Shift - Day 3

Another day, another shift.  Due to some Covid issues, there has been a reduction in our staffing, meaning that there have been late changes to our work/shift.  Fortunately it got resolved for my shift today.

Did manage to watch the Mixed Team Badminton Bronze Medal match between Singapore and England.  It’s potentially five matches played by members of each team (in this session were 3 male and 3 females in each team).  It starts with mixed doubles, then mens singles, women singles, mens doubles and finally womens doubles.  After Singapore won the first match, the mens match was tightly fought.  Singapore won the first set, and then England won the second set. This resulted in a third deciding set, which was thrilling but finally won by Singapore.  This match lasted 84 mins, and there was an enthusiastic England supporting crowd.

A member of the Singapore support team had an air horn at pitch side and whenever he used it the England supporters kept chanting “England, England” - it all added to the atmosphere.

Unfortunately the third match was the womens singles, and England was beaten by two sets.  This meant that as Singapore had won three matches they had gained the Bronze Medal.  The England team took defeat well, and they were cheered as they did a lap of honour around the court.

It was good to see a new sport close up and it is so sweat producing for the players, that every so often a B2022 staff member would come on with a giant squeegy mop to dry up any drops of sweat on the court.

It was a late lunch today and it definitely had come down from our high yesterday when we were treated to strawberries and clotted cream.  It was back to basic portions (3 items only) with no yoghurt or bananas available.  However the Caesar Salad was quite tasty and filling.

Tomorrow I have a change of venue - off to the Sandwell Aquatic Centre - for the day.  I have got acclimatized today for the humidity in the Aquatic Centre tomorrow. Walking back from the NEC it was humid ++, there had been rain last night, but this afternoon it was just overcast.

Today’s pic - taken from my seating place court side



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