Day zero - and a very long day it was too. Got up early to head for Big Ben to ring 'all the bells' as part of Martin Creed's (he of the Turner prize-winning light going on and off in a room) contribution to the Olympic party. Big Ben was due to ring outside of its normal donging times for the first time in decades. Wasn't sure how many people would be there - but there were tons - bicycle bells, hand bells, tambourines, wind chimes (and me with my little jingle bells). What larks. Although because Big Ben stopped donging at the 2 minute mark, most people didn't ring for the full 3 minutes to make it a work of art ...
A busy day at work, then I rushed off to the Royal Albert Hall to meet Dave for this evening's prom. First dinner in the Elgar Room - very nice - prawn skewers, potato cakes and a ridiculously chocolatey ganache. Plus some champagne cocktails. The prom was the last in Daniel Barenboim's Beethoven cycle - no 9 - and very good it was too - a feast of dancing melodies and singing with gusto. Barenboim came on after all the clapping and stamping had died down and gave a little speech to the remaining audience about the special work his little mixed orchestra of middle Eastern young musicians are doing to show a different side to a troubled part of the world.
Obviously the prom overran so had to rush back home to catch the opening ceremony - but missed the first 20 mins. But have to say, even though Danny Boyle didn't include morris dancing, he threw in everything else: shire horses, maypoles, Jerusalem, James Bond and his new Bond 'girl', Mr Bean, a minute's stillness, Abide with Me, Michael Fish and his 'there won't be a hurricane' moment, Shakespeare, children's lit, the NHS and on and on - and the winged cyclists were fab. Loved every minute - and the parade of athletes and their get-ups: Italy dressed by Armani, USA dressed by Ralph Lauren, Team GB dressed by Primark ... or by Jimmy Savile as someone quipped on Facebook ...
And the torch thing at the end was sumptuous - nice to see the youngsters doing it and the copper kettle/beacon thing was wonderfully executed.
Wonder if I can get an Olympic-themed pic in every day for the next two weeks.
great shot and commentry - I'm all giddy by the whole thing and wondering whether I can get Olympic style photos in for the most of the next 2 weeks too...might be a challenge at the weekends!!
I can imagine the sound was sensational! I have a friend who went with his family to London for the Olympics and I can imagine how awesome it would be to be there among all the gaily. Have a wonderful time...lucky you!
If I had written that commentary myself Isla I couldn't have done it better !! I too loved every moment & so proud to be British!
A little picking over it in the bakery this morning with one person saying she switched over because it was boring!!!! the mind boggles!
I've got a spare ticket to mens's hockey on Wednesday morning if you want a shot of them! No GB :0( but Aus/Argentina/NL - all great teams.....
I too love your description - shed a tear over the kids finishing it off - I was hoping it wouldn't be Redgrave not because he's not worthy but because it needed something just a bit more than that and they got it spot on. Loved Becs coming down the river too. I'm looking forward to seeing what the world reaction was.
I want you to accept the challenge and give us your Olympic Pic everyday for the next two weeks. I love seeing the events through your eyes. Have fun and thanks for these great events that you participate in.
Love your commentary here - especially the bit about Primark!! Completely agree with you opinion of the ceremony. - it was fab (til they oh so predictably wheeled Paul McCartney out)
August 3rd, 2012
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We'll prob be wandering around Stratford on Wed, not sure the times yet but will let you know..
A little picking over it in the bakery this morning with one person saying she switched over because it was boring!!!! the mind boggles!
I too love your description - shed a tear over the kids finishing it off - I was hoping it wouldn't be Redgrave not because he's not worthy but because it needed something just a bit more than that and they got it spot on. Loved Becs coming down the river too. I'm looking forward to seeing what the world reaction was.