Olympic Flame in Abingdon-on-Thames
I am not a morning person so it was quite an effort to get up early and walk to a viewing point to watch the Olympic Flame Show pass through. I was staggered to see the numbers that turned out. This is a compilation of shots from two cameras, wielded my wife and myself.
We had plenty of notice that the Flame was coming.
45 minutes before the procession was due - the crowd gathers......
Looking down towards the town, half an hour to go....
Building up - people choosing their best spot. At this point we decided to cross over the road as my eyeline had become obscured by a very large gentleman in dark clothes.
Someone had gone to a lot of trouble;
First arrivals - the motorcycle outriders. Those that followed rode close to the crowds giving 'low fives'.
The procession builds up.
Not sure who the cyclists represented but there were quite a few,
likewise scooterers.
The next few are bound to be out of order.
There were mascots being waved out of windows - this one was waving back;
this one wasn't.
There were buses,
and more buses,
sponsors' buses - they were handing out small free bottles of toothrot from this one -
buses with people inside,
and one with people (almost) outside.
and one with people definitely outside.
I'm not sure when this one appeared but about then it started to drizzle - no shine anywhere.
At last, the flame
carried with courage by a young pupil from a school for the disabled and a carer,
... a very proud moment for both of them - well done son!
So the small lady I had parked myself next to put up an umbrella and I put a plastic bag over my camera for this last shot, of the crowd starting to leave.
I had originally thought that I might try to find a vantage point in the town, but I'm very glad I didn't, judging by the many hundreds of people who turned out where we were, well into the outskirts. So this is our participation in the Pageant. Bye for now.
PS Here's a funny thing - the second time this has happened - when adding a photo and editing, the first photo in the blog has disappeared. I've justy had to re-enter it. Any ideas anyone?
Best regards,
Steve
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Great blog Steve,lovely pictures as well as good narrative.It was throwing it down with rain when it came here so i didn't bother to go and see it.Well done and thanks for sharing.
Ron.
My gallery www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/599723
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Hi Steve a super photoblog of a wonderful thing that is happening up and down the country and you have captured it brilliantly thanks for sharing best wishes BoB.
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Smashing blog, Steve. Your pics and narrative really set the scene of the morning's proceedings. Amazing isn't it, how so many people turn up to watch the Torch go by wherever it goes? It was the same for us three days earlier and it made for a great atmosphere. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. I've really enjoyed looking at your resulting blog, anyway. Thanks for posting and sharing your pics.
Diane.
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Loved the wry comments as well as the pics.
Did you know that one of the ingredients on the side of a "toothrot" can is the principal ingredient of toilet cleaner?
Alan - Parky54
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Lovely blog Steve, When it came to my town it was 8am on a sunday morn, I got up early too, glad I did tho. Looked exacly the same, police outriders, toothrot bus etc lol. Thanks for the pictures, I did'nt have my new camera then, and that big shiney thing in the sky was shineing!! Whats it called now, oh yeah the SUN!
Reagrds, Sue
sue hurst
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Great blog Steve, love the commentary.
Flickr - 52 with a 50 Blog
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Hi Steve
I too was amazed at the numbers that have turned out (some very early too). It's nice to see it well supported and thought of. Smashin photoblog Steve, a cracking commentary too. glad you were able to post it without too much difficulty.
Thanks
Steve
My gallery: http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/117
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Thanks for sharing your pics, Steve and the great commentary. Luckily, I had sunshine for two of the three times that I took my photos. Think the people on the bike & scooter belong to Lloyds TSB...they provided some entertainment when I was at Ashbourne. A brilliant record of the day.. thanks...
Sheila x
What if the Hokey-Cokey really is what it's all about??
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Hi Steve. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos. It looked a good turn out to see the torch go by. Worth getting up early for to get these photos. Geoff and myself have tickets for the Olympics so we are looking forward to being part of the atmosphere. Thanks again for posting. I enjoyed viewing
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Hi Steve, a great blog, thanks for sharing it. Like ours it was another great day for you as well. Isn't it fantastic seeing so many people so enthusiastic going to see the Flame as it goes around the country.
Thankyou for sharing your day with us. I will never forget my sighting of it. Pam.
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Excellent shots, Steve - I saw that little lad on the news, I think the emotion of the day was a bit too much for him!
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Lovely blog Steve showing the build up and the events of the day, it looks very well supported by the crowds, I enjoyed your commentary of the event, with great photos.
Thanks for posting this super Blog
Colin
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