Last day of the Olympics. We'll soon stop seeing these unfamiliar sights around London - like the troops and a pillar box sealed with cling film (why?) :)
How long will the weird Wenlocks and Mandevilles remain? All the Olympics mascots are different, decorated to reflect their surroundings or various themes. This, below, is Cockney Wenlock, not one of my favourites. It is hideously painted in gaudy colours to represent cockney rhyming slang (which pretty well nobody uses now). You see "apples and pears" for stairs.
And this is Bishopsgate Wenlock, stationed at one of the original medieval city gates of London. 
I've posted a few Wenlock pictures but there is also another mascot, called Mandeville. This Mandeville represents Victorian times in the park, and he stands in Regent's Park. He looks quite elegant, (so far as any of these mascots can look elegant.) I shall rather miss them.
But I'm not saying goodbye to them just yet. I daresay many of them will remain until the end of the Paralympics, which start soon. 
Maybe that post box is awaiting the gold paint?! Those mascots are really weird aren't they? Can't say I like them much but then I haven't actually seen any.
ReplyDeleteThese mascots are strange, a little ugly,awful colors, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteI have just been having a catch up on all your recent posts and enjoyed reading them all. We were away last week so I have been missing thngs! The Olympics have been great haven't they? I will miss it when it is over. I am really pleased it has all gone so well too-especially after all the negative reporting leading up to it.
Enjoy the last day!
I have to admit I'm not a big fan of the mascots. I have loved the Olympics, though, and I'm looking forwards to the Paralympics getting under way :)
ReplyDeleteI really cannot take to these mascots. To me they will be utterly forgettable.
ReplyDeleteI never paid much attention to any of the mascots before. I suppose many of the folks in London may be having some form of post Olympics withdrawal after the games are over
ReplyDeleteI'll be quite happy to see this creepy creatures go! The sooner the better. They're my least favourite pop-up series of sculptures that London's seen so far...bring back the elephants or even the eggs that were around earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteOk the Cockney one reminded me so much of a 'state map' that one would receive at the welcome centers around here. Mainly, they usually have the state symbols on it including state flower, plant, fruit, etc.
ReplyDeleteWas the pillar box always sealed with wrap? And what was the function of it? As you can tell, no pillar boxes around here ;o)
Enjoyed looking at these! Do you have any idea what will become of them when they do actually take them down?
ReplyDeleteFrom an artist standpoint, I like them! Do you know what they plan to do with them? Put them permanently on display somewhere? I had not seen the Mandevilles before-they are cool, too!
ReplyDeleteBut what are they for...she mutters...
ReplyDeleteThe Mandevilles are supposed to represent the paralympics, aren't they? (As in Stoke Mandeville Hospital)
ReplyDeleteI've seen sculptures like this before in various places. Skipton had sheep a couple of years ago and we had a weekend in Newport when they had dragons. I did a blog post, I think.
Yep - here you go. Newport Dragons
ReplyDeleteI focused on the games...so many and I saw just a few at my convenience. Your country did well in hosting them and I am so glad there has been no dangers or issues!!
ReplyDeleteI have liked my of the Olympic mascots and some not so much.
ReplyDeleteResearching about the two mascot the company who designed them put a lot of thought, too much thought, into the history behind them. When you read what they based the them on it really is interesting.
But when I work in advertising ( a million years ago) if you had to explain the idea you lost the consumer.
That said I kind of like the little guys but I would have rather picked some animal like a Hedgehog.
Vancouver mascots where wonderful.
cheers, parsnip
I do hope they remain for a couple of more weeks. I've been planning a Wenlock and Mandeville walk but have been laid low by this nasty cold.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit this is an exceptionally weird mascot. Aside from that, I think the British have done a stupendous job of hosting these Olympics.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the mascots look interesting and cute. I was going to say that it might be nice to keep them around town, as a reminder of the Olympic games. But after reading the comments, I guess I'm in the minority.
ReplyDeleteThey're funny creatures -- I didn't know that about the one representing the Cockney slang. That last one is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe Olympics being what they are, i've always wondered why they need mascots anyway.
ReplyDeleteThese were a bit...odd.
I'm sad to see the Olympics end, but I still haven't been able to summon any enthusiasm for those bizarre mascots. They look very much like the nightmares I have after eating too many Texas burritos!
ReplyDeleteThose mascots are just fun! What a pity,I think they have not appeared on Japanese TV during the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteRedRose
I'm sorry but those mascots are creepy. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhy would they wrap a mailbox? Because the postman couldn't get there to pick it up because of the crowds? How odd.
Things will eventually get back to normal. Have a good week. :)
I didn't think much of the mascots at first, but I bought little cuddly ones for my grandchildren and they love them! If they're happy, I'm happy :-) x
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time to see the mascots. Why do they have one eye? Is there any meaning??
ReplyDeleteIt is a strange scene. I guess, when it comes to troops, to seal a mailbox is some kind of countermeasure of terrorism?? When VIP visit a city, sometimes rubbish bins are out because of security reasons. Puzzling!
Jenny, have a wonderful week.
keiko
Those Wenlocks are really cool looking!
ReplyDeleteI think the cling film round the post box is just in case anyone thought it was a good idea to post some sort of explosive in there. As it is, there's no nothing more harmless than champagne, after all the celebrating.
ReplyDeleteI love the colours of the mascots (like the painted cows in New York) - but it's the single eye I struggle with - what's that meant to represent? It just looks creepy.
All those mascots look like mutant teenagers, supposedly representing the "Youf Kultur" of "Merrie Old England"
ReplyDeleteBest of British Luck to them, and to yu who have to live with them.
Regarding the cling-filmed post boxes, it's supposed to stop certain nasty people from posting 5kg of Semtex with a timer.
Sad, but that's modern post-terrorism life.
How long before we get frisked and X-rayed bfore joining a post office queue?
Goodness, I miss the 60s.
Free sex, cheap beer and the only thng that worried you about getting on a plane was the price.
I quite like the mascots, they fitted in with the frenzy of the Olympic Games, but I prefer the willow models that we had in Birmingham. I must try and get some pictures of them.
ReplyDeleteMascots always seem a bit funny … it’s the nature of the beast I think and there are usually interesting background details as to why they were chosen.
ReplyDeleteI saw the wonderful Closing Ceremonies yesterday on television and was grinning and teary eyed at times. So much of it was pure fun. What a grand history of music the British have, in additon to literature. I so enjoyed the fellow that fell out of the cannon singing the song about being happy. I would say Jacques Rogge described your Olympics perfectly saying it was “happy and glorious”. I did wonder where Elton John was, though, since he is such a British icon and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I expected their music to blaze out at any moment. :)
Did I hear on the news today that Mandeville is named after the Stoke Mandeville Games, the original Paralympic 'Games' initiated by a doctor Guttmann in the hospital?
ReplyDeleteIn the days of the Irish bombings in London letter boxes were sealed to stop letter bombs being dropped inside. Perhaps the reason for the clingfilm is similar?
The mascots I am not at all familiar with but I do know about the letterboxes. It was too prevent them being used for letter bombs which has been done in the past. :(
ReplyDeleteI think that I am suffering from some post Olympic blues. London was so nice! I too will miss the mascots!
ReplyDeleteYour blog-site is beautiful! You have a little bit more going on around you than out here in tobacco country Ontario (good to see mi' old nesting grounds, even if I was from the north). ;) Thanks for stopping by mi' blog and nice to meet the person behind the cat head. Love that profile pic, btw.
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny, we watched the closing ceremonies last night. Quite a party going on but not really my kind of thing...Londoners will either be greatly relieved that all the hullaboo is over, or wishing it had lasted a little longer. I loved watching the men's marathon and being treated to those amazing views of their route. You do have the loveliest architecture there...nothing much like that in California!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments. I just managed to delete all my responses to individuals, bah! Still, I remember I said to Jo and Keiko that I have no idea why only one eye, except to look creepy. But if your grandkids love them, Teresa, the designers must have been doing something right. I think, Friko, that they ARE to do wiht the spinal injuries hospital. I'd still like to know what the idea is behind them, although I agree with you Parsnip, that if they need to be explained then there is something a bit wrong with the concept.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrieboo for dropping by - I like your blog too, and appreciate your kind comments.
Hm, I suppose the thinking behind the post boxes IS terrorism. But most boxes aren't sealed like this, which is just as well otherwise I wouldn't have been able to send off some birthday cards the other day! aka Penelope, I didn't know why they didn't have ELton although I think Andrew Lloyd Webber was in the opening ceremony and perhaps they didn't want to over expose him.
Twisted Scottish Bastard, I am seriously wondering about post ofice queues myself but not as much as I am wondering about tube trains. With all the unemployment there is almost unlimited potential for trainee friskers, I suspect.
These funny fellows actually grew on me throughout the course of the Olympics. Thank you so much for dropping by - happy it led me back to your lovely blog! I'm looking forward to dropping by from time to time for glimpses of my old stomping grounds :)
ReplyDeleteThe mascots are adorable, Jenny. They look like little spacemen!
ReplyDeleteThat is odd about the cling wrap on the post boxes, but as several others have shared, I bet it because of security reasons.
Thank you for the visit to my blog and the concern for the break-in at our little country historical church. One of my daughters lived in England for three years. She and her family loved it there.
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower and shall look forward to knowing your blog and will welcome visits from you to my blog.
The Olympics in London were the best ever and London should be very proud of doing such an excellent job. I already miss them.
Helen
I will miss watching the Olympics on tv, but it must be harder for those who live in London. I have to admit those mascots are quite unusual. I wonder if they will be permanent placed somewhere.
ReplyDeleteNo Wenlocks or Mandevilles here in Northern Ireland. Must have been an English trend. As for the shrink-wrapped postbox, maybe the Royal Mail worker just got tired of emptying it?
ReplyDeleteI have to say it's nice to read something new in the newspapers. I know it was a massive event here in the UK but it just felt like nothing else was getting any coverage at all. My thoughts are with the tragic death of Tia Sharp at the moment. I live about 30 minutes drive away from where the death happened and it really does feel too close for comfort.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling so bereft after the Olympics, but I won't be sad to see the back of those mascots. I'm not a fan.
ReplyDeleteThe more I look at the mascot, the more I am reminded of "yokai"s or spirit/monsters in Japanese folklore. xD
ReplyDeleteI've tried to love Wenlock and Mandeville, I really have. These are without doubt creative examples. It's just that I can't get used to 'it' having one eye. Very spooky.Kids love it though apparently.
ReplyDeleteI love England. I have visited there many times. I love the people, the sights, the history, and so many other things about the country.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I absolutely despise these mascots. Hideous things, Wenlock especially. It (certainly not a he or she) is mean-looking, totally unwelcoming, humorless - all traits I would never associate with the reception I've received when I've visited your land.
Whoever designed them should be hung.
The mascots are odd but I am sure the appeal to some people. I just want to say that from all I could gather, England was a great Olympic host.
ReplyDeleteDarla
They are cute but you have to wonder if the person that comes up with things like that do drugs. They paint pig and cow statues here. It's just odd.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I've now discovered why Mandeville and Wenlock have those names. Mandeville is named after the hospital at Stoke Mandeville which first did the Paralympics, and Much Wenlock is the town in Shropshire where the forerunners of the Olympic games were held, called the Olympian Games, staged in 1850. The one eye they each have is a camera. Hm.
ReplyDeleteI still think they're strange, but if kids love them who am I to argue?
Interesting, Lina, that they should remind you of spirit monsters, must look them up! It is great to meet you Helen, and I think your blog is beautiful too, specially the latest post.
Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteThis is personal. I just found my mistake. I used another ID, keiko(snowwhite), to post my comment.
I was asked to write a news to NARAWALK sometimes. After writing there, I did not log out and visited your blog.
Sorry, made you confused.
keiko
It is probably too early to be saying goodbye to the mascots. They look pretty solid. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd paralympics is great. I do like the idea of those art objects throughout an area..I have been wondering still, why one eye..but that's someone else's choice. Hahahahhahahhaaa
ReplyDeleteIs the clingfilm an anti-terrorist measure? Don't think it would stop them, somehow!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen these Olympic mascots (the NBC coverage here didn't really cover them). But am experiencing a bit of post-Olympic depression, or at least some type of withdrawal from being glued to the telly watching superhuman feats. Glad to hear the Paralympics is following up there!
ReplyDeleteI have the perfect solution for you: go to Camden Town market and buy some mascots. they are everywhere. I am not sure that they are genuine though...
ReplyDeleteHow long the anticipation of a huge event and how fast it flashes by.
ReplyDelete