Paralympics

I seem to have been incredibly busy the past few weeks. Being September I gone back to work, the children have been back at school. On top of this we have had family stuff happening which I can;t discuss here, we are all OK just added stress.

We went out the other weekend for the day just Dylan Stephanie and myself. It was a fantastic day, we went to the ExCel to watch the Wheelchair fencing finals. We got the train there, as we walked along the river front to the ExCel we watched people water skiing, the children asked for a go but it was too expensive for me to do. They did have a go at walking on water on the river;

 

We then had lunch by the river before carrying on our walk to the venue. When we got there the games makers were fantastic, they were singing into their walkie talkies to cheer people as they prepared to queue. One was sat on what looked like a lifeguards chair, the lady was giving directions to people as they came in and let Stephanie speak over the microphone. Which was a fantastic start to the games for us.

We also found when we got there that we were able to go into events other than the one that we had paid for as long as there were seats available at no extra cost. As a result we got to watch the fencing stages, and the Boccia finals in which Great Britain got a silver, it was so exciting and amazing to see the award ceremony. It was so exciting even Dylan forgot his teenage nonchalance and started shouting and cheering!

 

 

Flag raising. Such a proud moment.

 

 

I am so pleased we were able to go and be part of history. My children loved it, I loved it. Such an amazing day and the game makers really did help to make it so special

 

 

There they are singing and dancing as we left the events, still smiling and amazingly cheerful.

 

What an amazing day, it will be remembered for years to come.

 

 

London

We usually visit London a lot especially during the summer holidays, this year however I haven't been as I thought with the Olympics on it would be very busy. I agreed to going between the Olympics and Paralympics however life happens and so we didn't get there until today when we picked up our tickets for the event we are watching. On the way to the central London ticket office we saw Downing Street, The Horse Guards, Houses of Parliament and a view of the London Eye which ticked several boxes of one of the group we were with.

We then had a surprise as whilst in the queue for tickets I was told that the Paralympic flame was passing by anytime! So we found the route, with a little help from a policeman on where best to stand for our little people to be able to see. Lots of excitement and cheering as the flame passed.

We then went to the Science museum another request from the children in the group where we looked at space rockets, and learnt about different materials.

Us grown ups are now very tired after a feet aching and frugal day- we walked the almost 2 miles to the train station and back as there were too many of us to go in the car as we usually would. So we saved the cost of fuel which google estimate to be 50p, plus saved the parking which is £2.50 for the day. We got the train to London using my railcard which saved us a whopping £36.55! We took lunch with us using what we already had in the house so in all we saved £39.55 with our day out so we bought fish and chips in the way home as a treat spending costing £18.50. So even taking this into account we saved £21.05 on our day out.

Torch bearer

The lovely policeman who spoke to the children asking about their day, if they were having fun etc.

 

It wasn't as busy as I had expected until the train on the way home, however that is because we get the high speed train back home, which goes through Stratford where the Olympic park is so it was very full of commuters and supporters. Everyone seemed happy even though many of us stood for the majority of the journey. 2 very kind gentlemen stood up so that the younger members of our group could sit down. Other passengers chatted happily to all of the children making what could have been a difficult journey rather pleasant.