The Games are Go!

We have lift off! Following the Opening Ceremony earlier this evening the Games are now officially open and everyone is raring to go. After the shambles in Rhodes, I thought tonight's Ceremony was just about right. Still a little long perhaps, but it was done and dusted in less than 2 hours in glorious warm sunshine. There don't appear to be as many Manx spectators as there were in Rhodes but that is understandable - Aland is expensive, not easy to get to and accommodation is strictly limited. There were still plenty of Manx flags in evidence though.

There are a few other Manx athletics supporters staying in my hotel - Cheryl Pryke and Frances McDonnell who were at the Ceremony, and Anthony and Caroline Brand who arrived too late to get into the stadium but who went to Games Street afterwards. It was heaving there tonight, and most of the athletics squad went there for something to eat before heading back to the school.

Several of the other Manx teams were there and I had a chat with Paul McMullan who is captain of the men's golf team, and who will also be marrying my niece later this year! There were some familiar faces from athletics there too, and I spotted Eilidh Mackenzie of the Western Islands who won gold in the women's 800m in Rhodes. At that time she was being coached by former GB international Kirsty Wade who now runs a B&B near Stornoway. I don't know if she still is still being coached by her.

At about 10pm I went for a stroll round the Eastern Harbour and out to the end of one of the jetties on the marina. Even at that time the sun was still quite high and it was really warm. What a glorious place this is! The atmosphere in town is absolutely brilliant and I think this has the potential to be the best Island Games yet.

Tomorrow morning I am going back up to the stadium to watch the opening men's football match between Aland and Greenland - this should be a great occasion with a big local crowd expected. This will be the last football match to be played there until the two finals, as athletics takes over there until Friday afternoon.

Then tomorrow night the athletics gets under way at 6pm local time (4pm at home). Events with IOM interest are the Men's 200m heats (Tom Riley & Ben Brand), 10000m Final (Kevin Loundes & Ed Gumbley), Women's 100m heats (Danielle Ross & Ciara McDonnell), 1500m heats (Rachael Franklin & Gemma Astin) and Long Jump Qualifying (Hollie Bass). Best of luck to all - fingers crossed for a medal winning start in the 10000m Final!

11.40pm now and still light - your average Manx driver wouldn't even have their lights on in this, yessir...