As I might have mentioned before, I am a British Army brat. Born in West Germany, due to my Dad being there at the time occupying. Luckily for me, existence-wise, Mum had been allowed to trail along with him and it all turned out all right. In my opinion.
So, pure Jock but totally British is what I was born and is what I remain. And one of the British Olympians in the first Paralympic games in 1948 was one of Dad’s fellow officers who carried on despite having had various bits blown off him in the service of our country. I will always be proud of the fact that I had the privilege to meet him.
It follows that today was a bit special. I really do care about the fact that the Olympic Games are taking place in my country and Capital this year and I really don’t care if anybody else wants to get torn-faced about that, for any reason whatsoever.
Up at 6.30 am this morning to watch the Torch leaving Embra from a point adjacent to my place of work.
She is 49 years old and has MS. Before that, she was a mountaineer. This year, she hopes to get to the top of Ben Nevis in her wheelchair with Harmony, her carer dog.
I love my country and the people therein.
Boadicea's Chariot 
JM, I imagine quite a lot of Scots share your feelings. It would be a bugger trying to redsesign the Union Jack without St Andrew if the vote went against you, so let’s hope it’s ‘no change’.
Morning John
Good for you. I know exactly how you feel!
You may remember that I was oft the loan supportive voice for our hosting of the 2010 world cup, amongst a pack of naysayers, critics and neer-do wishers.
Well, we proved them all wrong and as I drive on our new roadways (drove on one yesterday) and look forward to my visit to our magnificent new stadium¹ for the England clash next Saturday I can sit back and marvel at not only the wonderful tournament that we hosted but the legacy left behind.
¹ I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve enjoyed our new stadium during its short life, well into double figures and counting 🙂
Are we actually sure these bloody games are British?
From their presentation I thought they were pretty exclusively English?
I can’t say any of my friends in Wales are too interested except to give thanks that they are very far away!
Hi CO.
Yes, I am absolutely sure that these ‘bloody games’ are British.
Your friends in Wales are, of course, entitled to their opinion but it would appear that there are others within either the former Principality or the present boundaries of Wales who are, at the very least, reasonably interested.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/useful-information/fun-stuff/photos/2012/05/30/gallery-the-olympic-torch-and-its-full-journey-through-wales-91466-31075920/
‘To each his own’ works fine for me. .
Funny, knowing that lot they more likely turned out to see the carriers not the torch!
And a cheap excuse to go down the pub.
If it ain’t rugby it seriously doesn’t happen in Wales. You should have seen the place in February when they won the Triple Crown. I was there and there were more people out and about than that by a long chalk.
As you say, each to his own providing that all you who want it are prepared to pay for it, why we should is beyond me.
No, no no. These are a London games, a metropolitan games. At the openng and closing ceremonies we will see collages of ‘multi-culteral’ London, and ‘ethnically diverse’ London with not a clog, leek or haggis in sight and when it’s all over the infrastructure remains in London.
Good luck to our athletes, but I shall not be boosting Auntie BCC’s viewing figures.
OZ
Hang on a moment all, it’s called Team Britain, but I share your doubts. I suppose we have to make the best of it, but I’m dreading it, frankly.
‘culteral’ instead of ‘cultural’. The shame of it.
Sob !
OZ