I'm in London

Finally here's my story;


July 25 We came with the Eurostar..But everything is fantastic down here! To be given the chance to work here is amazing!

July 26th until july 29th
I had the first four days off and re explored London since I have been here many times before. I went for a walk with a few colleagues and started at Tower Hill. Here we met a couple of Japanese people from a Japanese Network and they asked if we (I took the pictures) would feature in a commercial piece of film. He would say something (what we will never know) and then my group would shout out a yell.
it was very funny.

Everything is Magenta

Later on we took a boat a took a little trip along the Thames.

Off the boat we walked to the Eye and on to Trafalquar Square. Here the group split up and three of us went to Alexandra Palace where the Holland (Heineken) House is. We picked up our Crew cards which gives us unlimited acces to the venue. We ate something at the Orange Brasserie and later we were in an audience of a commercial Dutch Network.

A, still very empty, Medal Ceremony Hall

The next few days I explored, strolled the streets and was amazed by all the nationalities on the streets and in the hotel (St. Giles, Bedford Avenue)

MMM, showing our desserts

Then finally it was time for me to do some work.

July 30
I worked at an information desk at the Holland Heineken House. People come in and ask directions and last connections to their accomodation. I had dinner in the giant crew restaurant.

My HHH Crew ID Card

This is how some Dutch fans come through the entrance, they come to see games at a big screen, walk around, buy orange souvenirs and have a drink.

July 31
Today I worked on the shuttlebus for a bit and stood outside Tube station Wood Green, to direct visitors of the Holland Heineken House to the special Shuttlebus.
A nice variation to my normal work. When we have won a medal, a  greetingcard goes round the bus and fans can write their congratiulations in it.

Me in front of the Shuttle Bus

The Giant Gongratiulations card voor Marianne Vos who won Gold in road cycling

Signature of Epke Zonderland, who won Gold himself at the men's horizontal bar

August 1 untill August 4

Four days at Southend Airport Station

Very quiet with only one flight coming in during or shift. Dutch people come walking in  into the walkway towards the station and are very surprised that they are beeing greeted in their own language. We tell them where and when the train into London will leave and answer other questions.  We hand out a (especially printed in Dutch) Tube map with all the  venues and tips and tricks on it. Of course we also do help English people,but they generally know their way.

First station we passed was Stratford where the Olympic park is situated

A surprise was to see how Joe Carpenter, a colleague from Stobart rail, who, to my surprise, used Herbalfe products.

I have used these for a long time too and he was happy to pose for a picture, wich I took to show my youngest sister who is a Herbalife distributor.

Since there was not very much else to dome and my colleague of the day, Tim van Leeuwen,  went with our English colleague from Stobart Rail to see a bit of the seaside.

Joe Carpenter took us in his car (a convertable, sunny weather, top down) to Southend Victoria, which is near the seaside. We walked around a it and had a coffee. We took a few freshly baked donuts with us for the rest of the crew.

August 5 untill the 7th. Three wonderful days off.

The first day I went with four colleagues to the Olympic Park to watch some Hockey. It was amazing to see all the volunteers helping, directing and informing thousands of visitors. From station to venue.

Waiting in line and photographing Daphne Jimmink.

In the glasses you can see my other colleagues and me, taking the picture

We met some, well dressed Britains...

First game was Korea-India and Korea won. The next game was the Netherlands-Germany and we won with 3-1. It was quite an experience to be in the park and in a stadium. Strange was the blue "grass". The "Smurf Turf", as they called it.

My ticket

Playing the national Anthems

Talking through some passes and clever moves...

The Fans

Dutch man go crazy...(colleague Jan)

We won another prelimonery round

Thanking the fans

Day two I went shopping with two colleagues at the first day and later on I went for a walk by myself.

Day three a colleague and I went to Hyde Park Corner to go to Harrods. It was extremely busy because the cycling of the Thriathlon came by. So we waited and watched it for a bit. Boy, do they go fast!

August 8

I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and to the National History Museum.

When I came back I had a quick lunch at my hotelroom and took a little siësta. Then I changed into my uniform and colleague fred and I took off to Harwich. After our shift we were beeing picked up by a taxi to take us to the Premier Inn Hotel where we would spend the night. I was surprised to learn that the hotel has a policy that doesn't allow a female guest to have a room at ground level. I didn't ask, but had never heard this.

Hotel Premier Inn in Harwich

We had a nice dinner and then we went to our rooms, since we had to be ready again at  5.15 am, to be taken to the station again. We greeted and advised the Dutch and then went back to our hotel in London. I had breakfast an decided, not to take a few hours of sleep,but instead I changed into my own clothes (since I was wearing my Dutch Railway Uniform) and went to Camden Lock Market, where I browsed along the lovely stalls and took some pictures of the pittoresque area.



Some very original seats to have your meal

I bought some keyrings and a new wallet. It was nice and not busy at all. I bought some lunch and as it was getting busier I took the Tube back to the hotel, had my lunch and crashed into a long siesta.

August 9, 10 and 11

I worked at Southend Airport again.

We started our journey at London Liverpool Street Station.

Henk Cornel and me (in the tabbards) between the Essex "Ambassadors"

My sister decided she couldnt stand it any more...She heard all my stories and wanted to have a taste of London as well. So she arrived in the afternoon and after work I met up with her. We strolled to Leicester Square where we had a love dinner and walked back along Oxford Street to our Hotels.

The next day we met up again and took some lovely pictures near Tower Hill and the Thames.

My sister Ellen

Me

Later on we had an AMAZING dinner at a restaurant of Jamie Oliver called Jamie's Italian. They had the best, wonderful tasting food I have ever eaten. But stil simple (as in simple ingredients) but GREAT!!

Sis and her dessert (unfortunately is was not as big as the picture does let you believe)

But when she ate she said she heard violins and saw little cherubs fly round.....

August 12

My very last work day. I worked with Belinda and Hans on the special dutch campsite (Oranje Camping) Here people could hire special bikes which we have for hire at many railwaystations in Holland. We took many in, since it was the last day and had a lot of fun making some last pictures.

I took a picture in the bus to the campsite when we were on the security camera

Later that day I went with all my colleagues to the Holland Heineken House, where we had a last meal together and shot some last pictures.

The men

The women

I then met up with Ellen again and we watched, with a few hundred (Dutch and British) people the closing ceremony.

When I got to the hotel I still had to pack for we were to leave the next morning.

August 13th
Leaving...sad, but with a bag full of warm memories!
They had arranged a bus for us so we didn't had to go by tube with our very heavy suitcases.

I



Olympic update...

First I want to inform all the loyal followers that, although you cannot see the Followers window, I have a list of all of you.

Finally we have some more information;

We received a schedule for our work when we are in London.
Mine is;
1 day travel and 3 days off work (great start) (25th untill the 29th of July)

Then, two days on the Hollland Heineken House Shuttle Bus. From Wood Green Tube Station to Alexandra Palace (where the Holland Heineken House is situated during the Games) and Vice Versa. (30th and 31th of July)

Shuttle Bus

                                


Going on into four days on Southend Airport Station. (1th untill 4th augustus)

Southend Airport Station

Then I have 3 days off!! (5th until the 7th of August)

London is the place for me!!

After this Ill be working on the train on the 8th of August to Harwich International Airport, and the next day (the 9th) back.

Harwich International Station

I'll be back working on Southend Airport  the 10th and the 11th of August. The last day will be at Stansted Airport Station (the 12th)

The 13th we are travelling back to the Netherlands....but before that happens you'll be getting a lot more updates....

Alexandra Palace

Holland Heineken House

Sun, Rain, Storm and more Nature

So,  one week of my holiday already is over. I have been away for a few days to friends in the country in the east of the Netherlands called Beuningen/Denekamp Overijssel.
My mother stayed there in the last winter of WW2 (when there was not enough food in the cities) and we've stayed in touch ever since. The existing farm has been replaced by a lovely bit house which also serves as a B&B. (www.bb-bloemen.nl)

B&B Bloemen

Front of the house

The last years (since my father passed away) my mum and I always went there once a year for about a week.
Since she has passed away in 2006 I go by myself, but only for a few days.
My friends and I took a short cycletrip (you can cycle there in abundance) Oh, the rural enviroment there is sooooo lovely.
On our way we passed a couple of people with camera's taking pictures of plants near a small canal.
Curiously we asked wat was so special and it was a sort of orchid (Spotted Orchus)

I had never heard of it, but it was very beautiful.

Since we were thirsty we stopped at a lovely  Icecream shop, called the Ijskuip (the Icebarrel) Owned by Erik en Hermien Kuiper .

IJssalon de IJskuip
Schotbroekweg 2
7591ND Denekamp

the Netherlands

They make Italian icecream made from the milk from their own cows. The restaurant was build on to an existing farm. This happens to be the farm where a famous Dutch cycle racer was born. His name is Hennie Kuiper. I had a lovely icecream; Lemon pie and Boer'n Jongens (wich means as much as Famersboys, and tastes of Rum and Raisins) The (Fairtrade) coffee was served with a miniature icecream, so very clever!

After a few Sunny days I went back home where the weather changed and it rained for two days. Which came with gaelforce gusts of wind and beautiful, fast rolling stormclouds.

Just as well the weather was not that good. There was no time to sit in the sun; I had to clear up the guest bedroom because my sister is moving in. It was a lot of work but all done now. Last Sunday we put the last thing in boxes and everything went into storage waiting for her new house to be ready. So untill then she lives with me.

In my sisters house; the last odd and ends

This was my week. Busy, but I still had some time to make a few flowergarlands, which I have put on my curtains. (the sign is my Dutch Webshop Adress)

Flower and bunting