early stage of the Industrial Revolution, they transported coal, iron and other heavy goods across Birmingham and the Black Country.  Most were built in 1700s and 1800s, and at its height the Birmingham Canal Network was over 170 miles in length. James Brindley (b 1716, d 27/09/1...
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