Hyde Park

Thursday dawned relatively bright, and the weather forecast was reasonable.   A good day for capturing some of the Olympic atmosphere, in Hyde Park, where there is a BT Open Zone.   

We caught a train from St Mary's Cray to Victoria and then a double decker bus for the short distance to Hyde Park corner.   All very quiet on the roads, and on the bus.

 First stop the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park corner.   This is new, but then maybe not, as I have not visited this area for some years.    Very impressive though, with its curved wall.

 There had been athletes practising the triathlon earlier that morning, and according to stewards it had been mayhem so relieved we were there later on in the morning.  However, we were also told that we could not take food or drinks into the BT Open Zone.  As we were loaded down with a picnic lunch we knew that we would have to wait until after lunch.   The problem was we were there to see the Open Zone, not to visit Hyde Park.

There were plenty of visitors to London, of all nationalities.    And the atmosphere was buzzing.   It was worth a visit to Hyde Park in order to sit on a bench and watch people walk by.    

After a visit to the playground, and a look at the Serpentine Lake, which is part of the Triathlon course, we noticed the large tent selling Olympic souvenirs, at a very high price of course.  But interesting to look at items people were buying.

 There was also a tent, where you could buy, and swap pins.   Very American apparently.

 We then found the Adidas Promotion Tent, which contained many activities.   Perfect for children, and adults too.   Emma and Isabel contemplating the obstacle course.

 Just how high can one jump.    I could hardly get my feet off the ground, but Scott nearly touched the top.

 Jackson practising standing on the winner's block, with boxing gloves and GB flag.   No Australian or German flag there.

 Isabel in action.

 Where else can you put your hand on a guard's back.  

 A group photo with one of the Olympic mascots, either Wenlock or Mandeville.   Fluffy copies of these mascots are available at inflated prices in the souvenir shops.   What happened to Paddington Bear, Rupert or Winnie?

 Coffee, and later lunch, on the lawn, in the sunshine too.   And we managed to eat all our food, and drink our water and soft drinks.    A very pleasant stop.

 I wonder if the high cost of the Olympic Games has resulted in not being able to afford ambulances any longer.   I do not fancy being taken to hospital on the back of a bicycle.   Actually these bicycles are used to give first aid in Hyde Park every day, not just during the Olympics.    Very innovative.

 At last we lined up, in a long queue, to gain entrance to the Hyde Park BP Open Zone.   No drinks, no food, no weapons.    Security was high.   Impressive.    No.    They took all the food and drinks off people, so that they would spend money once inside.   There was nothing inside, except huge screens, and literally dozens and dozens of food and drink outlets, all around the edge of the enclosed area.    It was all promoted by BT and Cadbury's who provided only a few exhibits.  

Yes there were large screens, about three of them, but the high security was a mystery, except to rip the  money off people, who decided to sit and watch the Olympics there.  

 In the BT building there was a hat display, showing some of the hats made for the Major of London's Hatwalk.    There are hats on many famous statues in London, all made by famous milliners.  

And finally a rest in the upstairs part of the BT building.   And free flags.

We walked back to Victoria Station, and went directly to McDonalds for revival drinks and ice creams, cheaper than at the BT Open Zone.   And home on a nearly empty train.

The atmosphere in Hyde Park was worth the visit, and we did watch a few minutes of the Olympics (standing up) showing on one of the big screens, but the BT Open Zone was a big disappointment, especially when you realised it was one big rip off.  

But Steve and Jackson are off to Wembley Stadium today to watch the football, and Emma, Steve, Jackson and Isabel are going to the Olympic Village to see BMX cycling.    Walter and I are going to see the women's marathon tomorrow, free, although we may have to carry a step ladder so that we can see over the heads of the spectators.   So still plenty to do and see.