O2 and the Emirates cable car

The latest ‘Daddy day out’ was with Livi and took in the British Music Experience at the O2 (with its impressive collections of pop memorabilia from the previous few decades and the chance to play various instruments). Prior to this, a trip over the Thames on the Emirates Cable Car (not Livi’s favourite, it seems).

Livi mildly panicked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olympic Park from 300 feet up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No singing this time…

 

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Paralympic athletics

We were lucky enough to get into the first day of the paralympic athletics. Brilliant atmosphere inside a surprisingly intimate stadium (after expectations set by the O2). Loads going on with a definite feeling of being humbled by what we saw. Blind 1500m running? Spinning round throwing a shotput with one false leg? Plus the roar from the crowd for anything GB! Excellent transport there and back meant another good day for team Anning.

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We also made it to the swimming and the closing ceremony. You can see a brief video of the entrance of some of the Tim Burtonesque vehicles during the closing ceremony.

Ladies 5000m – long jump in foreground

Men’s blind 1500m – with occasional swapping of guides

Team Anning – inside the Stadium

Team Miller – outside the stadium

 

Waiting for the swimming to start

 

 

 

 

Paralympic closing ceremony – colours and noise

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our visit to the Olympics

We managed to get tickets in the final (final) round to see some of the gymnastics at the North Greenwich Arena (aka O2). Good to get there even if we could just about touch the roof from our seats (one row from the back). The entire day ran like clockwork, with very reasonable traffic levels (no queuing on the underground), security checks provided by delightful members of HM Forces and (much to Bryony’s amazement), lunch in Nando’s. Bring on the paralympics, where we have much better seats (three rows from the back…).

Good to get there early

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beth Tweddle prepares to perform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of people in the house to see bronze

St Oswalds singing at Rhandirmawyn

The St Oswalds/Razor Sharp got back together again to sing at a reunion afternoon concert at Rhandirmawyn (second home of Nigel and Barbie). Wonderful to visit this spectacular location, with a friendly welcome from the locals and a very special pub on the way home at Cilycum. Hard to believe it is 27 years since we first sang My Evaline – we must learn something new soon. (Also good to be joined by the next generation of singers – your turn next time, perhaps!). Footnote – apparently, today is St Oswalds day!

Razor Sharp, 27 years on

The venue

The next generation enjoying the Olympics…

Neuadd Fawr Arms at Cilycwm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spot the four in today’s photograph…

Back to The Reform

We were once again hosted to a convivial lunch and tour of The Reform by Philip Taylor (he of the CODA and SquareSum fame). After an extended lunch, we took the bus to Borough Market and walked back to Waterloo along the South Bank, taking in a number of events of the Cultural Olympics. As you can see at this stage, just two days before the opening ceremony…

Two days to go…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple and crockery juggling at the National Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In front of the Golden Hind with Mandeville