Friday (27th July) found us down at Teddington Lock to watch the Olympic flame being carried down the Thames to the Olympic Park for the opening ceremony. The flame was carried by the Royal Barge Gloriana accompanied by scores of skiffs. The crowds were huge, most of Teddington had the same idea. Thousands had turned up on the Friday morning, particularly by the lockside. Most people got a good view but you had to search for gaps. Luckily the weather was kind.
Royal Barge Gloriana approaching Teddington Lock.
The standard is being lowered to get under the footbridge just above the lock
Skiffs accompanying Royal Barge Gloriana
The organisation was impressive with crowd control across the bridge controlled by security guards using hand bells and the police. Everybody was in good humour looking forward to the evening's Opening Ceremony, which was a triumph.
Some of the skiffs in the flotilla
The numbers lining the bank were so large that going back across the bridge to Teddington took us over 45 minutes to walk about 50 metres. That afternoon we visited the church Olympic fete in Teddington. Everybody was gripped by Olympic fever.
