The torch is coming to town!
Post categories: Staff blog
| 14:19 UK time, Monday, 19 March 2012
Hi, I'm Graciela and a particular piece of news lit my fire today.
It's because the street-by-street route of the London 2012 Olympic torch relay has been released. This precious flame's journey will start on 19 May and will involve a total of 8,000 lucky people who have been chosen to be the torchbearers. Not me, I'm afraid.
The first thing I did was to check how close to my home it will pass, wondering if I would be able to take a peek. Fat chance! It will be carried around the neighbouring borough.
Studying the route, I've noticed the number of British cities it will be carried through and remembered that I have had the opportunity to visit some of them since I came to this country some years ago. Images of great moments rushed though my mind like sprinters in the last few metres of a race.
Ah, the gold medal 'cream tea' I enjoyed on my way to Oxford in the company of a friend and fellow ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ producer I carried a torch for, and where, I wondered, if the cream would go in the tea or in the scone it was served with. It was all new for me.
Brighton can be a nice place for a picnic
A picnic on a Brighton beach went swimmingly. We had to sit on pebbles (not particularly comfortable) but the atmosphere was great. There was this stretch specific for brave naturists who probably thought that sandy beaches were for wimps!
As I've always been busy at work I had to take a rain check regarding going north of the border. I wish I had explored the sights of Scotland more. But a visit to Edinburgh proved unforgettable! The castle on a hill in the middle of the city is a magic view.
A visit to Edinburgh can be unforgettable
But in the run up to the Olympics I intend to get the ball rolling and allocate some weekends to go to some of the cities in the route unveiled today. Nothing puts more fire in the belly of a sports enthusiast than an Olympic torch!
How about you - are you looking forward to the Olympic Games?
to light (someone's) fire - to make (someone) excited, enthusiastic
to take a peek - to be able to look briefly at something
fat chance - impossible
a sprinter - an athlete that takes part in races
to carry a torch for (someone) - to be in love with someone who does not reciprocate
swimmingly - very well
a naturist - a nudist
a wimp - a person who is not adventurous
to take a rain check - to postpone the acceptance of an invitation to do something
to get the ball rolling - to start something
to put fire in the belly - to make someone determined to do something
Comment number 1.
At 19th Mar 2012, Jow SingSing wrote:Hi Graciela
Yeah I like to watch Olympic Games when it broadcast at my home TV here. To me myself I love sport, I like playing basketball, table tennis and valley ball. I think Olympic Games or any another competition events should open opportunity to other people walk by to have something play with not only watching. This year Olympic who gonna be Gold Medal Leader? :)
Jow
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Comment number 2.
At 21st Mar 2012, Rajeeb wrote:Hi Graciela,
It's been a literary delight to read your proverb-full blog. I loved it and at the same time I wondered how few of them I already knew. Sometimes I get tired of the English learning, it seems a never ending process. I wish if I were a computer, I could have inserted a memory chip of English language in my brain. So many words, so many phrases and proverbs and I am so small and there're so less years left in life. What do you think would be the most effective way to improve my vocabulary, especially at an age when I tend to forget things more easily than I remember?
Best Regards,
Rajeeb
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Comment number 3.
At 21st Mar 2012, Rajeeb wrote:I guess it would have been more appropriate to write 'proverb-filled' blogs instead of 'proverb-full' blog, wouldn't it?
- Rajeeb
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Comment number 4.
At 24th Mar 2012, Ompputhecat wrote:Hello Graciela.
Now I know what am I doing on next Summer. I will watch the London olympic games. It will be exciting to see who is going to win 100 meters run. I think Usain Bolt will beat the world record. One of my favourities is also boxing. Maybe it's possible to see next professional boxing champion.
It's always exciting to see how the torch will travel from Greece to Olympic Games city. I'm lucky because the time gap between London and Finland is only two hours, or was it three hours on summer time. Anyway on next summer I will take some extra bee and enjoy the Games.
Sincerely yours
- ompputhecat -
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Comment number 5.
At 24th Mar 2012, Ompputhecat wrote:I will take some extra beer and enjoy the Games....
Ipad is not so handy. I make more misprints with this device.
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Mar 2012, Tatiana wrote:@ Rajeeb,
I’ve got the same problem. When I was at school I used to memorize new words instantly. But today it’s a difference. Sometimes I have to look up thrice or even more times before I’ll remember a new word exactly. :( It’s a sad thing but I decided to accept it and enjoy the process. Maybe someone will suggest a good method for remembering words. BTW I think that your English is perfect! Reading your comment about friendship between men and women I was impressed with your style and with the whole story.
Best wishes,
Tatiana
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Comment number 7.
At 31st Mar 2012, Rajeeb wrote:@Tatiana,
Thanks for your lovely comment. You made my day.
Best Wishes,
Rajeeb
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Comment number 8.
At 1st Apr 2012, Tereza wrote:Hi Graciela,
when I was younger, I used to watch as much of the Olympic-program in TV as I could. However, I do not have so much time now, so I will probably watch just the evening news.
Tereza
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