inspired by local enthusiasm

It rained all night and all day. After an early breakfast, we walked along the road to the nearest point on the Olympic torch route. Children had been given the first hour of the day off school so there were brollies and wellies of all shapes and sizes gathering on the pavements. Soon the razzmatazz began. Six police motorbikes passed by, flashing a variety of yellow and blue lights. Free fizzy drinks and sweets were handed to the crowd and brightly dressed staff waved cheerfully from commercial vehicles........Then a long pause, followed by a young girl dressed in white, smiling from ear to ear, carrying the torch.............

The procession was scheduled to pass through Kendal in a loop, so we had time to walk further along the route and join Friends for coffee and croissants while we waited for the torch to pass again. We had time enough to take off our soggy coats and shoes and wait at the window for the procession to pass us again. This time we were indoors and I knew what to expect. Camera at the ready, someone shouted, 'here she comes'. We cheered. Someone clapped their hands and the torch went by in a blur!