Anyone got any vital Paralympics tips for me?

[DontCallMeBaby]

DD and I are going to the volleyball at the Excel on Saturday - I am packing all my usual freaking out about doing something new into the six days between getting tickets and actually going, instead of spreading it over weeks!

We're getting the train. I need to remember my credit card to collect tickets at the station, and to remember my railcard.

I have print-at-home tickets. I know I can just show them to Tube etc staff as I don't have our included travelcard.

I'm going to do a packed breakfast for the train, taking snacks, and buying lunch and dinner out. I will take at least one water bottle which I will ensure is empty before we go through security.

I need to make a note of how to get from Paddington to North Greenwich (we're going to take the cable car across instead of going straight to the Excel).

My backpack is 2l above the maximum stipulated but I figure if I don't pack it full it'll be okay, it definitely will fit on my lap if not under the seat.

My big concern is getting back. The event finishes at 8pm, and I would like to stay to the end, for the medals. But it's an hour and a half until the ONLY train we can get home, and I don't think I can take the risk. Is transport as much affected as it's supposed to be? Have we got s chance of getting a taxi maybe?

[DontCallMeBaby]

Heh, no drinking here yesterday, we got back not long before midnight. Had a big lie-in but am still exhausted. It was an amazing day though - it was like the London of my dreams, everyone cheerful and friendly and the public transport running like clockwork!

We left two sets in to the final match, at quarter to eight!

[EdgarAllanPond]

brilliant -we had a fabulous day! woww!!

drunk now.

[DontCallMeBaby]

We went to Wagamama after all btw - Stratford! Decided an extra two hours in the Excel wasn't that appealing so hopped back on the DLR.

[DontCallMeBaby]

I think DD would lynch me if I took her out of the volleyball now. Running pretty late though, so think we will be missing the final match. First one was awesome! Two hours scooting about on your arse - am exhausted just from watching it!

Oh - DD has high-fived two games makers, so has mini-Mandeville, DD has worn a pointy hand, and we have had our photo taken. I am glossing over the games maker who tried to nick my cider!

[PurpleAndPoppyWearer]

I hope you had a good day and worked out that your tickets will have included a day pass to see anything else going on at Excel today?

Plenty of food inside, but seating/tables are in the spectator zones.

[DontCallMeBaby]

Well, we are in a cafe outside the Excel killing time cos we're so early! Hoping we'll be able to get something okay for lunch inside as there's not much round here - kind of wish we'd mooched around N Greenwich longer and gone to Wagamama! Cable car was ace, reduced price for having a Paralympic ticket. Got our actual travel cards from the ticket office here - was asked for ID at Paddington tube when using our event tix, wouldn't want that palaver on the way back!

DD is excited, but complaining of being tired already. She hasn't lost mini-Mandeville yet!

[DontCallMeBaby]

SUN is finally out, that should read.

[DontCallMeBaby]

We're on the train! Little Mandeville is feeling very intimidated by Big Mandeville in the seat in front of us. In is finally out - we are layered up for a 10 degree start and forecasts up to 27 degrees, bearing in mind we only have one small rucksack, but we were still cold on the platform.

DD has a television screen in front of her and, just like at home, this is causing her to forget to eat breakfast. Haven't realised I've forgotten anything yet, though had a panic at the ticket machine when first I thought I'd omitted to book our return tickets, and then thought I was missing a ticket!

Got a contingency plan - if we miss our train back we're going to my friend in Bristol, we'd get there at gone midnight but it's better than being stranded in London!

DD has been briefed about the high-fiving.

[SystemofaDowny]

Ok thanks, we will have a look around and see if we can find one. If we can't find any, then its not the end of the world, and I'm sure they will find an alternative to spend my money on! We already have a Wenlock and a Mandeville toy that are just getting packed right now, ready to go

[aoife41]

Yes they sell large flags in the park. In the shops they are on display in very simple boxes- loads of different countries.
They were £10.

[chocolatespiders]

There is a Sports Direct in Westfield shopping centre which is next to Olympic park which may have them for sale.

Wish you lived near I would put one through your door.

The mega store on site I walked into and walked out as it was far to packed so unsure if they would have them.

Hope you have a great time, it is an amazing place

[SystemofaDowny]

I definately saw them in sainsbury's a few weeks ago, but it was only this evening that they decided they need want a big flag, after watching it on tv.

[chocolatespiders]

I didn't see any flags for sale at the park but maybe I didn't look hard enough. Did just see some very cheap in tesco though

[SystemofaDowny]

Can those large banner type flags be bought inside the olympic park? DCs want one, but as we will be leaving at 5am tomorrow, I won't be able to get one before. I'm assuming there is plenty of places selling all the merchandise, right?

[DontCallMeBaby]

Have appropriated DD's jubilee flag, packed a colouring book, and am currently feeling a proper wimp as Edgar is clearly taking far more children than I am!

[EdgarAllanPond]

no, DH chucked out flags. pens and Paper packed though. i have two different slings for when DS2 gets heavy (a change being as good as a rest.), and stick pushchair for DD2

[EdgarAllanPond]

all very interesting - wish i'd got flags! oh wait...

[DontCallMeBaby]

Oh, haven't seen the bus version, but that's probably cos I've been putting in a faked non-Paralympic journey of Prince Regent DLR to Paddington to stop it giving me the long version of the journey! I'll add that to my list of options - I can probably cope with a special shuttle bus, I normally avoid buses as I never know where I am with them.

Very excited ... flippin' DD is still awake though, really needs NOT to be ...

[DontCallMeBaby]

Sorry ruby, yes, I did! I guess underrunning is unlikely, whereas overrunning is quite possible. TBH although I'm preparing worst-case scenarios it's probably more likely that DD will be knackered and I will be all peopled-out by the end of the second match.

I should've checked out the scheduled vs actual timings of the earlier matches as they happened, shouldn't I?!

[DontCallMeBaby]

It's Paddington to N Greenwich, then Excel back to Paddington. Looks like it will take longer on the way back, but I hope not the full hour and a quarter the website reckons.

Good point about the big stations - used to work in London but its a long time ago so I've forgotten most of the tips and tricks!

[YoullLaughAboutItOneDay]

Sorry, just taken in that you will obviously be going back to Paddington (doh). Ignore my daft question.

On the way Paddington to North Greenwich, change at Baker Street, not Waterloo. One is across a platform, other is a bloody great trek with numerous stairs, corridors, etc.

Bank is a warren of a station, so on the way back I would head back to the Jubilee if you can rather than have to change there.

There is also a Tesco Metro at North Greenwich if we are going to that level of detail. And cash machines on both sides of the concourse if you need them - don't wait until you go up the escalators.

[DontCallMeBaby]

No Union flag! I have Union flag bunting? Or the flag of Gloucestershire.

Or I'll find an old sheet and write something random on it. Slightly hysterical now.

I know it will be fine. DH isn't coming after all, he jinxes public transport you see.