On the Town - Medals Up Close; iTransport Help; Boating It Like Beckham

(ATR) With concerns continuing about travel during the Games, and Tuesday’s problems on the Central Line, thousands of people are taking to the Thames and opting to boat it like Beckham.

The former England captain sped down the capital's river with the Olympic Flame during Friday's opening ceremony, and it's proving a popular alternative to land travel.

In fact, it's proving so popular in terms of attending certain Olympic venues that passengers are being urged to book their tickets in advance online.

"Because of both the equestrian and gymnastic events in Greenwich, we have been busy for the past two days," explained a Thames Clipper ticket seller stationed in front of Shakespeare's Globe theatre close to London Bridge.

"We didn't have any tickets available until almost 10 a.m. so if you want to travel in the morning you really need to book in advance."

The two volunteers at the pier confirmed that some people had been disappointed and forced to find alternative ways to get to Greenwich in time for the start of the show jumping finale to the three-day eventing.

Those with beach volleyball tickets are also among those using the water, as there is a pier close to the impressive Horse Guards Parade venue.

Extra boats are being provided throughout the Games period with services running until midnight.

iTransport Help

The latest technology is being used to help get information to travelers on London Underground, and often it has little to do with which line to choose.

When London Transport staff picked up their Olympics kit a couple of weeks ahead of the start of the Games, they were delighted to see it included an iPad.

"I have not got one myself but I have an iPhone so I know what I am doing," explained Ian Clements on his first day helping people at Westminster Station. Normally office-based, he was enjoying meeting and helping the many visitors to London.

"To be honest, if it is a travel question, we do not need to use it as we will know the answer," he explained. "But I have only been here just over an hour and been amazed by the range of questions.

"Some people do want to know things like how to get to the Javelin service, but it can be questions like where is the nearest toilet or chemist. I had one person asking where the Bag O’ Nails pub is because he was meeting someone there and I needed the iPad to find out it was in Victoria."

Clements says he's enjoying the Olympics and saw the cycling road race roar past his home in West Byfleet.

The one thing his iPad is not able to tell home sports fans is when Team GB will win its first gold medal.

Medals Up Close

Plenty of athletes have commented on how heavy the London 2012 medals are – and while the public can’t hold one, you can certainly get as close as possible at the British Museum.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals are currently on show at the museum in the city’s West End that document how and where the medals were created.

From the mining of the metal by Rio Tinto, the exhibition tells the story of the medals all the way to the creation of the designs by David Watkins and Lin Cheung and production by the Royal Mint.

The current medals also sit alongside medals from the previous two London Games in 1908 and 1948, creating a unique exhibition in the only city that has hosted the Games on three occasions.

Sun Will Be Back

The wet weather on Tuesday delayed competition at Wimbledon – but for those planning on enjoying outdoor events, the sun will reappear.

Temperatures are expected to stay comfortably cool with the sun coming out on Friday when the athletics competition starts in the Olympic Stadium. It’s also good for outdoor events such as Potters Fields Park by Tower Bridge, which offers lots of activities.

Reported by Christian Radnedge

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