Today is my niece’s turn for an Auntie Anna day at the Olympics.  She loves horses and anything to do with them.  I was so pleased that one of the tickets I managed to get in the original Olympic ballot was for the Modern Pentathlon, equestrian session.

Tori has patiently waited whilst lots of other Olympic events have taken place; when her brother and I headed off to the Olympic Park for basketball; to watching it unfold on the TV; and spending time in Hyde Park with her mum watching it on the big screens.

I therefore wasn’t particularly surprised when my brother announced that Tori had been awake until 2am this morning and kept waking up to ask ‘is it time yet’?

It is now… 

I think the picture of Tori and my brother on the train on our way to Greenwich Park says it all.  She truly was excited!

We were blessed with beautiful sunshiny weather too, a huge blessing as we walked from the train station at Blackheath winding our way through the little streets with some stunning houses, colourful windowboxes and lots of bunting, across the parkland and then into the venue.

By arriving via Blackheath train station we were able to walk right through Greenwich Park and see some of the jumps that had been used for the cross-country equestrian course in the Park.  What fun must the jump makers have creating something that not only complies with all the regulations of equestrian jumps but also eclipses Great Britain and an element of fun.  I’ve looked at some pictures I took but also added some from the internet…. love that we have sensible jumps of the moon and planets but also ones that represent Wind in the Willows too.

I also loved the wooden sheep and rams that made a fabulous place to sit and eat our lunch in the sunshine!

Nice and early we headed into the stands and took our choice of seats.  Half way up and able to see the big screen, the entrance point for the horses, the shooting and also exit and entry points for the run.  We were sorted!

But first, a little lesson.  What is Modern Pentathlon and what’s it’s history?

The history – Modern Pentathlon was championed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and has its origins in a 19th-century legend.  The story goes that a young French cavalry officer was sent on horseback to deliver a message.  To do this, he had to ride, fence, shoot, swim and run – the five challenges that face today’s competitors.

A century after Modern Pentathlon made its Olympic debut at Stockholm 1912, London 2012 is the first Olympic Games where the ‘combined’ format is being used for the running and shooting elements, and is the first Games to incorporate laser pistols.

The basics – Modern Pentathlon competitions are conducted over a single day.  The first element is fencing, for which athletes are required to fence against every other athlete.  The fencing is then followed by swimming (200m freestyle) and riding (jumping over a 12-jump course).  Athletes are given a score for each element of the competition.

After the first three elements, the athletes’ total scores are converted into a time handicap. The handicap determines the starting times for the combined run/shoot where athletes are required to hit a target a total number of 15 times and run a total of 3km in a sequence of three laps.  The winner of the competition is the athlete who crosses the finish line first.

Total athletes in London 2012 Modern Pentathlon – 72 (36 men and 36 women)

By the time the competitors reached Greenwich Park (and us) they had already competed in two elements, fencing and swimming.  As above if they are to fence every other competitor that is 35 matches AND then the rest of the competition on the same day!

The added ‘twist’ to the riding event is that they don’t know which horse they will get either!  The officials have whittled down to the last 18 from over 100 horses that they’ve been watching and working with for the past year.  The chap in the lead at the start of the riding event gets to choose a numbered dice from a champagne bucket determining his horse and then the rest of the field get the sequential next horses.  (I love the eccentricity of this selection process, particularly the champagne bucket, of course!).

The riders then have 20 minutes in which to bond with their horse limited to only 5 practice jumps, before taking to the ring. Each horse is ridden twice during the competition.  This selection process and the use of horses that the riders don’t know is so that the test if of the rider’s horsemanship and control rather than the horses’ ability.

We saw some amazing control and also some very wilful horses, not least when one threw their rider off and then fell on his legs – truly thought that would be the end of the rider for this competition but after the horse was caught by the gamesmaker volunteers, the remounted it and reminded it who was boss as he completed the course.  He didn’t have a great round but he did get round and went on to complete the run/shoot too but I wonder how bruised he is now!

Once again though I really have to give some more praise to the fantastic jump design – there’s a few close up pictures below and hopefully you’ll be able to zoom in to look at some of the others too.

Tori was often up on her feet as a horse jumped well or indeed was playing up.  Incredibly tense and you could feel the tension of the riders, on an unfamiliar horse, jumping within 75 seconds (in order to avoid penalties) but also attempting to get a clear round (also avoiding penalties).

After the riding element, the scores were tallied and our two GB teammates were in 8th and 11th place (I think!).

The volunteers then moved in and very swiftly removed all the jumps, raked the sand and set out the track for the run.  Barely was the track set up before the athletes started warming up.

Tori, my brother and I all had our fingers and toes crossed that Team GB had been practicing shooting and indeed had some energy left in those legs for the run.  How difficult must it be to do the shooting/running as one combined element.  The competitors set off seconds apart (this is where the time penalties earlier are critical) and they run the short distance to their shooting posts.  They then need to get 5 shots on target before they can leave and head out for their run.

The run leaves the arena and travels through part of the Park – a hilly part of the Park and an added difficulty level.  The cheers were incredibly loud as the re entered the Arena followed the pathway to the shooting posts and did it again.  Three times and then to the finish line.  Incredible and frustrating to see a missed target which then means a further time disadvantage for the run.  Eeek.

China had held the first place position right up until the last run where they were overtaken by the Czech athlete.  D Svobada (Czech) crossed the line for the gold medal, Z Cao (China) for silver and A Morosi (Hungary) for bronze.

Team GB, N Woodbridge finished in 10th place and S Wheal in 13th place.

Well done boys.

Another ‘thank you’ really must go to the volunteers, forces and organisers at this venue.  Truly incredible job they’ve been doing, always so cheerful and upbeat and incredible helpful.  THANK YOU.

We had a brilliant day, ended up in Hyde Park BT Live site with JoeJoe, my sister-in-law and some of her family too.  We were able to watch Tom Daley dive for his well-deserved bronze medal and to, once again, take in a truly Olympic atmosphere.  I am so pleased that my brother has also been up to London to immerse in the incredible buzz of it too.

To be able to share my Olympic experiences with my family and know that we’re creating memories that I truly hope will last forever has been amazing, inspiring.

The past few days have been hectic and wonderfully full of laughter and cheers.  My flat and garden has been full to bursting with guests from the US.  One of my oldest buddies and her family arrived on Thursday for a few days of London Olympic-ness.

Jen together with her two youngest arrived in the afternoon.  Her hubby and oldest had tickets to see the archery at Lord’s Cricket Ground and some hours later arrived full of stories and smiling from ear to ear.

Ruby (aged 7) and I had spent the afternoon in the green shed painting pictures and preparing our own Olympic medals and Olympic rings.  

During our painting session, she was keen to persuade me that she could camp out in the shed for the night… to be honest it’d be a fab place for a good kip!

When the boys got home, Jen went out to meet some friends and the kids, Spence & I had our own mini-Olympics in the garden.  Watering cans held up the hurdles and the duck was a fabulous end point for the running race!  Races were timed and a medal ceremony conducted!

After a quick pasta supper, we put up the tent in the garden as two of the kids (aged 7 and 11) were excited about being able to camp out.  It was a new tent and I’d not put it up before. It took much longer than I’d thought it would and was a lot larger than I thought it would be too!  Not sure my garden was really big enough for it but…

Ruby started the night camping out in the green shed, only to migrate to a pod in the tent an hour or so later.  Dad, Spence, had the joy of being the ‘grown up’ and clambered into the huge tent when we’d finished our gossiping and viewed the BBC’s Olympic roundup.

The oldest son managed to be sprawled out in the spare room so when Jen got home, ended up crashing in with me.  Surprisingly we all seemed to have a good night’s sleep in our respective random locations.

Friday, the family headed off to meet up with grandparents in the Southbank for lunch. After lunch they explored what was on offer for London2012 on the Southbank and then walked across the river, up the Mall, through Green Park and to Hyde Park whilst taking in lots of Olympic venue sites together with London landmarks.  Despite both parents being British, the kids hadn’t really seen much of London, so it was a great excuse to wander and explore.

Ruby had said to me whilst we were painting that she really wasn’t sure if she was British or American.  She holds both passports so which one should she cheer for?  She decided it should be British first and American second!

I met them later in Hyde Park at the BT London Live site where they were glued to the tennis on the big screen.  I’d lent them a tarpaulin and rug together with some red, white and blue facepaint.  How fabulous to arrive and see Jen painting flags on faces…. British flags.

I did, of course get my face painted.  Right cheek by Jen and left cheek by Ruby.   (OK so I had to suck my plump cheeks in so that a picture could show both!)

We had a ball watching the Olympics and cheering on with the crowds as Andy Murray scored point after point in his match.

Saturday was a slow start… well until Jen and Spence found out that a tennis match had been postponed from Friday and that their tickets would get them to see the extra match.  I dropped them off in Southfields at midday and they excitedly waved goodbye to me and wished me luck with the kids!

Amazingly, they got to see the mixed doubles game with Robson & Murray -v- Storsur & Hewitt; then the gold medal match women’s singles between Serena Williams -v- Maria Sharapova; then the gold medal match men’s doubles between Bryan & Bryan -v- Llodra & Tsonga; and THEN the semifinals women’s doubles between Kirilenko & Petrova -v- the Williams sisters.  What an amazing time they had and what a bonus being able to see so many fantastic matches.  Needless to say there were a few phone calls during the afternoon asking if we were OK – of course we were… !!

The kids and I had first headed off to a pub called The Telegraph in Putney Vale.  I figured it’s a big pub with big screens showing the Olympics, serves good and reasonable food and was close to open land for running around.  We had the upstairs all to ourselves which meant we could choose which Olympic channel to watch (the tennis) whilst we ate lunch and to keep an eye out for Mum and Dad on TV.  Jake spotted them briefly.

The pub is opposite woodland and a cricket pitch so after our main course we ventured into the woodland for a walk.  We, of course, had another mini-Olympic wheelbarrow racing session on the cricket pitch too!

Sometime later and with the incentive of ‘sticky toffee pudding’ which had been spied earlier by Ruby, we headed back to ‘our usual table’ in the pub and more tennis viewing with our puds.

Once the bickering returned (hey you didn’t expect 3 siblings to be angels, did you?), I suggested we find a park with some good climbing frames.  A short while later, we did so and then could find me looking more than a little worried.  The kids had created their own mini-climbing-Olympics timing each of them to clamber to the top of the wire frame.  I can honestly say that I was more than a little nervous that as the time went on and they were getting tired, that a fall was going to occur.  Oooh but each were determined to better the other’s score, they’re very very competitive!

Anyway, no injuries were sustained and soon we headed home to get changed and ready to meet up with Mum and Dad for a curry dinner.

I was sad to see them leave on Sunday but so very grateful to have had them to stay and spend time with them all.  The kids (although exuberant and exhausting) are great fun and a joy to be around.  I also cherish my times with Jen and Spence – just wish there was always more time to truly catch up.

I’m not sure who’s more excited.

JoeJoe, my nephew, or I?

We’re off to the Olympic Park to see the Basketball.

We headed there nice and early so that we can have lots of time to walk around the Park; immerse ourselves in the atmosphere; watch people watching sport; watch the big screens around the Park; find some lunch; spot an athlete; ooooh and just be a part of the 2012 Olympics together.

When I put in my bid for tickets for the 2012 Olympics I was determined that I should share the experience with my niece and nephew who live in England.

This is JoeJoe’s Olympic day with Auntie Anna.

The Basketball Arena at the Olympic Park

Our first game was between Australia -v- France.  The teams were very evenly matched.  Points scored by one team and then evened up by the other within seconds.  Zinging from one end of the court to the other, back and forth.  There were shots missed by both sides and amazing shots at other times.

During the game both JoeJoe and I had questions and were unsure about the points, the scoreboard’s many numbers or the clocks around the court.   Fortunately for us (and we had both read a little about the scoring and rules of Basketball) I was sat next to an Irish chap who knew all the rules and was able to answer our questions. Phew!

Seconds left on the clock, still incredibly close but the French were in the lead, just, 62-65 – only three points in it.  They took a shot and missed.  The ball was caught by the Australians and they moved quickly up the court… if you’re able, do have a look at the closing seconds on this BBC video.   If you’re unable to see it, let me explain.  The Australian player, Belinda Snell, took the ball and threw it from beyond the half way mark, we all held our breath for that second as it headed toward the hoop, dropping in and scoring just as the game ended… 65-65 at full time.

I only wish I’d had a camera ready to take a picture of JoeJoe’s face as he watched this few seconds from the edge of his seat.  As the ball dropped, he turned to me barely able to breathe with excitement.  The biggest grin on his face.  and said “WOW”.

Sadly, for the Australians, the extra time allowed France to recover and win the match 74-70.

The second match was between Russia and Brazil.  Again a great match with Russia winning 69-59.

Aww and bless him, the Irish chap I was sat next to, as we left told me that he was in London until next week for the Olympics so looked forward to seeing us again!  Hmmm perhaps in Ireland you bump into people but in London, during the Olympics…??  It did make me smile.

What an amazing day and experience.  As we left the Park, we walked past thousands of others looking for and enjoying their Olympic experiences.  So many dreams and aspirations.  It really was truly inspirational.

We then headed into town to Hyde Park to join my niece and sister-in-law at the London Live site watching the big screens with thousands of others.  Incredible.

H and I arrived a few hours early, as instructed in our many emails warning us of queues, traffic and transport problems, security checks etc.  We parked half a mile from the venue and walked – we were about the only people on the streets so I did question if we’d got the right day!

When we got closer to the venue, there were lots of fabulous volunteers and army chaps smiling broadly and signposting where we needed to go.  Security was quick and painless however felt thorough and secure.  We made sure to thank the volunteers and army officials for their time and care.

We were in the venue nearly an hour early and managed to sneak in to watch the end of the match before ours – what a treat, we got a bonus game.

Our first match was Italy -v- Poland.  I felt slightly sorry for the Italians tonight.  Playing volleyball in London 2012 against the Polish inevitably means that you’re supporters are going to be heavily outnumbered!

Earls Court was quite definately much more red and white than any other colour…

The matches were fast and furious and the noise from the supporters equal to the play on court.  I loved being there and being a part of the Olympic spirit.  I don’t truly understand all the rules of Volleyball but there wasn’t too many to understand or to get the hang of, or maybe I just didn’t need to to really appreciate and love the game and the experience.

I was however slightly disappointed to hear the Polish supporters booing the Italians whenever they had the ball.  Whatever happened to sportsmanship or just being quiet if you’re not supporting a team?  The saddest part was that there were 5 young people in the row in front of us – quite clearly a mixture of people and I suspect bought along by a youth leader of some sort.  They were so excited to be there and quite literally on the edge of their seats.   Like me, they were supporting the Italians (probably, like me, because they had few other supporters there).  At first they looked upset and angry that ‘their team’ were being boo’d and would turn around to see who was doing it.  This was replaced later with boo’ing the Polish players – well that’s what we adults just taught them to do!!!

Poland won this round 3 games to 1.

However a medal should also go to the volunteers responsible for keeping the court free of dust, dirt and debris.  Their synchronised sweeping was second to none.  I just couldn’t resist a little video of it either… enjoy!

(Apologies for it being sideways, I’m not sure how to rotate it!)

Next up was Brasil -v- Tunisia… to say that I felt the need to support Tunisia is as much an understatement as the need to support Italy.  The Brazilians were out in force in Earls Court and yellow and green flags hanging from all available spots.  Awesome game.

Leaving the venue was as easy as our arrival.  So very well organised throughout.  The only part that wasn’t, was due to H and I forgetting where we’d parked the car!!

After dropping H off, I headed home and was greeted by two very excited people.  My nephew, niece and sister-in-law had arrived whilst we’d been at Volleyball.  Tomorrow, my nephew and I are going to see the basketball at the Olympic Park!

The national pride was palpable during and after the Olympics Opening Ceremony in London. Before the event however there was the usual ‘niggling Norman’ comments about it costing too much, about it going to fail, etc etc.

I had faith that that really would be awesome and worthy of being called “the greatest show on earth” (although a part of me thinks it terrifically arrogant to give it that title before it has even taken place). I was not only NOT disappointed but even my expectations had been exceeded. It was awesome.

On the way home, the words that stuck out in the crowd were Queen, Bond, Mr Bean, Cauldron, Fireworks! Everyone was talking about it.

Matt and I chose to see the ceremony, at the last minute, in Hyde Park, amongst thousands of other people. We both said that we should have known better and ‘invested’ in tickets to the Olympic stadium but hadn’t. You see both Matt and I were in Sydney for their Olympics so we KNOW how amazing it is to be part of something so momentous.

I arrived suitably early at Hyde Park and after a fairly lengthy queue for security measures, I was in and able to get a place from where we could see the main stage and two screens. Tarpaulin laid out and plot secured – I had a little nap in the sunshine whilst waiting for Matt to arrive after work!

By the time the concert started the park was full, the atmosphere electric with excitement about what was about to unfold at the Stadium and in Hyde Park. We were treated through the evening to live performances from Paulo Nutini, Duran Duran, Stereophonics and Snow Patrol. A wonderful sample set from each artist but cutting to the Stadium for the greatest show on earth.

People were dancing and singing along to a band and then suddenly quiet would fall on the Park whilst people stood on tiptoe or jossled for a little bit more space to see one of the many big screens and listening to the Olympic show. Every now and then there would be a cheer, a round of applause or laughter heard from us and then falling silent to listen again.

I can only imagine that the first part of the show (the industrial revolution) would have been both visually and audibly incredible in the stadium. The sound of the drums being the background to the visual.

The humour that was injected into the spectacle AND that the Queen took part in it too! For all the criticism that is often lauded at the Royal family, I can honestly say that her agreeing to be part of the Opening Ceremony and seeing the Queen and her family in this the Jubilee year, has been eye-opening… and I’ve even heard people who ‘don’t approve of the Royal family’ actually be kind about them and the work that they do!

Did you see it? If not, do google or YouTube search for the London Olympics Opening Ceremony. Truly a spectacle. I love that there’s so much secrecy surrounding the event. I love that everyone who participated (mostly volunteers) gave up hundreds of hours of their time and schlepped back and forth to London to rehearse… because they wanted to be part of a piece of history and to show the World how it should be done.

Enough from me. It was incredible. Danny Boyle played a blinder with the show, the pageantry, the spectacle, the lighting of the cauldron, the inclusion of so much humour but most of all reinforcing the Great in Great Britain!

Below are some pictures taken by friends who did ‘invest’ in tickets to be at the Opening Ceremony, together with some I took and also from some of the volunteers taking part in the Greatest Show on Earth. Enjoy

And the beautiful music used during the lighting of the Olympic Couldron – click here

Oooh now let the Games Begin….