This morning I had a lie in until 6.30, changed into my cycling kit like an excited schoolboy, rode a mere eight miles to Rye, the ancient Sussex port and boarded the 7.11 to Ashford International. An hour later, at 8.12, I was among the very first passengers to alight at Stratford International right in the middle of the Olympic Park. A slightly awkward bus transfer to Stratford regional station and a few stops on the Jubilee line later and I was in the office for an 8.30am start.

The difference was High Speed One, Britain's newest and fastest domestic train service.

High Speed 1 officially began a regular train service to the Kent coast this morning and is the first service to use Stratford International. While the Park is still being built the bus transfer will continue but in time the Docklands Light Railway, which will run straight to Stratford International, and a short walk will make the interchange to Stratford Regional slicker.  
 
 

I'm looking forward to visting the Park every morning so I can see progress we are making and enjoy a little dose of inspiration en route to the office.

Judging by the wide eyed looks of my fellow commuters I will be sharing that sensation with a growing number of people in the South East and before long many more travelling by train from the continent.

Even for someone working on the project the scale of the Park and the speed it is coming together remains remarkable. The arrival of the first official service into Stratford International is a reminder of just how soon the Games will be upon us.