Once in a lifetime (warning... its a long blog post!)

1KiwiInLondon moved to our new home in March 2005, with the other 2KiwisInLondon joining in the April.  So in the June, when London was announced as the Host City for the 2012 Olympic Games, we had only been here for a matter of months.  With 4 year visas we simply thought, wow lucky those who will be here for that event.

Since then there have been many life happenings.  Our visas received a 5 year extension, the City has seen terrorist attacks, civilians rioting, snow days, student marches, occupying of city lands in protest against the 'Man', recessional changes to the way we live... and on a more positive note local and adopted Londoners stayed resolute in Keeping Calm and Carrying On, we had a Royal Wedding and the Queens Jubilee celebrations.

The Nation had seven years to prepare for July 2012.  During which time there were power plays between the good vs. the bad, the hard done by vs. the invested in.  The Cityscape has changed as areas were redeveloped, making way for a play ground of splendour for Olympic Athletes.  Game makers have been trained, thousands of volunteers gave up their summer breaks, opening ceremony recruits practised tirelessly for one of the most anticipated events of the games, probably second only to the men's 100 metre final.  A 70 day tour of the Olympic Torch was planned, which would reach out to every point in the land.  All of this happened with our everyday lives continuing at the usual rate of knots, whilst in the background or more obviously at the Trafalgar Square Olympic clock, the countdown was on.

As the realisation hits that we would be here for the Games, we thought what are the chances of us getting tickets.  I won't enter into the ticketing debate here.  But for us,we saw the ticketing system as a little overwhelming and a bit of a farce, and so in silent protest didn't apply for tickets... mugs or what!  Instead I relied on the fact that lady luck or opportunity would shine on us and something would come our way.  Well something did, and it wasn't tickets, the chance to volunteer.  Our hot spot for the games would be Kiwi House. 

Before they could register what was going on, I had enlisted both Anton and Paige into helping too!  A haven for friends, family and proud supporters of the New Zealand Olympic Team, Kiwi House was set in an Art Gallery within the newly finished Central St Martins College at Granary Square - little did we know that it would become home away from home during the games.

So how best to sum up our incredible experience, but with a diary.

Dear 2012Olympic Diary...

Saturday 14th July - A few weeks ago, in a slightly tipsy state, I offered mine, Anton and Paige's services as volunteers for Kiwi House.  First task was to unload a container of beer.  How hard could that be?  Hmmm... fast forward to Sunday 15th July and imagine two broken adults with sore muscles from their head to their toes, and feeling aged by several years...  With some soggy cargo, a bit of broken glass and what seemed like thousands of boxes to off load.  Our amazing crew of 10 worked like troopers to get the MOA beer, Alan Scott wine and WEKA cider safely stored in a Kings Cross lock-up.

Tuesday 17th July - The start of our Olympic events.  As a committee member, I assisted at a drinks reception with an Olympic theme hosted by the NZ Society raising funds for Kiwi House.  Complete with Chef de Mission Dave Currie speaking of what it means for our 184 athletes to be arriving to London (apparently having a complete Olympic Village is a definite bonus), a set of medals ready for photo opportunities, and the raffling of NZ Team kit, the buzz was on its way.

Sunday 22nd July - We headed out to Stratford today in an attempt to grab a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium.  We jostled for a spot to take photos at the John Lewis viewing platform, took a peek at the Athletes Village, rode the gondola from Royal Victoria across the Thames to North Greenwich and got slightly caught up in the wave of international arrivals to a city which is gleaming - freshly spruced up and with pride.

Wednesday 25th July - Anton has been working hard at getting the SKY NZ feed of Olympic coverage ready to go live on the 27th Opening Ceremony.  He and Paige have also helped with setting furniture in place, arranging the BBQ area, loading stock rooms, sweeping floors and assisting with any task to get Kiwi House ready for action.  I pop in for my first shift to find everything ready to go, and looking FABULOUS! 

Dapper Mr & Mrs B

Thursday 26th July - The streets are teeming with Country colours adorned tourists, the Olympic Family are out in force, the VIP road lanes are open, flags and bunting hang from buildings and fringe the streets.  The torch is nearly at Oxford Street.  Stop work meeting for torch photo opportunity, another stop for hanging out meeting room windows to cheer on the torch carrier, who is atop a route master bus. 

A quick change into a lovely frock, and I'm ready for the NZ Governor Generals Olympic Gala Dinner.  Anton looks dapper in his Tux and we start our evening sipping bubbles while standing next to All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick.   

The night continues as a whose who of NZ and celebrates our successes and welcomes the team to London.
 

Fitzy, Mike and I

Zinny and I

A word medley tells it all.  Menu designed by Peter Gordon, Oysters, Salmon, Venison, Lamb, Pavlova, Mud House wine, only tables away from some NZ legends - Sean Fitzpatrick, Zinzan Brooke, Peter Gordon, Barbara Kendall, Neil Finn, MC is Sky Sports commentator Mike McRoberts,  photo ops with said All Blacks, our gracious host The Governor General Jerry Mateparae, dancing the night away to Neil Finn.

Ngati Ranana led in New Zealand Flag bearer Nick Willis, and performed a stirring Haka.  Draped in a beautiful cloak, Nick entered the Banqueting Hall standing tall and proud of this freshly announced honour.  And as we sat listening to his speech, which was beamed live to NZ morning breakfast news, I had goose bumps at being in attendance at such a pivotal moment in his sporting career.  Oh what a night. 

Friday 27th July - Opening Ceremony night is here.  Thanks to our concert loving friend Hillary who had secured tickets, we join thousands of others in Hyde Park at a concert with a lineup featuring Duran Duran and the Stereophonics!  My age catches up with me, when I am one of the few concert goers dancing to Duran Duran.. and they weren't the headline act as I would have thought.  John Taylor still has it, and covering all of my favourites it was certainly a fun way to spend the night.  Stereophonics were fabulous too, but my tired legs didn't want to stay around for Snow Patrol... the head line act.  Yep age is catching up.

At 20:12 the Red Arrow fly over saw the crowd erupt into cheers of joy; and at 20:59 the countdown started with 21:00 seeing the live feed cross over to the Olympic Stadium, and the Opening Ceremony unfolded in front of us.  A celebration of the nations history, elaborate sets moving through the ages, finishing in a rock concert like medley of UK greats and the much loved parade of Athletes.  We were still in the park for NZ to march on, and I felt a tremendous sense of pride and excitement for the team.  Go team NZ!

With a few friends involved in the opening ceremony I of course had to watch it through again when at home, and managed to see our friend David dancing is heart out, with a face of absolute joy, looking hot in neon.  It was incredible fun to watch, I can't imagine what it was like to have taken part.

Saturday 28th July - Kiwi House fun begins.  Dressed in black and sporting Kia Ora tees, our Olympic adventure really begun.  With duties ranging from welcoming guests at reception, to selling merchandise, clearing empties and keeping the place tidy; there were a few miles walked each day.  However the opportunities always arose to chat with the visitors, and catch some of the Olympic action on telly.

Sunday 29th July - Located behind Kings Cross station, it may have seemed hard to find for some, but before too long the lure of the Marlborough brewed MOA beer, SKY NZ coverage of the games, real Kiwi pies, BBQ and gorgeous outdoor garden planted with NZ natives was all too great to resist.  Three hour queues became the norm with all guests greeted with a warm Kia Ora upon entering.  In true Kiwi spirit there was little unrest at the waiting time, just whoops of glee and beaming smiles as they entered a little unique piece of NZ heaven in London.


Monday 30th July - Happy Birthday Mr B.  Of course the only place to celebrate is Kiwi House.  So off we go with our wonderful friends to enjoy a Kiwi BBQ, fabulous live music, beer and more beer.  Proving how international our collection of friends is, and how world travellers gravitate to each other we were in fine company with the Germans, Austrian, Italian (okay via NZ), American, Kiwi and Australian.  A wonderful night, with slightly too much weka cider drunk on my part, but complete with birthday cake and magnum of MOA beer for the birthday boy, I don't think he could have asked for or wanted any more.

The Fence of Kiwi Fame

Tuesday 31st July to Sunday 12th August - Monday to Friday my Kiwi House days went something like this.  Wake for work, somewhat blurry eyed and a tad tired. Spend the day peddling my wares at Thistle Marble Arch, in an attempt to keep sales coming in, or sales interest for future events.  The working world seemed to have disappeared with phones and emails quiet.  At 5.30pm change from sales manager into volunteer.  Hop on the 274 bus to Kings Cross.  Walk to Kiwi House, direct stray Kiwis along the way.  Complete a fun filled 6 hour shift.  Laugh lots, meet fabulous people, celebrate Kiwi success.  Eat a scrummy pie on the way home with my hubby, shower, sleep. Repeat!  Weekends were pretty much the same, minus the day at work.

Wednesday 8th August - In true Kiwi House style, we had a BBQ like no other tonight.  Imagine a balmy London evening complete with clear blue sky, rare I know.  An outdoor garden filled with after work revellers, hungry diners keenly awaiting their delicious lamb, and an indoor bar busy with general gathering and Olympic game watching.  Within a moment the bliss and idyllic evening changed for everyone.  Despite the fast moving actions of our two Chefs, a BBQ fire got out of control at an explosive rate.  Thank goodness their years of fire training kicked in.  Within 30seconds of trouble brewing on the barbie - a call for evacuation was made.  Scrambling patrons made it quickly to safety, and with plenty of fuel in the outdoor garden the fire roared to three story heights in a matter of moments.  300 people evacuated in under 3 minutes, moved out of harms way... some still carrying their dinner plates.  There were loss of some handbags, jackets and mobiles... but no casualties.  With the social media world that we now live in, NZ heard of the fire before we had a chance to get everyone out of the building.  A live radio feed to morning news meant cellphones bleeped constantly with "are you okay texts" and video posts were sent to YouTube and Facebook in moments.  Another memorable night, just so glad that my beautiful family were all with me, and that we and everyone else were all okay.

Thursday 9th August - Thanks to the hard work of the Kiwi House team, volunteers and fast talking Lawyers, Kiwi House arose from the ashes like a Phoenix and re-opened in the evening.  A bit of its heart was lost with the closing of the garden, but in true Kiwi spirit, the support and partying continued.

For every day there was a magic moment - They say a picture can paint a thousand words, and as I have written twice as many as that, my highlights are best noted in a pictorial collage.

In hindsight, I would have loved to have attended events in the Olympic Park, but having the opportunity of meeting, greeting and congratulating our Olympians was incredible. With a medal treasure trove to be so very proud of, all of the athletes who visited us were welcomed with warm arms, a queue of people wanting to congratulate them and of course snap a pic. Meeting our Rowers, Sailors, Canoeists, BMXer and Cycling team was fantabulous! And for those whose Olympic journey did not end in a gleaming medal, they were as equally warmly welcomed and keenly sought for autographs and photos. Paige was slightly envious of our meeting of the men's hockey and football teams - although she had some spectacular moments of her own whilst there.  We were treated to moving hakas, featured on local news on a regular basis, a live interview even, laughed, sang, whooped, hollered - just had an absolute ball - all whilst volunteering.  You couldn't ask for anything more.

Some of the fabulous Kiwi House volunteers

Sunday 12th August - After an exhausting, but exciting few weeks it is time to say good-bye to Kiwi House and the London2012 games, although in a matter of days we get to do all of the game watching fun again with the Paralympics. With a packed house, all screens beaming the closing ceremony rock concert, and the sound system booming.  Almost all Kiwi House volunteers came together with 250 punters to celebrate extraordinary successes, achievements and fabulous moments that had been brought to us.  Always hard to say good-bye, it was see ya for now for the volunteers, with a promise to gather again soon.  A slightly messy evening, with much hilarity.  Moa magnum beer showers, vogels and marmite sandwich making, a house full of adults in rapture when the Spice Girls started to play.... sit in my memory amongst the many antics of the night.

We met incredible people, made new friends and felt grateful to have been part of something which was for us, once in a lifetime.  Haere ra Kiwi House, it's been magic!