It's nice to be understood when you speak

Wow, it’s amazing what five or six hours of sleep will do for a guy.

Feel entirely rejuvenated. And by rejuvenated I mean barely hung over, lucid enough to get this done and alert enough to get through the day.

Feel like a million pence.

-

There are dozens and dozens of reasons why London was a good choice to host this little shindig but, from our perspective at least, one stood out:

It’s in our own language.

I can’t tell you how much easier it is knowing that if you approach a volunteer or a cop bobby or a soldier you can converse with them easily, figuring out where to go, how to get from Point A to Point B, where things are.

It hit home hugely on Tuesday afternoon when a quartet of us were trying to navigate entry into the beach volleyball venue, a joint that wasn’t really ready to accept visitors but a place we had to get to for the Canadian practice.

We got off the tube about two stops too late, it ends up, so we were on the wrong side of the fenced-off grounds and somehow talked our way through back entrances and closed gates simply because the guards could understand us.

Usually, at least at the last two of these things I’ve been at, any conversation is greeted with polite smiles and blank stares and ends up with me pointing at my credential and the volunteer or soldier pointing aimlessly in some other direction.

Not here. Nope.

We had two young army dudes open a door in a fence they were guarding to let us down some back road, the next soldier was able to answer our questions about where the actual security entrance was and the polite police officers who stopped us every 100 metres or so understood what we were saying when we said it and merrily sent us on our way.

Civilized, I tell you.

And way, way easier.

-

Yeah, you will get some views around here.

And when we were hanging out at the beach volleyball and talking about the venue and the Horse Guards Parade with the athletes, Marie-Andree Lesssard kind of hit on her rather cool existence.

“I think we’ve very fortunate on the world tour. I recall in Milan we were playing in front of Il Duomo … in Rome we play in the Olympic Stadium next to these centuries-old statues, In Paris we played on Champs Elysees so we’ve been very, very fortunate.

“You’re grateful when you’re on the court, whether it’s going good or bad, you’re going, ‘Oh, my God, what a great life I have.’”

Wonder if there’s Beach Volleyball Grunt gig out there I could check out?

-

Mail?

Not sure if we’ll do one or two or just throw ‘em out as bonus items but may as well solicit what I can.

You know the drill.

Click. Write. Send.

And I’ll probably say this six or seven times as we go along but any and all London suggestions welcome; I’ve got to try to get out more.

-

So I’m walking from hotel to bus stop the first morning and off the main road there’s this alley, like there is off every road.

And, of course, down the alley are a couple of pubs and going on about 90 minutes plane sleep that’s as far afield as I was about to get.

I can report that Greene King IPA is so-so, the Jeffe is, as always, a nice alternative and if you end the night The Bar Of All Hours, a Cobra or two (originally made in India, now in London) isn’t a bad way to go.

And thus endeth Night One.

-

This is kind of cool.

Stop by the variety store (or news agent, I guess) to pick up some fresh air and water and the guy looks at the credential and says, “oh, Toronto Star?”

Um, yep.

“Nice. I have relatives in Markham, I’ll tell them to read your stuff.”

Small world and now I’ve got an in at a place where you can pick up a loose Stella if you’re so inclined.

-

One of the table conversations last night got around, as it sometimes does, to music and we’re trying to come up with the list of top songs with London in the title or about London.

This was the overwhelming winner, right?

What else have you got?

-

I see the Americans drilled Spain last night over in Barcelona and if anyone thinks it means anything, I believe they are sadly mistaken.

If there’s one thing about international basketball that stands out more than anything else, it’s that teams never, ever show their best stuff in meaningless games, and often don’t do everything even in some first-round games.

For Spain and the US, the tournament doesn’t start until the quarter-finals, there’s no way in the world they both don’t advance, and to put any stock in what transpired in a friendly is probably not wise.

We’ll have a full look at the tournament in, I believe, Saturday’s paper but at first blush, you have to figure those two countries are going to meet again. With everything on the line.

-

This is cool.

Took what’s known as the Javelin train from Stratford station out here at the Olympic Park to St. Pancras station to start the beach volleyball journey yesterday.

It goes about 225 kilometres an hour – about a six, seven minute ride from start to finish – and it’s an impressive way to get in and out of this park area.

From a guy who’s used to the Smelly Ford Focus in QEW traffic, it was a nice change.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[Peter]

Still buying "Fresh Air" eh?

[sportschic]

I seem to recall reading about a London Pub Crawl app a while ago, which has your name all over it. I'm not sure if this is the one, but this site looks like one you would like. http://thelondonpubcrawlco.com/blog/2012/07/03/5-things-to-do-in-london-when-visiting-for-the-2012-olympics-london-pub-walk-is-our-number-one/

Looking forward to your Olympic tales. Oh, and thank the powers-that-be who have put a link to your blog back on the Sports page. Those of us who aren't always on the same computer appreciate it.

[KenL]

Watching SportsCentre this morning and they showed a clip of the women's beach volleyball team being interviewed. Standing to the side of them who did I see? You Doug. Any chance that could turn you into a TSN field reporter as well?

Blogger's note: A face made for the newspaper business, I'm afraid

[Nick]

One of my Favorites to sing along with after a few too many beverages. Also "Mind your P's and Q's came from London when bar maids would tell patrons to mind there Pints and Quarts instead of getting invlved in ruckesses that were breaking out in the bar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDpYBT0XyvA

[Fredho]

Hi Doug - if you get the chance to visit Camden Town, I hadn't visited it during previous visits to London but did the last time and was very pleasantly suprised by the colourfoulness and atmosphere - London really is an amalgamation of different villages with their different styles and Camden town stands out with its unique chaos. Have some world food from one of the countless stalls and eat it on one of the vespa's at the waterfront, watching the Londoners lie, sit, walk, run, cycle in front of you.
And, not particularly English, but if you find a pub where they serve some Belgian beers, try a Duvel - preferably on an evening when something stronger won't get you into trouble.
Random link so you know what bottle to look out for :) :
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/222/695

[Brad B.]

Doug, make sure you checkout the Canadian Women's Soccer Team that's playing Japan today. I'd be interested to hear your take on their chances based on your observations.

Blogger's note: Won't be at game, that's Cathal's trek today; I'm at women's basketball and a couple other things to do

[Mike D.]

Doug, I don't think you should jump into a women's beach volleyball grunt gig without doing some indepth research to ensure that you would retain the same Irregular support as you do in your current gig. Fortunately I, for one, would be happy to accompany you to a few games to make sure the overall fan appeal, and your knowledge of the sport, is up to snuff.

Unplugging my laptop now before the expected response from @Lorie melts any critical components.

[Peter]

For songs with a London theme: Elvis Costello, "London's Brilliant Parade" should be near the top.

Blogger's note: Was definitely part of the conversation as I recall

[Lorie]

Hi Doug! Great stuff this morning! Of course, your mention of songs about and using the word London has sent my mind racing through all sorts of stuff (remember Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, and even Henry the Eighth by Herman and The Hermits. Oh, and West End Girls by The Pet Shop Boys...) but the one that jumped out first was this one by Roger Miller:
http://youtu.be/UWB1Sqsx1jo
And watching the US-Spain game yesterday I heard the play-by-play dudes mention that the 2014 FIBA World Championship is going to be hosted by Spain. Now wouldn't that be a great gig?! And, no @Mike D I will not deliver - as Monty Python warned - my very own internet version of The Spanish Inquisition. Instead, this. I love these words from a female Aussie beach volleyball competitor: "You run like a girl. You jump like a girl. You serve 165 km/hr in their faces. Like a girl."
Cheers!
(Doug - A quick question though, why are the soccer events taking place so many days ahead of the official opening of the games?)

Blogger's note: Have to start early so there's at least some time between games; Canada goes again Saturday which is a pretty quick turnaround

[Jonathan M]

For starters song-wise, I'll throw in Elvis Costello's London's Brilliant Parade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_x_bSUqpfA), Towers of London by XTC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRNHbBg6HVc), Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhSc8qVMjKM), and for something obscure, Frank Zappa with Van Morrison on lead vocal with Dead Girls of London (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1USMpyuXcn8). And, to cheat slightly, I can't help but include The Pogues' Rainy Night In Soho (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Yp8vecWXM).

Also Doug, remember that Stella isn't considered to be a classy lady over there, she hasn't been dolled up like she has in North America. Pub-wise, a little reconnaissance of the area informs me that you might like The Queen's Larder (spitting distance from your hotel) or if Mother Star is pinching you on the expense account, try The Princess Louise a block west of the Holborn tube station. Cheers.

Blogger's note: The Queen's Larder was actually the scene of last night's hijinks. A picnic table just off the far end of it.

[john]

Hey Doug, do you have an official vollyball uniform to wear courtside so show your support for the team?

[Les]

At the risk of dating myself, although this does precede me by a bit, my favourite London song has to be A Nightengale Sang in Berkley Square.

Here are links to a couple of great renditions.

Anne Shelton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gnTkgCusMc
Vera Lynn with full intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gnTkgCusMc

Everyone has done it. The most recent version I know of is by Harry Connick.

[Les]

And just in case you are a Bobby Darrin fan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9dpqXUDSI

[Mike kovacs]

Doug unless you are really into modern art I would only go to the Tate Modern to admire what they did with the old building. My boys still talk about an actual framed mirror that was there as art and a whole bunch of other things 'that they could do too'.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Yep, Spain had no cards on the table yesterday; looked like they were pretty much just putting up shots.
Bit of a stretch, but maybe this could be Sir Paul's ode to the ravens of London Tower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpXL2c7gQv0
Cheers and beers. Go JV!

[deebee]

if you're looking for tasty English beers, try to find your way to a Samuel Smith pub - they're dotted all over, but the beer is wonderful and they typically have a lager on tap that's only £2.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a Samual Smith now - it's been a fleet street staple for nearly 500 years and was Dickens' old hang-out. It can be a bit touristy, but the food is good and there are always interesting people around.

Blogger's note: Been there, done that, will unquestionably do it again and Samuel Smith's might be my favourite of all time. I want to go to Tadcaster

[Farhan Lalji]

LDN by Lilly Allen, is a true Londoner's tune.

Off to see the Beach Volleyball next week, can't wait.

[Jonathan S]

streets of london ralph mctell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uc8KPSIzAc

[doug]

this is sort of a sappy song but it has always appealed to me for some reason...and that would be McCartney's London Town, I like the tune and the melody of it...Marc Gasol never played for Spain along with a few others...and I don't get a lot of things in life, but this one totally perplexes me, the Jays deal for a starting pitcher, but don't use him as a starter put him in the pen where he hasn't pitched out of for 4 years, then for his first appearance as a reliever they bring him in to pitch in a close game and him and J.P. weren't on the same page at all...you could see Happ was frustrated and continually shaking J.P. off....but he shouldn't even for one be a reliever and two for god's sake give him a easier first assignment, I can forsee another pitcher with arm troubles on the horizon, the way this coaching staff handles pitchers at times is criminal....ok tally-ho....carry-on and all that...

[Jon K.]

Doug -

I was just in London in April, and had an amazing time. If you're cost-conscious and need a decent, fast lunch, I can't say enough about Pret. Free wifi, good coffee, good food. It's not a pub, sure, but it's good. The curry shops around Euston station are great too.