Saturday 4th August 2012

Today Gina, Marc & I went to see 4 great hours of Olympic track & field events at the magnificent stadium in Stratford, East London.



We had quite good seats, with good views of the long jump, javellin, the finish line for the 100m & the Olympic flame.



We saw Jessica Ennis competing in the Heptaphlon, here she is just finished the long jump –



The longest race was the womens 3000m steeplechase



This next picture is at the water jump, because it was at the opposite end of the stadium, I actually took a picture of the large screen



Here is Jessica Ennis again, this time taking part in the javellin



Next we saw the Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt (lane 7)



After the events had finished (the pole vault was at the opposite end the stadium, so it was a bit difficult to take decent pictures), we then went up the Orbit – most fortunately it has a lift, as it is 377 feet high!



A long way up, but the views are truly panoramic – the stadium
 


– and the other venues & athletes village



By late afternoon, after one truly amazing day, we made our exit, very tired but also very thrilled by what we had seen !



Gina & Marc, waving on Team GB

Sunday 29th July 2012

This afternoon/evening I went with my friend Charles to see 2 Olympic football games at the national stadium, including the British team.

Olympics at Wembley Stadium: Senegal 2 -v- Uruguay 0



Olympics at Wembley Stadium: Team GB 3 -v- UAE 1



We were joined by some well known VIPs:

 

Sunday 1st July 2012

This afternoon we finally got everyone together to go out and celebrate James’ recent 30th birthday. 



We had lunch at a restaurant, just on the Eton side of the bridge connecting it with Windsor. The weather was reasonably good, and were able to take lots of walks both alongside the River Thames, and up past Windsor Castle, and into the Great Park.

Wednesday 20th June 2012

Taking advantage of the rare sunshine this summer, Gina and I decided to go on board HMS Belfast, the floating Imperial War Museum warship, moored since 1971 on the River Thames, near London Bridge.



The ship was fully commissioned back in August 1939, just in time for the start of World War II. She performed heroically on the Artic convoys to Russia, including taking part in the sinking of the German pocket battleship Sharnhorst, at the Battle of the North Cape, 26th December 1943. Belfast then played an active roll in D-Day (June 1944), and last fired shots in action during the Korean war. 



Here we are taking control on the bridge. We were told that the forward gun turrets could take out our home in west London, so were very careful not to press any buttons!!!

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Tuesday 19th June 2012

Today Gina & I visited the recently refurbished “Cutty Sark”, a “tea clipper” built back in the 19th century, and now in her final resting place, at Greenwich, London.



Whilst the ship is next to the River Thames, it is actually raised up in a dry dock, but in a clever enginnering form that causes less stress to her hull.

Tuesday 5th June 2012

This afternoon Gina & I went to a local street party near our home, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.



There were about 150 people of all ages, with lots to eat and drink, plus games and a live group to dance to. The atmosphere was really great. Many thanks indeed to Ruislip Baptist Church for organizing the event and inviting the whole neighbourhood !

Monday 4th June 2012

Today Gina & I took advantage of a good break in the bank holiday weather, and went for a really nice long walk at Henley. The picture below is at Marsh Lock.


Not quite as exciting as the Queen’s Pageant the day before, but at least it was dry!

Sunday 22nd April 2012

Today we celebrated the 50th birthday (this week), of my brother Simon, and all went out to a restaurant for a lunchtime party.



From left to right; Gina, Marc, Scott, Jonathan, Simon, Alex and James



We all had a really great time, with lots to eat, and wish Simon all the very best for a most happy, healthy & enjoyable birthday !!!



                         Happy birthday Simon !!!

Sunday 1st April 2012

Today I visited Tottenham Hotspur with my son James, and two friends, to see Spurs beat the visitors Swansea 3 – 1.


Here I am talking with ex-Spurs (Captain) and England player Alan Mullery.



James also had a great time, and but is was a shame that my other son Marc could not be with us. Still, the sun shone most of the day, and we won !!!

Sunday 18th March 2012

Today we were forced to make a change of plan, as Gina was just getting over a bad cold. So, instead of eating at the restaurant, we brought the restaurant food to her – next best thing !

This way, Gina was still able to celebrate the day with Marc & James, who also brought her some lovely flowers and a present.