Olympic Torch

Once I found out that in my naivety I`d thought that there was one torch, lit at Olympia and ending up at the stadium, then found that there were about 6,500 of the beggars, it took all the magic and romance away for me, so, no, I didn`t bother when it went through Boston last Wednesday. I think there`s far too much fuss and TV time being devoted to it.

numberplease, I used to wonder how on earth they got that one torch all the way to wherever it was supposed to be going. It arrived at Peterborough today on a steam train so had to masquerade as a miner's lamp (elf and safety) Couldn't they just sit on the footplate next to the engine driver? They'd be alright for a light if it went out.

I didn't bother. In fact it ruined one of our very rare weekends away as rather than spend a few more hours in the seaside town we had to leave to get ahead of it and it's entourage to avoid being trapped in diverted traffic.

It's passing through King's Lynn and on way to Sandringham around 1 30 pm today.
We are going to watch as friends have their garden overlooking the road, so an early lunch for 10 then leaning over the fence ! It happens to be an old school friend of our kids from Junior school who is carrying the torch. So far rain has just stopped.......

Must admit I thought there was just one torch that was carried by runners round the country. But in fact it seems to have been carried in cars, buses, trains etc and by various people walking a short distance. To me it has taken the sense of athleticism away from it.
One good thing is that a torch bearer took her copy of it to my grandson's nursery and the children got to hold it with sponsorship for the Parkinson's charity.

We were in Newbury, by accident, on the day the torch went through. There was a great atmosphere. The young lady carrying it had been nominated for all her voluntary work with disabled children. I was really pleased to be there - it's a once in a lifetime occasion, after all.

There is another thread on this folks, with lots of posts

The torch passed by the end of our road so it was a no brainer not to go. The changeover happened there too which made it one of those moments to recall in future years. However if you blinked you could have missed it and there was a lot of hype with police outriders [complete with mascots on their windshields] the sponsor coaches which could have been made into somthing more like a carnival and then the little figure in white trogging along. I don't think my grandson [5] who was with us was overly impressed but I'm glad we saw it. It certainly wasn't a crowded spot. There was a moment when a bus came in the opposite direction and stopped to allow traffic through just where we were and everyone waved their arms at the driver and shouted at him to move along - which he did. I felt quite sorry for him really.

I did see it when it came through my town, but I have to say I am much more impressed with the young (6?) boy Logan who has, to date, raised £20,000 with his own relay of an "Olympic" torch made at school. His chosen charity, associated with hearing dogs, has named a puppy after him. However, he must have been inspired by the real thing, although his pretend flames were a lot more impressive.

I thought the opening ceremony was excellent - although I don't know if the rest if the world knew what was going on. Numberplease - I agree with you about about Paul M. - he really is talented with his music but singing? Perhaps not these days. I also was disappointed there were so many torches. The first half of the closing ceremony was OK but I thought the second part was just a glorified pop concert - very disappointing. Considering everything it was an interesting couple of weeks but I don't know if it was worth the money.