A final farewell to the Olympics.....

Today sees the final day of the Paralympics which draws to a close London's wonderful summer of sport, whereby the capital delivered an amazing Olympics and Paralympics, and against all the advance cynicism, became a city of smiles and success. The Paralympics has been a sellout for the first time with full media coverage, and crowds of full capacity 80,000 cheering on the athletes in the stadium. These crowds have defined the Olympics as well as the 72,000 volunteer Gamesmakers who preempted the need for any heavyhanded secuirty with their sunny smiles. In addition to the sporting excellence, supportive crowds, and superb organisation, other distinctive features include the quirky  spectacle of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the beautifully designed cauldron and architecture of the venues, and the spectacular landscaping of the Olympic Park itself. As we say farewell to the Olympics today, here are some of my favourite, more unusual shots of the Olympic Park...

And so the legacy of the Olympic Park kicks in tomorrow, as initially the Park will close to set a 292 million pound project into place, which will see the park extended to include a new 35km network of footpaths, bridges, and cycle lanes, the venues converted to public use, and the athletes village turned over to residential use. The first part named North Park will reopen in July 2013, and the second South Park will reopen in the Spring of 2014. The Park's first major sporting event will be the London Cycling Festival in August 2013, followed by the 2015 European Hockey Championship. It has been a once in a lifetime experience to have been part of all this.....

Weekend Reflections 19 - London

All the reflections this week come from the Olympic Park in Stratford, London, the location, of course, of London 2012 that has enthralled us all for the past two weeks with gold medals galore and the high drama of sport....

Strolling around the park sees some superb venues and their reflections, as well as the Gloriana recently seen as part of the Thames Pageant for the Queen's Jubilee...

The BP mirror screen reflections give a good impression of the crowds thronging the Olympic Park, whilst the beautiful gardens and pool below reinforce why the Park has been so highly praised for its landscaping....

And of course at night the venues take on a whole new aura led by Anil Kapoor's Orbit and the stadium itself...

If you didn't manage to get to the Olympic Park in the last two weeks, then make sure you get tickets for the Paralympics which open here on August 29th. More posts on the Olympic Park this week, and more reflections over at Weekend Reflections. Enjoy!!

Bored of the Rings??

No!! We are definitely not bored of the rings here in London as the Olympic Games gathers more and more momentum with each day, and the increasing success of Team GB with their amazing medal haul doesn't seem to want to put the brakes on....

Like everyone else, I have been glued to the tv coverage, but as London is my home town, I have been lucky enough to actually go to the Games and see all the action live,,,,,

The volleyball competition is taking place at Earls Court and here are some of the early preliminary matches....

I played volleyball myself competitively for 24 years as well as coaching many school teams, so what an absolute treat it is to see womens' volleyball played at the very highest of levels......

Next it was out to Eton Dorney, in the shadow of Windsor Castle, to watch all of the rowers in competition........

We were in the cheap seats sitting on the river bank entitled "Lakeview Lawns" but we were still able to see all the action close up....

Along with so many other supporters with enthusiasm undampened by the drizzle and rain!!...

All the British athletes have played tribute to the home crowd and how they have been boosted by the deafening cheers - It has been so much fun to be part of all this....

This week I am off to the Olympic Stadium for an evening of athletics on Wednesday 8th, and then back to Earls Court for the women's bronze medal match and the men's final - Can't wait!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 158 - London

Strolling along the South Bank in London is one of my favourite things to do, especially in this festive Olympic atmosphere, and when the sun is shining the shadows come out to play....Start at the Festival Hall with the London Eye in the background and the cafe tables creating a polka dot shadow pattern,,,,,

Progress along in front of the British Film Theatre and find these lovely dappled patterns from the shady horse chestnut trees....

Get along as far as the Oxo Tower and Tate Modern where these geometric shadow patterns are awaiting you....

...If you are tired you can relax on the beach at Gabriel's Wharf with the view of the Gherkin and St Paul's behind you....

...Or stretch out on the very popular giant green sofas and armchairs in front of the National Theatre where there is always some great free summer entertainment..

Olympic London is looking and feeling just fabulous right now in sun or shadow....but of course I am biased because it is my home town, and wherever else I may live temporarily, London is always home. For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 157 - London

An obvious London 2012  theme this week with the Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville casting their shadows on the South Bank which right now has the most festive atmosphere ever. I have tickets to see the volleyball, rowing, and athletics and can't wait to get inside the Olympic venues and cheer the teams on to victory....

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday...Enjoy!!

Olympic fever hits Hounslow.....

The whole of Hounslow was out today to welcome the Olympic Torch on day 67 of the Relay around Britain. Eager anticipation was on everyone's face as we heard it had arrived in Brentford and would soon hit Hounslow High Street......

Indian drummers created atmosphere and the union jacks were out in force - a number of years ago the union jack in Hounslow would have been a sign of the BNP and other fascist, racist groups - I remember refusing to allow a past lodger to hang out his union jack bedspread on the washing line as it would have been too provocative and inflammatory. Now the flag has been reclaimed from the far Right and can be waved as a sign of national support - even I was waving one!!

Everyone was dressed up and there was a real party, carnival atmosphere in this multi-ethnic London neighbourhood where I have lived and taught since the early eighties - everyone was chatting to each other and cheered when the torch came past - you can just see it in the collage below (top right) behind the security...

I have never seen so many local houses, streets, parks, and people decorated with flags, bunting, union jacks galore...

...And the fun continued with a Family Day in nearby Lampton Park....

Listening to the strong beats of this fantastic brass band aptly called "Brass Roots".....

And finally a big thankyou to this gentlemen who set himself up on Lampton Road simply to serve cold water and hot chai to passersby - totally free of charge....

This day will be remembered for not only when the Olympic Torch arrived and travelled through Hounslow, but also for when summer and smiles finally arrived in London this year - after at least 6 weeks of non-stop rain.....Now we are just waiting for the Games to begin....