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14-Mar:
A FROG
IN MELBOURNE…
 After
a rather long flight, 10 hours from London Heathrow to Singapore, then a
little stroll around the airport in company of the adorable Mr Andrew
Shelley looking for batteries for my camera, then another 6 hours from
Singapore to Melbourne, I eventually touched ground for my first ever
visit to Australia around 6 am on Monday 13th, a day and a half after I
left the UK.
Slightly disorientated, I was picked up from the Airport by friend Bob
Sheppard, a now retired engineer from Cathay Pacific, who has been
involved in squash since the late 70’s, and who used to organise
tournaments along with Joe Shaw (for you who would know who Joe Shaw is,
just read my
interview with him, all the way back then in Papua New Guinea.
So since my arrival, I’m been spoiled rotten by Bob, his wife Clay,
and their two daughters Chloe and Chelsea, and enjoying their
stunning house only minutes from Melbourne Airport.
My first day, Monday, was
spent touring around different Commonwealth Games venues, to pick up
different accreditations, etc. My, what an organisation, I’m here to tell
you. When you are used to the rather laid back squash world, where
everybody does a bit of everything, quite relaxed, here, it’s a different
world.
 Everything
is regimented, organised, sorted by codes and little pictures on your
accreditation, and you are strictly kept in the zones you have access to.
For example, I’m SQ, meaning Squash, and I even had trouble getting into
the Sports Ground, because I didn’t have a SAC logo, for the
swimming/basket ball/ tennis table building where the squash happen to be
in… The one you want is the infinity sign, looks like a pair of glasses,
and that, my friends, opens you all doors…
So my friend Bob spent his day yesterday taking me from one place to
another, and the poor man was never allowed ANYWHERE inside!
So today, I’m going back there, but on my own this time, taking the train
and tram to get to the Cricket Ground, where the Opening Ceremony is going
to be on Wednesday night, and will try and find my way around this huge
city that is Melbourne to get to the Press Centre (MPC on the
accreditation, please try and follow, will you) and back to the SAC
ground…
I’ll let you know how I get on…
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