The End

Over, finished, done. The London 2012 Olympics can be summed up by 'it's been emotional'. Never as a nation have we been more engaged and moved to weeping on mass. With the exception of a few, who were not enthralled by 16 days of Olympic fever (and each to their own) we have benefited by the endeavours of athletes the world over. One of my favourite tweets was yesterday when I man I do not know Simon Rickets tweeted 'I'm cheering this Ugandan marathon runner like he is my son. I'm officially Olympics bonkers. Go ON.'

There was so much to blog about but instead I just got on with being a spectator. There are so many moments to pick but mainly the memories and feel good factor of being here, of having the Olympics on your doorstep is hard to put into concise words.

 Incredible! 

Incredible x 2

I even watched all of the closing ceremony which was totally naff but it had to be done. The 'fashion' moment had to be the worst thing ever. Naomi, Kate,Lily, Stella at all in lorries with billboards of fashion adverts which were ripped off revealing...wait for it... a model in an outfit. And....the names of the businesses were read out like the announcement of the countries the athletes were from. It was utter dross and after a couple of weeks of sporting endeavour it seemed the most shallow, narcissistic, pointless moment of the evening. Yes fashion is a big industry, yes I love fashion, yes of course we should promote it but ...like that and at an Olympic closing ceremony. Pointless and sad. Lucinda Chambers styled the girls well..in...err gold dresses.. but for what end? I don't know what the answer is to mindless glorification of materialism. Yes we have talented designers, yes fashion is an expression of the individual, society and I wouldn't be without it but how can we contextualise it better in such events. I suppose it is hard to get it right and I have no idea what the brief was or the budget but I'm guessing Naomi wasn't free.

London Catwalk

In conclusion, the women of the games, of London 2012 were the best. They were amazing from all nations and all nations sent women for the first time ever. I prefer Sanya Richards-Ross's fashion moment to anything contrived as representative. I want Jess Ennis's abs, I want Katherine Grainger's belief and the attitude of Jade Jones.

Let's hope that the images and words of united endeavours forges a new path for humanity represented by this photo taken by Brad Haverley at the wrestling medals ceremony...

...and the best joke on twitter 'A red haired man, a mixed race woman and a Somalian refugee went into a bar...everyone bought them a drink.'

Olympic fever continues

I do feel I am in danger of spontaneous combustion. My addiction to the Olympics is all consuming. If I'm not at an event, I either watching tv or viewing on iPad or constantly on twitter or BBCi site for latest information.

There is no specific event that I haven't watched or read about or talked about. The fact I had to file some copy earlier this week was an up hill chore. I'd always thought having an Olympic event on the doorstep would be good but I didn't it would be AWESOME. That is not a word I have ever drawn upon except in irony and now I know of no other modern day word to encompass all my mix of emotions.

The trip to see the water polo at the Olympic Park was all it promised to be. Everything was just fabulous. The only downside was the sight of the two McDonalds, just plain wrong and the queues, I was gob smacked and luckily the petit garcon was immune to it. We were right proper British and popped into M&S at Waterloo and got our provision for lunch from there as well as a few additional things I'd prepared at home. The fact I'd paid for the tickets a year ago and we had travel tickets with our Olympic tickets - it really was a cheap day out.

 We are here moment!!

 A reluctant poser

 The wild flowers were lovely

 The water polo hat, this belonged to a Hungarian player before he discarded it poolside as the strap broke.

It was the fashion accessory of choice for the water polo fans to wear old caps!

 The enthusiastic supporter of the Hungary water polo team.

The dedicated water polo arena.

 Dressing gowns at the ready!

 Hungarian and US team huddles prior to swim off at start of match.

 It does remain one of my favourite sports. I would happily coach or support a team every week so I am so glad I got to see it at the Olympics.

This was our view a lot! Every time Hungary scored. It was great to be part of it and join in with all the support.

The petit garcon used to the great outdoor space along the canal to do running, vaulting and turns, his own mini Olympics.

 And finally I had to go and glimpse the rings at Tower Bridge as part of my fix!

The Olympics keep on giving

It has taken over my life, well not just mine, lots of people in fact. Suddenly the telly on all day no longer means you might be sneaking a quick viewing of Cash in the Attic. In fact not watching day time tv suggests you might be an Olympic downer.

On Tuesday the petit garcon and I hopped on the District Line to Earls Court to view the volleyball. People I have never known London so calm, organised, clean and communicative. Yes there are a few issues namely empty seats but they are in the main in the £450 price bracket areas or a few £20 ones which you can imagine a few people decided after months of rain to jump ship and head for warmer climes not realising that Olympic fever is gripping.

Anticipating the fashion for wearing the branded kit, I fought the growing crowds in the Kingston John Lewis and snagged a couple of hoodies and a top. I'm glad I did as wearing Olympic garments was the order of the day. I do wish I'd taken a snap of the red Moscow 2000 t-shirt a guy was proudly wearing with his white jacket and jeans combo.

All in all our Earls Court venture was fun and we happily supported Italy to a win in the volleyball in lieu of team GB action.

 Cool as a cucumber on the tube

 The high five season continued en route to veneu

 Cafe stop

 Moi in my team GB top as captured by the petit garcon

 Petit garcon was very happy to see the soldiers

 I can't imagine what it is like to be 6 years old and in the midst of the Olympics, I felt this image captured it in someway

 Free face painting while we waited for the match

 Couldn't resist the opportunity for Olympic torch action

 Italy v Argentina (Italy in the white)

 Opps!

Even my nails were suitably painted - all in Chanel I'd like to add, Pirate, White Satin and Denim

Olympic Fever

It is a moment in time I have never experienced before so you will have to forgive me for my indulgence and continued Olympic fever. I had no idea when seven years ago they announced London had won the Olympic bid that I would be living here or going to the games.

On July 6th 2005 I was driving my car along Zetland Road in Bristol listening to Radio 5 Live as they announced the decision. I was also pregnant. The next day London was hit by bombs. Mr MDS was working in London as he did a couple of days a week, as did I. We happily commuted from Bristol to London as required. When I worked for Orange it was usually 3 days a week, when I became freelance it was as and when. I knew he was all right even though I couldn't contact him because the mobile networks would go into agreed disaster protocol. I also had to switch off from it all as I was 5 months pregnant. I just lay down and didn't move.

The most poignant moment of the opening ceremony on Friday night was in the midst of a fantasy of bonkers Britishness a moment was taken to remember all those who wouldn't be with us due to the 7/7 bombings. Londoners or commuters from elsewhere in the UK and visitors from other countries, they were remembered because one minute it was all happiness and light the next grief and disbelief. They are not here to be part of London 2012 or to ignore at their will.

Now it is here and I am making the most of it. I officially have Olympic fever. I am throwing myself into it all because I can and I can share it all with the petit garcon. I fully appreciate not everyone likes sports but this is a live pageant of performance. Twice I have stood by a roadside to cheer on men and women cyclists from all over. Yesterday one minute I was being high fived by a police outrider, the next it was torrential rain as they went past!

 Roadside on Saturday for the men's cycle road race

 Bradley Wiggins captured by me!!

 Official London 2012 image of race, as you can see these were the conditions, this shot is taken were we were and I couldn't have done it.
 
Tomorrow I go to see the Volleyball at Earls Court. I was very fortunate to apply for four events in the first ballot and got tickets to see two of the four. Next Monday I will be watching water polo in the Olympic Park.  And it is now I am regretting not buying replica kit or Olympic apparel from the Olympic Shop when they sent me all those emails eons ago. Because now it seems the only way to go is fully kitted out in the gear as anything else seems somewhat dull and try hard.