Follow the Flame

I actually put my feelings on another thread yesterday but having found this one started by pompa think this is a better place for it?
I was definitely in two minds whether I could be 'bothered' to walk about a mile or so yesterday afternoon to see the torch go through my home town, but in the end decided to go.
I admit I am not a great Olympics fan - I will watch some bits that interest me and avoid those that don't - but there was such a tremendous atmosphere in town yesterday.
People lining the streets with flags, everyone talking and laughing with those around them (total strangers), people of all ages, The police waving to the crowds (we even had a policeman waving a flag out of the window of the police car!!!), no hint of trouble and a great feeling of community spirit.
It is a piece of history and I now know that I made the correct decision in stirring myself out of my chair!!! There was a definite buzz of excitement.
I would like to say to anyone (like me!) thinking "Shall I? Shan't I?" if the flame comes to a place near you - if I was you I would do it!!! I was out and back in less than an hour and am really glad I went!
.... I am just saying 'If I was you' I would go - am not instructing anyone to go if they don't want to!!!
I agree with POGS - it is so sad that some people just have to spoil others' enjoyment simply because they don't want to join in themselves? I have felt, not so much bullied, but intimidated, when I have responded to some threads, so now I avoid any threads that may result in that happening again.
We are all individuals enjoying different things so let's 'Live and let live' PLEASE????

Pompa.
No bullying tone to me. I do however find the fact each torch cost approx. £495 and there have been 8,000 given out to the runners mind boggling in terms of wasted money. What I don't understand is why they could not have had, say, 5 torches and a form of relay put into place. The torches could have been sold off and all money gone to charity. There value would be very high as they would then be scarce and an object.

I must admit I would not go out of my way to watch it passing me by but I wouldn't mind betting if I was in the right place at the right time I just might. I am sure there are many, many, many things I would choose to do others would not. I have told you before on another forum to enjoy your olympics to which you are lucky enough to have tickets.

I just find it very sad there is going to be a republican demonstration on the jubilee day and no doubt more idiots out to spoil the olympics.

I've bumped it up for you, Milly - it's not just a moaning thread, but a bit of both!

I try to be a good and obedient member of Gransnet, so please could you tell me where the thread is for moaning about the Olympics, I dont want to upset all you enthusiastic lot. I am glad you are - enjoy yourselves, while I grumble. each to their own.

We had to get up hideously early in order to get to Okehampton to see the flame. Collected parents from their flat - one on the mobility scooter and pushed the other in a wheelchair - so that we could get them to the centre of town to see the flame at 8.15 am. So glad that we did, the sun came out and it felt like a summer morning (first of the year) and our two 'oldies' so much enjoyed being part of a crowd of excited children lining the street.

My camera switched itself off just at the critical moment, so no record of the historic moment

@jessM, check out the Park & Ride options on the official website, that's how we are getting there.

And I must plan my journey to the athletic stadium!!!! (the signs on the M40 reminded me to do this yesterday and they are right).
Have a nice day pompa looks like the UK weather is starting to build a bit of high pressure and it might be more sunny as the week goes by.

Good Morning all.
Torch starts it's journey today in Exeter, loops round North Devon to finish in Taunton.

@Goose, please to see you will give it a go, sure you will enjoy the moment. We would never have gone to the London Marathon, had our Son not been running. Fantastic experience, 1,000,000 s of people all enjoying themselves and being nice to each other. Hugh queues for trains and the Greenwich foot tunnel, but not a complaint to be heard, just friendly chatter with people we had never met before. Came home with a real feeling of well being, that still fills us with pleasure when we think about it. If the torch run is half of that it will be worth it (in my opinion ).

And now I know why I rarely voice anything negative. Bye.

Bless you!!

Didn't mean you !

I was being nice jeni ...so why your comment? just curious

and be nice ladies (and gentlemen)

Totally agree JessM ...surprised pompa seemed to be criticised, when you'd already made a similar comment ...actually on the same page!!

Anyway ...moving on...we are all entitled to our opinions/thoughts/ideas

I think some threads are obviously debating threads, and others aren't. They are for a variety of other purposes - support, grumbling, cookery, fun etc. I think it is a little unkind to spoil the enjoyment in some kinds of threads.
If members are having a nice time enthusing about the queen for example, I try to stay away - not go there deliberately to criticise the queen and try to stir things up. If I really want to criticise the monarchy adjourn to, or start, a thread that is debating whether we should be wasting money on the jubilee - fair game to disagree and debate there.

Suppose it is because we think of things under different headings ...it was 'In the news' so that's why you posted there ...while it is also to do with the Olympics ...so posted under sport too!!

Did wonder if we could do with an "Olympics" heading in its own right on the forums as suspect this will happen a lot in the next few weeks? GNHQ ...what do you think??

I suppose it is inevitable that people will not check to see if the topic may already be active ...after all people don't always bother reading previous posts on a thread either, before they post ...oh well, "was ever thus"!

Use the search facility?

How come we have had at least 4 threads about the Olympic torch?
I believe I started the first one under 'In the News' way back at beginning of March.
Is there an easy way of checking if there is already a thread on a particular subject.?

Thanx for that Anagram ...there was me thinking they were 'gifted' them and so was shocked to see them for sale on e-bay!!

Apparently the torch bearers can buy their torches for £199 - £295 (two different prices quoted in separate articles. The organisers insist they're worth around £500.
Some torch bearers have already put theirs on e-bay before they've even done their stint!

goose1964 you must be very near to me since the time in Station Rd, Backwell is approx 6.45 a.m.

Morning Pompa, interesting thread.
The torch passes through my DD's town tomorrow morning at 9.30am, my DGD along with the rest of her school will be there to watch and I'm sure will enjoy the event.
I'm not particularly interested in going myself but the torch passes through my town half an hour later .

Which bit of Bristol are you? Long Ashton?

It will pass within metres of my house on weds (on the main road our road is off) at about 7am - but I will be up & out to see it , whether you agree with it or not it's a once in a lifetime event