Olympics Sidelights

It's very exciting having the Olympics here in London, but I've never been into competitive sport, so sorry but you will have to look elsewhere for a commentary on the games. But it's so much fun to go around the city and find that parts of it have been totally transformed. It makes it feel like a new place.

Yesterday, for instance, outside Southwark Cathedral, a large area was cordoned off and painted bright red, in fact, VERY bright headache-inducing red. I spotted a figure of Wenlock, the Olympic mascot. That's him, on the left.

Personally I find Wenlock pretty darn creepy with his single eye, although he is certainly memorable. Anyway behind Wenlock was a small climbing wall, with some people scrambling up it.

This wall was called a "Qualification Park." I was intrigued, and found that if you climb up to the top (honestly it is not very far), you are entered into a competition for a very interesting sounding prize - a place for the winner and friend on the special anniversary trip in 2013 to commemorate the original Thomas Cook trip to Switzerland in 1863.

I was too hot to enter but I might go back and have a go later. If you're on the south bank and want to enter, the contest closing date is 12 August.

A bit further on I saw something being put together. What was it? I had absolutely no idea, It was also that dazzling shade of red, but I learned that it was nothing to do with Switzerland.

.

I asked one of these men in yellow jackets (the one on the right) to tell me all about it. I wish I had taken a close up photo of this man - he looked wonderful, with coloured dreadlocks and teeth patched all over with gold, so his mouth sparkled and twinkled as he spoke.

Yes, he said, it was to do with the Olympics. No, he didn't know what it was, although someone had told him it was connected with an American supermarket chain called Target. We agreed we couldn't imagine what an American supermarket chain might be promoting in the London Olympics. He added "Actually I think this thing is a tribute to Dr. Dre's headphones."

Well, I'll probably find out next time I pass, but it might not be as good as Dr. Dre.

There were lots of police mingling with the crowds, and quite a few "Olympic Ambassadors." This group were having fun, chatting and laughing together. The Ambassador idea is very inclusive, and old, young, disabled or able bodied have all applied.

There was a great atmosphere on the South Bank, and I hope the Games are just as much fun, and that the sun continues to shine. After all the rain we have been having, you won't catch me complaining even if it is, actually, a bit too hot.