The Welcome is the Same

The Paralympics are here and, unlike the main games, I've got lots of tickets. Tonight was my first visit and I am pleased to report that the atmosphere and welcome was the equal of the main games, despite the lowering, threatening sky. More to come over the next days.

The Angel of Peace Descending

This is the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, and depicts the Angel of Peace descending on the chariot of war. I know this from the Wikipedia Entry which includes the fascinating snippet: One half of the arch functions as a ventilation shaft for the London Underground network. This causes on average three emergency calls each year to the London Fire Brigade from people believing there to be smoke coming from the arch when in fact it is warm air and dust from the underground network. So now you know.

Holiday Snapshot - Slovenia

Hi all, I'm back, and this is where I was - Slovenia. One of the very most beautiful places, I had a fantastic time. Here's my picture postcard to you all. If you are unlucky I might show you another ;-)

Olympic Hydra

This fiery sculpture in the middle of Hyde Park reminds me of nothing more than a Medusa head, I'm afraid, but it is quite jolly.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Traffic Jam and Braid

The Olympics brought some very different traffic onto London's roads....

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Yuri Gagarin

Somewhat strangely, outside the British Council is a statue of Yuri Gagarin. I rather like it though.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

The Royal Opera House Joins In

The Royal Opera House decided to put on an idiosyncratic exhibition of the Olympic Games history which was quite fun, contained some amazing relics (Greek urns 3,000 years old) and provided a free opportunity for a photo with the torch. If all goes well, I will post that when I get back.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Paris comes to London

A little cheeky this, but fun all the same, can be found behind the Royal Festival Hall.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Baobab Tree

This Baobab tree in the Southbank is made of fabric from around the world. I can never look at one of these trees (in any guise) without thinking of the genius that was the bool The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Climbing on the Southbank

We're at the Southbank for the next few days, having a bit of fun.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Squeezing out Religion

There's probably something significant about the way the old churches that have been standing for hundreds of years are being squeezed for space. This is St Michael's Church in Cornhill.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Mighty Oaks Grow

If you needed reminding how old London is, this young cypress oak in Gresham Street was planted to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the mayoralty of London. I sat here a while, and couldn't help thinking about what this tree might see over its life.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Southbank Festival

The Southbank Centre is running a festival that has as its theme the "Festival of the World", bringing thoughts and ideas from around the world to London. These simple wooden shapes serve as a canvas for the wide range of words, pictures and sounds they have assembled. Make your way down if you can, it's free.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

I was there when the balloon went up...

Going through the city last Saturday, I was surprised to see this hot air balloon straining at the leash. It was clearly to promote the National Lottery funding for sport, without wish we would not have achieved anything like the amazing results we did at the Olympics.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

The Old Gate

The Olympic effect can be seen all about London, as here in Aldgate. This piece of art called the Palace of Pillars was inspired by the old Aldgate, where Chaucer lived in a house above the gate in the 14th Century.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Olympic Planting

Bringing my coverage of my Olympic visit to an end, a picture of the fantastic planting that is all around the park. Chosen to be at its finest during the games, the rain and sun we've had lately have brought out the best. Gold medal for the planting.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Mittal Orbit

Of course, the one piece of art that stands out is the Mittal Orbit by Anish Kapoor, here it is up close and personal. Read Diamond Geezer's account if you want to learn more about what it is like inside.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Park Art

Inside the part there is some monumental art, like this piece extolling people to RUN. I wonder if it does embed itself into the subconscious?

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

Enthusiasts

A lot of people went to a lot of trouble for the Olympics, like these Swiss supporters. The Swiss athlete (from synchronised swimming) is the one NOT in the cow suit.

I'm off on hols again, in between these games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

The Aquatic Centre

All the buildings in the Olympic Park are distinctive, none more so than the Aquatic Centre. The bold design added on those high wings to the pringle adding extra seating (with accompanying oxygen ;-) will be removed after the games, leaving a venue much easier to fill.

I'm off on hols again, in between theses games and the Paralympics, see you all soon. Posts should continue daily.

I'd Like to Volunteer an Opinion

That the Volunteers at the games add more than you can imagine too the enjoyment of the day. These people gave their time and effort to make everyone's day better and their enthusiasm and pleasure was infectious. Entirely unexpected, I had been a bit of a grump and thought that the volunteers were just going to be taken advantage of, I couldn't have been more wrong. To quote one chap I spoke to: "This week has been the very best I can remember". Thanks to all. A full size of this collage is here and the album here, if by chance you know any of these (and they came from all over) please let them know.

Barging in on the Party

I was quite surprised to see the Royal Barge parked up, but then Harry and Wills seem to have got luckier than the rest of us in the ballot for tickets.

Alternative Entertainment

One of the surprising things about the Olympic Park is that they have laid on quite a quantity of alternative entertainment, like this singer or a troupe of performers. A nice touch but unsurprisingly due to the pull of the events, those I saw failed to attract a large crowd.

Flying the Flag

On the day Team GB exceeded their medal total four years ago and proved the value of investment in sport, I reflect on the way it feels good when your country wins. Whatever the payload of jingoism, let's just enjoy the moment while we can.

Olympic Crowds

"Build a better stadium and the world will beat a path to your door" - that certainly seems to be what has happened here. When Ken Livingstone put the funding into London to bid, many said it would never happen. When we won the bid, over 50% of people thought it would be a disaster. Eat your words now, and I hope it gives you stomach ache. You won't find many these days prepared to remember how negative they were. Head over to Diamond Geezer, another (very) long term Olympic supporter for some excellent coverage.

...and yes, I was right, it is awesome.

Making a Splash

I finally got to the Olympic games this Sunday, and pretty damn good it was too. A lot more over the next days, for the moment two competitors in the synchronised swimming.

Cone-tentment

The entrance to the V&A Museum has been taken over by white painted cones. If I used the power of the Internet I could probably find out why, but I think I would rather just speculate that they had got bored with their confinement to motorways, and were on their way to world domination.

Where do you put this?

A "Gift From the Olympic Gods" .. one of a series across London intended to look as if they had just landed. Nice idea, but then I found the same thing in other places, and discover there are five across London. This is the page that shows all the different types and their locations.

Feeling in the Pink?

Fancy a porschen of cake? Peggy Porschen is very, pink. What is more, you can have a glass of champagne with your cake. Pink, of course.

From Landscape to Portrait

The current art installation in the Royal Academy makes the point of how perspective changes, dependent on the frame. A series of massive frames remind me of a Spirograph drawing, but make a good point.

Going Postal

There was a time when being a High Street representative of Her Majesty's mail meant something special, which is probably why they built buildings like this. Unfortunately, now the prevailing mood is to close them. This one was in the Kings Road, Cjelsea.