Super Saturday full of golds – but no scalps for me! (3 August London2012)

30 Friday Jul 2021

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Now a hardened T3 driver, as I’ve said before, I’ve also taken up the drivers’ hobby of pin collecting: Like a head-hunter accumulating scalps as a trophy of battle, Olympic pin badges are the portable proof of T3 drivers’ prowess on the field of battle, here the Olympic ‘Zil’ lanes.

The penny has finally dropped as to why the Olympic shops are groaning with all the different styles of pin badges as these are the tokens that dignitaries and athletes hand out to those they wish to favour.

Britain may have climbed to third place on the medal table thanks to Super Saturday’s 6 golds, but I’m not doing so well on the pin badge league. Highest up are the venue car-park staff who’s accreditation tapes are positively jangling with little metal badges. My collection remains at four, having received one a day so far, sadly with the exception of today. I could claim five but I don’t feel it merits the inclusion of the ungainly ‘Games Maker’ freebie handed out during registration this morning, complete with giant McDonald’s logo.

Still, that minor failure was offset by two pleasing firsts.

I’m hoping that a side benefit to my volunteering will be that my blog raises some money for a local charity that I support: how fitting then that the first donation on my Just Giving page justgiving.com should come from the noble friend who himself volunteered so valiantly and unselfishly to drive me all around the lanes of Dartmoor during those distant university days, long before I had my own licence to drive. A sign of the passage of time that I have upgraded from his ancient blue Austin to a smart Olympic BMW, but I’m thrilled and grateful that thanks to him my fund raising journey is now also underway.

The other first of the day was being sent to the beach volleyball at last. There’s been so much hype I was dying to catch at least some of the atmosphere.

The day started with two uneventful collections from Wembley: the first to return a cheery American Nike executive and his family to their hotel. As guests of the IOC thanks to Nike’s kit contributions to athletes I wasn’t sure if Adidas might be a dirty word, but he said not. Second up was a FIFA drugs tester, also returning to her hotel. Then at last came the longed for instruction ‘Charlie 217: your next destination is Horse Guards parade’.

It was great to see all the lights and hear the roars of support bursting out onto Whitehall, but it was a long wait until I finally collected three Columbians and returned them to their hotel. Their surprising lack of ebullience matched my exhaustion as after midnight I at last returned to my depot and clocked off for the day.

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Inside the stadium at last (2 August London2012)

29 Thursday Jul 2021

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I may have missed the Opening Ceremony but at least I’ve made it into the stadium at last. After a slight diary error, thankfully forgiven by the ‘Home Support Team’, another day off from the driving for a fabulous morning watching the inaugural session of the Athletics. Living up to all expectations the stadium is superb and the various field and track events thrilling to watch, including Jessica Ennis’ superb performances in the hurdles and high jump, hopefully on her way to a gold medal.

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Pinch and a punch for the first day of the month (1 August London2012)

28 Wednesday Jul 2021

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No rest for the wicked, so up at 5.00 for my first morning shift, starting at 6.00 am. Like an eerie scene from a science-fiction movie I joined the small army of purple and orange clad drones streaming down the road pre-programmed to descend into our depot.

Amazing how quickly one slips into type, now a hardened T3 driver! Quickly out of the depot, into a car and onto the road, this time dispatched to the dreaded ‘T3 OFH staging’ – the ‘Olympic Family Hotels’ T3 drivers staging area, for those not in the know. It’s a new venue for me and the instruction from a dispatcher that I have most dreaded, fearing it to be the black hole of all-day waiting retold by others, but today my luck was in and after only 1/2 an hour I had my first passenger.

The pleasure was brief: in a rush for his meeting I drove my Japanese passenger 1/4 mile down the road from one hotel to another. I just had time to enunciate my best ‘ohayou gozaimasu’ and he was gone – it took all of 90 seconds, not even enough time to recall ‘sayonara’ from the depths of my memory.

And so back round the block, this time to the back of the T3 queue. It’s dog eat dog out there, as even Richard George, Director of Transport, was finally forced to inform us today that ‘demand for our services has been less than expected’ – understatement of the year. All the volunteers would prefer to be busy and with so few clients we’re all desperate not to miss out, whilst at the same time trying to be fair to each other.

Luckily, it being early, guests were still setting off for their morning’s sport so my next trip was to Excel with a Phillipino Fencing official. Returning for a third time to the ‘OFH T3 staging’ after much hanging around my shift concluded with two more short journeys, taking a Spanish/Argentinian lawyer to meet some others en-route to the rowing at Eton Dorney and finally ferrying a Swiss lady with her Serbian friends from the Volleyball at Earls court back to their hotel.

With so much time spent behind the wheel there’s little opportunity to watch the events as they unfold but one of the benefits of the job is to learn all about how the Olympics are organised and run. It wouldn’t take much further research for me to be able to choose that as my specialist subject if ever I’m on Mastermind. I now understand the roles of the four main parties involved and their inter-relationship: The IOC is the guardian of the Olympic Games but they are organised in conjunction with all of the National Olympic Committees, the local Organising Committee and in particular all the different Sports Federations, and these seem to be the majority of the ‘dignitaries’ that we are driving.

Completely exhausted after hanging on for an extra 1 1/2 hours I’d achieved a full quartet of passengers in a single day – likely to be the pinnacle of my T3 driving experience.

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Up with the larks for a morning at Eton Dorney (31 July London2012)

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

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Luckily even Games Makers get a day off, but it certainly wasn’t a rest! Up at 04:50, after just over 4 hours sleep, for a morning at Eton Dorney for the rowing. Great to see all the British qualify in their various heats and the most amazing atmosphere, with roars of support. Home and early to bed.

Day 3 (30 July London2012) – Bingo!

26 Monday Jul 2021

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Set myself the apparently unrealistic challenge of 3 clients in a single day. After an un-promising start things started to pick up and by midnight I’d come up trumps.

A lot of hanging around Earls Court in our now-customary staging area, chatting to other drivers and drinking coffee: I now know all about the history, monuments and occupants of the adjoining Grade I-listed Brompton Cemetery, including it’s catacombs and the graves of Emmeline Pankhurst, Sir Samuel Cunard and Bernard Levin to name but a few. Finally after clearing an even more thorough security check than last time I headed off to Park Lane with a tired looking Mexican lawyer – something to do with Olympic TV rights I gathered.

Next up a cheery chap from the Ivory Coast to watch the boxing at Excel and finally the hat trick was scored thanks to an IOC member returning to her hotel to celebrate Colombia’s highest ever medal tally at an Olympics, partly due to their Silver medal gained in the much-lamented defeat of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish!

And so to bed, admittedly unable to resist a mini detour to admire the spectacular bridge lighting on the Thames.

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Day 2 (29 July London2012)

25 Sunday Jul 2021

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Entire day at Wembley Arena ‘staging’ car park: minimal work but a merry and varied group of fellow Games Makers to chat to: a teacher, magistrate, company director and events organiser, amongst others. Seems rather a mis-allocation of skills to have us all working as drivers.

By depot standards I had a busy day, managing all of two runs: a rather morose Malay and a group of sprightly Senegalese, celebrating their football victory. After a chatty hour in the car (it’s a long way to the Olympic village from Wembley, especially when being directed by DORS) I’m now well briefed on the miles of sandy beaches, variety of wildlife and other highlights of Senegal but thought my French was letting me down as one passenger described the delights of keeping a pet caiman in his back garden, but no, they assured me I had understood correctly. Discovering that caimen are only found in South America I’m baffled. It’s a pity we missed Baaba Maal on the Africa Stage on Saturday which would at least have given me some knowledge of Senegal.

I learnt rather less about Malaysia and nothing about the Badminton World Federation for which my other passenger worked, but he did admit he was exhausted having been kept up by the over-long opening ceremony.

So after a long day of only 2 trips, covering 70 miles I await tomorrow.

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My first day at last (28 July London2012)

24 Saturday Jul 2021

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My first day today at last. ‘Not exactly busy’ would be an understatement, but apparently I was one of the lucky ones: some people have gone days without a single passenger and it was certainly great fun, just as I had hoped it would be.

Having been uncharacteristically restrained on the champagne during last night’s stunning Opening Ceremony of the XXXth Olympiad, London 2012, I took a last look round the garden for 2 1/2 weeks and set off for London.

I’d rather dreaded the uniform but putting it on today I’m actually really impressed as it’s very comfortable to wear – maybe I’ll become an Addidas fan after all! When I collected it from UDAC I’d spent rather too long trying to choose between the not-quite-my-style hipster trousers and the more familiar waisted ones but I’m glad I made a rare decision in my life and decided to be conventional by choosing the lady ones, the waisted ones being meant for the male volunteers.

I arrived at the depot to find scarcely-controlled chaos, but after collecting my pack lunch (and freebie coolbag), eaten the rather worryingly named ‘hot enhancement’ and chatted with barely controlled jealousy to all the volunteers who had tickets to the opening ceremony rehearsal, to which I had somehow missed the invitation for the ballot, I was finally allocated a team, got my car and was out on the road.

Whilst other drivers seemed to be battling with the cycling race road closures I set off down blissfully empty roads heading for Eton Dorney. It required enormous self-control to be in a deserted ‘Zil’ lane on a dual carriageway keeping to the 40 mph speed limit – not one of my strengths, to which my husband will testify.

Somewhat disappointing to arrive and find the event was over and the crowds long gone: certainly no dignitaries requiring lifts. Thus to what is apparently the regular shift routine: tea and a chat with the other waiting drivers in the port-a-cabin dubbed our ‘rest area’. After taking the opportunity for a refresher on the sat-NAV I was finally re-directed to Earls court.

There both the car and I were subjected to a thorough security check by the wonderfully friendly and assured army staff – venue visitors certainly won’t need to worry about the G4S fiasco, but it was a pity to have my freebie coca cola confiscated before I’d even had a chance to drink it.

My first and, as it turned out, only dignitaries of the day were a cheery group from Fiji. What a co-incidence, inducing happy memories of my first introduction to my prospective parents-in-law amidst beautiful scenery, with numerous kava ceremonies and muddy drives to inspect British-funded lavatory blocks and bus shelters.

My Fijians safely delivered, after more hanging around it was finally “Control, Control, Charlie 414 returning to depot, Out’

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Where’s Wally? Spot my picture in The Times today!

14 Friday Sep 2012

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I’ve finally made it into the press: We’re not talking tabloid but broadsheet, as part of a special ‘Games Maker’ supplement in The Times today.

I was alerted to it’s existence thanks to an e-mail from my friend ‘noreply@gamesmaker.london2012.com’, who I’m happy to say is even now still occasionally in touch. Suffering as I am from a severe case of post-Olympic withdrawal symptoms I of course had to buy it and am proud to say there I am in the centrefold picture – along with a few hundred others, it has to be said.

Like “Where’s Wally” search hard and you might be able to spot my profile, clearly displaying my family’s most noticeable asset. If you’re struggling to spot me, I’m happy to give you a clue if you ask.

Surely now you must be inclined to assist my fundraising efforts via my Just Giving page, if you haven’t done so already. Which also gives me the opportunity to thank those of you who have already been so generous in your contributions. I really am very grateful, and it is nice to know that all those long hours spent, both driving and blogging, are going to a cause more worthy than mere self-enjoyment.

So just one final blog to write, with some of the things I particularly noted during London 2012. Meanwhile, if you’d like a souvenir of the games, consider buying a print from an amazing artist I met in the Olympic Park who specialises in painting Olympic venues. His website doesn’t do justice to the real life prints which are really beautiful, but click here for Marc Ahr’s website and maybe he’ll give you a discount if you quote ‘The Lady GamesMaker’.

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And so to the final day: ‘Charlie 515 out’, for ever!

23 Thursday Aug 2012

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The final day of operations today, as our depot closes tomorrow and returns to it’s usual public car park. We’ve stopped the ‘on-demand’ service, as most of our clients have left, so luckily there’s no more staging outside hotels – hooray! The first few drivers to arrive were sent off for pre-booked ‘Request for Transfer’ duties whilst the rest of us were allocated to the Dartford run: all 900 cars have to be driven out to Dartford for de-commissioning – by tomorrow!

It seemed like the short straw but actually it was enormous fun and on my three trips to Dartford I got to experience each of the T1, T2 and T3 ‘Alpha’, ‘Bravo’ and ‘Charlie’ cars – two Series 5 BMWs and one Series 3. No passengers of course, but that made it all the more fun.

It was the most beautiful early morning light for my first run out and the roads were astonishingly deserted: barely a soul in front of Buckingham palace as I sailed past. I flirted with a worrying sense of elation as I sped down the A2 in my supremely comfortable BMW, music at full volume, enormously tempted to unplug the tracker, ignore the Dartford turn-off and head through the Channel Tunnel to France.

But no – predictably I obeyed my calling and diligently followed the sat-NAV, en-route passing the rather beautiful looking ‘Hall Place’ , so wishing it had been called Hall ‘Hall’. Finally I parked up in the huge parking lot reserved for decommissioning and joined 7 other drivers in the mini-bus for the journey back into town, enjoying a good gossip on the way.

Back in the depot and the next car was allocated. Onto the road again, this time for a rather slower journey thanks to more traffic and also unable to resist a quick stop-off for a closer inspection of the Rapier ground-to-air missiles on Blackheath – the thrill-seeker in me? The existence of 6 missile batteries had been reported in the papers but were astonishing to see in reality – LOCOG certainly hadn’t spared any precautions. Car duly parked in line, back into the mini bus again for more gossip, rumours and experiences: it’s been such a nice group of drivers to work with I can’t bear the thought it’s all over.

“And repeat”.

Three cars safely delivered to a now rather full car park I’m unfortunately unable to stay for tonight’s ‘Wrap’ party and am only just in time to catch my train from Victoria to join the family for tonight’s theatre trip.

So it’s all over. It’s not been without its frustrations, and the Management Consultant in me is dying to write what would be a rather lengthy report on the shortfalls of the Recruitment, Training, Processes and Procedures in our Depot – yet I’ve had such a great time.

Many Games Makers have had far more interesting jobs than mine, but mine has been plenty fun enough. Almost everyone I’ve come across has been wonderful, I’ve learnt loads of new skills, been party to interesting information and seen numerous Olympic venues. The atmosphere in London has been amazing and I’ve really been able to enjoy the Olympics from the inside, which has more than compensated for missing most of it on TV! My pin badge collection is looking healthy and I’ve even raised some money for GUTS too – click HERE to view progress.

They say the Olympics wouldn’t have been possible without the Games Makers, and I know my Games Making wouldn’t have been possible without the Chef de Mission of the Home Support Team who has shouldered the burden during my absence. Keep your fingers crossed for me that he’s still there when I get home!

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A taste of the ‘Airport Run’ experience

17 Friday Aug 2012

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Like the rest of the country it’s not only Monday Morning Blues but post-Olympic blues too: bereft of my breakfast TV sporting highlights I’m forced to revert to my customary Radio 4 which just isn’t the same. Little time to worry about it though, as I’ve been moved to an earlier shift, in anticipation of high demand.

However by my start time of 10:30 I had already missed the busiest part of the morning. With over 100 requests for transfer to airports an unfortunate ‘human error’ had caused considerable chaos, so on arriving at my destination hotel I should not have been surprised when it transpired that I was one of five drivers all of whom had been sent to collect the same passenger, and who had in fact already left. Furthermore none of us was allowed to drive into the hotel forecourt due to the heightened security for a departing President.

A fraught transport manager, exhausted after only 2 hours sleep in 1 1/2 days, was doing her best to sort out all the mess so after some delay I was instructed to return in 3 hours for a different passenger, together with another driver in a second car, just for the mountain of luggage.

The prolonged waiting time let me enjoy the little-publicised party atmosphere for athletes at London’s transport hubs: on the nearby Eurostar platforms ‘The Beatlez’ were playing for the departing Belgian team, followed by a Brass Band for another team.

Returning as instructed it was a further 45 minutes before all the goodbyes had been said and passengers and luggage were safely installed, destined for Heathrow. An uneventful trip, but a relief not to be separated from the luggage car, judging by the frantic attempts I’d heard over the radio to re-unite other passengers with their luggage; the Heathrow drop-off was impressively well managed with a dedicated area and friendly volunteers to help.

And that was it for the day – one sole trip! Hearing the exasperation on the radio from those who had been staging in the same spot for 5 1/2 hours without a single passenger the wisest course of action seemed to be a strategic rest break. Much needed, too, as it was now over 8 hours since my shift had started. Rejecting Heston Services, an apparent driver favourite, I scrounged a meal voucher from a friendly dispatcher to enjoy the considerably superior food and facilities at a nearby ‘workforce break area’ – they don’t know how lucky they are! Thus refreshed I returned to my car to join the end of the depressingly long 40-car queue. Finally I was recalled to my depot, an instruction I was not slow to follow.

Having heard all the drivers’ stories, I had now myself experienced what it must have been like in the run up to the Olympics, but luckily only for a single day, unlike the repeated days others had suffered. Not pleasant, I confess, so rather a sad end to what has otherwise been a brilliant experience.

One last shift still to come, on Wednesday, but I doubt it will be for any more passengers.