Let's learn from the Olympics

A lot has been spoken and written about the London 2012 Olympics. I'm sure what I'm about to write has probbaly been covered, but here are my feelings about what we might be able to learn from those magnificent two and a half week.

1. London is a marvellous city. Can any city match London for its scenery, history and splendour? It's hard to think of one.
2. Britons wanted the Olympics. Despite all the doom-mongers and nay-sayers, the Brits loved the Olympics and turned out wherever and whenever they could: the Torch Relay, the venues, the events on the streets or in the parks. They were all superbly supported.
3. Britain can do it. Again, all the voices of doom were proven wrong as Britain built the venues, or converted other venues, put on a superb Opening Ceremony, and basically hosted the Best Games Ever.
4. We're stronger together than we would be apart. Scottish separatists take note. This was Great Britain and Northern Ireland putting on a magnificent display of sporting prowess and Games hosting, the like of which each individual nation could not achieve. We Are Great Britain.
5. Sport is an inspiration. Like no other walk of life, sport can bring together and inspire a nation. Politicians take note. And next time we bid for a big sporting event, let the doom-mongers stay silent.
6. Bin the cult of celebrity. As our sportswomen and sportsmen performed so admirably, yet with honour and humility, let's do away with celebrity for celebrity's sake and praise those that can and do. Banish Big Brother, X-Factor and all that crap - we're done with it.
7. Let's learn from these sports people. There have been numerous comparisons between the Olympians and footballers, and totally justifiably. We're fed up with arrogant, money-grabbing, cheats, and we want honest endeavour, striving for a goal, humility and honesty.

Spectators love the chance to cheer Team GB

I've been lucky enough to attend three Olympic sessions: women's hockey on the first Tuesday (including GB 5, South Korea 3); athletics on Monday night (including the men's 400m hurdles and Usain Bolt's 100m medal ceremony); and athletics yesterday morning (mainly the decathlon, but also the men's 4x400m relay heats).

The atmosphere at each event was amazing.

Yesterday the only British interest over the whole session was Great Britain in the men's 4x400m relay. What a reception they got. What a ROAR greeted Jack Green's third leg as he stormed into the lead. And what a NOISE encouraged Martin Rooney to finish the race with a GB win (he actually eased off to finish second to Trinidad & Tobago).

The spectators knew it was their only chance to cheer for Team GB and they were determined to take it. The flags came out, the throats were roared hoarse for the duration of the race which lasted a fraction over three minutes, and the hands clapped until sore.

It's hard to imagine a louder roar greeting GB in the unlikely event that they win the final!

It's amazing, wonderful, magical. We're running out of superlatives.

Brits embrace once-in-a-lifetime Olympics

It is marvellous to see the Olympic Stadium full EVERY DAY for EVERY SESSION. I'm sure this has never been seen at any previous Olympics, but this week in the London 2012 Olympics the Stadium has been full for every session.

Morning sessions are qualification heats in the main, but that has not deterred the British public. The first athletics session of these Olympics was last Friday. The stadium was full, but, of course, our nation's darling Jessica Ennis was competing in the first events of her heptathlon. So we might have thought that the stadium might not be full for every session.

But it has been.

The cheers for every race have been wonderful. The ROARS every time a British athlete runs or competes in the field, or even appears(!), have been remarkable.

I think we Brits know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we have been determined not to let it pass by without participating in any way we can.

If people have not been able to get tickets for paid events then they have taken to the streets for the cycle races, the marathon and the triathlons.

There are a few days left of this magnificent spectacle.

It's been marvellous so far.

Fed up with the weather!

Blimey, it's a cliche that we Brits talk about the weather by default when we meet each other. Now I'm about to blog about the weather.

But, I mean, really ... what is going on?

My son jokingly (or perhaps not) said about ten days ago, "It's now officially the worst summer ever!" (It's not official really.) And since he said that, it's actually got worse!

We live in Surrey, so we've not had it as bad as other parts of the country many of whose woes have been worse than simply having to moan about the rain, wind and cold.

It's shocking and depressing and we're all fed up.

My philosophical neighbour said, "At least we're all in the same boat." (Stiff British upper lip.) The boat's going to sink under the weight of water soon.

England's football team failed at Euro 2012.

Poor Andy Murray couldn't quite lift the spirits (though we love a plucky loser ... especially an emotional one!).

The England cricket team has been denied a possible 5-0 one-day whitewash of the Aussies by ... the weather!

It will fall to our Olympians to lift the mood. If they can lift the weather too, they really will be champions!

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Jubilee weekend shows what the Brits do best

The rain couldn't dampen British spirits over the weekend of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee when, once again, the silent majority found their voice.

Crowds lined the streets, vessels filled the Thames, and parties took to the streets in a general excuse for a watery knees-up!

The Queen performed with her exemplary aplomb despite Prince Philip falling ill, but not all the acts at the Buckingham Palace seemed quite to her taste. Indeed, I'm sure they were not all to everyone's taste!

Nevertheless, it was a weekend that showed what the Brits do best - a bit of a show and a little pageantry tossed in for good measure.

The Olympics are just seven weeks away now and things are shaping up well. The slient majority will rise and push the misery-mongers to one side for a couple of weeks. I look forward to it. Even the rain won't matter.

Damp, but undeterred: a street party in Surrey, 5 June.

Shropshire IS beautiful

I recently went on holiday to Shropshire, staying at a holiday cottage in Newcastle-on-Clun (a tiny village with some houses, a church, a  pub that doesn't open often, a community centre with some very friendly locals, a d football club(!)) with family and friends.

Before I went, whenever I told people I was going to Shropshire they said how beautiful it is. Yet I didn't have any pre-conception of what it was like.

Beautiful it is!

Hills, valleys, rivers, old castles, here's a flavour.