Olympics Round Up

So in the end we finished up with 65 medals in total, 19 bronze, 17 silver and 29 gold medals. What a fantastic Olympics it has been. It seems to have inspired so many people to take up sport. There are so many more people of the streets cycling, jogging and running.  However it does make me giggle when I see cyclists on their brand new shiny bikes, pedalling down the street thinking they are Sir Chris Hoy.
The London games were officially closed on Sunday at the closing ceremony at the Olympic stadium. The spectacular show included performances from The Who, Pet Shop Boys, One Direction, Madness, Muse, Jessie J and many more. Take That also performed their hit 'Rule the world'.  As they say "The show must go on" but I have a lot of respect and admiration to Gary Barlow for going ahead with the performance despite his recent personal tragedy when his daughter poppy was sadly stillborn. My favourite performance of the night was from the Monty Python star Eric Idle who sang his song 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life' .

The night made me want to get up and dance in front of the television, A great celebration and a brilliant way to say goodbye to the Olympics for another 4 years. I never thought I would say this but I'm really missing them already, It was great to always have something good to watch throughout the day and to watch the amazing athletes compete in their sports. Bring on August 29th when the Paralympic Games begin!

x

Olympics Opening Ceremony

And they're off...

After years of waiting the London Olympics are finally upon us, and what a fantastic start we had last night at the opening ceremony. Before last I am ashamed to say I didn't have much hope for us, I didn't expect us to put on a very good show for the rest of the world. Boy was I wrong. Danny Boyle has done us proud, and has left me and I'm sure much of the nation feeling very patriotic and excited for the sporting events and the closing ceremony.

Boyle made it a truly British spectacular, celebrating our nation whilst moving through time and giving a somewhat history lesson. Firstly Bradley Wiggins who last week became the first Brit to win the Tour de France, he started the night by ringing the giant bell. It then moved from our "green and pleasant land" which was filled with loads of animals from horses to ducks. It went through the industrial revolution to a sudden silence to remember those killed in the war.

Then onto the NHS, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Harry Potter and one of my favourite moments from Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean causes his usual chaos. The highlight of the night for me was Daniel Craig, AKA James Bond and his royal sidekick, The Queen! I thought it was fantastic that she not only formally opened the games but she was involved within the fun and showy side of the night. It went on to a man who played The Queen jumping out of a helicopter over the Olympic stadium just before The Queen makes her entrance.

Greece then led the way into the stadium for the 205 teams that are involved in the games, with our team at the back lead but Sir Chris Hoy. Once The Queen had officially declared the games open the cauldron was lit in a spectacular way. There was much speculation about who was going to bring the torch into the stadium, but after David Beckham who was seen to bring it down the thames on a speedboat, he handed it to Sir Steve Redgrave who proudly brought it into the stadium.

There was music from the Arctic Monkeys who were absolutley fantastic live! Also Sir Paul McCartney played Hey Jude, which is always a crowd pleaser. He may be losing it slightly but the crowds sang along and made it a great finale. To finish off the stadium was lit up by an array of fireworks.

One thing I must mention is the thousands of volunteers that took part in the ceremony, what an incredible job they did. They deserve much recognition and praise for all they done.

After such an amazing night I'm really looking forward to watching a lot of the games and especially the closing ceremony.

x

The Royal Jubilee

So June is finally here, the sun is shining and the summers being welcomed in by the Royal Jubilee. It's quite nice to see the country becoming quite patriotic for once. A lot of people are just happy to be getting a long weekend of work but there is still a sense of pride in the air and everyone seems to be getting into the spirit of it. Whether you are going for the full works with a street party and bunting or simply watching the weekends events from the comfort of your own living room.

British Nails

The celebrations started off with Derby Day on Saturday, I couldn't go to it this year but it is normally a brilliant day out, and being only 10 minutes away from Epsom it's fabulous to have an annual event so close to home!

As usual, a little flutter on Derby Day is a must in our household. It just so happens that this year has been my luckiest year so far! The last few years I haven't picked any winners at the Derby but my sister has been rather lucky.

I had a winner in the first race, a second place in the third race, and the second and third in the Derby! Didn't win a lot of money, but got my money back and a bit more so I'm pleased with that!

Today was the Jubilee Thames Pageant, This we watched at home, It would have been a fantastic event to be at, but the mobbed crowds + the drizzly windy weather doesn't mix well with me. If anything it's a bit better watching it from your own home, you may not be able to soak up the atmosphere and the buzz from the crowds but you get a fabulous view and get to see everything that's going on. It all started with the Royals arriving, Kate and William with Kate looking fabulous as usual in a Red dress and spending time talking to the crowds which I think is just brilliant and just what should be expected from all of the Royals. Then The Queen arrived, also one who always looks brilliant, I suppose you wouldn't expect anything less but for her age she looks very well and extremely happy, I don't think I've ever seen her smile so much throughout all of the Royal events.



The commentary was pretty good from the BBC but it did make me laugh when someone referred to the queen as a "Precious Piece of Cargo". All in all it was a fantastic procession, and seeing that amount boats all together was incredible. It was definitely an occasion which will be remembered for a very long time.
x