Front row at the Olympians Parade

The big finale of the 2012 Olympics is well and truly over, celebrated not only at the closing ceremony but the Olympians Parade earlier this week. 

The neighbour invited me to go along to the Parade through central London. After my last experience of trying to view a parade (Queens Jubilee) in central London, I wasn't quite sure I should bother. That experience saw me walking around central London for about three hours and not see a thing.

But leaving early in the morning makes a difference and we got a front row seat. 

It was tremendous to be here in London and experience the Olympics, it will be something I will never forget.

Hope you like the photos ! And apologies in advance for not recognising the British Olympians.

The start of the Parade

Crowds line the street

The Parade kicks off with the British Lions

Jess Ennis and ?

Not sure who this was either

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Sir Chris Hoy and ?

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Paralympics

Having the chance to actually go to the Olympic Stadium in London was something I never thought we'd get to do, however H managed to secure us some Paralympics tickets a few weeks ago. 

It is a massive and very impressive Stadium. Walking into it you get caught up in the excitement amongst the mass of people going to support the paralympians. 

Olympics Stadium and The Orbit

We watched the athletics amongst a very revved up crowd. When the Brits competed and whether they won or lost the noise was like something you'd never heard before.

While I didn't get to hear Advance Australia fair, I did get to see a few Brits win gold and stand and sing to God Save the Queen.

The athletes themselves were so inspiring.

We saw a number of blind 100m sprints, these competitors are teemed up with a co-runner with sight.  When we watched them, it looks like they tie themselves together.

Then athletes with cerebal palsy, limbs missing, in wheelchairs - amazing achievements. I think this event will be the highlight out of my London 2012 Olympics experience.

  

POD

Once upon a time there was something known as SAD syndrome. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) was a well known depression associated with lack of sunlight and bright blue skies. All of which Blighty typically lacks.

But we now have a new syndrome that is hitting the residents of Blighty quite hard, and its called POD, also known as Post Olympics Depression.

Those suffering from POD typically describe feelings of missing something and tend to be teary. Some have been found staring at their television sets constantly changing channels searching for the remnants of any Olympics news. Others who have to go back to work, lack concentration skills and are regularly seen staring out the window.

POD sufferers should be able to ease their symptoms with the upcoming Paralympics, but after that I'd suggest they're going to just have to get over it!

I know I write this in jest however POD is something that has been mentioned in the news over here. I wonder if any other country has created an actual syndrome for the after effects of the Olympics?

Olympics hangover

Today Britain is sporting an Olympics hangover.

Over the past two weeks our days have been entirely consumed with sport. On the street, television, radio, conversation. I've even resorted to Twitter... don't tell anyone!

Talk on the street today was about the closing ceremony and how wonderful it was.  There were comments at the gym that not since war time have we seen people so engaged and talking to one another. 

Someone else mentioned thank goodness Paul McCartney didn't sing. There was a resounding consensus from everyone with this statement.

While I enjoyed the closing ceremony, I have to make one point that annoyed me. They didn’t show all the countries athletes but focused only on the British and a couple other nations. What about the Commonwealth!?

Over the past week, I have been asked numerous times 'what has happened to Australia, they used to be really good athletes'?   I would have to agree. I think we have to congratulate our athletes for what they did achieve, but seriously what has happened to our once well regarded sporting nation? 

One article in Australia suggests too many of our good coaches have been allowed to go to other countries. In another article it mentioned that NSW are dropping funding for sailing and yet this was an area which actually got us some gold medals. What is going on?!

I also haven’t heard or seen the Ranga (Australia’s excuse for a Prime Minister) at all during the Olympics. Actually I never saw or heard anything from her during the Queens Jubilee celebrations either. Is she actually still our Prime Minister or have we moved up in species?

Regardless of the performance of our athletes or prime ministers, the hangover is well and truly here. Thankfully we have a week to get over it before the Paralympics kicks off. 

Weightlifting

If there was one sport you'd really like to see at the Olympics, what would it be? 

I can't say I'd choose weightlifting.  If I had the choice it would be swimming, but we were lucky enough to actually get some tickets and you just have to go to whatever you possibly can when its the Olympics.

We watched the weightlifting in the ExCel stadium. The buzz and atmosphere was amazing, particularly when the Brit hit the floor. It was nice that everyone cheered on all the other countries, unlike the Lithuanian vs Nigerian basketball match we watched in a pub in central London where there was actual boo's, ended up going for the Nigerians! 

And yes as you probably have seen in the news there were a lot of spare seats. 

So we watched the snatch and then the clean and jerk. Meanwhile as the weight gradually increased we watched their eyeballs almost bulge out and veins pop as they struggled to lift the weight.

Before I share some pictures of the event here are some Olympic weightlifting facts to top yourself up for the next quiz night... Weightlifting featured at the first Olympic Games in 1896, it had a number of absences in the games in the early 1900s, joined the Olympic program for good at Antwerp in 1920. Women's events were added in 2000.

The Weightlifting area

The contenders

Gareth Evans the Brit contender

Watching Wiggans win Gold at the Time Trials

After five hours of standing on my feet in one spot I am finally allowed to rest up on the comfy couch with a cuppa, a home made raspberry muffin and of course the good old laptop. I can now sit back and reflect on the days events.

For the Olympics it started with a bit of controversy surrounding the badminton players. Who would have thought Badminton would have made front page news?! The Chinese and Korean pairs both tried throwing the match which was so obvious when you watched the replay, even I could have hit a shuttlecock better than they were. It is a shuttlecock isn't it? Anyway the Aussies are now back in so that is a good thing.

Skip waiting for the riders

In Kingston, it was time for the Time Trials, so I set out for an early morning walk to suss out who was around.  At 8.30 in the morning people were already holding spots at key turns on the track. 

So at around 11.00am with a backpack of supplies, I found myself lined up along the route, right next to some Aussies sporting their green and gold tops. The funny thing was when we got chatting they actually live in the same apartment block as me. What a small world it is?!

Thinking we would be the only Aussies in the crowd it was nice to see a few other Aussie flags in the distance as well as the boxing kangaroo.

By the time Wiggans came past the crowd were well excited and absolutely roared and screamed. People were crammed in every spare space they could find, some even hanging out of windows in the nearby shops.

Looking for the best view

Unfortunately the Aussies didn't do very well at all but that seems to be the theme for the Australian contingent this year. It was nice to see the Poms get a gold (or two) so far today. Fingers crossed the Aussies can get a medal in tonights swimming!

The women riders arrive

Aussie Riders - Go Aussie!

The Gold Medallist - Wiggans!

Supporting your country come Rain, Hail or Shine

Amongst pouring rain, thunderstorms and lightening we went out to support the Women's Road Race. Front row seats this time as the crowds were definitely well down from the Men’s race on Saturday.

I saw the Aussies (eventually), got soaking wet in the process, but wanted them to hear at least one ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie’ in the Brit dominated crowd. Yes you might as well let go and get a bit feral when supporting your country, no one knows me here!

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Actually H and I must look a sight when we walk out the front door. I’m in the green and gold sporting my custom painted toenails and holding the boxing kangaroo flag. I even got a ‘I should be so lucky’ comment yesterday!  Meanwhile, Hamish is in the Brit red, white and blue topped with a bowlers hat sporting a Brit flag. I would put a photo here but I might get in trouble J

I must leave you now, I'm watching the Brits in the men's synchronised diving - go Tom Daly!

Highlights of Day 1

I have to fit in one more post before I go to sleep tonight.

The 39 year old Bulgarian gymnast; his 6th Olympics. His team members are young enough to be his sons (nearly). Well done!

The Russian outfits, flashback to the 80's.

Watching the Italians win the archery.

Seeing O'grady and the Aussie team cycle past in Kingston.

Aussies win gold in women's 4x100 relay.

So much to see, I can hardly keep my eyes open. Not sure I will keep up all the blogs on the Olympics but hope it stirs up your interest to watch and support your teams.

Nite nite.

Men's Road Race reaches Kingston

With anticipation building the crowds continued to arrive and in some places were 10 or more deep. We managed to get a position right on a corner as they passed the famous Telephone Box sculpture in Kingston.

British flags were everywhere and amongst them were some odd ones out, South Africa, Pakistan and of course Aussie !

Police motorcycles revved past us waving and sometimes stopping to rev up the crowds. 

I got told off for waving my Aussie Flag but I didn't care no one was stopping me screaming Aussie Aussie Aussie as they raced past us.

O'Grady

Well done Aussies for coming 5th and well done Kazakhstan on 1st !

Spectacular Opening Ceremony

I don't think there is any question that our fellow Poms were very proud last night by what was a fantastic opening ceremony. I felt very privileged to be amongst it and soak up the atmosphere.

Arriving at Hyde Park we were greeted by a mass security screening. It took about an hour to get to the front of the line and then it was an airport type check. I guess that's why we've been told to arrive at events well in advance of them starting.

Arriving at Hyde Park (with some randoms)

The park was decked out with sponsors, large screens, merchandise and catering stalls. After an hour in the line we went straight for a drink!

Pushing our way towards the mosh pit we didn't quite get there, however were close enough to enjoy Duran Duran when they made it on stage.

When the opening ceremony kicked off the crowd went absolutely wild. Brits, Aussies and all nationalities carrying their flags over their shoulders screamed in support.

We saw the red arrows fly past smoking out red, white and blue.

Remnants of the Red Arrows

I won't go through the whole opening ceremony as I'm sure by now you've read the news or even seen the repeats on television.  But I have to mention my favourite bit....James Bond aka Daniel Craig, the Queen and her corgies. There was utters of 'no that can't be the queen', 'is that really the queen' and when full realisation hit that it really was, the crowd just went off. 

In between the ceremony we had Stereophonics and then Snow Patrol. I missed the Aussies arrive into the stadium as the band was playing but caught up on that this morning.

One other point of note or question is where was Wenlock the mascot in the whole ceremony, unless I missed an important bit I didn't see it anywhere?!

Duran Duran

It took us a good two hours to get home. Sitting on the bus one of the nurses from the NHS piece of the ceremony was chatting to an Aussie telling her about the experience. Apparently all the people in the NHS performance were actual NHS staff who have spent every weekend since April and after work hours rehearsing.

We are now sitting on the comfy couch relaxing before the bike race reaches Kingston in a couple hours. Go Aussie Go!

  

Excitement builds in London

This is not going to be a long post but I really just wanted to share with you how excited Britain is with the Olympic Opening Ceremony kicking off tonight. 

Its buzzing.

This morning as the torch passed Kingston atop of the Queen's rowbarge 'Gloriana' on the Thames, a mass bell ringing around London took place (8.12am to be exact). Even Big Ben rang for 3 minutes for the first time since King George VI's funeral.

From first sight of the boats on the horizon to seeing the rowbarge with the torch.

If you look closely at the 4th photo you can see an Aussie boat called the 'Barramundi'

Departing Kingston under the Kingston Bridge

Gossip is raging on who will be the person who lights the cauldron to signal the opening of the Olympics. Some of the names include The Queen and David Beckham.

There is also gossip about the mascots so I learnt yesterday. Apparently Wenlocks one eye represents the 'all seeing eye'....! Odd.

So what am I doing on this special occasion?

H and I are off to Hyde Park to watch an opening ceremony concert featuring Snow Patrol, Stereophonics, Duran Duran and someone called Paolo Nutini (?).

I have my green and gold (really yellow) outfit sorted and even painted the toenails!

The Olympic Torch arrives in Kingston

On a warm summers morning the Torch arrived in Kingston.  We were lucky to get a prime position along the route as we didn't have far to venture - just downstairs and out the front door. 

Standing among the crowds we saw the sponsors arrive first with Coca Cola making the loudest impression with music blasting.

Next we saw the mascot who's name apparently is Wenlock after a town called Much Wenlock in Shropshire (see photo on top left below).

The torch finally arrived at 9.18am being carried by someone we didn't know and apparently no one else did either after questioning a few people including volunteers near me. 

And you might like to know that the torch arrival probably lasted less than 10 seconds before everyone was on their way back to work or whatever they were planning on doing today. Me well I went to the gym!

25 Days until the London Olympics

After a quick meeting in central London today I went for a walk down Regent Street to Trafalgar Square to take some photo's. As London prepares for the Olympics the flags are coming out and the city is looking good....

  Regent Street

Regent Street

Picadilly Circus

Look carefully in this pic, you can see the counter!