Wednesday 8 August 2012

Our Olympic Adventure

What a day we had yesterday at the Olympics. We were so looking forward to finally experiencing the 2012 Olympic Games in person. I don't know about you but I have been glued to the television since they started. Saturday night was a night I will never forget. Team GB won us no less than 3 golds in the athletics. My Hb and I were screaming at the TV by the end of Mo Farrow's 10,000km run, how amazing was that? I am just so proud of our staging of the games; I really think they are world class and team GB must be buoyed up by all the support everyone is giving them. As I type we have beaten  our previous medal record set in Beijing and now have 22 golds, 13 silver and 13 bronze. How incredible for such a small country. The cyclists and rowers have also swept the boards; what an achievement. The motto of these games has been "Inspiring a Generation". As a physiotherapist I truly hope these games do. The general public really do need to wake up to the dangers of a lack of activity and exercise. So many diseases are caused by us being far too sedentary. I really hope youngsters do get on their bikes, run, jump and feel they want to continue this magical experience. I hope the legacy is to inspire them to as physically fit as they can possibly be.  Enough of my preaching...I am sure you want to hear all about "Inside the Games" ;0)

The day started for us quite early as we intended to get to the Olympic Park by 8am so that we could get through security quickly and explore a little before our event. We had seats for the mens' 3m springboard diving semi finals which started at 10am. We had no problems getting there and we were actually inside the Park only 1 1/2 hours after leaving home!

We were amazed by the sheer size of the park...it was huge. It took more than half an hour to walk from one side to the other!


The Aquatics Centre was near the entrance and at 9am we walked across the bridge to take some photos.










It was day 11 of the Olympics and we bought a copy of the Daily Record. This is full of great stats and a super souvenir of the games.


The Aquatics Centre is a gorgeous building both from the inside and outside.
















We were lucky to get this photo before the hoards of spectators arrived.











Above is the amazing view back towards the Olympic Stadium and The Orbit. We were very lucky with the weather, its was warm but overcast in the morning and brightened up during the day.Perfect for spending 13 hours on our feet! At 9.30am we were able to go inside the Aquatics Center and wow how impressive were the swimming and diving pools.

Diving pool, the competitors were warming up.

The swimming pool where Phelps made swimming history.

The atmosphere was amazing and as the divers began the excitement could really be felt. Each diver had 6 dives and those who achieved the top 12 scores went through to the finals in the evening.


















 Their dives were astounding.

I cannot imagine how they remember
where the water is. It was such a fun 1 1/2 hours watching these semi finals.
At the end the scores were all calculated and it was so good to see that our GB lad got through to the next round, he came 9th. The applause for him was deafening.








At 1.30pm we had tickets to ride The Orbit. This is the tall structure next to the Stadium. A lift takes you up to a viewing platform high above the Olympic Park. You can take the lift down our walk..we did..all 400+ steps! The viewing platform is the large rounded part to the left and the walk down is the "helta skelter" part.
The lift runs up the middle.There were only limited tickets sold in advance for this so were were so lucky to have got them.








From the viewing platform we had extraordinary views into the Olympic Stadium, we were able to see the track, seating etc. We could also see out across the rest of the Olympic Park; in the distance was the Velodrome. We could also see a 360o view of the whole of the London Skyline...it was breath taking.














I had fun zooming in on what was going on down below!

After our Orbit experience we explored the whole of the park and wore our little legs down. There were great shops too and of course I came home with a souvenir or too ;0)




















Everywhere had been planted up so beautifully, all very natural planting with swathes of wild flowers everywhere and plenty of places to sit and relax if you wanted to. I thought it strange that tickets were sold for the Olympic Park only but really it was a lovely place to be with or without tickets to the events.
Everyone was so pleased to be there, it was such a positive atmosphere.









There was lots of water everywhere too so there was a feeling of this being an oasis in the heart of such a busy city.














How incredible that this was just waste land when we won the bid just 7 years ago.

A really remarkable transformation.

I will come back to show you some of my treasures I bought in my next post and yes , I have not forgotten my promised giveaway. Watch this space.






So my challenge card for today had to be something to celebrate such a fantastic day. I think this fits perfectly.
This fun stamp is a digi stamp which was one of my very first winnings some months ago. I coloured it in with my Promarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils.



I used some bold backing papers featuring ladybirds and spots and used the super Lili of the Valley tag stamps to add my sentiments.I finished off with a polka dot black satin ribbon.

Yesterday really was a time to "celebrate happy times".







I would like to enter my card into the following challenges.

Cupcake Craftroom Fresh and summery August Challenge
Papertake Weekly Anything Goes
Make it Monday Weekly linky party
Crafting for all seasons Bright colours #33
Sir Stampalot Take flight
Ladybug Crafts Ink summer fun

I am getting ready for another evening of excitement on the TV watching the Games...Usain Bolt starts his quest  for the 200m gold by running the semi finals. He hopes to add to his 100m victory. He really is the fastest man on earth and so compelling to watch. Brenda has also reminded me that Mo ran the 5,000m heat and won. GO MO!!

I also want to mention here that the Ribbon Girl are having a great giveaway of some fab GOLD ribbons on their blog. Do pop over and join the fun. They feel just as I do, so proud of team GB and the medals they have won. We may even add a few more before the closing ceremony this weekend.

I shall be back next week with details of my 2nd bloggerversary giveaway so do come back. Can I also thank you all for the wonderful wishes you sent me and my family for Milly and Tom's recent wedding. They are staying at the Bellagio in Las Vegas on their honeymoon at the moment, having been out to the see the Grand and Bryce Canyons. Next stop Death Valley ;0) They are having a ball.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


39 comments:

  1. Amazing pictures Jane.

    It's all so wonderful and we have Mo running again tonight in the 5,000.

    Watching the Tai Quan Do on my office TV between work and a little while ago terrified everyone with my scream - my little (all 6.2 of him) led in a pair of athletes carrying their Country name, wasn't expecting that at all. He and I both thought it would bag watching at best.

    Enjoy tonight's viewing.

    B x

    B x

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  2. This is a gorgeous card Jane, I love your fab papers and image.
    It looks like you had a great day at the Olympics - lucky you!
    Thank you for joining us at Crafting for all Seasons.
    Pauline
    x

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  3. It is incredible Brenda and yes I forgot Mo is running again..wow. I will be hoarse. So funny re your son, I loved your photos,
    Jane x

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  4. Thanks Pauline it was such an experience,
    Jane x

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  5. Thanks for sharing your Olympic adventure with us Jane.
    The park looks amazing and lucky you getting to witness an event too.
    I'm actually sad at the thought of the Olympics being over. I have enjoyed them so much and have proudly supported Team GB who have done so well, with a little bit of help from this corner of the UK too! :)
    You have some lovely photos and memeories of the occasion.
    So glad Milly and Tom are having fun in the US!!
    Vivienne x

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  6. I am also sad it is coming to an end Vivienne but what memories we all have! I was so lucky to have been able to be there in person and I am thrilled to be able to share my adventure with you. Go Mo!! Milly and Tom are sending us photos via email..looks fab!
    Jane x

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  7. Thanks for sharing all those photos Jane, what an experience. Was wondering what that funny shaped structure was and what a view you had from it. Loving your card!! Thanks for joining us at Stampalot this month.
    Pinky

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  8. The view from the Orbit was phenomenal Pinky. Thanks for visiting me,
    Jane x

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  9. Hello Jane, Thank you so much for sharing your adventure to Olympic Park. It all looks so amazing. Your card is fabulous, such a sweet image.

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

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  10. Thanks Kasey, we had an amazing day.
    Jane x

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  11. Jane more exciting times. It all looked so amazing...I have been enjoying watching the Olympics on TV every night. I love diving, really I love all the sports but diving is so awesome. Thanks for all the pictures! Happy M and T are having so much fun.
    xoRobin❤

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  12. Such exciting times indeed Robin, this will be a summer to remember!
    Jane x

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  13. Good morning Jane,

    I can be such an idiot at times, I got so carried away with your Olympic pictures and my own Olympic excitement that I totally forgot to mention your card when I visited yesterday.

    So a rather belated thank you for joining in at Stampalot challenge this month with your really cute card.

    B x

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  14. Ah you are so kind Brenda. Go Mo tonight and the 200m final will be awesome!
    Jane x

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  15. Great pictures, Jane, what a wonderful day you had and so lovely of you to share it! The view looking down on the colourful umbrellas is amazing! It has all been wonderfully exciting, and you will cetainly remember your 2012 Olympics visit :)
    Helen x

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  16. Thanks for sharing all those amazing photos - it's as close as I'll get to the action!
    Love your card,too! It's very apt. Thanks for joining our August challenge at Sir Stampalot, Ruth :)

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  17. Dear Jane, thank you so much for sharing your special day and amazing photos! I'm so happy that you were able to be there and feel all the magic! I'm sure everything has been so beautifully and well organized!
    Your card is again so beautiful!
    x Teje

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  18. So much action Ruth..just seen Bolt win gold...awesome performance..what a legend. Thanks for visiting me,
    Jane x

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  19. Hi there Helen, I really liked that photo of the sun brollies too. It was a fantastic view and the park is just huge,
    Jane x

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  20. Hi Teje, it really was the most magical day and I am so pleased that we were a part of it. Such memories!
    Jane x

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  21. What a sweet card! Thanks for sharing it with us for our take Flight theme at Stampalot this month and good luck! Thanks also for sharing your Olympic photos with us too

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  22. Hello dear Jane,

    What a great "inside view" to the Olympics, thank you so much for sharing! It all looks great in telly but it seems to be even more amazing in real life, larger than life sort of places, and oh those views over London...Just breath taking!

    And that card is so sweet, lovely little bug (or is it an ant?) enjoying his life... Wonderful!

    I wish you lovely, lovely weekend!

    Yours,
    Mia

    P.S. Us Finns haven't been tremendously ;) successful in the Olympics but come Saturday evening and men`s javelin throw: we got three guys into the final. Oh happiness!

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  23. Thanks so much Sally,
    Jane x

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  24. I could not believe the size of the park Mia, it was enormous! The London skyline is very beautiful. So glad you have some finalists....team GB are flying. My little stamp is an ant ;O).
    Happy weekend my dear,
    Jane x

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  25. Hi Jane

    Wow,what a great experience for you. Thanks for sharing the photos. It looks amazing.

    Your card is fabulous. The papers are perfect for this fun image.

    Thank you for sharing with us at Make It Monday this week.

    Michelle :o)

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  26. It was amazing Michelle, we are so lucky to have been there.Thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

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  27. Such a very lovely card, Jane! Thx for joining us at the Cupcake Craftroom this month!

    Mary x

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  28. Thanks for taking us with you to the Olympics! It must've been something to be a part of. I especially love your photo of the umbrellas :)

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  29. THank you Jane for the wonderful Olympics views. We have enjoyed watching them so much.

    Continued safe travels for M and T.

    Anne
    PlumCreek22

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  30. There were amazing games Anne. I was glad to share our visit.
    M+T en route to California today.
    Jane x

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  31. It was an experience I will never forget Linda. I like that photo too..thanks for spotting it!
    Jane x

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  32. What fabulous pictures Jane! As I sat at home watching the Games on TV I wished I'd been there to experience the atmosphere though Gabby Logan and Claire Balding did a brilliant job in relaying it. Feeling a bit deflated it's all over :-( xx

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  33. I agree Kerry what a great job Gabby and Claire did. I also enjoyed Gary Linekar and Sue Barker in the evenings. I agree I really do miss it...I can't remember the last time I watched so much TV ;0)
    Jane

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  34. Eeek!! I love seeing all of these photos Jane. It's like transporting myself there...my goodness, you are so generous to show us all your wonderful visit to the Olympic park and inside for the diving! We enjoyed the games so much and it makes me want to visit London even more! Thank you for posting such marvelous photos..and what a delight your sweet watermelon/ant card is!!

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  35. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos Shirley. What a day we had there. I shall never forget that atmosphere...fantastic.
    Jane x

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  36. Hello Jane! What fun to "attend" the Olympic festivities via your blog! With your personal accounts of the events leading up to the summer games, it certainly added another dimension to my viewing experiences here- Glad you're keeping the celebration going with the cheerful card you created! Off to check out your next post! : o )

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  37. Sounds like a great day. Such a fun card too. Thanks for joining us at CFAS this time. Carol DT x

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Jane x