Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006 pt 3

And after a fairly uneventful final leg of the trip, we arrive in Melbourne at about 5:15 on Wednesday morning. The airport is not… Singapore but there are welcome signs everywhere and no one is left in any doubt that this is the Host City of the 18th Commonwealth Games.

WELCOME TO MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
HOME OF THE 17th COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Luckily all Games Family Members have a special lane to bypass the queues. I think I’m part of the family and it’s all good.

One of the neatest sights is the arrivals lounge where there is a running track with the welcome. It is seriously clever and I am desperately trying to get a photo so that you can see it…but it is in a secure area. I might have to fly out and fly back in to get that picture. Singapore is an option…

[update – I did not manage to get a photo of the running track welcome while I was in Australia, but searching the internet some time later, I came across this photo. I don’t know the people in the picture, or who took it but you do get a sense of that fabulous running track welcome.]

After a short bus ride we arrive in the city of Melbourne where I am scammed by a taxi driver. Oh well I’m sure I won’t be the last. Now I know the city a bit better, I could have strolled from the Bus interchange to my hotel. Won’t make that mistake again!

Having slept all the way from Singapore, I am in no mood to sleep so I get some breakfast, grab my recorder and head out to the streets of Melbourne. Every one is really welcoming; I see numerous Volunteers all dressed the same. I talk to people to find out their thoughts on the games. Opinions are mixed but I record them all. Later that evening, Melbourne time, I will be speaking to Heather Stott on the BBC GMR Breakfast show. I will also be doing a piece into Beswick.

Over the next couple of days I start my interviewing for real. I get the meet the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John SO. What a great guy! With enthusiasm like this, how could the Games fail.

I go out to the Melbourne Museum for an extended interview with Dr Patrick Greene. Patrick used to be in charge of the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry and right after the Manchester Games he got the job here in Melbourne. It is really good to see him again, mind you he does ruin it all by asking me to say hello to BBC GMR presenter, Allan Beswick.

Patrick loves it here in Melbourne and can’t wait for the Games to begin. The Museum will be a ‘Live Site’, meaning they will have a big Screen for the duration of the Games and I am hoping to base myself there for the Opening Ceremony.

Once the Ceremony is finished, the costumes will be brought to the Museum for immediate exhibition. WOW!

It is really fascinating looking at the television in Melbourne. I didn’t think there could be so much sport in one place. Aussie Rules, Cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Horse racing, Domestic Football, including Dwight York playing for Sydney plus Premiership Football from the UK and loads more.

Believe it or not on Saturday night I saw three LIVE Premiership games. Chelsea versus Spurs, Bolton v West Ham and Blackburn v Aston Villa. I actually had to phone my son in the UK to tell him about the spectacular Gary Speed goal.

On Sunday night there are three more games.

All of this and the Commonwealth Games to come. Boy could life get any better than this?

Well the Queen has arrived in Australia and the City of Melbourne is definitely ready to party.

All I have got to say is.…

Let The Games Begin.