Tuesday 26th July had been penned down in my diary for weeks, and I was counting down the days until I visited London again, even if only for a day. Once again, it was an early start, leaving the house at 4.45am, and arriving at Belfast International Airport 40 minutes later. My parents drove me down, however this was my first time ever going anywhere on my own. I said my goodbyes, excitedly jumped out of the car, and made my way to security. Once I got through security, I went to boarding, and ten minutes later we were in the air. The flight only lasted about an hour and we were there quicker than expected. Once we arrived, I got off the plane, and got the train into Victoria Station in Central London, and from there I went to Fulham Broadway. I walked down the street, and to my left was Stamford Bridge! It was around half nine when I got there, so I had a quick walk around the museum, and then I proceeded to the Stadium Tour. I was brought right around the stadium, to each stand, the player's home and away dressing rooms, the dugout, and the press room (as shown in the picture above with my Manchester United scarf). It was a great tour and an amazing stadium!
Once I had finished at Chelsea, I walked back to the Station and made my way to West Ham. I got off at the station, and walked across the road to the UDAC centre to collect my uniform. When I went in, I was checked for ID, and proceeded to collect my accreditation. Once this was finished, I continued to the fitting rooms, tried on my uniform and carried on. Once I was in the queue to collect my uniform, one of the staff told me and a few dozen other games makers that there would be a special guest coming to present our uniforms. While we were waiting, another member of staff brought in the Olympic Torch and let us have pictures with it. So after waiting around fifteen minutes, two-time Olympic Champion Lord Sebastian Coe, and Prime Minister David Cameron walked into the room to thunderous applause. They both stopped and chatted to me, asking me where I was from and congradulated me on becoming a Games Maker. They then went behind the desks where the uniforms were being handed out, and began giving Games Makers their kit! As I approached Seb Coe, one of my sporting inspirations may I add, I was becoming extremely nervous! He gave me the first part of my uniform, chatting to me also, and said, 'It is people like you who inspire me'. What a moment!!
Moving on down the queue, I came up to David Cameron, who seemed delighted to be there, and he presented me with another part of my uniform. After I had collected all of my uniform, a few journalists asked me a few questions, and subsequently I was mentioned in an article online on the Daily Telegraph website!
Once I had finished all of this, I made my way back to West Ham station, and off to Arsenal I went. I got off at Highbury and Islington station, and walked to the Emirates Stadium from there, having lunch on the way. I arrived at the stadium, and went on a self-tour, visiting the home and away changing rooms, director's box, the tunnel, the interview rooms and the dugouts. The Emirates was also a beautiful stadium! After I finished there, I got the train back to Central London, and then to Gatwick, where I waited for an hour or so to get my flight. I flew home, and arrived in Belfast at 9pm, and my parents picked me up after a successful, but exhausting day! I'm off to London again on the 15th for training in Wembley Arena, and again I will keep you all up to date! Thanks again for reading my blog, hope you enjoyed!
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