Just read this online, and it seems to be a fitting summary to the London olympics. I had become very much an olympic sceptic in the build-up to the games; constant upheaval in the city made my job hell, and never-ending references to the games on the TV, radio and in the papers proved more annoying than informative. But my mind was changed completely as I watched the opening ceremony. What was supposed to be a budget olympics was looking pretty bloody good. And as the games rolled on my sense of national pride started to grow. Even the transport nightmare I was certain of failed to materialise. But it hasn't been the organisation or the tremendous efforts of the athletes themselves that has made me sit slack-jawed in front of the goggle box, it's been the crowds. For a famously reserved nation, we've made a hell of a noise
Figaro there were transport issues, some quite big but bar one nothing seemed to made it in to the news. After opening ceremony people could not get on to a train for quite some time. In certain way to be expected as all were leaving at the same time but on the other hand it was to be expected as all were to leave at the same time. I had few friends who went to see it all said the same and in my hotel entire Malaysian team, French football team and few other teams were staying plus LOwCock organisers who came to hotel from ceremony about 4am all complaining about transport. 3 more times I know off during Olympics there were tube failures due to signalling problems as I had plenty of staff members stuck in trains/tube unable to commute to work on time. There were huge traffic jams in London but I was just riding around them while on Saturday got so pissed off with them I used Olympic lanes from excel. Mate living almost next to Olympic village had his car towed twice away (despite having permit to park during Olympics as he is disabled), granted he was apologised as it was mistake, was not charged and second time they even delivered the car back . Who knows what else. I still think it went quite well and was a good show what was disappointing was like you said the constant brain washing about oncoming Olympics, it had put people off before it even started.
I'm in and around London by van virtually every day, and in the build-up to the olympics I had problems getting around. But once under way I've not had any problems at all, nor heard any from any of my commuter friends You may not be familiar with an age-old english phrase - 'Swinging the lead'...
And the closing ceremony was every bit as enjoyable as the opening ceremony. The organisers and staff and all the volunteers should be very proud of themselves.
Anyone else notice that Prince Harry was introduced as Prince Henry? - no wonder he was looking pissed off.
Some defo were doing that but for some calling well they would have to have train/station announcements ready to play in background just to come 45min late. If that was the case they deserve the 45 min for commitment. Re traffic for example each time there was an event at Wembley stadium they were closing the road you could normally use (A479) to get to Harrow road that goes to A406, why no idea but they did. All that did is jam A479, A4089 and A4088 all the way to A406. It also increased traffic on those small side roads where kids reside. The Highway road next to tower bridge had permanent lane dividers fitted so you could not turn from left lane right or from right lane left in to any side road and as it is one lane only permanent traffic just to gain access.
I went up and down the Highway a dozen or more times, out to Wembley a couple of times, and into the olympic village every day for a week, and encountered less traffic than on normal days. Guess you were unlucky or I was lucky. Getting to the west end, my normal stomping ground, was an absolute piece of piss, much quicker than normal.
reply to Figaro. "Err...that's his name. Harry's a nickname". Really??.....news to me. Blimey, you're right - Wikipedia is rather good isn't it?
Well west end was better but as I now live in Wembley I can tell you those two weeks on event days only were he'll to get out, even if I never seen a sign on A406 saying Olympic lanes for Olympic traffic only.
Early acts were rubbish but it did get better. And Jessie J? I would tear the back out of her no problem :biggrin:
Knew nothing about Jessie J until last night. What I learned was: She is responsible for that hideous song about it not being about the money, money. Which I've always taken to be irony. She's got a great body. She can really sing. In fact she makes a miles better Freddie stand-in than Paul Rodgers who is absolutely rubbish. Jessie J & Queen? That could have some mileage.
Totally agree, I was surprised how good she was. Actually very impressed, and the musical part of her performance was OK as well :biggrin:
I did not like Jessi J all in. Do mot like her singing but that is down to fact I do not like that style of music. Her voice is good none the less. I hated her standing up for Queen as that specific song is not about the lyrics or about the tune it is about lyrics sang in specific way with the tune. She did not do it so it sounded rubbish to me. Who is Paul Rodgers
