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| Wellington Hanger at Brooklands Museum |
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| Finn in the pilots seat of a jet at Brooklands |
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| At ExCeL for the table tennis |
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| Mens singles table tennis quarter final China v Hong Kong |
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| About to hop onto the Emirates Air Line over the River Thames |
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| Aqua ball in the Docklands Area near ExCeL |
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| Cheering on the cyclists in the time trials race through Surrey |
We have had the most amazing day. To get to ExCeL, we had to catch a train, then the tube (Jubilee line) and then the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). As we were travelling at peak time this morning, as well as with all the people heading out to Olympic venues in the east - when we were on the tube we were packed in like sardines!! That was an experience in itself for Finn.
The table tennis was superb this morning. We watched 2 quarter final matches. The first was between a man from China and a man from Hong Kong. It took 5 games for the Chinese man to win and around 40-45 minutes. The second match was between another Chinese man who was the 2nd seeded player and a Japanese man who was the 12th seeded player. The Chinese man easily won the match in 4 quick games. The second match was less than 30 minutes! Amazing to watch. Very fast and outstanding skills.
As we were so close we diverted off the DLR for a ride on the Emirates Air Line. It's a cable car over the Thames at North Greenwich. It was only about a 5-8 minute ride each way but you got fabulous views around the Docklands area of London. Well worth doing it just for fun.
We made it back to Hersham (Holly's closest train station) in time to see the mens cycling time trials race. The cyclists start 90 seconds apart and race against the clock over a 44km course. We saw Bradley Wiggins whizz past from Team GB and the crowd went wild! He won the gold medal and we watched his medal presentation on the tv very soon after the race had finished. How cool is that?
The crowds at all our events so far have been amazing. They are very supportive of the underdog if Team GB is not in the match, game or event. If Team GB is there, they go wild. I've talked with so many people on the tubes and trains and at events. When I lived here, hardly anyone talked on the tubes or trains. Sports are certainly bringing people together here. We're loving it.
Thanks for following us and commenting on our blog. We love reading your comments - it keeps home close by. Love to you all,
Deb & Finn
Thanks for the photos and commentary. What action full day you both had. The buzzy of excitement comes through your comments. The sardine train would make some Japanese feel very much at home. It must of been hard to make sure Finn was close by when standing on transport - what does he have to hold onto?
ReplyDeleteLooking over the docklands from the Cable car made me think abouthow high above the docklands you were and if you were able to see detail of what was below. Real cool. The table tennis would have been amazing to see the high calibre of players - wonder what the final will be like.
Continue to have lots of wonderful experiences
Lots of love mum
Dear Ms Malcolm and Finn.
ReplyDeleteWe have loved hearing about your trip to the London Olympic games. We have been watching the kayaking, fencing, swimming and rowing. We really liked watching the Queen jump out of the helicopter for the the opening ceremony.
Are you going to go and see any other events like swimming? - Robbie
Why did you want to go to the Olympics? Sean and Lauren
Are there lots of other Kiwi's over there too? Tiara
What was it like to be London when the Olympics opened?
We miss you and love you lots
Love from
Room 8
Hi Room 8,
DeleteWe loved watching the opening ceremony too. Our favourite parts were the Queen with James Bond and Mr Bean playing the music.
We still have tickets for 4 more events. We are going to see the mens 3m diving, Taewkando, the semifinals of the football and the semifinals of the hockey. They are all next week.
We wanted to go to the Olympics because Finn was born in London and the Olympics gave us an extra special reason to come back and visit our friends who are still in London.
There are lots of kiwis over here. We have bumped into lots of kiwis and we've seen people who are wearing NZ t-shirts around too.
It was just fabulous to be here throughout the Olympics because most people are cheerful and happy. It's the start of the school summer holidays and there is so much to see and do with the Olympics. London really is buzzing.
Thanks for following our blog.
From Ms Malcolm and Finn
Hi Deb & Finn,
ReplyDeleteWe have been really enjoying watching the Olympics too! As you have mentioned it has been really nice to talk to other people about what has been happening. Yesterday all the horsey people (my in laws included) were very excited about the Bronze. Chris and I were watching the semi's for rowing last night across the various classes. I'm excited about watching the finals on Friday night to see how the Kiwi's do :-)
Watching the different events I can't help but dream what my family and I could be good at... Some of the athletes are so young 15- 16 yrs old, and already competing at Olympic level... A huge inspiration to all!
We love following you and being involved in your adventures xoxo
Finn,
ReplyDeleteAngela and Chelsy thought the aqua ball looked really cool :-)
Sounds like you are continuing to have so much fun and get the most out of your time away. I showed Aliana the photos and she has made a song up about Aunty Deborah and Finn - really cute.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs
Em
Hi Finn. You must be having fun at the Olympics. Mum and I looking out for you on t.v. Tonight is school disco, I'm going as phoenix player. From Jacob.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time at the disco
DeleteHi Finn,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go there and how did you get in the cockpit in the jet?
I've been watching the olympics at home and just want to be in the crowd!I wish I saw you on the TV!
From Ryan
There were some steps next to the jet. It was super cool.
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