Beijing is vast and although it doesn t have the New York skyline, compared to London, and indeed Hertfordshire, its buildings are massive. The city is crammed full with people yet the streets and roads are immaculate. In every taxi they have a guide to

Beijing is vast and although it doesn't have the New York skyline, compared to London, and indeed Hertfordshire, its buildings are massive. The city is crammed full with people yet the streets and roads are immaculate.

In every taxi they have a guide to Beijing, printed in Chinese and English, so that you can show the driver the location you want to get to. Quite simple, but it definitely works, the Beijing Games' organisers have thought about every tiny detail. The guide also shows you 'useful' phrases in Chinese to point out to the driver, but not speaking the Chinese language, how would I understand the reply anyway - perhaps they haven't thought of everything!

Nothing prepared me for my first proper look around the Olympic Park and I got such a buzz from seeing the Birds Nest Stadium, it really is a fantastic piece of architecture designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron.

Last night our hosts arranged a fantastic meal at one of Beijing's hotspots and to my excitement I was seated close to Aussie swimming legend Ian Thorpe. It was a lovely meal but I was there to work and I spoke to lots of National Olympic Committee members from various countries - one representative was from Tonga's Royal family.

I'm really excited to see Beijing's Canoe Slalom Course especially after UK Canoeist David Florence took silver - hopefully we'll see him at the Canoe Slalom in Broxbourne in 2012.

I look forward to telling you about some of the Olympic events I'll be seeing over the next few days.