Looking back, one of the events which changed the public mood from that of scepticism to interest and then enthusiasm, was I think the Olympic torch relay around the whole country and even beyond. This was far more appreciated than even the Olympic organisers had envisaged, so much so that sometimes crowds were many people deep. This was reflected in London just before the Games commenced so for example, people from the office spent an hour or so at a spectacular viewing position just under Chelsea Bridge as the boats carrying the Olympic torch and flame passed down stream on their way to the Olympic Park.
Locally in SW19 and SW20 too, there were some improvements made for example around Wimbledon Station including the erection of a new and in my view attractive sculpture of a stag facing up to Wimbledon Common, where such animals apparently used to roam - they still of course roam the other side of Putney Heath in Richmond Park:
Local girl Sophie Hosking's gold medal in the lightweight women's double skulls has been commemorated by gold paint replacing the customary red on a local pillar box outside Elys in Wimbledon:
But such local signs though welcome are small compared with, the international excitement, colour and huge interest being caused by the London 2012 Olympic Games, which in my view have had the effect of providing stirring reminders to everyone of human potential and achievement, in times when the general news is otherwise so dire.
The two or three week break from more sobering news has in my opinion been wonderful.
Good!
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