Olympic celebrations!
Hi everyone!
This should be a reasonably short blog....and probably the last one you'll have from me for a while. This is because I've twisted a few arms around the office and so a few different people will blog over the coming weeks!
Anyway, I thought I'd tell you a bit about the celebrations that took place in London last weekend to mark the handing over of the Olympics from Beijing 2008 to London in 2012. I'm guessing that everyone knows that the next Olympics will be held in London? It was a very close fought battle between London and Paris. I can remember watching the TV in the office as one by one all the other cities were dropped. Eventually, it was just down to London and Paris. But before the final announcement was made, the judges went to lunch! In Trafalgar Square (about half a km from Bush House) they had erected a huge screen so that people could watch as the announcement was made. I left the office and rushed down there - together with thousands of other people - and we all stood there waiting for the judges to have their lunch and come back and announce their decision. The square was packed, and as the IOC President said "" you could almost have heard a pin drop before the crowd erupted when he said "....London!"
Anyway, all of that was 3 years ago. Since then building work has started and all sorts of plans have been made. It's fair to say that until a couple of weeks ago, a lot of Londoners were very apathetic and some were even against the Games, as they will cost a huge amount of money and taxes will rise. However, since Team GB did so well in Beijing, Olympic fever has gripped the country. Last Sunday the Games in Beijing ended and the Olympic flag was handed over to the Mayor of London. There were big TV screens in cities around the UK showing the event and in London there was a huge party. I was lucky enough to get tickets to the party, which was held right outside Buckingham Palace. I took two of the Rangers with me - it was sort of a "well done" present, as they have just passed their exams and are off to university. 40,000 people had tickets, so as you can imagine, it took a long time to get through the barriers. Here they are when we finally got in!
The event started with the handover of the flag being shown on a big screen and then there was a concert. At first there weren't too many people around us, but soon it was packed and the crowds went right up The Mall (that's the road leading up to Buckingham Palace). You could hardly move - apart from being able to put your arms in the air to wave your flag!
The music was so loud, that I could feel the road vibrating under my feet! I wondered what the Queen thought - she was at home, because the flag was flying on the top of Buckingham Palace. I heard on the news in the evening that Prince Harry was on the roof watching, but I doubt that the Queen was up on the roof with him ;-)
As well was the music, there were interviews with sporting stars (past and present). Onika was very excited when Phillips Iduwo (British triple jump silver medalist) came towards us and showed us his medal!
Michael Phelps was also there - but he didn't bring his 8 Gold medals and he was surrounded by big, burly minders so that no-one could get near him!
The highlight of the party for me, though, was when the Red Arrows flew straight down the Mall and over Buckingham Palace, streaming read, white and blue smoke.
Call me a big softie, but it brought a lump to my throat and made me proud to be British!
So, that's about it from me. One last thing - Marianna: no I don't have enough room for a carved tree in my home....but here's how I compromised!
Take care
Carrie
to twist someone's arm: to persuade them
a close fought battle: a very tight contest
heard a pin drop: is quiet you could hear a pin falling on the ground
burly: with lots of muscles
a big softie: someone who is "soft-hearted" or sentimental
to bring a lump to your throat: to make you want to cry
Comments
Hello Carrie! Yes it's always moving, touching this kind of moment.I remember the one of the results very well because my nephew who lives in Paris so was entirely plunged into the ambiance of the "competition told us he had been very disappointed. Not to worry... for a next time! Bye.
Hi Carrie, I can quite understand your feelings. I'm a big softie too and it always brings a lump to my throat when some important event conected to my country happens. Very nice pictures indeed. Hope to hear from your colleages and to hear from you soon. xxx Cris
Dear Carrie, when I opened this section it has brought a smile on my face spotting how clever you has brought that fanny carving to your home. But, allas, after almost breaking my heart discovering that Amy is away I am reading you has decided to leave us too. For approximately the hundredth time I was watching the ´Notting Hill´ movie on German Tv looking for what is on the London streets such exceptional and I didn´t solve it. Now, it is maybe in its inhabitants. (This time I want to apologize to Hugh Grant for my words here in the past, he is just lovely.) Thanks to this new writing. Your two Rangers are those happy one! And yes I was hooked on watching Olympics´ unbelievable achievemets too. Michael Phelps and norvegian javelin thrower were among my heros. Even, I´ve made more walking myself and lost one of those couple kilos I put on recently. Have a good rest from us and see you later on! Marianna
I wish to hear from you soon. Good luck!
Hi Nice t o hear from you again . I watched the ceremony of olempic flag taking over to London mayor and I congratulate on Uk for 2012 olymoic event and you must be proud of it . And don’t be worry to known as a softie , usually I ‘m not a soft –hearted person but a lump in my throat sometimes happen . The last time was the time that Iran national anthem was singing by the kids in my son kindergarten celebration and I was really surprised by it ! Have a nice days off Cheers
Hello Carrie, I'm sure England will do splendid in 2012 like everything else it does. By the way, what a nice voice you have. It was only yesterday that I heard you on "how to". Now I can read your comments with a background of your voice. Thanks again for your dedicated contributions and best wishes to you...
Hi Carrie! You enlivened the whole ceremony.I felt I was a part and was actually witnessing the Olympic fervour with you!! It would be an unarguably exciting experience! Thanks for imparting it to us!
I hate airplanes once I'm inside one but being far from it, I'm fascinated for this kind of acrobatic show.
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