What a day that was

First of all I'd like to thank everyone for your lovely comments recently they really are appreciated, and to say a big welcome to all my new followers, it's great to have you on board and hope you enjoy what you read.

I know I've written several times about London 2012 but I hope you'll forgive me this one more time because today we've been to the Olympic Stadium to watch the Paralympic track and field events and I just wanted to share this with you. What a day that was, absolutely brilliant. Apart from the fact that it must have been the hottest, sunniest day for weeks, the events and the athletes themselves exceeded everything we expected.

We left home at 6.45am and arrived at the Park just after 8am

 

 It was such a thrill to actually be on the site after walking around the perimeter several

 times over the last six months

And to see the Olympic flame gave me goose-pimples

 



All of the events were spectacular and as we were in row 17 had marvellous views of them all. Just high enough to be able to see the whole arena in comfort, especially these Javelin throwers.



 

and the runners

 

After our session we joined the other hundreds in the sunshine

for a spot of lunch

 

I think I was so excited about getting to the park first thing that I failed to see the hundreds of wild flowers that had been sown along the banks of the walkway and spotted on our way back to the station.

 

 



 

The helpers, volunteers and staff were wonderful - so helpful. In fact as we stepped outside the station at West Ham this morning, we were astounded at the amount of helpers standing along the walkway, guiding and showing people the way to the Olympic Park. There must have been 70-80 along the way -a walk of about 30 minutes, all with happy smiling faces and wishing everyone a lovely day. So much thought, effort and organisation has been put into the whole spectacular event that was London 2012.

 

So proud to be British

 



 

Thanks for stopping by. See you soon. 

 

The Olympics are coming to town!

I don't know about anyone else but I've simply not had the time nor the inclination to write anything for the past couple of weeks and get the feeling from other bloggers that they also feel the same.  I think the holiday season as well as the lovely weather we are now enjoying plus, of course the Olympics (which I for one have been glued to), have given us a reason to take stock and slow down a bit.

Speaking of the Olympics, they are coming to our neck of the woods this weekend to Hadleigh Farm where they will be holding the Mountain Biking events. You might remember I wrote about Hadleigh Farm back in April.  It seems that the whole area is going to come to a standstill for two days, but even so the tension and excitement is mounting. Many cyclists have been spotted, cruising around town, doing a bit of sight-seeing and making themselves known to their awaiting audience.

There are flags and bunting everywhere and a general sense of camaraderie amongst locals and visitors alike.

Hadleigh has been getting ready for some time now and it's all looking
very patriotic and welcoming for the contestants.

This sculpture has been put in the middle of our local large roundabout as you enter the area which has been planted with some beautiful plants and flowers

This is the nearest we could get to the grounds as, like Stratford, security is paramount.

Looking forward to the Closing Ceremony on Sunday - if it's anything like the Opening Ceremony then we're in for a treat. Happy viewing and have a fabulous weekend.

See you soon

Patricia



Return to blogland - return to Stratford

I just want to say thank you to all who sent such lovely messages regarding the eye surgery I had eleven days ago. Your kind thoughts and good wishes meant such a lot and helped me get through what was a very daunting and frustrating time. I won't go into details but some have asked why I had to posture 'face down'. Well at the end of the surgery I had to have a gas bubble inserted into my eye which when facing down helps to heal the hole in my macular.

Although I have finished my posturing, the gas bubble will very gradually disappear over the next 8-10 weeks during which time I am virtually blind in that eye until the bubble goes away.  Driving and trips out on my own are a definite no no for the time being.

Anyway enough of that. I have tried to keep up with all your lovely posts and apologise if I have missed anything.

I don't know if anyone remembers that in January we went on a lovely walk through the East End of London which took us to the Olympic site. A pretty walk which took us along the towpaths of the local canals which you can find here

It was lovely to view at such close quarters but as it was still a bit of a building site, I really wanted to see it now that it's been landscaped and planted with trees, plants etc. especially with the run up to tonight's Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Well,  for my first trip out Hubby took me on the same walk. We are only about 30 miles from Stratford by train and the weather was fine so anticipated getting a spectacular view.

Not so, everything in East London around the Olympic Park is closed to traffic, closed to the public, walkways were diverted, security guards and police patrolling the roads,  barbed wire fencing and electric fencing barracaded all possible areas leading up to the site!

So - this was the closest we could get to the park and not a tree or plant in sight! It was such a disappointment which left us feeling pretty disgruntled.

However, the part of the walk we did manage to do was still enjoyable. This enormous replica of the Olympic torch was a total surprise and towers over the surrounding area.

And we found some lovely old building tucked away around corners and alongside

the canals near Stratford

Including this original Custom House which dates back to the 19th century

And of course I couldn't forget about my favourite Lock keeper's cottage

Looking forward to watching the Opening Ceremony tonight - a once in a lifetime event not to be missed and if you're watching - enjoy it too.

By for now

Patricia x