I knew it was going to happen. But I didn't expect it quite so quickly. Not nicking pins - that comes later. I'm talking Olympic fever.

Sunday service on the trains today of course. Last Sunday, I caught the first train up to London and there were loads of empty seats. Different kettle of fish today though. The train was packed. Heaving. Bursting at the seams. Most of the people on it seemed to be going to the Olympics somewhere. Certainly the whole train was still buzzing with Team GB's amazing performance last night. Everyone except those wearing the blue uniform of the Philippines Sports Commission. These were youngsters who were at a summer school at St Bede's [an independent school in Eastbourne] and I swear there were thousands of them. They were all smaller than me so I managed to barge/kick them out of the way and get a seat. Straightaway, a swarm of them plonked themselves in the other seats all around me. I was literally surrounded. At first they just stared at me in my strange Games Maker uniform and giggled. I tried scowling at them but that didn't work. So I pointed to the London 2012 logo and the Olympic rings and suddenly we bonded. They didn't speak any English but kindly shared their croissants with me. At least I think and hope that's what they meant. Hope so because I tucked in.

No-one's asked to have their photograph taken with me since that Japanese lady a week ago [wonder if she's deleted it yet?]. But that all changed on the train. My new friends started waving their cameras about and pointing at me. This turned into a massive photo session. Imagine how many people you can squeeze into a train carriage. Most of the people in mine were small students from the Philippines Sports Commission. They all had their photos taken with me one at a time. Then one of the lads pointed towards my Games Maker tunic indicating I think that he wanted to have his photo taken wearing it. For a fleeting moment I thought "Get lost. I want to go to sleep" but all I did of course was smile and nod. So I offered the cap as well and they all started clicking away again. I remember as I was taking the tunic off I wiped the corners of my mouth. Only to find some remaining crumbs from the croissants lurking there [both corners]. Not a pretty sight ….. think that's probably spoilt all their photos. I remember that it also crossed my mind that I wasn't entirely sure they meant me to share their croissants. Maybe they were just asking me where the toilet was and I started stuffing my face. I looked round to see if any of them was crying because I'd robbed them of their breakfast. No-one was so I'm hoping I was right.

The man in charge floated up now and again. He smiled and went back to his seat [probably for a sleep - lucky man]. When we were getting close to Victoria, he came up to shake my hand and make a little speech. All the students applauded. I think that he may have made me an honorary member of the Philippines Sports Commission at that moment. He then hugged me and went away. I could have kicked myself afterwards. If I'd been quicker, I could have asked for his address and that would have been our summer holiday sorted for the next few years.

When I arrived at the Olympic Park, it looked and felt like it was going to be another awesome day. Just in case you've forgotten, this is THE Olympics. And they're HERE. This is OUR Olympics. Doesn't it make your chest swell with pride? The weather was a bit iffy for a while but eventually turned out sunny. Do you remember a day or two ago I seemed to be going through the alphabet in search of words to describe the atmosphere? We got to C last time didn't we? Let's move on to DAZZLING, ELECTRIC, FANTASTIC and GREAT. Can't immediately think of H, I or J. Help!!!!

There seemed to be far fewer of us at the briefing this morning than last week. A couple of the girls were off sick and maybe it was just days off. Ibrahim told me that Fatima had called it a day because she's pregnant and finding it a bit much. Ibrahim and I had lunch together and we got talking to the girl sitting beside us. She said she was working in the BP hospitality suite and said it was all good. One ominous cloud though …… "We discovered this morning that all of our Olympic pins have gone". She was every inch professional but left us in no doubt that what she really thought was "Some **** ing *******'s nicked 'em". Don't think I'll have time myself [all starts again for me at 430am tomorrow] but might be worth checking ebay. Do a search for "Olympic pins" and see what you get. Especially if a lot of BP pins have just been listed.

Only other thing that I need to update you on is the video. I'd been planning to do it this morning - I'd like to be able to show you some of the sights I see. I was all ready today but then found my battery was flat. Being recharged at this very moment so hopefully onto it tomorrow. No guarantee of success you understand. A. Don't know how to take videos B. Don't know how to upload them. Apart from that, easy .....

Back tomorrow. Take care