Olympic flame progress thread.
Discussion
MiniMan64 said:
The only difference I can see is that the relay on the link you've posted is attempting to run the entire way, not hop on a van for the boring inbetween bits. I don't really see they point.
One of the guys from our running club is doing the leg by my house, I will be there cheering him on.
A bit of a story, but here goes.
We live in Royston, Herts and had the choice between Duxford Air Museum on the Saturday or Letchworth/Stevenage on the Sunday. I emailed Duxford a week before and was informed that the Torch team was merely visiting for a private lunch and that the torch would be difficult to see. A shame, so we concentrated on planning for the Sunday at Letchworth.
It came to 11.30 am on the Saturday and I said to the wife that we should go and at least watch the lorries and police arriving, just for the hell of it. So we drove to a layby, right outside the museum, and did just that:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Sa9zCJcPymQ
Quite a few vehicles so I popped across the road to see what it all looked like as they had parked up at the back of the Airspace hangar:
_DSC5690 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Having seen this, we moved off to the M11/A505 roundabout and went all the way around to go home. However, half way around the roundabout my wife notices even more blues and twos heading towards Duxford (coming from the Sawston direction). So, back outside the museum, the traffic lights were red (when I stopped) and I pulled over into the left-hand exit lane, that takes you to the museum itself:
_DSC5694 by jonlarge, on Flickr
The first police motorcyclists asked me to stop, and what a view of this convoy, clearly the real one, we now had:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT2QRrElox4
Having seen all this, I said to the family 'shall we go in to the museum as we're here'? So, off we trot. Having got out we notice a photogrpaher snapping away. They've only decided to run with the torch along the back of the car park:
_DSC5702 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Ace! Having expected just the minibuses, we get a view of the Torch. We were chuffed!
I said to the wife that we should take our little boy, aged 2, to see all the motorbikes at the back of Airspace, so off we walked. He was happy when we got there:
_DSC5707 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Having stood there for a few minutes watching the coming and goings, and making a nuisance, one of the relay organisers in light grey clothes (not the security detail in the dark grey) approached. I thought we were going to be asked to move on. Imagine my surprise, when he produced a genuine 2012 torch and asked whether we would like to hold it! How flaming ace! So here's our little girl, who's nearly 5, with it:
_DSC5708 by jonlarge, on Flickr
...and here's the wife (who was now annoyed as she hadn't done her make-up or hair, etc, as we were "only going to watch the lorries") with our little boy who, having seen the motorbikes, can't be arsed!:
_DSC5712 by jonlarge, on Flickr
...and here's me:
_DSC5713 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Even the boys in blue were having their photo done:
_DSC5714 by jonlarge, on Flickr
So there we have it. Having thought we'd only see some lorries, minibuses and police cars; because of that red traffic light we find ourselves, holding the torch. Top, top stuff.
We even got a glimpse of the lanterns:
_DSC5727 by jonlarge, on Flickr
What a brilliant, brilliant time.
We'd caught the bug, so went to Letchworth on the Sunday and enjoyed a bit more of the atmosphere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-fYR4HcbQ
We live in Royston, Herts and had the choice between Duxford Air Museum on the Saturday or Letchworth/Stevenage on the Sunday. I emailed Duxford a week before and was informed that the Torch team was merely visiting for a private lunch and that the torch would be difficult to see. A shame, so we concentrated on planning for the Sunday at Letchworth.
It came to 11.30 am on the Saturday and I said to the wife that we should go and at least watch the lorries and police arriving, just for the hell of it. So we drove to a layby, right outside the museum, and did just that:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Sa9zCJcPymQ
Quite a few vehicles so I popped across the road to see what it all looked like as they had parked up at the back of the Airspace hangar:
_DSC5690 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Having seen this, we moved off to the M11/A505 roundabout and went all the way around to go home. However, half way around the roundabout my wife notices even more blues and twos heading towards Duxford (coming from the Sawston direction). So, back outside the museum, the traffic lights were red (when I stopped) and I pulled over into the left-hand exit lane, that takes you to the museum itself:
_DSC5694 by jonlarge, on Flickr
The first police motorcyclists asked me to stop, and what a view of this convoy, clearly the real one, we now had:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT2QRrElox4
Having seen all this, I said to the family 'shall we go in to the museum as we're here'? So, off we trot. Having got out we notice a photogrpaher snapping away. They've only decided to run with the torch along the back of the car park:
_DSC5702 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Ace! Having expected just the minibuses, we get a view of the Torch. We were chuffed!
I said to the wife that we should take our little boy, aged 2, to see all the motorbikes at the back of Airspace, so off we walked. He was happy when we got there:
_DSC5707 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Having stood there for a few minutes watching the coming and goings, and making a nuisance, one of the relay organisers in light grey clothes (not the security detail in the dark grey) approached. I thought we were going to be asked to move on. Imagine my surprise, when he produced a genuine 2012 torch and asked whether we would like to hold it! How flaming ace! So here's our little girl, who's nearly 5, with it:
_DSC5708 by jonlarge, on Flickr
...and here's the wife (who was now annoyed as she hadn't done her make-up or hair, etc, as we were "only going to watch the lorries") with our little boy who, having seen the motorbikes, can't be arsed!:
_DSC5712 by jonlarge, on Flickr
...and here's me:
_DSC5713 by jonlarge, on Flickr
Even the boys in blue were having their photo done:
_DSC5714 by jonlarge, on Flickr
So there we have it. Having thought we'd only see some lorries, minibuses and police cars; because of that red traffic light we find ourselves, holding the torch. Top, top stuff.
We even got a glimpse of the lanterns:
_DSC5727 by jonlarge, on Flickr
What a brilliant, brilliant time.
We'd caught the bug, so went to Letchworth on the Sunday and enjoyed a bit more of the atmosphere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-fYR4HcbQ
Highway Star said:
Great story, you must have been chuffed!
Coming past work here today, so will be taking an hour or so off to go down and see if I can catch a glimpse.
You know what, I am getting more than excited about the Olympics, and I do understand that this 8000 mile trek is "bringing the light of the Olympics to the people of Britain (and the Republic Of Ireland inexplicably, like a Tour De France special stage I guess).Coming past work here today, so will be taking an hour or so off to go down and see if I can catch a glimpse.
But what a right palaver!! Guards, police, big buses, road closures etc etc It's not like we really need to promote the Olympics even more than we need to is there? (And this says nothing against you Highway Star - I'd probably do the same if I had the chance).
prand said:
You know what, I am getting more than excited about the Olympics, and I do understand that this 8000 mile trek is "bringing the light of the Olympics to the people of Britain (and the Republic Of Ireland inexplicably, like a Tour De France special stage I guess).
But what a right palaver!! Guards, police, big buses, road closures etc etc It's not like we really need to promote the Olympics even more than we need to is there? (And this says nothing against you Highway Star - I'd probably do the same if I had the chance).
Oh, I'm with you on that - even though I love the Olympics (even have a couple of tickets), it IS a big load of bBut what a right palaver!! Guards, police, big buses, road closures etc etc It's not like we really need to promote the Olympics even more than we need to is there? (And this says nothing against you Highway Star - I'd probably do the same if I had the chance).
ks really, but given its passing 500 yards from my desk, I'll have a wander down, just to take the p!ss if nothing else.prand said:
Highway Star said:
Great story, you must have been chuffed!
Coming past work here today, so will be taking an hour or so off to go down and see if I can catch a glimpse.
You know what, I am getting more than excited about the Olympics, and I do understand that this 8000 mile trek is "bringing the light of the Olympics to the people of Britain (and the Republic Of Ireland inexplicably, like a Tour De France special stage I guess).Coming past work here today, so will be taking an hour or so off to go down and see if I can catch a glimpse.
But what a right palaver!! Guards, police, big buses, road closures etc etc It's not like we really need to promote the Olympics even more than we need to is there? (And this says nothing against you Highway Star - I'd probably do the same if I had the chance).
Not much of a palaver really is it. The road closure were short lived and I didn't hear many people complaining about them, mainly beacause those people were standing in those closed roads having a good time.
The "guards" as you put it are people in shorts and tee shirts running alonside the torch and have turned into 'celebities' in their own right.
The Police have been high fiving the crowds as they rode past on theit motorbikes' so they're not exactly acting like East Greman border guards are they.
Carry on sniping if that floats your boat but most people seem to be really enjoying it.
We went into Hertford on Saturday, didn't get there until 10am so couldn't see much due to the crowds. Went for a beer afterwards (at 10.45am 
), sat in the garden of the bar we were in until it started to chuck it down, so we moved onto The Barge.
After 30 minutes or so the Hertford torch bearer walked in the pub to see all her friends who were waiting there. The torch came around and for a donation to charity you could have your photo taken with it so we did Was a good morning and afternoon all in.
), sat in the garden of the bar we were in until it started to chuck it down, so we moved onto The Barge.After 30 minutes or so the Hertford torch bearer walked in the pub to see all her friends who were waiting there. The torch came around and for a donation to charity you could have your photo taken with it so we did
Was a good morning and afternoon all in.It was just so British. So many people turned out in Newport in the pissing rain for a fleeting glimpse and that was it. 
The rain did put the mockers on the carnival and concerts on the common afterwards which was a bit of a downer though. 
Looked on Youtube and there were huge crowds in equally horrible weather in Saffron Walden just down the road.
The rain did put the mockers on the carnival and concerts on the common afterwards which was a bit of a downer though. Looked on Youtube and there were huge crowds in equally horrible weather in Saffron Walden just down the road.
Norfolkit said:
Not about 'promoting' the Olympics though is it (I doubt if many people have missed the fact it's here this year). It's about giving as many people as possible a chance to be/feel part of it and as that, I think they've got it spot on.
Not much of a palaver really is it. The road closure were short lived and I didn't hear many people complaining about them, mainly beacause those people were standing in those closed roads having a good time.
The "guards" as you put it are people in shorts and tee shirts running alonside the torch and have turned into 'celebities' in their own right.
The Police have been high fiving the crowds as they rode past on theit motorbikes' so they're not exactly acting like East Greman border guards are they.
Carry on sniping if that floats your boat but most people seem to be really enjoying it.
Not sniping - just don't really get it.Not much of a palaver really is it. The road closure were short lived and I didn't hear many people complaining about them, mainly beacause those people were standing in those closed roads having a good time.
The "guards" as you put it are people in shorts and tee shirts running alonside the torch and have turned into 'celebities' in their own right.
The Police have been high fiving the crowds as they rode past on theit motorbikes' so they're not exactly acting like East Greman border guards are they.
Carry on sniping if that floats your boat but most people seem to be really enjoying it.
I went to the TR today as I was forced to by work.
It was a good atmosphere and when the thing turned up for a few seconds I will admit that it was quite exciting after having seen it on TV.
Not the kidn of thing I would have bothered to go to of my own will.
What really is worth thinking about is the time and effort that has been put into it - I was in Hampshire today, I think there are 13 district councils as well as Portsmotuh and Southampton City Council - just think thats 14 seperate council deparmtents putting a huge amount of effort into planning this event for the sake of it being in their city for maybe a day. They had to plan road closures, promote the bloody thing and no doubt each Council had many staff on the ground. I saw at least 15 Council staff on the ground in the small area I was in. Way more Police.
Exciting maybe - but very resource intensive, and probably not worth it IMO.
It was a good atmosphere and when the thing turned up for a few seconds I will admit that it was quite exciting after having seen it on TV.
Not the kidn of thing I would have bothered to go to of my own will.
What really is worth thinking about is the time and effort that has been put into it - I was in Hampshire today, I think there are 13 district councils as well as Portsmotuh and Southampton City Council - just think thats 14 seperate council deparmtents putting a huge amount of effort into planning this event for the sake of it being in their city for maybe a day. They had to plan road closures, promote the bloody thing and no doubt each Council had many staff on the ground. I saw at least 15 Council staff on the ground in the small area I was in. Way more Police.
Exciting maybe - but very resource intensive, and probably not worth it IMO.
I took my 5yr old son out for a bike ride and waited on the route at Bexhill, so he could get a glimpse of what he will be paying for with his taxes... waited for over 40 mins while watching its supposed progress live on my phone.
A few police cars and a coach shot past and that was that. They had decided to bus the torch to Hastings.... Felt sorry for all the disabled and OAP's that were waiting for over an hour. Lots of teary kids as well.....
After 30 mins waiting my lad wanted to go so he wasnt bothered in the least. Ho hum!
A few police cars and a coach shot past and that was that. They had decided to bus the torch to Hastings.... Felt sorry for all the disabled and OAP's that were waiting for over an hour. Lots of teary kids as well.....
After 30 mins waiting my lad wanted to go so he wasnt bothered in the least. Ho hum!
With these feet said:
I took my 5yr old son out for a bike ride and waited on the route at Bexhill, so he could get a glimpse of what he will be paying for with his taxes... waited for over 40 mins while watching its supposed progress live on my phone.
A few police cars and a coach shot past and that was that. They had decided to bus the torch to Hastings.... Felt sorry for all the disabled and OAP's that were waiting for over an hour. Lots of teary kids as well.....
After 30 mins waiting my lad wanted to go so he wasnt bothered in the least. Ho hum!
Are you sure you were at a place where the torch was expected to be run? I ask as there is no mention of the route having been amended on the official torch website, nor on the BBC Sussex pages (which is full of pictures of huge crowds), indeed the Bexhill Observer is stuffed only with stories about how well it went today. Could there have been a misunderstanding?A few police cars and a coach shot past and that was that. They had decided to bus the torch to Hastings.... Felt sorry for all the disabled and OAP's that were waiting for over an hour. Lots of teary kids as well.....
After 30 mins waiting my lad wanted to go so he wasnt bothered in the least. Ho hum!
http://www.bexhillobserver.net/
scenario8 said:
Are you sure you were at a place where the torch was expected to be run? I ask as there is no mention of the route having been amended on the official torch website, nor on the BBC Sussex pages (which is full of pictures of huge crowds), indeed the Bexhill Observer is stuffed only with stories about how well it went today. Could there have been a misunderstanding?
http://www.bexhillobserver.net/
I could not find anything pointing to where or if it was being taken by bus. The road was blocked for a procession of police and Olympic vehicles that tooted as they passed. What was very annoying was the "live" video was in fact several minutes off, believing the torch was still in Bexhill when it was already in St.Leonards. I was unaware that there are parts of the journey that are done by bus. Apparently from Hastings to Rye - about 15 miles - is being done tomorrow morning.http://www.bexhillobserver.net/
it seems that Londoners - just like so many other people across the country - actually turned out in their droves to see the torch. Maybe the general populace is not as cynical as the average PHer ???
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2179187/Ol...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2179187/Ol...
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