The Torch Relay Gets a Health Warning
Apparently, they’re fainting in Haverfordwest as they awat the torch and BBC Wales has issued a health warning, in that they’re telling everybody to bring suntan and a drink.
I would assume that some of the locals will be in traditional Welsh dress a short time later in Fishguard, as if the yeomanry and especially the ladies of the town hadn’t defended so stoutly against the French in 1797, the Olympics would now be taking place this year in Paris. The story is told in this article on the Battle of Fishguard. The part the ladies played is summarised in this paragraph.
The heroine of the hour was Jemima Nicholas, who, with her pitchfork, went out single-handedly into the fields around Fishguard and rounded up 12 French soldiers and ‘persuaded’ them to return with her to town where she locked them inside St. Mary’s Church.
It is thought the French troops may have mistaken local women like her, in their traditional tall black hats and red cloaks, for British Grenadiers when they stood on the cliffs above the British force lined up on Goodwick Sands at the surrender.
Certainly the Royal Oak pub has lived on the tale for more than two hundred years.Although today, the weather may be too hot for a black hat and a heavy red cloak.
They Say the Welsh Aren’t Mad
Read this from the BBC’s text commentary of the Olympic Torch Relay.
Next stop is Pontypridd and we have arrived – and start off with a torchbearer with an interesting tale. A man with a history of taking his clothes off while running, Courtney Maggs-Jones removed an item on each of 16 London bridges he ran across to raise money for local children to fund a new wheelchair. He appears to be fully-clothed today….so far at least as he sets off at a brisk pace.
I rest my case.
Wales Does the Torch Proud
They’re now only an hour or so from Cardiff and the end of the day’s run.
Wales has done the torch proud and it has been sunshine all the way.
The BBC Wales weatherman was warning of too much sun in Cardiff and said to bring sun cream. No comment!
Wales Has The Flags Out
This picture comes from Abergavenny.
Flags in Abergavenny
Wales looks like it’s going to party! I wonder if they’ve solved the problem about where they’re going to park the dragon, when Dai Greene runs.
I Received My Olympic Tickets This Morning
Yesterday, I received a text and an e-mail to say that my first batch of Olympic tickets would arrive today. Being a cynical bastard, I suspected that this would be sometime around lunchtime, when my postman delivers the mail.
But at a few minutes to nine, when I was making sure all my drugs for the day were correct and laid out, there was a knock at the door.
On answering it, there was a postman and I signed for the tickets. Within seconds, I got another text and an e-mail to say that the tickets had been delivered. That is actually good although some might think it excessive. But supposing the tickets had been wrongly delivered, which of course they weren’t!
The picture shows one of the Beach Volleyball tickets.
A Genuine Olympic Beach Volleyball Ticket
I also got a travel card for each of the days I have an Olympic ticket. A bit of a waste, as I have a Freedom Pass.
The Torch Will Need Its Passport Today
It’s off into Wales today and the weather appears to be holding. If it’s going to rain, it’ll surely be in Wales or Manchester.
Crowds in Worcester look to be good, even at eight in the morning. How many cafes and tea-shops have have record takings?
Perhaps, it shows that the best way to get through a recession, is to have a party?
I know that people have subscribed to this blog from all over the world. So who is the furthest away, who’s watch the Olympic Torch Relay. Click here to watch.
It’s getting addictive, as this tweet posted on the BBC web site shows.
Sorry the BBC can’t take the blame for everything, although Andrew Cowie may disagree as he tweets: “I think the #bbctorchcam will over take Facebook as the reason i failed my exams!”
Could Auntie have come up with the ultimate Internet time-waster?
Elephants Salute The Torch
Surely there’s never been anything like this. As the BBC says, “Flag-waving Elephants Join Olympic Torch Relay”
For those who want to know these things, the train is being hauled by a Great Western Railway, Manor Class engine, number 7812 and named Erlestoke Manor. The Severn Valley Railway has three working Manor Class engines.
BBC Creates Addictive Viewing
According to the BBC, the amount of viewers of the Olympic Torch Relay has exceeded all expectations. You could argue, that they would say that wouldn’t they. In fact Roger Mosey says it all here.
The coverage is not by satellite, but by mobile phone 3G technology, which gives the odd break in transmission.
Some are saying it’s addictive on Twitter and Facebook. He’s one from Scotland.
Frances Chisholm on Facebook says: ”Kind of addictive” is an understatement. I am enjoying it all so much. Almost late for work this morning! I’m an ordinary working British Citizen, but “torchcam” makes me feel I can be part of it (the olympics) keep up the wonderful work! Will be cheering the flame when it passes through SELKIRK, Scottish Borders.
And I thought the Scots weren’t in favour of the Games.
BBC Ignores the Science and the History
Perhaps it’s symtomatic of our age, where people forget or ignore the science and history behind everything.
I watched the start of the torch relay at Land’s End on the BBC.
They didn’t mention that the miner’s lamp used to transport and safeguard the flame is a development of the Davy lamp. The original lamp was designed by Humpry Davy from Penzance. That was close to Land’s End, last time I looked.
Is Beckham Going to the Olympics?
He may be past his sell-by date at 37, but I’m coming round to the view, that Stuart Pearce may pick David Beckham for Team GB at the Olympics.
But he could motivate a young team and all the hype could be a feint to install him as a coach. Let’s face it both Beckham and Pearce are bright enough to fool most of the people most of the time.
Everything so far in the way we’ve organised the Games has been very much conventional, so a surprise of the positive sort would be welcome and would unsettle other teams.
In the meantime, everybody should wait.
The Anonymous Widower 