Shift - Day 4

Today I had a change of venue - Sandwell Aquatic Centre.  To get there for my 0830hrs shift, after an early breakfast at 0600hrs, it was a train to New Street Station, a walk to Colmore Row (beside the Cathedral) and a 20min 12A bus, which stopped a two minute walk away from the Accredited entrance.  A more laid back approach to security with the usual X-ray machine, and a body search using an electronic wand.

Arriving at a new venue means having to familiarise oneself with the layout, and where we are based.  As a venue it is quite compact, so we share space with the athletes dressing area.  This morning session was very short, as it comprised a series of heats.  However some heats did not have enough competitors, so those went straight through to the finals this evening.

Sandwell Aquatic Centre is the only totally new build for the Games. While other venues and transport interchanges have had some partial new builds or modernisation, Sandwell is completely new.  It consists of a competition pool and a diving pool.  After the Games it will become a swimming/leisure centre for the residents of Smethwick.  There is at present a pop-up pool, used for warm-ups/warm downs/practice, but this will be removed after the Games.  Given that Smethwick has been one of the most deprived areas of Birmingham, this new build will give something back to the community.

Yesterday, the venue was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their daughter Charlotte.





Where I am standing, the diving pool is to the right, and the competition pool ahead
All of the athletes have to come to this spot to collect their accreditation once they have completed their event

Following my shift, went to the workforce break area to have lunch - exactly the same choice as yesterday, so it was the Caesar Salad again.  At least there was no evidence of the portion control experienced yesterday at the NEC.

After lunch it was back on the 12A bus into the centre of Birmingham, getting off at Centenary Square.  This is what you see on the BBC as the background.  As well as the Bull, it has a B2022 MegaStore which faces the new Library (which has an open air garden on its roof).  The store was packed and obviously doing good business.

The Bull, up close, looks magnificent - it’s a mix of steel and plastic (a lot of the accessories are made of plastic).  It draws huge crowds and anyone you speak to wants it to be kept - they are rightly proud of it.  People stand and look at it - taking their time.  It is not one of those ‘there it is, ok let’s move on” attractions.  It is eye-catching, and deserves the attention it is getting.

Tomorrow is my rest day - so will spend the time going around Birmingham enjoying the atmosphere.











Crossword answers:
Cryptic - Also in French - (Aussi) and in English - (e) = Aussie (Antipodean)
Non-cryptic -  Oz bird = Emu
                        Oz = ounce



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