The wait is almost over...

Its been 710 days since the sun set on the last Island Games in Shetland. I don't mean this literally, however, as we weren't exactly blessed with glorious rays during our time in Lerwick. Something tells me we're about to experience a bit of a culture shock over the next 11 days or so, with the BBC site showing Rhodes at a scorching 31 degrees, whilst my sister, currently 'enjoying' two weeks on a tiny boat swanning about in the Med, reckons they'd have touched 40 today. That's some serious heat.



I am relatively fortunate, in that i run 35 metres and jump into a sandpit. Not exactly the most physical of events, but everyone is going to have to adapt very quickly to the conditions or there'll be more tears than cheers over the next week or so. None more so than our courageous (a.k.a. 'daft') half marathon athletes in Kevin, Ed, Sam, Gail and possibly Andy. Many of the athletes have been trying to create their own microclimates right here on the Island. Andy, for example, has been spotted on more than one occasion strutting his stuff on Douglas Prom wearing a bin bag of all things. Reports suggesting that was all he was wearing and problems with the Manx constabulary are as yet unconfirmed... These guys though, without doubt, have the most demanding event of perhaps any sport in the games. As all four confirmed runners are Games debutantes i'm sure i'm not the only one who wishes them every success for Sunday morning.



Anyway, i'm off to finish packing as it may take a while. I just inexplicably found the 100 euros from my last foreign adventure in my wash bag, after a pretty frustrating 90 minute search. Now where did i put that passport......



I'll do my best to keep you posted as often as possible on the progress of all of our athletes - these next few days will absolutely fly by but i'm confident we've got an exciting young bunch of talented athletes who are set to dominate the papers back home for years to come, let alone the next two weeks...

PS i'm relatively new to this blogging lark so any suggestions for themes/posts/info etc will be greatly received.