The start of the day 

Our early morning crowd 

The crowd increasing in size 

Alistair out in front and Jonny just behind 

Stuart Hayes - his work done for the boys 

Last lap for Jonny 

Gold and bronze - wow! What an amazing day. We will never forget it. 

Again for those who like details! 

We began the day at 6.30 catching the train to Richmond. We had packed our bags the night before with a picnic breakfast, picnic lunch, plenty of water and juice, hats, coats, wet trousers, picnic blanket, cushion, books, magazines, kindle, ipod, umbrellas, suncream, hats - all you could need for a day out in british weather! 
At Richmond we caught the tube to Hammersmith intending to change and get a tube to Hyde Park Corner. That is when it all started to go wrong. There had been a signal failure on the picadilly line. It was chaos. There was no-one on the platform to help and tubes sitting  stationary and crowds and crowds of people all trying to decide what to do. We met a lovely young mum and her little boy also going to the triathlon and equally confused. We eventually found an underground employee  who helpfully directed us to a bus to take us to Hyde Park. We traipsed out to the bus station expecting it to be packed but it was fairly empty and we easily got on a bus. Thankfully the young mum suggested a good place to stand to watch the triathlon and we headed to that spot. It was perfect. Diagonally opposite the transition area where the triathletes get on and off their bikes. We could see the stands, the pontoon where they jump into the water, the first 500m of the swim was in front of us, the first bridge they ride across and the pathway for the run was immediately in front of where we were sitting. We spread out our blanket and settled in. It wasn't too busy and we chatted to the people around us - a mum and daughter from Yorkshire, a husband and wife and their son (triathletes themselves)from Weymouth, a couple from Germany and a group from Spain. I went off to the toilets and when I came back the crowds had grown considerably to about 30 deep. I had to search quite hard to find Paul! I was grateful for the Spanish family in their red hats and flags. 

We couldn't hear any commentary which was a shame but people had phones, ipads and radios to update us. The race began by the triathletes diving into the water from the pontoon - the water looked icy cold. We could see their little heads bobbing up and down and lots and lots of splashing. The crowd were cheering especially loudly as they came in-front of us. The swimmers quickly spread out and headed back down the lake. After what seemed a very short time they were climbing out of the water and heading for transition. We could just see them in the distance running to their bikes, tearing off their wet suits and hats as they ran. They grabbed their bikes and helmets and settled into the cycle ride. 5 riders were out in front which included our 2 Brownlee boys. We could see them riding across the first bridge of the cycle ride. We settled down to wait for them to return to transition after their first circuit. In no time (just over 10 minutes I think) they were back and off again to repeat the next lap. We then heard that Jonny Brownlee had picked up a 15 second penalty for getting onto his bike too early. There was a shocked silence as we worked out what that could mean. Lots of discussion later the family next to us - who are triathletes explained that it would mean that he would have to stand in a penalty box for 15 seconds at some point during the run. They continued the cycle ride, the 5 riders being joined by another 17 at the front. Stuart Hayes part of team GB went to the front taking the brothers with him. It was wonderful to see the 3 boys riding at the front. They entered transition for the last time on the bikes and jumped off their bikes, pulling off their helmets and putting on their running shoes. Very quickly they were off again and we got ready knowing they would soon be running right in front of us. The crowd all pushed forwards  and we were soon surrounded by cameras and phones as everyone tried to get that one amazing picture of our boys. As they rounded the bend the sound was deafening - cheering, shouting, horns, people calling out their names, flags waving.. I could see on Alistair's  face that he was encouraged by the cheering. I turned to Paul and said that we would never forget this moment in this crowd cheering our boys. Another forever moment! 

They continued the run - huge cheers going up as Alistair, Gomez and Jonny pulled away from the rest. After the third entrance into the transition we waited with bated breath for Jonny to appear from his penalty - he did it running out still in third place. The last lap and Alistair had managed to leave Gomez and he rounded our bend well in the lead - the smile showing on his face he knew he had done it with 1km to go! We could just see the finish line and watched cheering loudly as he crossed the line and then collapsed onto the ground waiting for his brother to arrive. he came in in third place and collapsed into his brothers arms.We had intended to wait for the medals but heard that Jonny had been taken to have some medical help. So we left to make our journey home. 

We again returned to Hammersmith by bus - me to come home and Paul to go to the Proms. 

I arrived home absolutely exhausted - my joints are very sore and I am so tired. I had to crawl up the stairs to bed but I am so very happy. I have been to the Olympics - 3 times! I am so grateful. 


More photos later