11 Sep 2008 - 16:50
We hope you have been able to keep up to speed with all the GB news back home, We were able to go to the Veladrome yesterday and watch team GB produce some fantastic medal wins the atmosphere was amazing, we have a lot to be proud of. China has done a great job of this Paralympic Games and the GB team has a lot to shout about.

You could not in your widest dreams imagine what it is like unless you have experianced it, there are hundreds of thousands of people who have come to watch, the venues are packed, that is every venue ! when we left the Cube at 8pm tonight the roar from the Birds nest was unreal I hasten to add that the swimming was still going on and it was packed, as you left your seat someone would fill it no matter what time you left, people were still coming into the pool to watch the last race.

The tube, now that is an experiance,you move with the crowd. Coming back to the hotel tonight was like travelling on a conveyor belt of people but with the efficiency that would be hard to match!

We saw Lizzie fleetingly today, there is a press corridor between the main pool and the 10 lane warm-up pool! She had just finished training before going to lunch, I asked her how she was and how did she feel about Saturdays race she said that she had not started to think about it, so that tells me she is calm, she also told me the other day was that if she made the final she would be over the moon so fingers crossed things go to plan, she is sharing with Eleanor Simmonds who is GB's youngest Gold medallist fingers crossed that some Gold dust rubs off!!!! Attached is the photo we grabbed before she left for lunch,

Best whishes to you all
Maria and Stuart

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8 Sep 2008 - 17:10
After the closing ceremony we had four hours sleep then up again the next morning at 5:30am arrived at pool at 8:30 after experiencing the Beijing under ground packed but efficient! Then going through numerous security checks we left the cube at 9:30 pm to a repeat of the mornings journey what a day never seen so many people in one place truly amazing.

As security is so tight we don't get the chance to get close to Lizzie we have to view her through the binoculars from the other side of the pool and when she is in competition there is no communication at all, her choice! We spoke to her this morning and she is in a great mood and in high spirits training session and then rest before she goes to watch her team mates in the final.
She was very happy to have produced a faster time for her British and European record but would have dearly liked to have done better she is very positive and is enjoying every moment what an experience this is!

We will try to get a photo of her the next time we see her at the Team lodge.

speak again soon greetings from China. Maria Stuart Anna and Edward PS attached picture is taken from the Birds nest looking out towards the Cube note the smog it is like this all the time even after a night of thunder.

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4 Sep 2008 - 19:30
Hi
its 2:30 local time which makes it 7:30 Southport time. And you guessed it I can't sleep I am struggling with this you would think that if you walked for miles like we did yesterday you would be able to sleep! We went to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square what a wonder. we want to go back to Tiananmen Square as exhaustion has set in by then and we had lost our way a bit and getting back to the hotel became a priority, Everything is so big its not like a stroll along Lord Street crossing the road is an adventure in its self 6 lanes is the norm in some cases then you use the under pass.

We thought it was fun to begin with but having your photo taken with half the population is becoming a pain, Edward wanted to dye his hair blonde before we came out there is no need to attract un necessary attention because we stand out anyway and 4 Simpkins walking down the street draws plenty of attention!

And not good too as we have found out we are approached by very well spoken young student types who will walk with us talking about China the Games what they are studying ect... asking us about London ect then the first one took us to a studio to show us his paintings and we were scammed into buying a silk painting of Yin and yang, the second got us to his studio but when we could tell him about his identical paintings he realised we knew what he was trying to do and backed off after that we went to the Forbidden City and were hounded by people wanting to be our guides and selling Olympic merchandise you are polite to begin but as the heat starts to get you it becomes a little more difficult I think if we had been approached one more time we would have growled fortunately this must have been apparent as we were left alone and sussed the underground and found our way back to the hotel.

I am now trying to work out how we will eat during the long days in the Olympic Green as we are not sure what is available and you cant just get a sausage roll! You know me ever the worrier and planner!

There is a bakery next to the hotel its just difficult to work out what is savoury or sweet as most of it is savoury/sweet a sausage wrapped in a sweet pastry is bazaar not organic thats for sure! went into the friendship store last night some familiar food some not so! A large packet of whole baby crabs looked like they were sugar coated and dried worms!( many more strange things but not sure what they were) thats our packed lunch sorted!

We went to Pizza Hut last night as we are missing stogge, different I think I should have kept to cheese and tomato! Over all this has been an different experience apart from struggling with my body clock it is something we could not have missed, talking of missing I desperately need to see Lizzie we are all talking about her I think I will be shouting louder than ever when I see her heaven help China!!! I have inserted one photo if I send more it takes ages to send.

As we begin our Forbiden City walk of whivh we didnt get to see all off as the heat took over along with Annas Beijing Belly! Anna isn't cross with me but if we get asked one more time if we want a guide or to buy a map I think she will explode!!!!

Well I am going to try to sleep now.

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