Olympic Query

[Marmora Man]

Two queries that I cannot resolve by searching the interwebby thingy.

1. Can I take my own picnic - I know I cannot take my own drink but is a tupperware box with marmite sarnies (or similar) OK?

2. How do I book tickets for the Mittal Orbit - I've been to the ticket booking site but can only find tickets for sports events.

Thanks - I assume the combined knowledge of the EDF will have the answers

[Siduhe]

2. A lot of the Orbit tickets are fully booked on most days. When I tried, about three weeks ago, I could only get tickets on the days I wanted either early am or late pm.

On the official ticket site, go to Search Events, then select Venue = Orbit (and no other selections). This will show you what is left.

[Chippy Minton]

1. (From the BBC Food site)

For those who prefer homemade food or want to save money take note: security at the games is going to be very tight ? the gate policy will be similar to that of an international flight. This means you need to take a few things into account when planning your picnic:

? No liquids over 100ml/3?fl oz allowed (which includes yoghurts and ice packs).

? No alcohol.

? Food must be for personal consumption (wouldn?t recommend one person carrying a picnic for the whole family).

? Only one soft-sided bag allowed per person (of 25 litre capacity or less ? approximately the size of a small rucksack). Crucially, it must be small and flexible enough to squash under your seat in the venue ? so no picnic baskets or cool boxes!

? No glass bottles (except for medication).

? Cutlery should be considered carefully ? make it disposable and, obviously, leave the knives at home.

If you?re one of the people who thinks a picnic just isn?t a picnic without a trestle table and deck chairs then you?re probably best passing on this one, but if like me you love the simple pleasures of tasty homemade sandwiches, a hunk of pie and maybe a slice of cake then there?s plenty to be enjoyed without coming a cropper at security.

Firstly, a few tip offs. Taking drinks in with you is out of the question, but free water is available from drinking fountains inside the venues and you?re allowed to take an empty plastic bottle with you. Queues are expected and all bags will be thoroughly searched. To make the process as smooth as possible, ensure all your belongings are easy to check and store any food in clear plastic bags or cling film - tin foil is a definite no-no as it?s likely to set off the metal detectors.

When it comes to the actual food, think about the perishability of your picnic. You won?t be able to take a cool box with you, unless you have a small freezable cool bag, so any food you take needs to keep well when stored at room temperature (or even warmer if the sun decides to come out of hiding).

Ever popular couscous and pasta salads are an obvious choice. And pasties, sausage rolls and pork pies are a real winner being so easily portable and satisfying, no matter what the weather brings

2. Tickets for the Orbit during the games period have sold out, although any returns go back on sale every day on the official tickets site. However, you will still need a ticket either for the Olympic Park or an event at one of the arenas inside the Park in order to get in i.e. if you're lucky enough to get a return, you won't be allowed into the Park with just that ticket.

[BB100]

There are over 16 pages of tickets for the Orbit if you look under the Paralympics.