2012 Olympics

It’s not long now before we host the 2012 Olympics…. and I’m quite excited….not least  because I am involved with some voluntary work being one of Boris’s ‘Team London Ambassadors’ but because it’s London and I love London and everything it stands for.  Did you know that in the ‘Tourist Destination League’ that London is top and beat Paris, New York, Sidney and Capetown. This is probably because the Olympics are coming to London for the third time and will leave a legacy of a (British Designed) Olympic Stadium  and Veladrome including other venues for future use.  New Jobs and business, 11,000 new homes,  half a million plants and 4000 trees that have been planted which have transformed that part of London that was previously deprived.

The Olympic torch was lit in Greece and arrived in Cornwall last week to start the UK tour. It will end up in London for the last 7 days on the 21^st July. The Paralympics 4 torches represent England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and will come together ending up at Stoke Manderville Hospital (24^th to 29^th August). 

Here are some statistics: 2012 games begin 27^th July – 12^th August.  Transition Period 13^th – 28^th August.  Paralympics begin on 29^th August to 9^th September.  The Closing Ceremony celebrates the achievements of athletes and includes a Handover from one Host City to the next (Rio de Janerio for the 2016 Olympic Games). It also features the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame signaling the end of the Games.  There are 10,500 athletes taking part, 205 Nations and 34 venues.   There are even ticket free events – cycling road events, sailing, triathlon and marathons - you can watch these events along their routes.   

These are the venues:

Olympic Park: Athletics, Aquatics Centre (Diving, Swimming, Synchronized, Modern Pentathlon & Handball (Copper Box), Water Polo Arena/Basketball, BMX Track /Cycling Track (Veladrome), Hockey (Riverbank Arena).

London Venues: Football, Badminton & Gymnastics Rhythmic (Wembley), Volleyball (Earls Court), Tennis (Wimbledon), Shooting (The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich), Athletics & Cycling (The Mall), Gymnastics, Trampoline , Basketball (North Greenwich Arena), Beach Volleyball (Horse Guards Parade), Triathlon, Swimming (Hyde Park, Archery (Lord’s Cricket Ground), Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon (Greenwich Park), Cycling (Hampton Court Palace).

Out-of-London venues: /Cycling (Box Hill & Hadleigh Farm), Football (City of Coventry Stadium, Millennium Stadium, Old Trafford & Hampden Park), Rowing/Canoe Sprint (Eton Dorney), Sailing (Weymouth & Portland), Canoe Slalom (Lee Valley White Water Centre).

I will be quite happy watching events on TV with friends and family…when I’m not fulfilling my duties as a Team London Ambassador.  Volunteers are based around London at one of 43 visitor locations including landmarks, visitor hot spots, travel hubs and big screen live sites.    I am based in Greenwich for one week in August, by the Cutty Sark - the last surviving Tea Clipper that was re-opened just a few weeks ago. Mustn’t forget Greenwich Park, where the Equestrian event is being held. The Park  has been a World Heritage site since 1997 forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which is considered to have outstanding universal value. So come visit!!

Love to you all x.....{Love a fruit always in season -Mother Teresa}

20.05.12

                                

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day…..is one of the better celebrations that we keep…it’s  a celebration of mothers who go unnoticed for doing the hardest of all tasks in life…..raising a child.   I think this is one of the most difficult jobs ever and mothers deserve a day for themselves to be treated, given presents and generally swept off their feet to relax. On mother's day many gifts can be given depending on likes and dislikes – eg. flowers, chocolates, days out, jewellery or even just a card with a nice message.  It is just nice to acknowledge one day!

A Mother’s love! What can compare with it!  It means a life’s devotion and sacrifice….with one thought that her children with grow up healthy, strong and independent.  Is it different to being a mother now to say 30/40 years ago? Probably not.  I had my children in the 70’s. Childcare was non -existent and you had to pay for your child’s nursery place which they couldn’t start till they were at least 3yrs 6mths.    Their school placement started as near to their 5^th birthday as possible depending on school admissions times that took place January, April and September.  It was almost impossible for women to work as the child care was either too expensive or not in place…..unless they used their parents or friends to look after their children.  Free nursery placements are in place now from 3 years old but private nursery facilities are still very expensive. Women often return to work after child-birth but end up paying out nearly all their wages on child care…so they can keep their jobs.  Some companies accommodate women who have returned to work . Although the government now advocates a work/life balance…to reduce stress and lead to a more motivated, loyal staff….it is almost impossible to obtain a part-time job that fits in with school times…unless you work in a school! Schools do offer after school clubs...again you have to pay the price.

My mother did manage to work in a school - term time only. She was an exceptional lady….not in the sense that she was the ‘Brain of Britain’ but she was wise, kind, patient, tender and forgiving.  Her qualities were endless and her listening skills, second to none!  She was my friend as well as my mum.

“My mother succeeding in making me understand a great deal…indeed I owe to her loving wisdom, all that was bright and good in my long night”.

(Helen Keller – 1880 – 1968…from ‘The story of my life”)

I guess we could all say ‘Ain’t that the truth’!

A mother is…..

….the lady who looks surprised when her children bring her breakfast at 5am on Mother’s Day

…..an elegant woman with chewed rusk and the smell of sick on her T-shirt

…..a woman on the beach putting the final touch to a sand version of Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria’s most extravagant castle….while her kids watch

…….a person who stands no nonsense…..well not much anyway!

….a lady who can do a dozen things at once and still find time to kiss a bruised knee better

……a lady who is mild, gentle and kind,  who when confronted by someone  who could harm her children, snarls, attacks, bites, claws and spits them out!!

(Excerpts from a book called  “Mothers”…..A Helen Exley Giftbook…that I bought my mother 20 years ago)

Mums are an interlocking chain that hold the world together……whoever heard of Father Earth!

Well done all you mums….you do deserve the very best.

18/03/12

Moving home!

The ‘Moving Home’ experience is quite something, especially in December.  The weather was kind  (meaning no rain or snow) but by the time we arrived at our new abode it was very dark and cold.  The day started off at 6am with panic because there is sooooo  much to do.  We only knew  at 5.15pm the previous day that we were going to move the following day.  We had suggested to Solicitors that we would like to exchange and move on the same day but thought we would know at least a few days before.  Anyway, there we were panicking to take down bed and box up the few remaining things which you thought would only take about an hour.  Ha! More like 4 hours.  The fridge was still full, the computer still to be boxed up……last minute pots in the garden you had forgotten…..oh…. the list is endless.  Then you have to clean the house before you move……………..windows, ledges, paintwork, floors, bathroom and finally the hall way ….as you leave the property!    The keys have to go to the Estate Agent……you have to say goodbye to the neighbours (who all came out to say Goodbye….…..yes there were tears…….not mine but theirs…..bless!  Don’t get me wrong…… it was hard to say goodbye to my dear old neighbours Gladys  (next door) and Geoff (2 doors away) ……both in their 80’s….They both said when I told them,  a couple of days before, that I was waiting for a date to move……”does that mean you won’t be here for Christmas?” . “Yes” I said……but we will pop in and see you.  We left a Card for the new owners of our old house to give any post to Gladys or Geoff as it too, at least,  5 days for post to be redirected!  So we would be back to collect post from them and have a cup of tea!  We popped in to see them Christmas Eve….so that was nice and will continue to pop in……as they are very interesting people. 

So the experience of your home being torn apart and  removal men flinging and dissecting your furniture to drains not working when we arrived at the new property (ie not being able to run any water or flush the toilet!...oh yes………..for nearly 3 days!  ……so a trip to Leeds Castle toilets …..only 3.8 miles away….was  inevitable….and yes….we only go to the best!!!).  There were boxes and boxes and more boxes …..in a heap!  There were good bits though……..the excitement……the dreams……….getting the keys to the new property……..and then going through the door to a Bungalow that had been empty for about l year with old carpets …old décor…..dust and more dust.  OMG!  It’s time to hit the bottle!

A few weeks in our new abode we have…..Signed with our new GP Surgery and can go to 4 different surgeries within a 4 mile radius and see any of the doctors there (different huh!)….the receptionist did laugh when we registered as new patients…….”you live where”?.....”Kingswood, I said”…….she laughed (or shall we say sniggered) and said……”Oh Kingswood always gets snowed in…make sure you have some extra food in!”……(still laughing as she handed  me  the joining forms).  Oh well, we will see.  We have met some of the neighbours……..met the Gas man…..met Southern Water re drains (yes, they are fine now)……..Met the ‘Meet and Greet’ team at the Council Offices and sorted out with one person in 5 minutes, our ‘Older Persons Pass’, our Council Tax and a few other things…….met an Electrician………met the Plumber who is going to make our bathroom white (instead of Avocado Green) and he may also do the new gas boiler (if the price is right)………..we’ve found B&Q and the local Amenity Tip, (in fact we have been there hundreds of times)…..……but also have found lots of lovely things like…..Farmers Markets that sell fresh eggs and produce……..found a great place to get a Christmas Tree, cut down fresh that morning, with a free Santa grotto and free mulled wine…..…..and some fabulous country pubs!   Haven’t had the pleasure of the ‘local Village hall’….. yet……but…… will do soon as you can do Yoga and Badminton there and with Coffee mornings and WI meetings.... it  should be a hoot!  I certainly intend to join in and have some fun. 

Oh- I haven’t mentioned that we have no land line or Internet yet!!  Got to wait 6 weeks for that!  Yes 6 weeks!  By the time I decided to ‘pull out’ from my provider…..Christmas is upon us and ‘everything closes down for that’!   So decided to stay with what we have signed up to and will pull out later, which I intend to do.   

We have already took out carpets and curtains and have stripped old wallpaper from one room, which actually came off remarkably easy, so we have one environmentally friendly room!  

So moving to the country is a bit crazy………………………………………………..but…… I LOVE IT!!!!

New Year Resolutions:

To empty and get rid of all the boxes in the house!

Not to swear so much, especially when decorating!

To do more painting!

To lay a patio

To lay a new driveway

To try not to enjoy myself so much when leaving home driving down a pretty country lane

To be careful of running over some pheasants!

Last of all to try all the food in the pubs in the area

Wish me luck!

Update:

On second skip! Might have a third one! What's in it I hear you asking........rubble, concrete from old patio, conifer trees that take up half the garden and some stuff found in the garage and concrete from a 23 metre trench that has to be dug to get gas to property. Meeting more neighbours (by the skip)...everyone seems very friendly.  John been playing cards in village hall with locals ( I didn't go!)  but will attend yoga /keep fit classes....but at the moment got enough to keep me fit!

HAVE A HAPPY 2012!