After a couple of days sightseeing it was back to the Olympic finale. I have been busy seeing the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Mews, Queen's Gallery and The Jewel Tower.
Late yesterday afternoon I received a text saying I had a ticket to the Closing Ceremony courtesy of Brazilian Volleyball and my refereeing friend Maria. It was fabulous sitting about 15 rows from the front.
The selection of music allowed the crowd to join in on a regular basis to create a real party atmosphere. Brazil certainly set the scene for Rio in 4 years.
It was interesting that Prince Henry was the highest ranking royal at the ceremony. Maybe he was keen to see the Spice Girls one last time.
Eric Idle was also a highlight with the crowd joining in the whole song.
Finally the Welsh were recognised as part of team GB with the male choirs singing the best version of the Olympic Anthem I have ever heard.
This may not have been Australia's best games but it had many memorable moments.
All teams had women competing. Who will forget the sight of a Saudi women running around the track to huge applause. The blade runner qualifying for the semi final. The cycling between Anna Meares and Victoria Pendleton. Nat Cook being farewelled to huge applause at the Beach Volleyball after 5 Olympic Games and 20 years of playing. Sally Pearson waiting for the result on the scoreboard before celebrating. All the sailors who did us proud.
The Olympic Games has an effect on everybody. It is easy to dismiss this but to those involved a magical 16 days which will be relived many times.
Well done London the world on a fabulous games.

Camden Town, England, United Kingdom at 8:04am BST.

Just back at the hotel after going out to a group celebration. The Olympic games certainly are a special event. It isn't about what games you refereed but the friendships and comments people make. To meet Todd Rogers USA (won gold in Beijing) and his family outside the venue he asked if I had referred the gold medal match. When being 2nd referee for a potentially close match being described as the best 2nd referee in the world.
You don't realise the impact you can have on people. The farewells from all the NTO (line judges and scorers) was equally special with many inspiring comments.
The Beach Volleyball has been selected as No.1 and been watched by 3.5 billion viewers on TV. It is easy to focus on gold medals and successes but the Olympic games has another side. The volunteers, officials and athletes that don't stand on the podium are all part of an extraordinary event that changes a city for 16 days.

Check out the formal shot of the referees. We got special permission to have this picture in front of number 10.
I have just watched Latvia upset the Dutch for the Bronze medal men. Now time for the Gold Medal match. Then celebration and I play tourist.

London, England, United Kingdom at 8:19pm BST.

I had a relaxing day checking out Hyde Park. Damo and I went into the live site and then checked out the course for the open water swim.
Then headed over to the venue to watch the Brazilian girls come from behind to beat China for the bronze.
We were lucky to have Prince Harry visit during this match.
I was then the reserve referee for the Gold medal match. This means I get one of the best seats in the house behind the scorers bench. It saw the USA team of Walsh/May-Treanor win the gold medal for the third Olympic Games in a row. An amazing feat and a fitting end to the women's competition. It was also the first referee Maria Villas-Boas last match before retiring.
Horse Guards Parade is certainly one of the most popular venues at the Games. Party central has a 99% success rate with the fans. I'm not sure what else the 1% want.

After a relaxing day which included catching up with my cousin Lina for lunch. Then walked back over London Bridge so I could get a good view of the Olympic rings on Tower Bridge.
Then it was back to the venue for semi final evening. A win for Brazil against Latvia in the first men's semi. This was played in front of the IOC president Jacques Rogge.
The USA beat China in the first women's semi. This was played in front of David Cameron who dropped in from next door.
Instead of watching the other 2 semi finals live I went to the FIVB lounge to watch the live feed as we had the wettest session of the games so far. The USA women won a close match against Brazil. Unfortunately it was played in the rain. This sets up a USA v USA Gold medal match. The bronze final will be Brazil v China. The hosts of the next summer Olympics, Brazil are struggling for medals more than Australia.
The final match saw Germany beat the Dutch. This should see a hard fought Gold medal match for the men.
Also got good news as my uncle went home from hospital today.

London, England, United Kingdom at 1:22am BST.

London, England, United Kingdom at 6:08pm BST.

Had a really enjoyable match last night between Brazil and Germany women. I was second referee and Sooty first.
Today I went to Earl's Court to see the Aussie men beat Poland in a huge upset. One of the moments of the games was when Aidan Tutton gave his Dad, Steve a huge hug after the match. For those non volleyballers, Steve is head of the beach program and a legend of Australian volleyball.
After that I managed to visit my Uncle in hospital. I realised the impact individuals can make. Max was so excited I was coming out it seemed like everyone on the ward knew who I was. It certainly gave him a huge lift.
While waiting to catch the train back, I had people coming up to me and asking what my role was for the games. It is one of the few times that people are keen to find out what you do. We even get applause when we walk out on the court.

Met my cousin Morgan this morning. He was born in December last year. Also met his dad Simon for the first time. It was great catching up with Amber and her family this morning for breakfast. Also found out my Uncle Max has gone back into hospital for a few days. Then had a really good match as second referee for ITA v ESP match with Marc Berard as the first referee.
Then watched the AUS volleyball (thanks to live streaming by BBC) team lose to ITA in 5 sets. I headed across to Earl's Court and saw a couple of the assistant coaches, Russell and Strugsy.
Off to a Lebanese dinner tonight.

London, England, United Kingdom at 7:31pm BST.

London, England, United Kingdom from 10:49pm to 11:08pm BST (19 mins).

We are now into the knockout phase at the Beach Volleyball. The last match is still going under lights at nearly 11pm at night.
Today saw our international federation FIVB present Nat Cook with 2 signed volleyballs on centre court. She has had an amazing career and good to see the moment celebrated. It was also great to get a hug from her as I saw her after my match as she was also leaving the court.
The biggest upset of the games happened this afternoon. The gold medallists from Beijing Rogers/Dalhausser lost to the Italians in straight sets.
As I had an early finish I went out to dinner with 3 other referees. One of the joys is being to socialise with people from a range of countries. In this case from France, Switzerland and English. Also another highlight is seeing how people from other countries support their athletes. Check out the picture of the guys from Spain.

We have managed to avoid the rain again at Horse Guard Parade. A few spots but not enough to wet the ground. If you look at today's photos you will see a painter up on the balcony. He has been there for the last few days painting the venue.
Not a good day for the Aussie girls with Bec and Lou losing there third match and getting eliminated. The tension is certainly increasing as we move into the elimination phase of the competition.
Horse Guards certainly is party central. The commentator even asks the crowd to quieten down so the British PM can either sleep or have a meeting. Of course this causes the crowd to really yell and make more noise. Tonight is probably the quietest night so far. Not that it is quiet. They still manage to wave Union Jacks and cheer for Team GB even when they are not playing at all.

London, England, United Kingdom at 7:52pm BST.

Was on the early shift this morning. This means a 7.45 meeting at the venue. I had a few hours off in the middle of the day so went for a walk and saw the countdown clock for Rio. There are 1465 days to go. Then Nat Cook and Tamsin Hinchley lost there match tonight and then
both announced there retirements after long and successful careers. Then I was a reserve referee on the last match when we had a few extra visitors court side to watch the USA girls beat AUT. Some of the dream team. I managed to shake hands with a couple of them as I changed seats.

London, England, United Kingdom at 1:14am BST.