London 2012: Hungarian Eton Dorney

This is turning into an addiction, it must be to get up at 3:30am! to travel to Eton Dorney for a 9:30 start. We walked to the train station in pitch black, just the smell of damp fields and the promise of a very hot day. It's amazing the number of people with lights on at 4am, and number of people with their TV on, why aren't they sleeping? The train was surprisingly full, so much so that we couldn't sit in first class. By this time, our legs were moving but it felt like our heads were asleep. Cross London to Paddington at 6am, a very civilised Paddington, very few people. Then We boarded the train to Slough, shuttle to Eton Dorney, a very long walk to the lake and we were there. All morning the sun blazed, we don't often put sun cream on at the small hours of the morning.

The pre-race entertainment consisted of bongo cam, interviews, a war canoe, paddling demonstration, kayak pulling a wakeboard and then it was time to start, 4 medals available for canoe and kayak. As we got to Eton Dorney, I was really surprised with the number of Hungarian flags and supporters, they were everywhere and evening the British supporters! When the races started, we realised why. Hungary, Russia and Germany are  big stars in the world of canoe and kayaking. The men's races were 1000 metres, women from 500m but oh my gosh, it was a long way. We had great tickets at the finish line, row 3 and the roar when the GB competitors went by was fantastic. We also did a few of the longest mexican waves and the medal ceremonies for Australia, Germany twice and Hungary was really moving.

A stop in Satsuma for food, then back home after a very very long day. Ali experienced first class train travel for the first time (and now doesn't feel sorry for me for travelling to Bristol) and we wer ein the Olympic bubble again, we absolutely love it, can't we have this every year?