People, I've been high on the opening ceremony all weekend. Bonkers-tastic, wasn't it? I'd have switched Macca for Bowie singing Heroes (live) as the grand finale but that's my only gripe. As you can see, London has been overcome by Olympic fever. Here are some lovely ladies I met at the Olympic Torch relay the other day, when my excitement was just about under control. Now I've upgraded to full-blown 2012 hysteria, and it's only day two. Lord knows what I'll be like when it gets to the men's 100m final.
So, today in the spirit of the Games, me and the Blog Widower had our very own road race. We cycled over to the London's East End, just a few miles away from the Olympic Park. As you can see at this point I was trailing Mr That's Not My Age but that was purely for the photo op. And I have got a Mark Cavendish-style finish.
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| Mr TNMA on his bike. |
Even the fabulous Georgian houses in Spitalfields are flying the flag.
I feel an affiliation with this part of the city, my mum was born not far from here - although the family was evacuated up north during the Blitz, I still like to think of it as part of my heritage. Like most London districts, the East End is a mixture of grit and glamour:
The race ended at Columbia Road flower market, where, like proper cyclists we quaffed some caffeine. And like proper mid-lifers, bought some lovely lavender for the balcony.
Then I snapped some random photos of stylish people of a certain age:
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| Oh-so dapper yellow chinos. |
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| A khaki waterproof. Sensible move. |
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| Nice titfer (that's Cockney rhyming slang for hat). |
Hope you're having a good Sunday. I'm off to catch up with the Olympic action, so I'll leave you with some pretty flowers.
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| Peonies: my favourites. |
18 comments:
Nice to see Columbia Road flower market - I used to be a regular there with my mum, coming home with more flowers than we could manage. I'd love to be in London right now - I imagine it looks fab and what an atmosphere. My aunt lives in Hackney and said fireworks and red arrows display was magnificent. Enjoy!
Great photos - I was up there in May and went to Columbia Road. Feel the same affinity as my father was born and raised in the East End. It still has a community feel unlike many parts of London.
Agree about Macca and Bowie - really can't stand the former and his whole attitude!!
love these photos, wish I was there x
Oh, it must be so exciting to be there right now, watching the rest of the world come to you. Have a wonderful time!
Thanks for the tour! I think London is doing a fabulous job...i loved the opening ceremony...except...NOT ENOUGH PAUL MCCARTNEY!!! The special effects and new Bond girl were amazing!
You must feel so proud of your city right now! These behind-the-scenes photos are marvelous. And great to learn a new word - titfer.
How fun - thank you!
Wasn't it fab (apart from the dreadful Macca)? xxx
I am totally " out " from all the festivities, lacking the TV.
What´s this Macca/ Bowie business about?
Although I move with the camera in town too, I don´t " see " as interesting looking people as you do.
But, then I´m just an amateur photographer on everything.
Spitalfields is in an incredible area, it's ages since I've even out that way, I love the history of all of London's different areas.
Brilliant idea! Bowie's "Heroes" was fabulous for the GB team entry, but would have been perfection performed live at the end!
Plus...it's a song from the athletes' time, and actually has relevance to the occasion. Macca made me feel sad.
Love Spitalfields + Columbia Road. Can't wait to visit when I return to the UK next week after 12 years living in Spain. Can't wait!
Great photo's!
Elle
So . . . tit for tat, rhymes with hat? That Cockney rhyming slang fascinates me -- tougher than the cryptic crosswords, no?
Thanks for the exuberant photos -- you must all be having such fun!
Looks like so much fun. Wish I were there!
This is a great post. Love all your shots. Xxxx
Love these pictures.. Thanks for giving us "yanks" a photo journey into your lovely country.
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