Proud to be British,

Up early to see the Torch go through Teddington Lock. Didn't bargain on the thousands of others with the same idea. With 45 minutes to go, I had the best view. As the torch pulled into the Lock, I had the masses, lamp poles, waving flags, stewards and a rather disturbed and (I guess) lonely old boy next to me with zeros social skills, who thought is was mildly amusing to copying me leaning right over the barrier to gain a vantage point.

So the plan was, I'd give you a taste of Olympics essence. But having watched the opening ceremony, nothing I could have taken of the 'Glorianna' and it's precious cargo could even come within a drive and a putt of Danny Boyle's spectacular. So instead, you get the throngs that surrounded me.

As to the opening ceremony, something I have never been a fan of, I eat my words and change them to ...Stupendous.

"Top that!" I heard people saying.
I'm thinking no.
I'm thinking, if Mr Boyle does not hear the words,..."Arise Sir Danny" in the next couple of years, then I will, as my grandfather used to say, "....go to the foot of our stairs!"

Never was sure what it meant or where it came from, just that it was said in moments of great disbelief. Never knew what was hidden at the bottom of our stairs, just knew I could never see it and it always spooked me.

Anyhow, might start a campaign to ensure it does happen.