Olympic Torch

**Derek** · 25th May 12, 03:54 AM

The Olympic Torch is going to pass within 75yds of our cottage today, late afternoon.
I have recharged the video camera and have since been trying to re-aquaint myself with it so I can capture the event. Some friends were around this morning for some coffee and it seems I have been captured deep in study of the camera.

Will post some pics of the Torch later .. If I can get a Cilt in the shot I will ...

Iechyd Da

Derek

**MacMillans son** · 25th May 12, 05:56 AM

That's fantastic Derek! I look forward to the photos.

**Father Bill** · 25th May 12, 09:30 AM

Thanks for including us!

**creagdhubh** · 25th May 12, 09:41 AM

Wonderful news! What a sight to see!

Cheers,

**McClef** · 25th May 12, 11:14 AM

My railway was refused permission to run a steam service today to honour its visit to Big Pit Mining Museum where we have a station.

"Security" was the somewhat pathetic reason.

Other railways have been or will be allowed to carry it/be running for its visit to their area.

That stinks and ruined it for me I am afraid.

**cessna152towser** · 25th May 12, 01:38 PM

Good for you, Derek, its nice to know someone who actually got to see the elusive torch.
I'm with Trefor on this one though, it seems that very few will be allowed anywhere near the torch.
Despite earlier promises that it would visit every county in Britain it is not coming to Roxburghshire at all so our towns of Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso and Newcastleton will all miss out. Hawick is a particularly serious omission as this is a prime destination on the main A7 tourist route from the English Border to Edinburgh. If the poor planning of the torch relay is anything to go by, then I have much cynicism about the English Olympics.

**McClef** · 25th May 12, 02:25 PM

Her Majesty the Queen does not get this level of security and the commercialism and favouritism of it all is so rampant and the way they treat anyone who they think is a threat such as a guy who was only taking a photo and got pushed into a hedge by one of the gorillas accompanying the torch when it was in Cornwall. You only have to see how far the ordinary public is kept away in many locations to wonder. They have backup lanterns with the flames galore, yet you would think it was the only flame on earth.

Good will has been made very thin in many quarters from the unjustified paranoia.

I very rarely have a good "moan" but this is one of those occasions.

**kilted scholar** · 25th May 12, 03:15 PM

Although keen on sport (soccer but especially cricket, which I played regularly in younger days) I've never been one for the Olympics. That it's being held here is to my mind a good reason to be out of the country at the time. As for the hoopla over the torch, it's hard to get excited about a ritual started by Josef Goebbels to provide mystique for the Nazi regime at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Note: the last point is a factual comment and, while it may have political undertones, I am confident that few would consider it a violation of the rule.

**McElmurry** · 25th May 12, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by kilted scholar

As for the hoopla over the torch, it's hard to get excited about a ritual started by Josef Goebbels to provide mystique for the Nazi regime at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Note: the last point is a factual comment and, while it may have political undertones, I am confident that few would consider it a violation of the rule.

Well that didn't stop the Brits from reviving the ritual in 1948. I guess they recognized a good promotional method when they saw one.

http://www.history.com/news/2012/05/...ising-origins/

**seanachie** · 25th May 12, 06:56 PM

As the colonies are not a participant, I have to say I am often awed by the athletes in the Commonwealth Games who have handicaps. It is one thing to compete with all of your limbs, sight and hearing quite another to show an indomitable spirit when you are not so blessed.