Opening of the Commonwealth Games

Oh I wish I'd seen the teacakes dancing!

Just noticed this link on Twitter. The opening ceremony in 60 seconds!

www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/24/commonwealth-games-2014-opening-ceremony-60-seconds-round-up?CMP=twt_gu

I can't comment on the ceremony because I fel asleep five minutes in. Luckily I woke up to see the athletes come in. But my battery died suddenly, before the end. I did see the Queen though. How do they get that car so shiny and glittery?!

I think Susan Boyle is great. Not only for her lovely singing,but because she has overcome her difficulties, and seems a genuinely good person.

Rodders has a Scottish dad.

I really enjoyed it - apart from the poor Scots' costumes! I really felt for them. I wasn't sure about John Barrowman's kiss - I know he was trying to make appoint because 50 of those countries have outlawed being gay, but I'm not sure he helped the cause... And did that designer choose his outfit, I wonder?

I think it's always hard to judge a ceremony when you are not there & part of it, especially from watching TV. Whatever you thought of the evening's performances, the underlying exuberance, friendliness and party fun came over. I particularly like the way the public were included. Mr Gad has just said how sad it all made him feel to think that Scotland may decide to split from the UK as the Scottish heritage is also the heritage of all British people. I agree with him. I also wonder how many stop to think of how well the Empire has transformed into this amazing Commonwealth family (& like all families it has imperfections & tugs of 'love' from other alliances) from all corners of the world in a way that doesn't often happen with old Empires.

Here's my tuppence worth: I don't understand why everything always has to be "slick" or "professional" in order to be judged as "good". I agree that parts of last night's opening ceremony were a bit iffy, but I agree with franny - that it is the spirit that counts. Sometimes in life things go a bit wonky, but so what?

Go Scotland!

^ I think she is rather good actually^

Yes, I know Susan Boyle is Scottish, but I wouldn't put her in the category of amazing performer

Rod Stewart fits neither category!

I had hoped when they did 500 miles the Proclaimers would appear near the end. They're great in a stadium.

BTW John Barrowman was born in Glasgow before his family emigrated.

gma why do you need to be like this? What have the Scots done to you to make you bitter against us? Or are you one of the minority of English people who TRY and put the Scots down at every opportunity? I know the Daily Te*****ph was scaremongering that the English athletes would be booed. Instead they we're given a huge cheer when they entered. I'm getting the feeling that the English/Scots rivalry is being perpetuated by a few English people. Maybe we should be glad you have no Scottish blood in you!

Thanks Elegran that's what I THOUGHT.

I have been reliably informed that Rodders is HALF Scottish "

Well, whenim64, I could have said that but I didn't !!

Susan Boyle lives in Bathgate - deepest West Lothian. As Scottish as they come!

Glad you have no Scottish blood in you, gma? Why the insult? You could have said it wasn't your cup of tea without that, surely?

Well, I thought my last post would get a bit of flak! We are all entitled to our own opinion frannygranny and whenim64!!!!!!!
General opinion seems to be 50-50 at the moment
And.......an English woman has won the first gold medal of the games!

Thought Susan Boyle is Scottish!

Not sure about Rod Stewart, he is a Maybe.

[tbhmmm]

Proud to be Scottish/ English - mixed cultures and homes in both lovely countries! As I said earlier there are many great Scots who have contributed to the lives we have today. X

No need for that gma. I love Scotland and all the typical Scottish icons were great to see together in the ceremony. I'm glad they didn't go to extreme lengths - some opening ceremonies have felt like oneupmanship and posturing to other countries. This one was warm and welcoming. They didn't need the likes of Susan Boyle and Rod Stewart - Scotland has many amazing performers.

gma I find that remark offensive. I am proud to be Scots with some English blood. I was one of the participants in the colourful costumes and some of the remarks have been very hurtful. As performers we didn't see the opening but the atmosphere in the stadium was electric! The smiles and laughter on the faces of the athletes is one I'll treasure forever. We were all volunteers who had trained very hard for a month, unlike 2012 who had 4 months to train and bits of it were like a dog's dinner. The whole thing was meant to be a party and it really was!

Loved the reminders of the inventions made by Great Scottish people, that were displayed on the big screen. Also the really cute dogs!x

For the first 10 minutes I thought Barrowman (who is he?) was Tom Cruise and couldn't understand what on earth he was doing there!

What was that opening ceremony all about.???? What a load of old tosh ! John Barrowman acting as if he was in panto, and writhing about on a purple blanket?? Dancing tea cakes, hmmmm....perhaps they deserve self rule and they can keep all that loony behaviour to themselves. If that is Scottish culture then they can hang on to it. Were they Trying to emulate the 2012 Olympics ?, well they failed on every count. Seen better productions at local primary school.
Glad that I have no Scottish blood in me!!!!

I am willing to admit that watching the event on a small screen it was probably more chaotic than it really was. If I could have seen the totality as if I was watching from the stands, it might have been more coherent.

GO I loved that too and the dancing that accompanied it!