LONDON BABY!!

Just returned from a fantabulous weekend with my Mum in London.

After taking part in the Manchester Shine Walk the last two years we decided to volunteer at the one in London. This was London’s first Shine walk so they were asking for loads of volunteers to help out.

On our email it said our shift was 7:30pm until 2:30am, we hadn't been able to go to the meeting held in London in September so still needed to pick up our shirts. The plan was to head down to the O2 early (5pm ish) get some food then start our shifts.

The queues for the restaurants were very long. Lee Evans was also at the O2 this evening so we had to battle with his audience in the venue.

We walked down to the bottom of the O2 where we found the Shine area, thinking it may save time in the long run we popped in to grab our T-shirts. At this point we were told we were on to meet and greet and our start time was 5:30. Not a bad thing at all as we would finish early and not have to worry about trains and getting back to our Hotel. I assumed what happened is they had us down as floaters for the evening and they were a little short handed on the meet and greeters so added us to that list.

We were handed T-shirts and got to wear some sassy sashes :D. We were lead with the rest of the group to the entrance point, where we were handed 10ft posts with arrows on and were told to take positions in and around the area to make sure people knew the correct route.

The gates were to open at 6:30pm for the full marathon walkers the information packs states 7pm The walk starts at 9:30pm), we were there at around 5:45pm with other people posted around in-between the gate and the tube station, bus stops and O2 entrance to help ensure people know the right way to go. Unfortunately we couldn't account for people who got there uber early and had already walked around trying to find us.

The gate opening was delayed a little as there was a fire reported within the O2. Very dangerous combination, Fire-fighters down one end and the best part of the crowd of 1000's in front of us being Women :s.

Eventually the gates opened and with a cheer everyone was on their way to the Shine Walk area. My Mum and I wished people on their way, answered questions and generally offered help and advice to those who needed it.

At 9:30(ish) the gates closed again and the area was cleaned and re-loaded for the half-marathon lot to start their walk.

The same again, without the Firemen this time. People were in good spirits and excited for their challenge it was easy to soak up the atmosphere. I only got grief off 1 person which isn't bad out of 10,000.

A fantastic night and everyone was so nice. I would be tempted to volunteer again but I have a real itch to walk it next year - as I didn't get accepted in to the London Marathon (again) it seems like the right thing to do :D

Whilst in London we had a great time, we were lucky enough not to be effected by the tube disruptions. We went on the London Eye which was kewl!! And also went to Sherlock Holmes' actual factual house (I knew he was real!) - Now, Paul tells me that he is only a fictional character but I know now that he is lying as I have been to his house at 221b Baker Street (nicely nestled between 239 and 243 Baker Street).