Yet another great day at the Curling Centre, meeting and greeting people from all over the world. Language has not been a barrier in communicating at all. My few months of learning Italian via Duolingo served me well. I discovered my own little system of how to greet people. Check out their bobble hats or flags for clues of where they were from and then greet them with the appropriate ‘hello, ciao, guten morgen, buongiorno, hola and good morning’. Spotting fellow Brits was always amusing, the look of surprise when saying “good morning!” They would often do a double take and then say “you don’t sound very Italian”.

Today I spent some of my shift in the wooden tribunes. You would certainly need a cushion to sit there for a few hours. The bonus is that you get a birds eye view!

I will certainly miss the views of the Dolomites on the journey in to Cortina and the Olympic vibe of the town nestled in the valley.

One final visit to the cauldron with a few other volunteers to watch the light show. The flame will soon be extinguished and the games well and truly over. Watch the light show here.

The Journey HOme

An early checkout from our apartment in San Candido. I will miss waking up to the beautiful views.

A drive to Marco Polo Airport to return the hire car then drop our baggage off into storage for a few hours. Greeted by the Italian version of silent Kiosk Keith (I’m a Celeb Get me out of Here), trying to get him to converse was the hardest challenge of the week! Bags deposited and off the Venice for a few hours.

I’m not sure what I was expecting but Venice was a real mix of the modern world meets the quaint and unusual. Wandering through the alleyways coming across dead ends and small piazzas felt like you were in a Bond movie but being chased by all the other tourists trying to find their way to the Rialato Bridge and Saint Mark’s Square.

Not a cornetto in sight, it just had to be done! A trip on the Grand Canal and smaller waterways in a Gondola.

I have had the most amazing time and feel so privileged to have had and shared this opportunity with the people, the place, the heartbreak and jubilation of the athletes and so much more. Back to reality now! Arrivederci Olympic Games! 1,440 days until France 2030.

Thank you for taking the time to follow my journey with me. My next event is The Yonex All England Badminton Championships in Birmingham.

Volunteering – Work of the heart.