The Olympic Torch Comes to Durham

The Olympic torch came to Durham this weekend, and when I saw it, I teared up. Really. I hid my face from Nathan so he wouldn't see. In fact, if he reads this post (His motto is, "I don't need to read the blog. I live the blog."), it'll be the first he's heard of my emotional display of affection toward all things Olympics. He probably won't be surprised. Scratch that. He won't be surprised. Only Amy really shares my heights of affection for the Olympics.

Our town had a little ceremony and concerts and stuff in the Market Square, but it started at 7:30 on Sunday morning. I wanted to get there by 8:00, but it just didn't happen. We were racing down Gilesgate Bank at 8:15, passing lines of people who were out with their Union Jack flags.  I knew that the torch was going to leave the city centre around 8:30. 

We came upon this marching band at the roundabout. Nathan made a joke about Redcoats that I caught on camera. If you're offended by Americans boasting about winning the Revolutionary War, do not watch the video below.

We kept walking briskly down the hill. Some big buses went by, including this one with a TV screen on the side of it (?!).

And then, my eye caught a small crowd around this guy. He had a torch! We had arrived at the spot of the first hand-off of the day. See how his jersey says 002? He's the second carrier of the flame for Durham. I'm ashamed to say that I don't know his name or why he was chosen to carry the torch. I suppose I could do a little research, but I can't be bothered right now. I'm so British. xx

I probably jumped the queue to get my picture taken with him and the torch. I am not sorry.

Nathan had to get his picture with it too... in his usual fashion.

Here comes the first carrier of the day on his initial leg from the Market Square. His name is Paul Collingwood, and he is a famous County Durham cricketer.

Here's me watching the hand-off!

Go Torch Guy #2, go!

We finally made it to the Market Square, but the party was definitely dying down. The good news is that they were giving away free leftover bacon and hashbrown paninis, originally priced at a hefty 2.50.

Here's a little brass band music for you. The Brass Festival is coming to Durham later this month, and I think this was great advertising for it. They were really good!

Here's St. Nicholas's church with the London 2012 banner - my attempt at being artsy.

I'll be following the Olympics for sure via our BBC iPlayer. I hope I get to go to London to be surrounded by Olympic fever this summer, if only for a little day trip. We don't have tickets to anything, but I think it would be nice to be in the excitement of it all. We'll see what happens!

Are you going to the games? Want to come see us?