Wonderful words to hear at the hotel

Pip, pip, and all that stuff.

(I’ll get used to the vernacular as we go along, promise)

I know I’m in London ‘cause I’m writing this in the lower back seat of a double-decker bus headed out to the main press centre.

We’ll be a little shorter than usual today; got about 90 minutes sleep in two 45-minute stretches so pardon the lack of wit and, I’m sure, more than a couple of typos.

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So, for the first time of the seven of these I’ve done, we’re housed in a hotel rather than a media “village” and get this!!!!

The lobby bar is “OPEN ALL THE HOURS!”

Seriously.

Now, that’s living.

It’s looks like a lovely hotel, the Grange Holborn in the West End and in the 15 minutes I was in there before heading out to the main press centre, the air conditioning worked like a charm and the shower had solid water pressure. Can’t ask for more than that.

What we’ll miss, of course, is the communal feeling you get in those media villages, where thousands of like-minded souls from around the world would be housed in what are de facto high rise condos.

They always had an outdoor bar, a shopping area, a convenience store, a common breakfast room and you’d always run into someone you knew.

Might be a group of Canadians, could be a handful of Yanks, some Europeans. Every night you’d come back and you’d know who’d had a long, tough day by the number of people at the tables swapping stories.

You’d get to know new people, too. You’d see a group of, say, singing Germans one night and then the next night you’d see them again and by the third night you were nodding acquaintances.

By the end of the Games, you might be offered citizenship.

But that was then, this is now and there’ll be all kinds of interesting twists, I think. The hotel, unlike the media village, doesn’t require a credential to get in so who knows what kind of riff-raff we’ll be dealing with.

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Not a bad way to welcome weary travellers at Heathrow.

Salvation Army Band just before passport control

 

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Hope you folks who were whining about the grass needing some water back home were happy with that thunderstorm that hit about 8 o’clock last night.

I can tell you the 250 or so people who were trapped in the plane at the gate with me at Pearson for the better part of an hour weren’t all that pleased.

Yeah, we got a “red alert” warning about electricity in the air, and not the good kind, either, just after we boarded.

Sat there and sat there and sat there some more until we were finally able to push back and get on our way.

No whining, though, comfortable aisle seat near the front, a mini-TV screen that worked and maybe 90 minutes of shuteye.

Dream journey.

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So, what happens here between now and Friday when they kick things off?

Well, some competition – I believe Not Grace Kelly is off to Coventry tomorrow for the women’s football, the lucky soul – while the rest of us get acclimated to the bus system, the main press centre and the amenities.

There’ll be the odd news conference here and there for athletes competing early in the Game so there’ll be some real life stuff to report on a little bit.

But, truly, it’s mostly about figuring out how things work so we can really hit the ground running come Friday morning.

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I’m taking the 10-minute walk from the hotel to the media bus depot and two minutes in I run across a Subway and 90 seconds later I pass a Pizza Hut and you have my solemn oath never to step in either for the 21 more days I’m here.

The Starbucks that’s between them? Well, that’s an entirely different story.

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Know all those stories about nightmare lines at Heathrow and how horrible getting here is?

Not my experience.

Might have been the smoothest one yet, landed, two volunteers met us at the top of the ramp, walked us – I had Stumpy and Sy from the Sun on my flight – through passport control, they validated our credentials in about 90 seconds and by the time we got through there the bags were on the carousel.

Train ride to Paddington, complimentary ride to the hotel and it wasn’t two hours from wheels down to hotel room opened.

(Yes, I realize the jinx in there, don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind.

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Oh, Raptors news?

I hear the schedule might be out this week or next so you can plan your summers.

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All right, off to explore a bit and get my feet under me.

More, better stuff tomorrow, I hope.

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Comments

[Diego]

Glad to hear the trip is off to a flying start. Quick question (I think you've talked about this before): what are realistic expectations for our women's basketball team in London? Thanks.

Blogger's note: Well, they don't play "classification" games any more so we can't say 9-12; if they finish top 8 it will be an outstanding accomplishment given the pool they are in

[DaveT (Ottawa)]

Hey Doug, glad the travel went smoothly. That's actually my experience with Heathrow, as well. It's not a small airport by any stretch, but I really much prefer it to, say, Frankfurt. Heathrow, you always feel as if you're moving to somewhere. In Frankfurt you know if you have a short connection you're going to run down one hall for 5 minutes just to go upstairs, through passport control and run back the exact same way (one floor up) for 5 minutes. Or perhaps you'll just be walking down a hallway thinking you have just enough time to go grab an adult beverage in a lounge and then realize that hallway connects two "terminal"s and you have to wait through security. I know German efficiency and all, but it's still airport-paced.

With all of the A/C flying you do, you must have Elite or Super Elite status. I'm surprised to hear you weren't flying over in Executive. Have you ever flown in the "pod"? I only have once, but I'm scarred for life -- now it's the only way to travel (that is, of course, if you can get it).

Blogger's note: Never been in a pod and lost highest status in shortened season but I do all right

[Serban Suvagau]

Welcome to London. Happy to hear Heathrow was breeze.

Blogger's note: Glad to be here

[Bill]

Great job Doug and maybe you should consider sleeping less in the future because there are definitely less typos than usual. :)

[LeeZ]

I'm truly sorry, Doug, but you're going to have to take the first available flight and come back home. Immediately, in fact. There is breaking news on the Raptors front. A humongous, blockbuster event, in fact. There is a rumour that the Raptors will (my pulse is racing as I type these words...) be using their purple dino costumes as throwback jerseys this year. Olympics shmolympics, we need you here, Doug. Please hurry. http://blogs.thescore.com/raptorblog/2012/07/23/raptors-to-rock-hardwood-classics/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thescore%2Fraptorblog+%28RaptorBlog%29

[doug]

well it sounds like it's so far so good on your travels (touch wood or Stumpy's forehead)....I like that concept of bars being open 24 hours, we need to make it a election issue....here is Raptor news, haven't a clue what their talking about though, maybe it's those purple/white dinosaur uni's but I haven't a clue....as long as we don't see those camouflage uni's anymore all is fine with me..

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/222582/Report_Raptors_To_Wear_Cartoonish_Nineties_Uniforms_In_Hardwood_Classics_Series

[Nick M]

Agree with @doug, knock on wood on that airport experience!
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Looking forward to the Doug Smith Olympic blog.
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Quick question, will you be the lucky reporter who gets to cover the 100 metre final?

Blogger's note: Doubt it, but we'll see; that's got columnist written all over it

[larry lukeeborg]

i am surprised that you divulged the location of your hotel. you'll soon be besieged by celebrity autograph hounds!

[Lorie]

C'mon, guys! I thought 'fashion snobbery' was my exclusive territory. Admit it, doesn't it stir something akin to a deep and fond nostalgia when you see those purple dino uni's? :) And great stuff on 90-minutes sleep, Doug. You know me and grammar, but the spelling looked spot on. (Was it the adrenalin rush, or the quad vente rocket fuel?!) Fun about the Salvation Army Band welcoming you. Reminded me of this Simon and Garfunkel tune:
http://youtu.be/IJeisxDEkCA
And I read there's not a hint of haze or cloud or even rain since you've arrived? Nice. May it last for 21 days.
So, speaking of classic music, were you lucky enough to be in the vicinity of Olympic Stadium where I understand Sir Paul was rehearsing "Hey Jude" today? You're over there in famous company. All kinds of celebs and royals!!! But, who, if you don't mind, is "Sy"? Cheers!

Blogger's note: Steve (Sy) Simmons, great guy

[D-Mac Ottawa]

OMG Doug, have you heard about the uni's??!!
This is a fun place, isn't it? Great to hear your trip's been a breeze "all the hours" so far. Enjoy your down time hugely while it lasts. Cheers.

[Rob.V]

So will you be working the blog later than normal for the faithful. I imagine it's already what 6:30ish there now?
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If this get's posted does this mean you are into OT?

Blogger's note: What is this OT of which you speak? It's 7:19, have to transcribe tape and write beach volleyball story now

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Glad to hear things went smoothly (after the storm-induced delay) for your flight and arrival.

I just want to commend you on your commitment to your Irregulars - after only 90 minutes of sleep, and with other pressing issues, you still managed to get your blog up for us! Bravo!

And, I noticed that, as a reader requested, you've posted a picture for us! I realize that a picture a day might be a little challenging, but I have enjoyed the pictures that have posted in the past - perhaps ones that will not be included in a tourist guide, but entertaining nonetheless!

Cheerio! And here's to hoping you find delectable bangers and mash - or, whatever you desire!

[LeeZ]

Another blockbuster signing: the Suns signed P.J.Tucker to a two year partially guaranteed contract. And you know what that means, right Doug? BC screwed up yet again. He let P.J. go for NOTHING and now another team has beat him out again. Just shows that prime free agents are loathe to come to Toronto. Clearly, BC needs to go.
Love P.J.'s quote: "It's been a long, grueling journey, but it's fulfilling," Tucker, 27, said of his return to the NBA. "I was so resentful in Toronto because I wasn't playing much. I was throwing fits. I was so young-minded. I didn't get the big picture or that it's a business.
“You have to understand your role on a team. You see kids come after you and do the same thing. So many never play and say they got screwed by the GM or coach. When you can be real with yourself and understand why, that's really when it comes to life." Sounds like the kid has grown up. Good on him.

[Mike kovacs]

Are you going to see how many different pubs you can hit? When we were there for a week over New Years I think we made it to 10.

Blogger's note: Hmm. I smell a challenge.

[sportschic]

Glad to hear that your travels went smoothly, and I hope it continues. It seems you brought the hot weather with you, though, so I'm sure beer will be involved in quenching your thirst. I don't suppose you'll have time to take in the British Museum's Shakespeare exhibit.

Oh, and pods are definitely the way to go! Great for an overseas flight! :)

Blogger's note: I hope to, actually