Team GB arriving 

 I wish I could adequately describe what it feels like to stand in a crowd of thousands at an Olympic games and cheer two girlies home to the first gold medal of the games - amazing. The sound was incredible and the atmosphere wonderful. 
Again for all of you who like detail read on for the rest - you can just look at the pictures!!!

Our view to the finish line 

 We began our day at 6 with croissants and coffee. The coffee was important as we hadn't gone to bed until well after midnight as Debs Josh and Ben didn't arrive back after moving house until 10.45! 




The taxi arrived at 7 to take us to Eton Dorney lake for the rowing. We had a cheerful taxi driver asking us lots of questions about the rowing. As you can imagine we had  detailed notes - made by Chloe in the nest the day before! 

Men's eight practising 

 We arrived at the drop off point along with many other people, arriving on foot, bike, bus, taxi etc.... The organisation was brilliant and ran smoothly all day. We walked straight into security and were checked through airport style. We then continued the walk to the lake. Josh, Debs and Ed went ahead to get our spot. Chloe, Paul and I wondered along at my pace! We collected water and programmes as we progressed.

Alan Campbell surveying the scene 

 Our spot was wonderful - we could see the big screen and hear the commentary. We spread out our blankets and settled to wait. Very soon the rowers were all out on the water practising with the coaches cycling along the tow path beside them. Every time anyone with a GB kit on went past the crowd cheered and clapped! 

The crowds 

 The races began at 9.30 - semi finals to start with. For races team GB weren't in we cheered for random teams! Giving large cheers to anyone at the back! 








We were at the 1750 m point and we could just about see the finish line in the distance. Thankfully we had the big screen on the bank opposite and so were able to follow everything that was going on. 

Me and 2 of my boys 

 Although it was quite a grey day the lake looked very beautiful. The crowds were adorned with union jacks - some literally. The cheering was deafening and must have been an amazing encouragement for our rowers as they hit the wall of sound at 1500m 

Men's eight in action 

Our girlies were in the first medal race. As soon as their names were announced the crowd started to cheer.   Helen Glover and Heather Stanning make up the women's pair. They pushed hard right from the beginning and were out in front quickly. And there they remained for the whole of the race. We shouted and cheered them home! 


We have no pictures as Paul videoed them. 

 It was the most amazing experience to stand in the crowd and listen to the cheering all around me. I was at the Olympics - a dream come true! It made me think back to the days in the hospital when I imagined I wouldn't be here to see this day - wow! 
I am sure I wasn't the only one in tears as the girls crossed the line - GOLD! 

 The next final passed in a bit of a blur - I don't even remember what it was. 


The medal ceremony came next - singing the national anthem with such a crowd was wonderful - everyone singing so loudly. I felt very proud to see our flag at the top of the flag poles. 

Medal ceremony with our flag flying high 

 The last race was the men's eight. Again the cheering was deafening as our boys pulled out all the stops to try and win. They came a gutsy third - bronze hurrah! 






Our thoughts then turned to the rest of the day. Josh and Debs to returning to London to start unpacking. And ours to getting home before the start of the time trial - another chance for gold. 

The big screen with our girlies 

By this time I was exhausted- early starts, long walk, lots of standing and loud cheering had taken their toll. It was a hard journey home. However the organisation was again brilliant. Lots of buses waiting to take people to Windsor, Maidenhead or Slough. All very well organised. We chose to go to Slough to see Debs and Josh off back to London. 

Chloe and Ed 

2 trains and we were home - snuggled in our nest and ready for the time trial which had just begun. We used our well practised cheering again - and wow! A gold and a bronze for our boys. Brilliant!

I have loved my 2 days of Olympic experiences. I am now deciding whether to go and see the triathlon on Tuesday. Chloe and Ed will be on their tandom holiday so we shall see. I may not be recovered by then!!! 

Josh and Debs 

Today we will be in our nest recovering - me knitting and Chloe sewing and Ed supporting! Paul is off to the proms - more cheering! Josh will have his first journey to work - hopefully much better than the 2 hours it has been taking him. Debs will be unpacking and making a home. Ben will be saving the world before going to meet his new girl friend's mum! All is well! I am SO thankful.