No and Yes. Saw women's cycling in a suburb, was there for another purpose and will watch the marathon in the same area.

I am presently in that district. Peter Beattie and his political mates, male and female, could not run a hot pie stand at a local footy final. It would go out of business overnight. To top it off, Beattie and Annastacia Palaszczuk squalled over who got front row photo and speech opportunities. Locals were directed to stay at home and out of the way. Never have so many locals been made to feel so unwelcome in their own city and never have so many Brisbanites been put off visiting for fear of the forecast endless traffic gridlock on the M1. Thousands of citizens kindly cooperated by taking a holiday elsewhere. Or simply by staying at home and off work as well to avoid commuting and (allegedly) adding to transport problems.

For days now, you could fire a cannon down almost any Gold Coast street and not hurt a soul (excluding soleless pollies and officialdom in their limos). But the hugely available transport was mismanaged and Games patrons have stood waiting.

A builder friend is losing big money with projects well behind. Trucks are 'Verboten!!' across most of the Coast (special regulations) and builders who were already well behind because of rains cannot get deliveries of timber and so on. -Was that MT and his black outfitted feds? Most have never in their life seen so many police, people in black and army (SAS), firefighters and so on. They must be the ones who have given the resort accommodation some trade.

I cannot get service for a car. The dealer, like many other businesses, was encouraged by the Games organisers' pre-Games hysteria to close for a fortnight and put all employees on leave.

Pleased that the athletes are doing their thing. It is about them. -Although the media imagines it is all about them.

Please come, Peter Beattie has been on TV pleading for Gold Coasters to return and spend up in restaurants and for Qld and interstate visitors to fill vacant accommodation.

Leo you have sum it up very well .

brickies,

Thank you. I was most sorry to say it too.

Both the Gold Coast and Brissie have enjoyed beaut reputations where big events are concerned. Usually well-oiled machinery, seamless delivery and thousands of happy, welcoming people having fun.

The problem is that everyone got so scared off that they headed north to the Sunshine Coast. Our little beach here near Caloundra has looked like Surfers Paradise on steroids. People everywhere. And of course the fear of a jammed M1 was transferred to the Bruce Highway wnich turned into a parking lot. Cant wait for the games to end so we can have our beach, and streets and park and parking spaces back to normal.

Welcome to Tamworth Country Music Festival!

There's a reason I head to Japan skiing in January (and it is only peripheral to the fabulous snow!) - I object to excusing myself to enter a shop, because there's a busker and crowd outside.

Besides, skiing's IMPORTANTER!