Birmingham Day 9 - Swimming

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 Vicky had a day off on the Tuesday, which meant a lie in for Ian and me as well. Her and Alex did need a lift to a station though, as they were attending the 3x3 basketball at Smithfield. The main things that occurred were the seats were terrible, Vicky got locked in the toilets, and a dog attended.


Meanwhile, Ian and I watched some games, had a nap, then went to Harvester for a late lunch of proper food. I felt I had done nothing but eat rubbish for days. I had booked a park and ride fro the West Brom stadium, and as before it went very smoothly. We were at the Sandwell pool in good time. Then I needed the loo. None inside and the queue for the ladies was enormous. Hardly any queue for the men’s of course.

Vicky and Alex made their way from the centre by free train and shuttle bus and arrived just in time for kick off. Vicky had acquired the tickets at a late stage, and because of this we were in three different locations. Alex was up in the gods with a great view of the diving pool. Ian and I were near the front just above the place where the swimmers came out, and at the finish end. Vicky was with all the swimmers families and their teammates right at the front! 

What a night we had. The atmosphere was amazing, especially when Adam Peaty came out for the 50m breaststroke. And we all know how that went.

Alex’s view



Our view



Some of Ian’s brilliant action shots


Vicky’s  view







Peaty on the blocks

Peaty swimming to victory


Peaty on the podium

Luckily I had (almost) learned the words to Jerusalem and Ian and I were able to sing it loud and proud. I had also taken a big flag and two small ones. Ian proved to be utterly useless as a flag co waver so I have drafted Vicky in for the next event. 
Obviously we stayed till the bitter end before heading for the shuttle bus then driving back to Kingsbury. It felt like one of those nights that you look back on in future and say, ‘I was there’.

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