Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park

On Saturday, Jackson and Isabel and I visited the revamped Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park, which opened on the 4th April.  

As well as retaining some of the sports facilities such as the Velodrome and Aquatic Centre, the main area has been landscaped with walks, cycling tracks, seating, garden beds, trees, small cafes, and a huge playground.  The main stadium looks a little neglected, as plans have not been finalised for its use.  Amazingly two or three railway lines wind their way through and around the park without detracting from it.

And for us the park is only a half hour easy drive away, providing there are no holdups on the A2 or at the Blackwall tunnel.   On Saturday  afternoon we drove there without a problem, and parked in the carpark at the Westfield Shopping Centre, which is opposite the park.  I think there is a desiginated carpark for the park, but we missed the entrance.  But the shopping centre was very close, as it only required a walk across the road.

New landscaping and the stadium.

A walk along the avenue.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, so quite busy in the park, pleasantly busy without being overcrowded.

Isabel standing among the tall wooden poles.

The climbing wall.  I do not have a head for heights, and felt dizzy looking down from the top.  Looking up from the bottom was a little easier, except when Jackson climbed up.  He loved it.

The tower, an unusual structure. One can take the lift up to the top, for a cost of about £15.  Not for me.

The helter skelter.  My apologies. I forgot to turn this photo around before I uploaded it. As I am a generous Oma I paid £3 for each of my grandchildren to have one turn sliding down, very fast.  They said it was worth it.

Rest time.  Coffee for me and soft drinks and cakes for Jackson and Isabel.  There were plenty of comfortable benches and ssats, and in this case a bench to lie on in the sun.

The fountain with its variable gushes of water.  Jackson and Isabel enjoyed running around in the water and got very wet, as did the other children.  There were some sensible children in swim suits.

John Lewis standing out in the Westfield Shopping Centre, on the opposite side of the road.

Two very wet children, looking happy, but getting a little cold I think.

We drove home again, with Jackson and Isabel wrapped up in blankets, where we ate home cooked pizzas, made by Walter, and watched Britain's Got Talent.

 The end of a very enjoyable afternoon.