And now it's gone

So my plan never really turned out as I'd expected. Kids wouldn't wake (the only day they decide to lie in 'til 8am - typical!) so R hung back from work to let me race up town and get a glimpse of the flame before it left.

The schedule said 'Leaves Festival Square at 7.08am'. I arrive at Festival Square at 7.03am, just as the torch bearer leaves and sprints up the road. 'Oi, you're early!' I give chase but the crowds, entourage and police presence make things a little tricky. A few shots of the back of the torch bearer with the local lap dancing bar as a backdrop later I decide to give up and head back to the car, all puffed out. Plan B - head them off at The Pleasance.

Got there, got a good spot right next to torch bearer number 12 - a school teacher all the way from Montana - and did not have to wait long for the relay to come into view. I snap away, getting the torch bearers passing the flame and posing for the official photographer. 'Brilliant' I think, give a few cheers then head home as they disappear into the distance.

It is only now I see how awful my photos are and how blurred or shaky they have come out. Don't know what went wrong exactly but they ain't great. So, this is my homage to the Olympics. A crudely photoshopped image of torch bearer number 12 with the flame super imposed from one of the blurry shots.

I'll do better next time it comes to town...