Spent much of my time today at the Glasgow Hilton [not inside. In the car park]. There was only one talking point amongst us drivers. The visit of Prince Edward to the hotel yesterday evening. And how a Clydesider had driven into the back of his car. Rumours were rife that he'd been carried away wrapped in a Scottish flag crying "Freedom" much like Mel Gibson in Braveheart. Latest we've heard is that no decision's been made yet about the charges he'll face.

Leaving that to one side I'm pleased to tell you that there was a really different atmosphere today now that the competitions have started. Lots of smiles. Lots of colour. Still quite a bit of waiting around but nothing like before. In fact it was quite busy. I was on the 430pm - 230am shift and the focus had changed. For the first few hours I was taking people to various competition venues. Then about 11pm I was moved to the Tollcross Swimming Centre to bring them back again.

If you're ever looking for somewhere to stay in Glasgow I can recommend the Hilton. Don't have that much solid evidence to base that on. But for us drivers it was the lap of luxury, certainly when compared with the car park at Glasgow airport. They'd given us and the police our own room. Endless supplies of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cakes, biscuits and snacks. Even a rumour of chips at one point but I never saw any.

In fact the only dampener on the day was when I picked up some people from the Maldives at Tollcross. They wanted to be taken back to the Hilton but also wanted to call into the Athletes' Village on the way. Not a problem. At least, I didn't think it was. But after a while they started moaning that I'd gone the wrong way, I'd missed a turning and it was all taking far too long. I was on the Clydeside Expressway when I snapped. I didn't slam the brakes on but brought the car to a smooth halt, switched off the engine and told them to get out. That provoked many more howls of complaint but I'd made my mind up. It should only have taken them a couple of hours to get back so they should be tucked up in bed now.

Back tomorrow on the 4pm to 2am shift followed by a day off on Saturday. To each and every one of you, may your lum reek. Take care

PS Didn't really chuck the Maldives people out although they DID complain and I DID feel like it. My fault I suppose though. Should have taken the many hours of route training more seriously