Tracey Closing Ceremony facts and figuresTimes Date: Friday 15th Dec Doors open: 4pm Pre-show starts: 7pm Show starts: 8:05pm              Show finishes: 9:53pm Total Duration: 1:48mins Cultural Segment total duration: 55 mins  Protocol Segment total duration: 35 mins Guangzhou Cultural Segment total duration: 10 mins Firework Finale total duration: 8 minsCast - Cultural Number of cast in cultural segment: 1291 Number of volunteer cast in cultural segment: 920 Number of professional cast in cultural segment: 371 Cast come from over 20 different countries.   Languages spoken: 13 Number of animals in cultural segment: 39 (20 camels, 18 horses, 1 donkey)  Number of Cast re-cycled: 48  Cast - Protocol Performance cast during Protocol 1 & 2: 205 FOP Marshalls: 399 Dignitaries: 6 Guangzhou Cultural Performance Number of Cast: 57 Scenic Number of stages: 5 Number of flying objects: 18 Number of flying cast: 20 Number of large scenic props: 122  Number of hand held props: 2476  Athletes  Expected Number of Athletes:  Closing Ceremony predictions have not yet been released, but we are anticipating fewer than the 5500 that were on the FOP for Opening. 

paul stephany Hi Tracey, I wanted to say hallo to you and congratulate you on getting stuck into ANOTHER overseas adventure.  Loved your email-sounds like that you are having a wicked time (once the settling in was over!).  You have missed little Lisa's batmitv of course (which was lovely) but I'm sure things are good for you in Doha.  In my news, I have started a new job as a fund manager - which means exciting work but early mornings - and have moved back to Holloway from Clapham.  Enjoy the rest of your trip - get in touch on your return... love,Paul Stephany.

Andy P Hi Space!!!  Well it looks like you have been having fun and working hard again!!  All is well here - but you are not missing much - cold, rainy, working hard etc!!  Do have some exciting new - so will email...  Its funny being the one back home sending these messages - now we know what it feels like - must plan another adventure soon!!  Take care,  love,  Andy

Sheems xxx Well, well... Aren't you lucky to be somewhere warm! All of you it seems! My school is about -10oC and I wear 6 layers and I'm still cold sometimes. I need to put some fat on...

Tracey's mum Hi Everyone Hope everyone is well, i wonder if Sheema is in this country or not?  I do sympathise with you, it is horrid when one does not see daylight during the working week. Sheema it is very very warm here!! I am not sure why you think it is cold!!  You wait, my girl till the real frost and snow arrives! So, yes where is everyone else? All the  Clares? Carole has gone gallavanting to the land of Oz, so where is everyone else? We had, at last, a nice email from you, Tracey, explaining a few things - typical we get 3 weeks before you come home!!! I was made redundant from my job  so if anyone knows of a little part - time job for around 3 days a week - perhaps they would let me know. Otherwise my kids might start using me!!! We are off to New Zealand in February, finishing with 4 days in Fiji. We were meant to go to Fiji in 2000 when we met Tracey in Oz the first time, but the military decided to take over the country and we were advised at the last minute to change our plan and go to Tonga instead.  So not to be out done, we planned to go to Fiji this time. Guess what? they are off again - the news from the Foreign Office, is not to go!!!!!! We will wait with baited breath to see what happens! ok everyone, enjoy your preparations for Christmas etc. Speak to you all soon. Tracey, see you 2 weeks on Thursday, and flight details might be helpful if you want collecting!!! 

Farver I am glad to learn that you are getting your just deserts (Hee! Hee!). Rain was pretty bad when we were in Ireland. It nearly washed my cold away. Anyway, thanks for the card it evenually arrived a day late so I haven,t disinherited you. Enjoy the rest of your time in Dohar. Look forward to seeing you during your (brief) return. Love Dad

Sally Ok ok! I am sorry! I was poorly, then Ben was then James was then we went away! Ok I can't think of an excuse before that but I will think of something!!! Why are there 2 men practising sand wrestling in your photos - or are they trying to kill each other? I am glad you are enjoying yourself but I think the multimillion dollar question that everyone wants to know is have you excorcised your travel bug yet? Will you stay home - after you have been skiing and then to New Zealand? (Although why you need to go to New Zealand is beyond me!!!) Ben wants his Auntie back - he has refused to walk until she does! We have though decided to enter him in next year's X Factor. He sings to any music he hears - including the hairdryer! No idea where that comes from! Oh Happy 60TH Auntie Carole - although she won't see this for a while as she has gone to Oz today and is probably snoozing in her comfy business class seat somewhere around Asia! Well I am tired - I will be back. Hello to anyone else who reads this. Night night little sis - be good and coe back soon (AND STAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) 

Tracey Happy Birthday Daddy! I'm sorry your card did not turn up! Hope you have a fun day! Happy Birthday also to Clare's daddy! The same age as well! All the best! T xx

Sheems xxx Sorry Tracey,  We've been slack! I'm deep in the world of module exams and coursework and haven't seen daylight for what feels like weeks. It's dark when I leave for work and dark when I set off home. I never leave the building so it feels like permanent night time. It's freezing here! Wearing 6 layers today and still feeling a little nippy Lovely to speak to you tonight. Missing you. Sx

Kaz (in Sydney) Hi Tracey! How's the weather?  It was 40 here yesterday.  Not so nice.  Much of the Blue Mountains is on fire, and for me, much closer to home...St Alban's is on fire.  The past two days for me have been 5am - get up for work.  6:30am - arrive at work.  5:00pm - leave work.  6:00pm - arrive at Local Head Quarters.  7:00pm - arrive at St Alban's.  2:00am - arrive home after fighting fires without a break for 6 hours.  5am - get up for work.  And so the cycle continues.  We're thinking it's never going to rain here again!  (Although it did snow in the Melbourne CBD and in parts of the Sydney CBD last Thursday.)  Strange weather! You mentioned that Fritha was your show caller.  This can only mean one person as far as I know...Fritha Truscott.  Glad to hear that she's still working on big gigs.  I worked with her on Sydney 2000. So, any more exciting trips we need to hear about?  Or is it "heads down bums up" and working for a while now?  How's the lap swimming of that lovely looking pool going?  Still 50 laps a day I expect? Best go, as I should be sorting out things in the "Land of Service" back here at PAP.  Love to all those I know over with you!

Lisa Hi its Lisa. Just to say thanx for the letter. It was a gr8 weekend, service and party Lisa

Tracey Looks like I just write to myself here - where is everybody? Well - this message is for Lisa! I'm thinking of you right now - it is now just past 1pm for me which means it is just after 10am for you! I remember what it felt like for me on the day of my batmitzvah! I wish you all the best and hope you have lots of fun! I am sorry I am not there to share this special day with you but I am thinking of you! You enjoy yourself this weekend as it will be one to remember. Send my love to all the family. You take care! A little Tracey update - just working out how to reprogramme 900 radios and where I will find them all - that will be a fun weekend! Wish I was celebrating back home - oh well - at least the sun is out here! Take care for now, T xx

Tracey Helllooooo Just took a trip to the rehearsal venue and sat up the top with Fritha (Show Caller) and others watching for a bit. The sunset was beautiful. Rehearsals started, then stopped 5 minutes later so they can respect the Call to Prayer! This happens around 5 times a day! I heard they base football matches around Calls to Prayer so half time they can go pray! Don't worry about me and booze, I have got the paperwprk for my own alcohol license. I believe I am allowed to spend about 10% of my salary per month on alcohol! Before Ramadan people were allowed to spend two months allowance as the bottle shop is not open at all during Ramadan. The alcohol license here isallowed for personal use only.  Quite funny when one of the guys nearly reached his limit before Ramadan with over 200 cases of beer. Hmmm - personal use!! Luckily for some of us he bought extras so we were able to have a beer or to before the end of Ramadan. Right - enough of me! I shall go and do some work! T xx

Tracey hmmmm - no!

Sheems xxx Two Pommy special effects guys you say... Any potential for inter-house romance?