Security increased sixfold - 4 days ago our gatekeeping security folks got reinforcements: grey safari suited and green clad soldier types.  The green uniformed ones had machine guns slung over their shoulders and generally looked aimable, the grey fellows looked a bit more sinister and never permitted smiles or greetings.  Normally when cars drive up to the hotel one guard uses a slanted mirror on a 3 ft pole to check the bottom of vehicles and the second guard checks the inside of the vehicle and the luggage space.  Now soldiers' guns shadowed each car into the guard stop and four or five men were checking vehicles.  The regular staff apologetically attempted to maintain their usual upbeat friendliness - afterall we have worn their wellies, we do have a special bond.

The athletes for the Commonwealth Games have started to arrive and not all the facilities in the athletes' village are up to snuff.  In fact, some of it has looked a bit grim and so various groups were farmed out to 5 star hotels.  We are guessing from their caucasian appearance and their red and white track suits that we got part of the Canadian group.  I doubt the athletes' village can compete with our hotel's facilities so perhaps the Canadians will find a cobra or rat in their rooms to enable them to shift back to our premises.  The security types (including the fellow stationed to overlook the walled garden) all disappeared along with the red suited athletes yesterday.

I am sure the hotel enjoyed the extra income, but what a security headache.  I hope we don't get Prince Charles and his wife or Mr. O and his.  I like our guards' normal cheerful dispositions.