Mo Farah qualifies for the 5000m final, coming in third behind the guys from Kenya and Ethiopia as we cheer from block 125 in the Olympic stadium. It was amazing to hear the 'Mexican cheer' that rolled round the stadium in time with the runners. Sorry is a bit grainy, had to crop as we weren't this close.
Day started very early as I was determined we'd be there well on time. And we were, security took a moment to go through, no queuing and we were in ready to negotiate the crowds for breakfast. Luckily we didn't want to go into the largest McDonalds in the world as at 8.30am they'd already run out of coffee.
Facilities in the Olympic Park were relatively good if busy, plenty of loos, taps for drinking water, but the food and drink was relatively poor value especially as, throughout the day, they'd sell out of stuff, especially vegetarian.
Once in the stadium, we found we were not far from the beacon which was nice. We didn't get a great view of most of the field activities apart from the hammer (well we were in the cheap seats at £95 each!), but of course we did see the various track events quite well including Mo Farah's run, plus heats for the women's 800m (featuring one of Saudi Arabia's first 2 women team members - she came a very far-behind last, but was given a large ovation for her achievement).
After the morning's excitement, we spend the afternoon and evening in the park - enjoying the waterside walks and all the wildflower meadows planted with flowers I'd never seen before in my life - beautiful. Had a nap on a grassy slope listening to the cheers from the water polo arena, watched a bit of the action on the big screens, including Bolt's 200m semifinal win and took far too many pictures. Weather gorgeously sunny as the afternoon wore on and we were rewarded with a pretty sunset over the Riverbank Arena as we watched Argentina beat the GB hockey women (on the big screen, not in the arena unfortunately!).
No medals today, which felt very odd. You can get used to all this winning stuff.
You found hockey hill!! They didn't advertise it very well and we thought there was only one big screen. Feeling v nervous about the mens' - Adam's PE teacher is playing (Glenn Kirkham) - we don't want to have to play Oz for a bronze.... Go Mo Go!!!!
Blimey you got a picture of Mo. I'm so impressed. Can he do it again?? What will we do when the games are over. I'm getting used to constant excitement.
@fueast - I'm dreading not having my little Olympic timetable of must-watches every day. But not to worry, I'm already fantasising about going to Glasgow in two years' time and Rio in four .....
Fabulous day you had & great memories.....just to be inside that stadium would be a great experience !! Thank you for the diary of your day it helps us with the whole Olympics experience!!
Fantsatic shot! Andy and I are thinking that we were all in the 365 area....isn't it an experience! wow and you're right, of course I was taken with the amazing landscaping too. Now I shall prepare my sofa stadium seat ready for the closing ceremony!
love this shot - looks like you were fairly close here - it's so exciting in the stadium. I loved the wild flower areas along the rivers - really nicely done and nice to be out of the crowds and buzz and to hear silence and birds tweeting.
@boxplayer I'm already thinking about Glasgow too and which sports are must watch live!! Really will be sorting myself out to make sure I don't miss tickets for that one!!
