Yesterday afternoon waiting for someone to make us a cuppa!
(l to r)
Del and All, Derwent 6,
George and me, Rock n Roll,
Geoff, Seyella
Ann and Chas, Moore 2 Life
Margaret, Seyella
BBQ, lit, cooked and eaten
absolutely delicious!
Sunset on the Thames ...
... 20:15 - time to pack up and go inside to watch ...
The Opening of the 2012 Olympic Games on the BBC
We had all discussed what the opening may be, particularly the commentary, and who would be carrying that torch to the stadium.
(hoping that it would be nothing like the Jubilee Pageant when the presenters/commentators/producer were not interested enough to do any research into what they were talking about) (rant over).
We (George and I) thoroughly enjoyed it although I think that perhaps people who are not familiar with the United Kingdom’s heritage may have wondered at times what it was all about.
It was re-enacted by thousands of volunteers in music, song, action and dance illustrating life and technology since 1948 when London hosted its 1st Olympic Games to the present day.
In England’s Green and Pleasant Land ...
... sung by children from England, Wales (above), Ireland and Scotland
The Industrial Revolution ...
... the engineers of the time ...
... heavy industry and manufacturing
... and manual workers ...
... WWI ...
one of the greatest engineers
... off to war
James Bond (Daniel Craig) escorts ‘the queen’ in a helicopter to the games ...
... but I really don’t believe that it was ‘she’ who we saw ‘sky dive’ into the arena!
The arrival of the Union Flag
Mike Oldfiel plays
Tubular Bells
Establishment of the NHS ...
Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
The National Health Service
I especially enjoyed this bit - rock ’n’ roll danced by real medical staff - great stuff!
hundreds of young ‘patients’
Mary Poppins with a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down
Sir Simon Rattle conducting ...
... Chariots of Fire ...
... ably assisted Rowan Atkinson playing the fool just one note ... over and over and over again!
Queen
The age of technology making communication easy ...
... maybe leading to ...
... romance.
The Olympic Torch relay 1948 ...
... and lighting the cauldron.
David Beckham lights the first torch from the cauldron ...
... which was then carried around the UK by hundreds of nominated people - here at Stonehenge ...
... and at the summit of Snowden by Chris Bonnington
In the meantime something is happening on the
River Thames ...
... the torch is on it’s way to the Olympic Arena ...
... in a James Bond type action starring David Beckham.
- They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
- Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
- They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
- They fell with their faces to the foe.
The worlds athletes arrive at the stadium
The young royals
Sir Chris Hoy is delighted to be carrying the Union Jack ...
... for Great Britain’s hopeful contenders.
We certainly know how to put on ...
... a spectacular show!
The Arctic Monkeys are performing as the doves of peace emerge from below the stage...
... fantastic.
Lord Sebastion Coe welcomes everyone ...
... and HRH Queen Elizabeth II declares the 2012 Olympic Games - open
The Olympic Flag is carried by nominees who have/are making a difference in the world in their chosen roles...
... Mr Mohammed Ali stand by.
Here comes the flame ...
... now we know who will carry the torch into the stadium - Sir Steve Redgrave - very well deserved!
Into the Olympic Arena
Member from the Athletes, Judges and Coaches take the Olympic Oath ...
... and the torch is passed on ...
... Britain’s future Olympians
The copper kettles are lit ...
... and the spectacle begins ...
WOW!
lifted into the air
A truly magnificent sight
The cauldron is alight ...
... and the fireworks start
The Olympic Rings
My hero - taking centre stage at the finale (as ever) Sir Paul McCartney sings - Hey Jude!
Let the games commence.
Was an awesome spectacle, but as you say who would understand out of UK without thorough descriptions. I think the 3 BBC commentators did very well.
ReplyDeleteSorry, got to say Paul McCartney's performance last night was as poor as his Jubilee appearance.
Andy NB Centurion.
It certainly was Andy and yes, although a great shame, I think that Paul should now ‘think’ about his future career. He’s still my ‘first love’ though.
DeleteFantastic pictures you captured. I did the same for the River pageant but it didn't cross my mind this time so I am now kicking myself.
ReplyDeleteGill Lovegrove
Thank you Gill
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteYour coverage was far better in my opinion, than the actual BBC coverage. My understanding of opening ceremonies for the Olympics is that they are supposed to highlight the culture, language, myth, achievements, arts, history, etc. of the host country to help those from other cultures understand why the host country is so great. I don't feel this opening ceremony did that. I think a canal system with working boats would have been a better illustration of Industry (but some will say I'm partial!!). As someone from another country I found it confusing and very drab at first. there was no explanatin of Glastonbury Tor and why it was included. Too much took place outside the stadium and it felt like the designers and presenters were more interested in being seen from space than anything else. So thanks for your overview which is brill!
Jaqxx
Glad to be of service Jaq - even I have to admit I had no idea that the hill was Glastonbury Tor until the following day - hence I’ve not mentioned it on the blog! Regards to you both. Carol
DeleteLove your picture of the opening ceremony, very clever. Oh and I pinched a copy of your sunset....great. xxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra - you’re very welcome to any of my piccies!
Delete