Olympic Torch Relay

Originally I had promised that I would go to see the Olympic Torch Relay on Saturday with my neighbour when we heard it was passing through at the weekend, but when I heard it was going to be here at 0730 in the morning was less enthralled. There is only one 730 in my Saturdays and that wasn't it. But all was not lost as we live on the borders of two Boroughs and the Torch relay would be back to the west of us on Monday morning. Today! I don't know if it was the fact I had slept enough over the weekend or the warm night that had me awaken so early. I think it's more likely that I was excited about the torch this time and this time I had to be up early for work anyway. Looking up the route on Sunday evening it seemed it would literally run right past the end of our street. So maybe it was the excitement that had me awake at 5:00AM. I wasn't going to miss it this time. Quite amazingly, Dusan was actually on a day shift today and had to be up early for work but I am never sure if he really means it when he says wake him in time. But I think it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and he got up an hour after me and in time to make it down to street before the relay arrived. It was 07:20 as we finally made our way hurriedly down to the intersection rushing slightly so as to not miss a thing. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect morning. The Sky was Blue without a single cloud in the sky, the sun was shining down and although the hour was early it was already hot in the sunshine. Immediately you noticed a heavy police presence in readiness to close the roads and ensure noone was in the way of the runners and eager local residents already stood lining the streets either side of the road. It reminded me the atmosphere awaiting for the Disney Parade to begin. A mixture of excitement and anticipation. Five Police Moterbikes pulled up into the intersection signalling that they were about to close the roads and in the distance you could hear music gradually increasing in volume, even thought it was only 0730AM. Three floats preceded the relay and we all happily snapped photographs and cheered as they passed enjoying the carnival atmosphere. Then the roads were cleared once more and then standing in the middle of the road, holding an un-light torch was Doreen Lawrence, the mother of poor murdered Stephen Lawrence so many years ago and has fought tirelessly to ensure justice for her son. Realising it was Mrs Lawrence running made it even more special, as she would carry the torch past her sons memorial which is just up the road. Seeing her standing there just covered me in Goosebumps as the press surrounded her for a quick interview. The whole meaning of what the Olympics represents, people from all around the world united by the things we have in common. Sport. I had a real "World Peace" moment and you could tell that while it was a fun atmosphere there were quite a lot of other emotions flying through the air and while you wanted to cheer and woop and laugh a small part made you want to melt and cry. A few moments latter you could see the Relay runner coming towards us and then he and Mrs Lawrence light traded the flame and the entire street cheered in unison. What an amazing feeling of being united with our neighbours as a nation and as each day passes I feel more and more excited about the Games. With the perfect weather instore for the best part of the week you can't help but feel the excitement will rise steadily until Friday when it all starts and we all cheer as a nation to welcome the entire world to our wonderful city! For once I started the week on a Monday morning on an absolute high and not sure anything could ever feel like that for a 7:30 Monday morning again! Have a happy healthy games,wherever your watching them!