Having had an early start the day before, I had a bit of a lie in today and didn’t have to get a train until 9.34am – result! Having seen the long walk at London Bridge and how it had been reasonably busy going into London I decided to try a different route to get to Wembley Arena for the badminton and got off at Farringdon instead. Was a much shorter walk to go round to a different platform within the station and hardly any crowd but then it was a bit later in the day. I could’ve got the Jubilee line the whole way, but on advice from my other half, I got off at Finchley Road and crossed over to the Metropoliton line and missed out a few stops – thanks G!
Coming out at Wembley Park I had a great view of Wembley Stadium so having a bit of time, I took a few shots of the stadium and the area before following the signs to the arena which (due to the way they are managing the flow of people) meant going up the ramp and down a long flight of steps rather than going the direct route! Given that I have trouble going down steps wish I’d known the more direct route and could have bypassed the stairs but there we go! Unlike Lords there was a long snake here to get into the security tent but it only took about 15 mins or so to get through so wasn’t too bad. Everyone was very good natured as they waited too, and the volunteers were again friendly and helpful.
Meeting up with my father-in-law we made our way into the arena and found that we were sitting on the opposite side to where we were expecting as they had moved our seats due to the position of the press boxes. They were still good seats with being level with the right hand of three courts and towards the back so we could see all courts very well. The action was generally fast and furious in all matches, and it was at times hard to keep up with all that was happening and which match to watch! The arena was VERY warm, which we hadn’t been expecting, so we were pleased to leave part way through the session to get some lunch which we took back into the arena – two pieces of chicken, 3 hash browns and a small pot of coleslaw which was a slightly strange but good meal!
Only a few of the matches were a walk over, and the closest match actually ended in the most unfortunate way with one of the athletes as they ruptured their achilles! They were obviously in a lot of pain, but they still managed to wave to the crowd as they were wheeled out of the arena.
As there was a bit of time inbetween our sessions, we decided to go outside and get out of the heat for a bit so went and sat in a grassy area in the shade for half and hour or so before making our way back to the security queue again. We got through faster this time and were soon back inside and making sure we had plenty of water with us before going back into the arena. Our seats this time were opposite the middle court and much closer to the action and in fact our big TeamGB UK flag could be seen on the TV coverage at times (but luckily not us!) as we’d draped it over the seats in front of us.
For this evening session it did seem to be that it was even hotter in the arena, and by the end I was a bit dehydrated even though I kept on trying to drink. There were more matches in this session, with the mens doubles being the most closely fought and the most fast and furious rallys on the whole. Luckily we didn’t see anyone trying to lose like there were the following day. Given the ferocity and closeness of some of the matches, the session overran and we didn’t actually leave until gone 11.20 and we needed to go to Wembley Central which was a fair walk. Even so, there were Olympic Volunteers along the route and at the station which made us feel safe. It was 12.40 before we made it back to my inlaws house and I wasn’t feeling very well at all as the heat, the lateness and the two full days took their toll.
Still it was all worth it to experience another day at the Olympic Games and to see the badminton! Roll on the third of my mad days…
Note : You can see the pictures and videos that I took by clicking here.