It?s been an emotional day, this Olympic opening day.
I haven?t bothered much with any sport over recent years, in fact I have avoided it! My father used to have sporting events blaring out of the television during my childhood, while he snored in his armchair in front of it, only waking to say: ?I was watching that? if we dared to change channels.
The same applied to my ex-husband who could watch any match through closed eyelids ?is it any wonder I have not allowed sport on my television for years? And I don?t think that will ever change.
But, this morning, one of my rest days from work, I was just enjoying a lazy cup of tea when the local radio announcement came through that ?Big Ben? would be sounding at 08.12 to open the London Olympics ? as the bell chimed on the radio I was drawn outside where, as I stood in my garden the sound of bells was coming from every direction ? it was an amazing experience ? Big Ben chiming away and all the local sleepy little bell towers in this county, some 100 miles away from London joining in to herald the opening of London?s Olympic Games. It reduced me to tears?.
And now ? some 12 hours later I am about to watch the opening ceremony, which I am sure will be a wonderful, theatrical show for all the world to see?.followed tomorrow by athletes competing for gold medals?.. more sport for me to avoid?.. I don?t think it can beat the truly emotional moment I experienced this morning when local bellringers turned out to show their alliance to their country.
I wish all the athletes well!