I'm baaaaaaaack.
What a mix up of a day it was. I was just about into town when within 2 minutes of each other I received a text message from Morgs and Shims.
Morgs won't be able to make it due to the weather etc and having the kids.
Shims was still tied up at an appointment and wasn't sure what time she would be in.
You all know that Nuffy was unable to make it because of being able to get an emergency dental appointment.
So, at this stage, I am the only one turning up at registration check in and I wasn't even running
Check in was at the Opera House. When I arrived at Circular Quay I sent a message to both Shims and Morgs to let them know I was on the way to the OH and I would wait there for Shims, I also told Morgs that I had no problem with looking after the children, raincoats and all if she would still like to come in.
I had to ask someone where check in was so I went there and told the ladies marking names off that I was from Team DLO but some of our runners had to pull out, but I was waiting for Shims who was caught up in an appointment but was still coming. They assured me that there was still plenty of time to check in. I then received a text from Morgs to say that she would now come in with the kids.
There were so many checking in. It was a lovely atmosphere. Time was ticking away and still no Morgs or Shims. I went out to search for Morgs because she had sent a further text to say she was nearly there and that she was at Museum at that stage. The text had been sent 20 minutes earlier. As I got to the entry that I used to go in I had a phone call from Shims saying where was I and that she was there so I went back inside to wait where I had told her I would be. She described where she was and believe it or not she was where I had just been heading to looking for Morgs, so I went out and rescued her and gave her the goody bag they give you with your TShirt etc. Earlier on I checked Morgs and Shims names off, so I had their bags. I showed Shims where to go to get changed and I told Shims b/f that I would go back outside to see if I could see Morgs. The place was getting deserted by now. Luckily, Morgs was just arriving so I threw the bag into her hand, pointed her toward the changing rooms, told her that Shims was there and we waited for them to come out. Morgs came out without Shims, so Morgs went back to find her.
When we all walked back out to the forecourt the runners had already taken off, so we missed seeing the start and the last 2 shuttle buses were leaving. Morgs checked that her children could go in the bus too, so we piled in and off we went. Morgs was doing the half run and Shims was doing the final 100m.
Shims and b/f had their car there, so they drove straight out to the Sydney Cricket Ground - the final destination to wait for us.
The shuttle bus ride was fun. We went through so many red lights and GOT LOST
(they must have known we were onboard) I might add that it was a policeman driving the bus.
The shuttle buses were escorting the runners/walkers. If any of them got tired they could just knock on the door and hop into the bus.
The Police were blocking off intersections as we approached, and the young special athletes on our bus were tickled pink to have a police car behind us with its siren going when we were going through the intersections. We also went up a 'do not enter' road at Darlinghurst. This is where we got lost. Because it was a walkway area there were no trafic lights to get us onto the main road, so the traffic flowed along normally and we were seperated from all but the shuttle bus in front of us. That bus took a right turn and our bus followed. The only trouble was that that particular shuttle bus was going back to the Police Station.
In the meantime the runners are doing a nice job but we couldn't see them. We then had to find our way back to the throng.
By the time we ducked and wove our way through the traffic the driver then took another wrong turn. We could see that the runners were already at the destination and were waiting for the last lot of runners to arrive. The driver didn't see them though and he should have forked right and instead he forked left so we ended up on the wrong side of the Cricket Ground. When we pointed out the mistake he turned around and we had to make a very tight turn (the cabbie is still checking his underwear) to get to the correct place. Once there more of the runners got out and then the driver took us around to the entrance to the SCG. The children and I got out and we could see Morgs who was thrilled to see the kids and then we saw Shims. We clapped and cheered them. We could have walked into the Ground with them, but b/f and I went into the seating area so we could get some photos as the athletes and participants made their grand entrance. Morgs children stayed with her and they walked in with Mummy. (Morgs Jnr #3 was not there).
NSW Govenor Marie Bashir was there, plus Peter Overton, Craig Wing (footballer) Senior Police Officers, the Police Band etc.
The band struck up a tune when the runners walked into the arena with the torch bearers in front. It was so special. Lots of clapping and cheering.
The ceremony itself was lovely. A speech was given by a lovely athlete whose name escapes me but Shims knows her through SO and she has been at Damien's Dee Why shows.
The cauldron was lit, it was just so amazing.
The young lady who sang the National Anthem did a marvellous job. Amanda ??
There was a sausage sizzle at the end, which was also really nice. Students from Sydney Girls High were helping on the day with the sausage sizzle.
Unfortunately it rained all day
WELL DONE DLOSorry it is so long, I get carried away
wow what a legend you are 
You worry me sometimes, you're such a trooper. ;D
Morgs, those kids are so enterprising....lotsa potential 
there 
what a great total too 
haha.......
Lol, I had NO doubt... just didn't see you on last night and felt 
What another awesome effort. Ahem, the false start actually sounded a bit like the famous Rocky movie's stairs climb 
... or trying to meet a certain 
GREAT photos. Everyone looks so rightfully proud to be part of it. Lucky you to get sunshine 
and cheer-staff mini-Morgs and Shimmery-BF 
but I was hopeful right until bedtime last night... oh well...