Today the Olympic Torch came through our borough. Like most people in London, I have the Olympic spirit. When I saw that the torch would travel through Holland Park, my favorite park, I knew I had to go. I arrived early to make sure I had a good spot. I sat on the grass for over an hour reading my book. At first the crowds were minimal.
More people started to arrive.
There was a lot of waiting.
A boy with his best friend.
This dog just wanted to take a nap.
Then there was some excitement. Police were telling people to stand aside. It was the big moment. Yes!
Oh wait, they were just telling us the torch would arrive in five minutes.
Before I show the next photo I should inform you of a few things. I am not very tall, 5’ 8”. Furthermore, I am not the type of person to push others out of the way. In fact, I’m the type to get pushed out of the way. When the big moment arrived, I had a shot lined up and then a gentleman (I use the term loosely) shoved me out of his way. I recovered some and then quickly snapped this photo.
I tried again.
I heard many other people complain that they didn’t get a shot at all. Well, folks, I saw it.
Afterwards the crowd moved on to hear the choir performing in front of Opera Holland Park.
Actually, the entire time I was waiting for the torch I could hear the music. All in all, it was a pleasant afternoon. The sun was out, there was a gentle breeze, and everyone was in good spirits. Bring on the events!
50 Year Project 
What a great thing to experience! I visited my sister in London last September, and I agree with you on Holland Park. Definitely one of my favorite parks ever. I was so jealous with all the parks that could be found in London. I live in Dallas, TX, and that sort of green space is rare.
I love all of the parks here! To have little bits of nature inside a large city is brilliant. I’ve never been to Dallas or Texas, but it is on my list of places to visit.
I used to be really really shy, but after years and years of being stepped on (not literally LOL), I have toughened up quite a bit. I would have pushed that “gentleman” right back and jumped in front of him. Well, maybe I might have LOL. Enjoy the excitement of the games!!
The next Olympics you can be my bodyguard.
Okey dokey but you have to provide me with chocolate!! 🙂
Hey, I forgot to mention something, although it might make you jealous :). When the winter Olympics were in British Columbia in 2010, I actually got to hold the Olympic torch when it went through Shelburne, Ontario (the town were I work). I told you nobody gets in my way LOL!!! I even have a photo to prove it :).
That’s so cool! Yes, I’m jealous, but also very happy for you! I would love to see the photo. What a great memory.
Yea! Good for you! Now I’ve seen the torch through your eyes. And love the shot of the boy and his best friend. And the dog. And frankly, I’d have expected better manners from a British “gentleman”.
I’m not sure that he was British. Actually, I meet very few Brits in London. When I first arrived I was amazed by how few I met. Now I’m used to it. I loved the boy with his best friend. He picked him up at the end so it wouldn’t get trampled.
You will always remember where you were that day when the 2012 Olympics were inaugurated. I wished I could have been there. May the best win!
Thanks Valentina…Here’s to a competitive and fun Olympics.
Spot on!
Wow, what an experience.
I hate being pushed aside but I’m also more of a pushee rather than pusher and it drives me crazy. We’re living in a society here, people!!
I know! It can get frustrating. I just don’t have the pusher quality in me.
Hi TBM! Excellent photolog of your day with the Olympic torch! Cool expereince! I especially like the boy and his best friend! Was this the day that Rubert Grint (Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley) ran with the torch?
I don’t think so, at least I didn’t see his name on the list. But I could be totally wrong.
Ah nice!!!!!! You were there, close by! 😉 Yes, I’m starting to get into the spirit of things too.
It is such an exciting time…I can see why you are getting into the spirit of it!
I’m glad that you got a photo. I think I would have been thrilled beyond words just to see the torch 🙂
It was exciting to see it and to be around the crowd was fun.
great photos! how fun to have seen the torch, especially in Holland Park, which I just love (so glad you were still able to get the shots of the torch!!)
Holland Park is awesome! Thanks.
How exciting! I think you got some excellent shots given all the hustle and bustle. Did you learn who it was carrying the torch?
Do you have any tickets to the events? During the Atlanta Olympics I went to fencing and tennis.
A young woman, who goes to school in the area was carrying the torch. They mentioned her name, but I couldn’t hear it. I don’t have any tickets but we hope to attend some of the free events and some of the festivities. Fencing would be fascinating to watch and I love tennis.
Despite the rudeness of that member of my sex I am glad that you had a good time and were able to witness this. That is pretty special. I’m so looking forward to spending time watching all the Olympic events that I can over the next few weeks. Should be fun!
It was a good time. And don’t worry Carl, I’ve been pushed by women as well. This particular instance a man pushed me, but some women can be just as rude. I don’t know if they actually realize they are doing it…I hope not because that makes it worse. Enjoy the Olympics!
What a great opportunity. I love all kinds of events. I would have been there early as well. I also like watching people. Some can be very rude but there are more that are not. Thanks for sharing this special event from your camera lens.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
For the most part, everyone in the crowd was just enjoying the event and having fun. I love people watching. Sometimes I get caught up in that and forget the reason I’m there.
That’s just awesome. You may not have gotten the shot you wanted but you got one. And you got to see the Olympic Torch!!! 🙂
It was a once in a lifetime thing and I really enjoyed it. Thanks Susi!
This is great and so nice memories… Good Luck for these exciting days… I loved your photographs, Thank you dear TBM, love, nia
Thanks Nia.
What an adventure. Glad you could take one quick photo. This is for life remember!
I’ll never forget it. Thanks!
I loved this little story and all the pictures. Not so much because of the torch but simply all the little snippets of people watching and the sort of lazy day dream feel to it all. I also like the boy with his best friend.
I am with you about being the person to get pushed out of the way – it’s not so much that I get pushed out of the way but more that it’s though I’m invisible. For example standing in a bookshop (where else) scanning the shelves for another must buy (as you do) – and obviously you don’t stand right up to the shelf with your eyes 2 inches away from the title – and somebody just literally came and stood in front of me! I actually stood speechless for about 30 seconds probably with my mouth gaping open like a fish – some people are just so rude!
Thanks
Lynn:D
I can’t believe someone just stood in front of you. I hope they were just totally clueless and not completely rude. But you never know. Some people think they shouldn’t have to wait and be polite. I know what you mean about being invisible. I feel that way a lot here in London. Maybe I should start wearing really bright outfits so people don’t bump into me or push me out of the way.
So cool to be that close to the torch! What an experience. It’s terrible, though, that you got shoved.
At least now I have the story that I was shoved during an Olympic event.
That is one of the frustrating parts of trying to take pictures at a popular event. Someone’s head undoubtedly gets in the way as the shutter clicks.
I was having that issue today while photographing the cycling. I would get someone’s head or camera in the shot.
That is so totally cool that you saw it!!! The pictures were great even if not the perfect one you wanted—you can still tell what it was!!! Awesome! Our son is tweeting from the Great Britain vs Senegal game!!! I am very jealous of both of you! Enjoy while we enjoy from our living room!
How cool! I hope he is enjoying his time here. I love London!
I love, love love the Olympics!.. what a nice outing in a comfortable setting and to see the Torch go by! It makes it all more real doesn’t it?!
Yes it does. I hope you enjoy Desily!
I love the boy and his best friend…so cute. If I’d been there I’d have shoved that man right back. Oh and BTW – you are already part of history – ours !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah, thanks Jo. You are always so sweet. The little boy made me smile. I love children and their playfulness.
I love that boy and his best friend photo…so cute 😉
I envy you for living in that city right now 😉
Do keep posting about the Olympic 🙂
I’ll do my best about posting Novroz. I don’t have tickets to any of the events, but I’m trying to go to the free events and to be part of the celebrations around town. I’m really lucky to be living in London right now.