The Olympic flame came to my town today

[RowleyBirkinQ.C(deceased)]

And it was bloody brilliant. I now live in Southend-on-sea and myself, kids, wife and inlaws walked the whole torch route to the seafront. The crowds were massive and the excitement was palpable. Whole schools, and every generation of families were lining the route. The high street was packed out with people waving the union flag, despite the rain everyone had a smile on their face. The torch came down, a choir of possibly a thousand struck up


And the flame came past us again, to much cheering and fanfare. It bought a shiver to my spine as I told my 2 little ones that this was a once in a lifetime experience. Even my farther in law, a hardcore cynic was moved.
So to all the Olympic haters, to the people moaning and taking the piss that this country will make a Prat of itself with the world watching, I say this.
I know it cost shit loads in our troubled economic times, but it's a once in a lifetime experience that will unite our country. Hope you enjoy it back in Brighton on the 16th as much as I did today.

 

[elbowpatches]

In Cambridge today and St Ives tomorrow morning so might go down there.

Had the torch from 2012 and from 1948 in the classroom yesterday so the children are very excited.

Once in a lifetime, enjoy it!

 

[footychick]

Great stuff. We're hoping to go to St Ives to see it tomorrow.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Can't say the same. Iwas going to watch it recently anywhere between Crewe,Congleton and Macclesfield i checked with Cheshire Police the route and i know it well advice avoid town centres but once on the open road you will be fine. Not so reached the edge of Crewe into the back of a van to be driven to the outskirts of Congleton and repeated thereafter. Surely a relay is continueous ? Don't get me started on the celebs/corporate that have hi-jacked there way in. I have more time for this guy than any of them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18594300

 

[Nibble]

Don't you have to have a ticket to see it in Brighton. What a joke.

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

Don't you have to have a ticket to see it in Brighton. What a joke.

Nope, its only the evening "celebration" at the Probiz you need a ticket for, even then they were free. The roads the torch is being carried on can be lined by anyone for free.

 

[Nibble]

Ah good! Tha Argus made out that you had to go and queue for your free ticket for the whole event. Lovely, I shall enjoy that then. Thanks

 

[RowleyBirkinQ.C(deceased)]

I thought this had sunk without a trace. Go see the flame people, you'll be swept up by the whole experience.

 

[Return of the Rev]

ITS A COMING PAST OUR HOUSE DURING THE HOVE LEG!

 

[Jameson]

View attachment 32985

And it was bloody brilliant. I now live in Southend-on-sea and myself, kids, wife and inlaws walked the whole torch route to the seafront. The crowds were massive and the excitement was palpable. Whole schools, and every generation of families were lining the route. The high street was packed out with people waving the union flag, despite the rain everyone had a smile on their face. The torch came down, a choir of possibly a thousand struck up
View attachment 32986

And the flame came past us again, to much cheering and fanfare. It bought a shiver to my spine as I told my 2 little ones that this was a once in a lifetime experience. Even my farther in law, a hardcore cynic was moved.
So to all the Olympic haters, to the people moaning and taking the piss that this country will make a Prat of itself with the world watching, I say this.
I know it cost shit loads in our troubled economic times, but it's a once in a lifetime experience that will unite our country. Hope you enjoy it back in Brighton on the 16th as much as I did today.
View attachment 32987

Brilliant. It comes to my town on the 17th July and I'm even wheeling out my old dad for the occasion. If it's half as good as your experience, I shall be chuffed.

 

[BLOCK F]

Looking forward to the Olympics,but can't get excited by one of many Torches being carried down the road .See it on the ruddy news everyday day.Seen one and you've seen 'em all!

 

[elbowpatches]

Great build up in Cambridge and Parker's Piece was busy but like a sodden Glastonbury field. Just missed Iwan Thomas with the torch due to littl'un struggling to stay awake but the flame is here! As for getting up to see the flame around Trinity College then punted on the Cam at 6.45? Not so sure for me.

 

[elbowpatches]

Great stuff. We're hoping to go to St Ives to see it tomorrow.

Hope you are getting up early. 7.55 in the morning it is passing through St Ives

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

I too saw it go down through leigh on sea on the way to Southend. 'twas packed and was indeed more exciting than I thought possible.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

Hope you are getting up early. 7.55 in the morning it is passing through St Ives

Not to mention the bloke with forty wives clogging up the roads in and out.

 

[footychick]

ignore

 

[footychick]

Hope you are getting up early. 7.55 in the morning it is passing through St Ives

We're watching it in Huntingdon now and have to leave the house at about 7.00!

 

[elbowpatches]

Not to mention the bloke with forty wives clogging up the roads in and out.

40 wives? I thought it was 7 (and only the narrator was going to St Ives). Stranger things have happened in the Fens I'm told by locals further south.

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

Looking forward to the Olympics,but can't get excited by one of many Torches being carried down the road .See it on the ruddy news everyday day.Seen one and you've seen 'em all!

I can't agree with that. it was a really nice community experience seeing it pass through Dunchurch with the family last week. Even if the torch was being carried by some random Italian bloke called Leonardo! He looked chuffed to bits though.

 

[Djmiles]

Happened to stumble across the torch in Birmingham last week by complete chance. We were getting a taxi from Dudley to Birmingham, and thought we would miss it completely. When we got near Brum, we turned left at a T-junction and before we know it, we're driving past hundreds of people lined up on the side of the road. We then get stopped by the police who tells the taxi driver to pull over and stop. Next thing, there is a massive convoy and the olympic flame runs past literally about 1 yard away. Brilliant experience!