I suppose I ought to be getting excited now that an Olympic Torch is coming through my area, but I'm not. I call it an Olympic Torch, because apparently there is more than one ;o) there are 8,000 to be precise. They each have 8,000 perforated holes in them and they will be carried by 8,000 torch bearers on a journey throughout the UK.
If anyone wants to buy a second hand torch, they have all been used ha ha, there are quite a few for sale on ebay. They will set you back several thousand pounds however, if you have money to burn. Maybe an heirloom to be passed down to younger members of the family. I think in years to come as some of them find their way into charity shops and car boot sales, it might pay off to keep one in pristine condition in the hope that it will become a valuable asset when there is no longer any cash in the pension pot, ha ha.
Our local newspaper has done a big feature about this once in a lifetime event passing through on Tuesday and Wednesday, and urges us all to 'celebrate the arrival of the flame'. The essential guide suggests we get there early, preferably travelling by bicycle or foot as the roads will be congested, and advises of the best points to position oneself to get the best view.
Apparently Olympic fever is spreading through North Lincolnshire as we all gear up to welcome the torch relay. Businesses along the route are hoping for a boost in trade as it passes. The Bridal Shop proprietor said it will be a great advert for them, and the hairdressers said they will support the torch, and have cancelled appointments so they can watch it pass by. Oh well, best nip in and get a haircut then, that's after I have bought my wedding dress :o))
Lots of school kids will have fun with a few hours off to go and watch it. Fair enough, they have many more years than me to live, and it's good that they should be building memories and have something to look back on in years to come. I can vaguely remember waving a flag at the new Queen Elizabeth, as she passed by the crowds lining the streets where I lived. I can't see me sitting in my care home remembering the day the Olympic Torch came to town.
My goodness I am sounding like a grump, but I genuinely can't find any enthusiasm for the torch, or the Olympics. I have never been a sporty person, I hated having to take part in sports of any kind at school, and I have never been very competitive. Maybe I'll get a little more excited over the weekend, but maybe I won't, and if the weather is nice I will bog off somewhere and miss it all. Toodle pip.
P.S. Sorry I haven't put a picture of a torch here, but I can't be bothered.
I can't say its doing much for me at the moment either Ilona.
ReplyDeleteMaybe when it comes a little nearer I might gather up some enthusiasm.
Briony
x
Doesn't light my fire either Ilona. I think the whole Olympic "thing" has been a farce so far, ticket allocation, the torch etc. Lets hope the opening ceremony isn't. I don't mind watching some of the athletics and gymnastics, but not enough to part with hard earned money. My s-i-l is going and the tickets are only valid for about 3 hours and they haven't even been able to choose what event they want to see.
ReplyDeleteAll a complete waste of time and money if you ask me When we had the winter olympics in Vancouver they promised that the apartments in the athletes village would become affordable housing. Did they heck, they were converted into mega expensive condos for people with huge amounts of money.
ReplyDeleteJane x
I am with the rest, I feel its something we really could not afford, the money could have been spent on affordable housing. The ticketing has been a fiasco even if you could afford one. I think its a lot of fuss thats costing a fortune.
ReplyDeleteI am a grump along with you on this one.
I'm in Lancashire, and it's been very close by just this week.Did I feel inclined to don wellies and a raincoat to go and see it? No, nor would I have felt inclined to go and see it if the weather had been glorious. I'm of the same opinion as others who have commented. The Olympics may aswell be being held on the other side of the world. I'm disgusted at the amount of extra money that was conjured up to pay for the opening and closing ceremonies and am sick of hearing about the 'legacy' - what legacy for anyone who doesn't live in the capital?
ReplyDeleteMe too, I just don't have the sport gene. I like walking and exercise, but I don't do sport, and never understood team games at school. It's like football - you know one or the other team will win, or there will be a draw, but I wouldn't care which, it is entirely irrelevant to my life and always has been. With all your lovely holidays and animals and walks, you are building many happy memories to look back on. I am enjoying the videos very much!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on this one. Down here in Dorset there is def. 'lympic fever and we have got a nw road out of it but otherwise nowt. I am fed up with the queen, football and 'lympics, they can all go hang.
ReplyDeleteI was quite excited as it's coming near us soon until I got told I don't have the day off after all so now I can't take my children to see. My son's geography teacher will be running with it so he wanted to watch.
ReplyDeleteI'm now childishly sulking!
I am so fed up with it too what with Olympics and football why are we such a nation of fatties! Says she with over a stone to lose. But watching competitive sports 0 - Out on a bike or walk 1.
ReplyDeleteKathyx
I'm with you Ilona! No interest in following the torch, seeing it here in Buxton next week or anything olympics related!
ReplyDeleteCan`t say I`m exited, either. I feel that this money for the olympics could have benefitted folk in other ways. It`s a waste of precious funds in our recession. I can`t be happy about that at all!!
ReplyDeleteAfraid it got rained on when it passed by here.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
I switched off about the olympics when people were forced to sell there homes to make way for access roads or whatever. A torch went through Cardigan while I was visiting family but not many people turned out for it.
ReplyDeleteIt went through Cornwall about a month ago. It was my Mum's birthday and we all went to our favourite country gardens to avoid the crowds! People asked afterwards why I missed it, but I don't really see the excitement either myself. I don't really like waiting in a big crowd of people though, unless it's for half an hour on New Year's Eve to see the town fireworks! :)
ReplyDeleteIt came through Liverpool passing only a few miles from me, I didnt bother going to see it either. I dont get the point of it at all.
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same Ilona. Apparently those torches cost about £200 to the runners! It all leaves me cold. Fingers crossed that the sun will come out and you can get away again.
ReplyDelete£9 billion pounds - it's a complete disgrace.
ReplyDeletewell, sorry to buck the trend here, but the Olympic torch came through Rawtenstall today. Like a lot of people commenting here, I was a bit underwhelmed, until I found out that an old school friend had been nominated (and accepted) to carry the torch. As I didn't start my shift work until 2pm and the torch was coming through at 1.20, we decided we would go and see it. Didn't know where my friend was carrying the torch (there were 9 torch bearers in a 3 mile stretch) But I hit lucky and my friend was carrying the torch, happily and proudly, as she came past us. She spotted me in the crowd and beamed for a lovely photo which I have e-mailed to her. Barbara is one of those people who has made a difference to our community, spent 40 years helping out Cub Scouts, fund raising for the local Hospice, but most of all, has been an unpaid carer to her younger (now age 50+) sister who has Downs Syndrome and took her sister in to live with her and her family once her parents had died. I don't honestly know of a kinder human being and if the torch relay means nothing else than it has recognised the selflessness of my friend, then maybe we have achieved something as a society.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to add that the good people of Rawtenstall (Ilona's but more of them) called Civic Pride have been cleaning up the route for the torch relay for a few weeks now, and have shamed the County Council into repainting all the lines in the road that had worn off and become a bit confusing for drivers.
Another one bucking the trend here too. The torch passed through Morecambe and Lancaster on Friday in very heavy rain and high winds. In spite of the bad weather crowds of people were out on the promenade and there was a real carnival atmophere. Strangers were chatting to each other whilst waiting for the torch and a good time was had by all. How can something that brings communities together like this be a bad thing ?
ReplyDeleteThe 8,000 people that are carrying the torches have been nominated because they are inspirational in some way. They have done some kind of service in the community so I think that just to not be bothered to even go along and see them is disrepectful.
Bucking the trend in the US. When the Olympics were held in Atlanta, the torch came within six blocks of my house. Yes, I went down and had a good time, knowing all the runners in our town. It was a community affair. I went to honor the bearers and to see what there was to see.
ReplyDeleteI am not a sports player except for tennis, baseball, basketball, and bowling...and all that is just for a few minutes here and there, nothing organized ever. But, I love to watch the skill of Olympians, some of whom have worked for this all their lives. I don't play music, but I thrill to the heights other have risen in their skills.
Everyone in town that I asked to attend the Argentine/USA soccer match was totally uninterested or going with someone else. I went alone because at the end of my life I did not want to think wistfully of the Olympics that came so close to me and wonder what it would be like. I had the chance and took it. I have not yet missed the money I spent.
I smiled for a long time after the torch run and even longer after the Olympic soccer game. My daughter applauded my going and going alone.
We took our daughter to see the tourch last Friday in the torential rain and got thoroughly soaked. So glad we didn't miss it and our daughter will certainly have a lasting memory.
ReplyDeleteI must say that I do agree with Pam and feel annoyed that some residents were forced to sell or move out of their homes so that they could be knocked down to make way for the olympics when there is a shortage of housing. It didn't make sence to me.
Carolx
If supermarket bargain hunting was an Olympic sport, you'd definitely be on Team GB and win a gold medal, Ilona ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is coming through our village on Thursday, hubs is very excited but I have to admit to being under-welmed at the idea of getting jostled about in crowds to catch a glimpse (maybe) of it. I also have to leave here to drive up to my sister's to babysit 15 minutes after it is supposed to pass through and am very worried I won't be able to get through if there is lots more traffic than usual..... We went to see the Queen, Will and Kate when they visited Nottingham last week, glad we went but hardly saw a thing :-/
ReplyDeleteI am not interested in the Olympics ... they are all business people ... careful not to get caught in the drug tests.
ReplyDeleteApologies to the original Olympics but it's just a big commercial event with politically-chosen teams and the nonsensical likes of McDonalds as "official restaurant", BMW as "official car" and Coca-Hemlock as the "official drink" etcetere - I can't even be bothered to yawn at it! Since when has McNasties been a "restaurant"???
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the total zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz of it all.
Well, a young stroke victim I know is carry the torch at some point but as I dont live in the UK I wont see it but am supporting him anyway.
ReplyDeleteDont see it if you dont want to but dont bad-mouth it too much either, it is a positive event - save the grumbles for the rioters and folk who litter the churchyard.
If ir weren't for corporate sponsors, the Olympics would not happen or be seen. Maybe people in England should just boycott McDonald's and Coke. Young athletes don't all do drugs. Having athletes in the spotlight gives young people over the world models and activities that are better than hanging on the street corners with butts hanging from pants, trying to be tough. Young females who play sports are more likely to stay in school, not do drugs, not engage in premarital sex, and not become a teen mother, among other good and positive outcomes.
ReplyDeleteDon't blame athletes if a country chooses to condemn homes and displace people. Most of the athletes are not even from England. That seems like a political problem that you have the power to control in the future, if not now. Does the rest of the world need to know your Olympic committee in your country chose to do a slimy thing AND then have you denigrate a fine young group of athletes with talk of their drug use?
Most positive events have less-thn-positive things happening, but the whole event should not be defined by the lowest common denominator. Some of these athletes have worked all their lives to get where they are and have overcome odds most of us have never known.
This is such a negative post and has drawn such negative thoughts about fellow human beings who are tryig so hard. Many Olympians are just teens!
You don't have to be a world-class athlete to appreciate the skills of the Olympians! You don't even have to enjoy or like all the events to wish them all well.
I am sure all the Olympian make their animals live outdoors, so maybe the Olympians should all be strung up. How can cats and dogs be idolized on this blog when human beings are verbally kicked around? Is all of the UK like this?
I was proud when the USA won the Olympic venue. If I could have afforded it, I would have come to England, really thinking it would be a spirited event, supported by the English. Apparently not.
I am sure the nasty remarks about the USA will abound from now on, not that it will affect me one bit. If your put down your own country so roundly, why not attack all other countries?
I do like sports but I cannot summon up any enthusiasm for this colossal waste of money. Not to mention the corruption taking place. Lots of little sports days all over the country, that would be nice.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to Practical Parsimony: I don't think anyone is denigrating our young athletes, rather the whole commercialisation of the games. People are making lots of money out of it all, and it isn't the young athletes, you can bet on that.
ReplyDeleteThe country is broke. They close down hospitals and schools to save money, and then spend vast amounts on the Olympics! Madness.
My son is a young athlete. As are many of his pals. I know what fine young people there are in the world.
Krupp, the German arms producer, created and sponsored the torches for the 1936 Olympics in
ReplyDeleteGermany
Complete agreement Don.
ReplyDeleteDon,
ReplyDeleteNeither the post nor comments said what you did. It is the way of the world unfortunately, that people make money even on the best of projects. That is sad, but the only way some good comes about. Things could be scaled back at all the Olympics, but you can bet every little shopkeeper and vendor will be in for profit as well as the large corporations. Your comment did not throw out the baby with the bath water.
The fact of the matter is that UK have got the Olympics for 2012. What we do is what we do. I think we should be celebrating the fact that so many people who do not excel in sport have had the opportunity to be nominated by their communities to carry the torch, and, yes, I am biased by my friend being one of these people. This friend has been a cub leader for 40 + years, has done fund raising for the local hospice and an unpaid carer for at least 20 years for her disabled sister, taking Kay into her home after her parents had passed away. My friend did not ask for this honour, but she looked really happy as she passed me yesterday. I would not have gone to watch the Torch Relay if I hadn't known that my friend had been nominated and it was pure luck that I was there to see her with the torch - a 1 in 9 chance. But I tell you what - I have never seen so many people in my 'can't really commit to anything sort of place'- out to support the Torch Relay.
ReplyDeleteThe reality of all of this is that people in England have been given the opportunity, free of charge, to witness some of the activity that having the Olympic Games here has presented. I for one could not possibly justify the cost of a ticket, staying in London and travelling there for any Olympic event. So, if this is as good as it gets, then we have to accept that.
As for the comments on profit making and corruption... well, no-one corrupted me or made a profit out of me yesterday!
Complete agreement Don
ReplyDeleteI didn't go to see the ceremony when it came through my town because it was absolutely chucking it down and I would have wanted to cycle there anyway. The place I really wanted to go to was I believe not having the torch being carried but in a convoy, which I presumed meant a vehicle.
ReplyDeleteI like the Olympic idea but don't necessarily agree with all the pomp and show. I don't think when the decision was made to host the Olympics there was recession here, so the thing was decided already.I don't think countries should put on a big show to keep up appearances. I just hope now that the event will be successful and not rebound on us financially.
I like sport and also competitive sport, I do think there are some disciplines in there which are ridiculous, like beach volleyball! I shall be routing for Victoria Pendleton all the way!
I couldn't have put it better myself Don.
ReplyDelete