The First Legacy Venue Opens
I was born in Enfield and spent the first fifteen or so years of my life in Cockfosters, which in those days had a Hertfordshire postal address.
A couple of times, I cycled down to the Lea Valley to do a bit of fishing, although I wasn’t that good or keen. I also had three summer jobs at Brimsdown on the Lea, working for Enfield Rolling Mills. Incidentally, that job came because my father just phoned up John Grimston, the Earl of Verulam, and asked if they had a job for a sixteen-year-old, interested in electronics, in the company, where he was Chairman. The company was the biggest customer for my father’s printing business. I have a feeling that I have inherited my father’s nothing-is-impossible gene.
So yesterday, I was rather pleased to read that the first of the legacy venues has opened after the Olympics, on that river, which was part of my formative years. The Lea Valley White Water Centre, where I watched the canoeing, is now open and will be expanded. Who’d have thought there’d be white water sports in the mountains of Hertfordshire?
I think it just goes to show, you just have to have enough imagination.
Canoe Slalom At The Lee Valley – Video
I made up this video to give a view of what it is like at the Lee Valley White Water Centre.
It should be up later today. The trouble with video, is I can only make it on my old computer. And guess what M$ have upsexed the video maker, to make it more difficult to use. I want my old one back. When something works well don’t mess about with it!
Canoe Slalom At The Lee Valley – Food
Inside the venue, there was nothing I could eat, but I did bring a salad from Waitrose and I ate that outside in the Park, before I went in. These pictures tell the story.
There was a stand selling what they said was healthy food. But it was vegetarian and not gluten-free! And there were no salads!
So luckily, I got it right, but then I always assume there is nothing for me inside a venue. Soft drinks weren’t a problem and I didn’t feel that £2.30 for the standard bottle of diet Coke was over expensive.
Canoe Slalom At The Lee Valley
These pictures show the general view of my journey there, the venue and some of the competition.
I’ll post a separate one on the food and some video later.
I should say though that everything was very well-organised. Here’s a few points.
- My friend, who cycled all the way from Kingston, even found that the bike park had guards and was very secure.
- I only got my tickets on Sunday night, and it would appear that this was because, they did a nifty bit of rigging with the stands and created some more seats.
- There didn’t appear to be many unoccupied seats.
- The ticket collection worked very well and I was also able to collect my athletic and boxing tickets, I bought on Sunday.
- The view was excellent, as you can see from the pictures.
It was an enjoyable day and I’ might even go again in a couple of years time, as I believe they’re having a World Championships here.
Olympic Travel Directions
They do seem to be written for those, who have no idea where they are going. I’m going to the Canoe Slalom today and they recommend going to Cheshunt and then have a 28 minute walk.
In May 2011, I did a recconaissance and found that it was just as easy to get there from Waltham Cross as from Cheshunt. Not sure yet how I’ll go, but I could go to either, as it is pleasant walk along the river from Cheshunt and I have tickets to collect.
The guy I’m going with, is actually cycling from Kingston. He’s also stopping off at his office in the city.
It does strike me though, that some of the directions they’re giving aren’t the best. They were talking on the radio this morning about going to the equestrian events at Greenwich through London Bridge. I would take the DLR from Bank to Cutty Sark station and walk up.
I was on the DLR yesterday at lunchtime and it wasn’t very busy. Cinderella is certainly going to be the star of this ball. Who’d have thought this stop-gap railway built on the cheap would perform so well? I did, but then I’m a fan of London’s forgotten railway. I’ve always said that no visit to London is complete without a ride on the DLR. After all it does go to some very important venues and tourist sites.
The Anonymous Widower 