Tag Archives: Olympics

And They’re Off! The Olympics 2012 Starts

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Starting from today, London is the most exciting place in the world. The Olympics has started and Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony is underway.

Evoking Britain’s green and pleasant land, choirs sang the national anthems of each country in the United Kingdom with their respective flowers which were: Danny Boy, Flower of Scotland, Bread of Heaven and England’s rose, Scotland’s thistle, Wales’ daffodil and Northern Ireland’s flax. There was even 70 sheep, 12 horses, 10 chickens and nine geese.

Then the set was stage as a volunteer cast of two and a half thousand people acted out the Industrial revolution. The cast are dressed like peasants and rich men from another era gave the audience a history lesson to the rousing beat of the drums. The theme of the opening ceremony is the Isles of Wonder, inspired by William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. Mark Rylance had to drop out of the main part performing a monologue from The Tempest as his step-daughter died. Our heart goes out to him.

Direct descendants from the suffragette movement also took to the stage. Then there was a moment of silence for all of those who have sacrificed their life for their country. The epic opening ceremony cost £27 million

Then there was a splash of colour for the 60’s. 60,000 people inside the stadium watched the spectacle and another 4 billion watched on TV.

Molten Olympic rings were forged by craftsmen and then rose from the ground, creating an amazing spectacle. An emotional moment. The Olympic rings represent the five continents.

Then Daniel Craig as James Bond went to Buckingham Palace to get the Queen (yes, that one) with the corgis snapping at his heels. A helicopter ride later across London’s landmarks lead to The Queen and James Bond parachuting from a helicopter.

The Union Jack was then carried in by servicemen from the RAF, Army and the Navy.

Then the NHS and achievements of children’s books were represented while Mike Oldfields played ‘Tubular Bells’. This included Peter Pan and JK Rowling was there. NHS was then displayed in lights. Kids jumped on beds while nurses danced. Then children’s nightmares were represented by Lord Voldemort, Cruella De Vil and child snatcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Then a few Mary Poppins were dancing on stage and the nightmares were chased away. 10,000 people have taken part in the Opening Ceremony in total. The audience roared as the homage to the NHS ended. All of the nurses and doctors were real NHS workers! They all rehearsed for 350 hours.

Then Rowan Atkinson (as Mr Bean) played along while the National Symphony Orchestra during Chariots of Fire. Then scene from the film were played with Mr Bean cut into them. Very funny.

Then a typical British household was represented along with British TV shows and music from the past. Gregory’s Girl, Charlie Chaplin, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who and David Bowie were all represented. Every audience member was taken through their childhood.

The Sex Pistols, texting, Soul II Soul and The Eurythmics played as the dancers rocked out and an actor and actress texted each other and then kissed. Famous kisses were then played in the background. Including that of Kate Middleton and Prince William. The journey of music and dance was told from the 60’s to the present day. Danny Boyle even got Trainspotting, the film that made him famous, in.

Then East London’s Dizze Rascal took to the stage. Dizzie was a good choice and then Amy Winehouse played. A homage to the singer who died last year.

The inventor of the internet Sir Tim Berners-Lee appeared and was paid homage to as everyone cheered. David Beckham, East London boy, brought the torch to the Olympic Stadium.

There was a minute silence for those who have passed away and then Emile Sande then sang Abide By Me. The dancers were amazing and there were some brilliant Tai Chi moves.

Then the athletes arrived. The athletes from each country arrived at the stadium carrying their flag as their country was called out.

The opening ceremony was full of British in-jokes and fantastic performances. Frost Magazine are proud to be British and will constantly be blogging about the Olympics. Let us know your opinions and thoughts.

Olympic Torch Relay Pictures

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We were lucky enough to have the Olympic torch come past us today in Ealing. Here are some of the pictures below

Crowds Mass in Expectation

Runner carrying the Union Jack

The Editor of Frost!

The coca-cola truck (which was handing out free coke!)

Front view of the Olympic torch bearer (I got shouted at for running out and taking this picture!)

The Olympic torch bearer waving

Exhausted security runners catching a breather

The changeover

A spectator reaches to try and grab the torch from the Olympic torch bearer

Inspired by the Olympics? Try a Sports Holiday in Lanzarote!

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Nicknamed ‘Europe’s Hawaii’, Lanzarote is blessed with strong Atlantic winds and year round warm waters– the perfect combination for activity based breaks. Lanzarote holidays are just a four hour flight from London and boast a combination of long sandy beaches and sheltered bays. With the Olympics fast approaching everyone is a little bit more conscious about being healthy so why not incorporate it into your annual summer holiday?

 

Surfing

 

Lanzarote is one of Europe’s top surfing destinations. In summer the waves can reach heights of 4ft and in winter they’re even bigger. Experienced surfers head for the northern and north eastern shores of Lanzarote. The beaches near Jameos Del Agua are particularly popular, the waves break across a volcanic reef and shouldn’t be tackled by beginners. Famara’s award winning beach is another top spot. This large bay has consistent conditions and enough space for both beginners and experts.

 

Whether you’re a first timer or if you want to improve your skills, there are plenty of surf schools on the island, such as Surf School Lanzarote. You can rent boards and equipment from any places from around €10 a day.

 

Windsurfing

 

Lanzarote is also ideal for windsurfing. In fact, it is so good that Costa Teguise regularly plays host to the PWA World Windsurfing Championships. Both beginners and experts can windsurf in Lanzarote, although beginners are advised avoid the afternoons when the wind gets really strong. Afternoon windsurfing really is just for the experienced, especially in May, June, July and August when conditions are at their best.

 

If you’ve never windsurfed before or you want to improve your technique, then there are a number of schools and board rental outlets on Lanzarote. Head for Playa Blanca, Tias, or Las Cucharas. Companies like Windsurf Paradise can rent boards and provide tuition.

 

Kite Surfing

 

Lanzarote’s Atlantic swells and winds are perfect for kite surfing. Popular locations include Playa Honda, near the airport, and Matagorda, north of Puerto del Carmen, although Famara Beach is the most famous location for kite surfing. There are a number of operators who rent to equipment or run courses, including Surf and Kite Lanzarote in Famara.

 

Diving

 

Lanzarote’s Atlantic waters are home to some stunning underwater scenery. Add to that visibility of 20 meters and an average year-round temperature of between 17 and 22 degrees and it’s easy to understand why diving is so popular here. There are a number of PADI registered dive operations on the island, including The Dive Shop Lanzarote and Manta Diving Lanzarote. The south and south eastern coasts are particularly good for diving as the waters are calmer. Underwater treats include wrecks, volcanic caves and the man-made reef at Puerto del Carmen

 

When it comes to action and adventure in the water it doesn’t get much better than holidays to Lanzarote. Whether you fancy surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing or diving, there’s something for every level of experience.

Union Jack Rose Flag | Cool Things.

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When I saw this Union Jack flag made of roses I thought it was pretty cool and unusual. With the Olympics just around the corner, OnlyRoses the UK’s finest rose specialist are flying the flag for Great Britain with their spectacular Infinite Rose Union Jack arrangement. Made from Royal Blue, White and Scarlet Infinite Roses (648 in total) the flag took over seven hours to assemble and will last for a year or more without the need for watering.

Infinite Roses are premium Ecuadorian roses which have been preserved in natural oils to retain the delicate shape and texture of each flower. Available in a wide variety of colours (including the more unusual shades of black and dark green), so every flag from around the world can be recreated using these beautiful, long lasting Roses.

22,680 rose petals have been preserved to create this Union Jack Flag, which weighs 38lbs, measures 180cm x 90 and retails at £6,000

Available for any country, sizes from 120cm x 60cm (£2,775)

TRACK CYCLIST JESS VARNISH IS DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

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Top UK cyclist and Team GB hopeful Jess Varnish has designs on more than medals this summer, creating a fleet of patriotic delivery vans for online grocer Ocado.

The young star who claimed gold and broke a world record at the cycling World Championships in February has created three stand-out artworks for Ocado’s iconic delivery vans. Each one showcases her favourite foods for winning races as well as the chocolate and champagne goodies she hopes to celebrate with, while capturing the spirit of the Great British summer of 2012.

While her vans set off to deliver shopping to Ocado customers across the UK, the 21-year-old Team GB hopeful said that she hopes to be “the fastest in the world” this summer.

At the launch of her vans Jess commented: “I am incredibly proud to be British, so getting to design three celebratory vans for Ocado was a fantastic opportunity for me to get creative! I love each of my designs so much that I can’t decide which one is my favourite and I can’t wait to see them on the road.”

With the Team GB cycling team announcement to be made this week, Jess continues to train hard whilst balancing her social life. She said: “It’s natural to have a one track mind when training for big events but it isn’t always simple to balance everything. I try to make life a little easier for myself by taking a mental mind break when possible – whether it be a Skype call with my sisters, saving a trip to the supermarket by doing my grocery buy online with Ocado, or cooking a tray of brownies!”

In comments which contrast with the recent weight scrutiny of another famous athlete named Jess, she said: “Being an athlete, you have to be in peak condition and, obviously, food is an incredibly important part of that. You can’t compete or train to the best of your ability without having good fuel. It isn’t such a big deal to everyone’s routine but it is to me.

“I’ve had to gain weight and I was told ‘if you don’t put on weight, you’re not going to get anywhere.’ So I have put on ten kilos of muscle. For any girl to be told they’ve got to put on weight, it’s not very nice.”

Minister Huw Lewis makes a Wish for Wales

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Huw Lewis, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, took part in a Cauldrons & Furnaces Wishes for Wales workshop at Hay Festival, showing his support for Wales’s Cultural Olympiad celebrations.

Cauldrons & Furnaces, which launched last month by the Welsh Government to welcome a strand of the Cultural Olympiad to Wales, is a series of high profile events taking place at Cadw sites across Wales from 16 June – 17 July. Wishes for Wales is one element of the Cauldrons & Furnaces activity, involving young people from schools across England and Wales, who have been coming to St Davids in west Wales to take part in this creative heritage project.

Through Wishes for Wales, which is a joint project between Cauldrons & Furnaces and Farms for City Children in Treginnis Isaf, the young people involved are demonstrating what Wales’s history and heritage means to them by hand painting and embellishing in St Davids colours gold, black and white, a ‘golden stone’ with their own design and inscription of a personal message – their wish for Wales – which will then be left in St Davids Bishop’s Palace as part of a Celtic installation.

People visiting the Wishes for Wales workshop held on Cadw’s stand at Hay Festival were asked to draw a design that represents themselves and their connection to Wales’s heritage, and then write a wish for Wales on the back of the stone. Huw Lewis said: “This is a fantastic project and it’s great to see so many young people involved in celebrating Wales’s heritage and culture at such an important time. It’s such a simple idea, but will remain a lasting legacy of Cultural Olympiad celebrations in Wales.”

The Wishes for Wales stones created at Hay Festival, which were all painted using the red, white and green of Wales, will be on display at two Cauldrons & Furnaces events; at the beginning of the 22 day Pilgrim walk leaving from Llanthony on Saturday 16 June, and then moved to the Great Hall of the Bishop’s Palace, St Davids to debut the end of the Pilgrim journey on Saturday 7 July.

Cauldrons & Furnaces is a partnership between Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, and the Arts Council of Wales. The project is part of Power of the Flame, and has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity which is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.

Wishes for Wales is directed by artist Deborah Withey, who said: “Wishes for Wales has been a fantastic project to work on, with so many enthusiastic and imaginative young people involved. It was great having the Minister at the workshop today, as well as all the other visitors to the stand. It’s great to see such creative spirit and willingness to contribute to this lasting legacy of the Olympic celebrations here in Wales. I’m looking forward to seeing the collection of stones at the Cauldrons & Furnaces events later this month and in July.”

Those who wish to be become part of history and participate in Cauldrons & Furnaces can join the 22-day Pilgrim walk or the magnificent procession at St Davids and walk with the Pilgrims through the city to the Palace for a finale feast of music, dance and food.

For further information about the 22 day Pilgrim walk, visit www.ramblers.org.uk or www.pilgrimage2012.co.uk and for further information about St Davids Bishop’s Palace email info@orielyparc.co.uk or call 01437 720 392.

The other Cauldrons & Furnaces events across south Wales will also give locals and visitors an array of cultural experiences which will help bring Wales’s history to life.

For lovers of Wales’s stunning landscape and history, visitors can witness the reawakening of Blaenavon Ironworks in a multisensory musical celebration and also take part in enchanted adventure trails and tales in the grounds of Laugharne Castle.

Caerphilly castle is the inspiration for Awen – a festival of the arts, including dance, sculpture, poetry and film.

Cadw has set a challenge for people to attend as many events as possible to be in with a chance of winning one of five Cadw annual family memberships. For details of how to take part pick up a Cauldrons & Furnaces leaflet at a participating site or visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

For more information about Cauldrons & Furnaces and how you can get involved, visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk, find Cadw on Facebook or Twitter. #CF12

Details of the Cauldrons & Furnaces events – all Wales (south Wales *)

*Saturday 16 June – Saturday 7 July

Pilgrimage walk, Llanthony Priory to St Davids

Trace the tracks of ancient pilgrims, kings, saints, madmen and paupers with a dedicated group of artists and storytellers on a 22-day Pilgrimage across South Wales. There will be special events, eye catching performances and educational workshops at key points along the route. FREE event, join at www.ramblers.org.uk / www.pilgrimage2012.co.uk.

Friday 22 June, Town Parade 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Saturday 23 June, Castle Performance 7.30-9.00pm

Spirits of Dragons, Flint Castle

Travel through the mists of time with a musical spectacle as your companion. Join the children of Flint as they tell the story from mythical beginnings through to Roman, Norman and English invasions with performances from dragons, giants and masked characters. FREE ticketed event. Book at www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk / 08453 303 565.

*Friday 29 & Saturday 30 June, 6.30-8.15pm

Elemental, Blaenavon Ironworks

A multisensory celebration of a unique landscape and the elements – witness the reawakening of this incredible World Heritage site, that once kick-started an industrial revolution, through creative and musical performances.

FREE ticketed event. Tickets available from www.head4arts.org.uk.

Sunday 1 July, 2.30-4.30pm

Cipio’r Castell, Caernarfon Castle

A spectacular musical procession to kick start a month of artistic celebrations – visitors can enjoy specially commissioned raps, orchestral and choral music, live theatre and a month-long series of innovative art installations within the castle walls. FREE with a wristband, available from 1 June at www.visitsnowdonia.info or from Caernarfon Tourist Information Centre or call 01286 672 232.

*Saturday 7 July, 1.30-6.00pm

Event starts – Oriel y Parc 1.30pm, procession leaves Oriel y Parc 2pm

Finale events at St Davids Bishop’s Palace 3.00-4.15pm (yellow wristbands), 4.30pm-5.45pm (silver wristbands).

Dewi Sant Pilgrims, St Davids Bishop’s Palace

One big walk, one small city – after a 22-day trek across Wales, the pilgrims are welcomed with fanfares, music and artwork. Visitors can join the last leg of the journey through the city ending at the Bishop’s Palace with a celebration of music, food and dance. FREE with a wristband available from 16 May at Oriel y Parc, St Davids, email info@orielyparc.co.uk or call 01437 720 392.

Sunday 8 July, 6.30-9.30pm

Mantell, Denbigh Castle

One legendary golden cape. Thousands of golden memories. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the castle and witness the story unfolding through storytelling, puppetry, animation, music, dance and fire sculpture – culminating at dusk in a magical and glowing finale. Booking essential. Tickets £2, available from 1 May from Denbigh Library call 01745 816 313 or visit www.mantell-aur.com.

*Wednesday 11 July – Friday 13 July, 6.30pm-9.00pm (10.00pm Friday)

Awen, Caerphilly Castle

Myths and legends have always been intriguing and Awen is no different. A three-day celebration of poetic inspiration through sculpture, film, dance, music and drama reflecting vibrancy and culture of the region. FREE ticketed events. For tickets visit www.blackwoodminersinstitute.com / www.visitcaerphilly.com or call 01495 227 206.

*Saturday 16 June – Sunday 15 July

Saturday 14 July – Promenade Theatre Event 2.00-4.00pm

Sunday 15 July – National Botanic Gardens 2.00pm.

Talacharn Trails & Tales, Laugharne Castle

The enchanted twelfth-century castle will play its part in an adventure trail laden with clues and riddles. By peering through the gatehouse or roaming the gardens, visitors will find answers to unlock the secrets of this literary town. Normal castle and garden admission prices apply; visit www.talacharntrails.com or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk or call 01437 720392 for more information.

Monday 16 & Tuesday 17 July, 8.00-9.30pm

Men of Harlech, Harlech Castle

Get ready to rock! Seven centuries of Welsh history brought to life with a creative bang. An anthem to stir the soul and provide inspiration for this two-night spectacular of music, song and dance – over 250 young people from Gwynedd tell the story of seven historic epochs through twenty-first century eyes. Tickets £8/£5 concessions / £20 family (2 adults + 2 children). Tickets available from www.cytser.com and Harlech Castle on 01766 780 552.

Discover your inner sporting strength and shape your body

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With only 47 days to go until London welcomes sporting hopefuls from all over the world, athletes and supporters are gearing themselves up for the greatest spectator event Britain has hosted since 1948.

Rowing is one of the oldest sports in the world and with several of the medals predicted to come from the rowing team this year; it’s a sport definitely having its day. If you crave the same athletic power and prowess, or simply want to stay in shape and tone your body, there’s no better way to train from the comfort of your own lounge – while watching the experts do it in style – by challenging yourself on an indoor rowing machine.

The rowing heats kick off on Saturday 28 July with the finals taking place on Saturday 4 August. So why not simply position your Concept2 rower in front of your TV set, wait in anticipation of the start gun and row your heart out.

No longer an elite athlete’s secret, the all-round benefits of indoor rowing are highly recognised as an effective way to help achieve weight loss, improve body tone, self-confidence and fitness. Motivate yourself to change your lifestyle, with a Concept2 indoor rowing machine you can combine your individual training sessions by rowing alongside elite rowers, providing an exercise regime that fits easily into a busy lifestyle.

Alex Skelton, former rower and communications manager of Concept2 Ltd, the distributor of the Concept2 indoor rowing machine, says: “When indoor rowing is combined with a calorie controlled diet, it’s a fantastic way to kick start a weight loss programme to help shed any unwanted weight. With this summer’s sporting extravaganza on the horizon, we’re seeing more and more amateur rowers becoming inspired by rowing and discovering a love for indoor rowing as a way to keep fitness levels up and shape the body.

“Unlike many fitness activities, indoor rowing is an ideal exercise for everyone whatever their age and ability, and more people, particularly women, are finding out that it’s an excellent all round work out. It’s a low impact sport which exercises all of the major muscle groups to get people fit and toned.”

To get ready to go up against the elite rowers, you’ll need to set yourself up with a dedicated training plan. Concept2 has designed several free detailed training guides, which can be tailored to your individual demands. The guides can be found at www.concept2.co.uk/training.

To help the nation get rowing, Concept2 has a hire scheme which allows people to get fit in the privacy of their own home at a fraction of the cost. If people find that rowing is not for them, they can return the machine without any hassle. Rentals start from £35.75 a month and hire to buy rentals at £40.85 per month.

Londoner’s Life 29 – by Phil Ryan

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Londoner’s Life 29 – By Phil Ryan

Boris won. Ken lost. So that’s the Mayoral nonsense out of the way. I popped into my local church and put my cross in the boxes. Curious really, a kind of religious voting experience. But it was probably a futile gesture as nothing much will change. Everything will stay expensive. Nothing will get cheaper. And the weirdo fringe candidates like the BNP and Liberal Democrats attracted hardly any support in the end. So what was the point of them all? It was Boris vs Ken. And think of all the money they both wasted. But hey that’s democracy so I guess I shouldn’t complain. In London we seem to lead the way in fairness and openness. That is unless of course you’re trying to get into the country via Heathrow. Yes London’s premier airport is leading the world now in queues. It’s our Olympic year and London is saying welcome and come on in. You’ve flown for a few hours and now as a welcoming exercise we’d like you to stand in line for three more tedious hours and shuffle along like drugged penguins. Our staff have all been employed only if they are miserable and intolerant. Make any kind of fuss – even slightly raise your voice and miraculously we have loads of staff to escort you to an interrogation room. Hm. And I love our chip and pin type passports with their hi tec machines plus their human components. Last month I flew back from France. Confidently headed for the chipped passport gates but before I got there a very kind lady stopped me and explained how to use them. Hm.

Isn’t the point being that it’s a machine with clear instructions. So I listened to her briefly and her two colleagues who came across to assist her! I didn’t want to seem rude so instead of putting my passport on the reader I politely let them waste five minutes of my time and then I did what I was intending all along. I put my passport on the reader and looked at the camera thing. The gates opened and I ran for the Heathrow Express. Over manning or what? Meanwhile the other queue snaked back out of the corridor. Welcome to London.

My favourite new bit of over hyping Olympic nonsense was the pure London moment when the army went to Bow to put missiles onto the roofs of tower blocks to find many already had them. Just kidding! But seriously the kids are more armed than the army round that way. Pity the terrorist who wanders into Bow, he’s done for. Personally I think it’s a scam by Barratt’s Homes or even the Government. I mean imagine if they do shoot down a plane. Where does it crash exactly? Bow or Canning Town somewhere. It’s a regeneration project essentially dressed up as security. But we lurch closer to the joy of the Olympics with each passing week. My most chilling moment was watching some bland nerk from Transport for London (TFL) colloquially known as Totally ********* London. He stood in front of the front of a station and calmly asserted that there would be 3 million more tube passengers using the system EVERY DAY during the Olympics. What? Have any of them actually been on the tube? It is going to be a nightmare. But then only a London official could make the following statement. He went on to say that today they were launching a poster campaign and get this ‘encouraging Londoner’s to find different ways to get to work’. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh. Different ways? What Hot Air balloons, jet packs, levitation. How about roller skates? It’s like they’ve collectively all dropped some acid. They have abandoned any grasp on reality. But hey ho! This is London and TFL and anything is possible apparently. Come the games it’s essentially going to be the world’s largest and sweatiest mobile game of Twister!

But it’s not all bad news. It’s the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebration soon (god bless her). A procession of golden boats and pageantry and an opportunity for street parties. So here in London it’s a chance for another holiday as remember its bank holiday season. Every other week seems to be a holiday. Which on the one hand is great. On the other the train companies calmly make every weekend a train free zone. And from what I see on some of the weekend jubilee celebrations the train companies will do their level best to stop you getting there. No wonder Londoners get so resigned to their travelling fate. However at my local London Overground station when I head for the platform the staff now excitedly tell me we have trains honestly lots of them look go and see! It’s quite touching in a way.

Finally trend news moment. It’s now the complete rise of the east with the Sushi places I’ve mentioned before. But now I see a blossoming undercurrent of new British themed gastro pubs or ‘eating rooms’ as they trendily call themselves. It’s suddenly organic sausages and Kent potatoes and gravy. And whilst I cautiously welcome this type of place (all very 50’s in decor but British 50’s mind you so coooool) again the prices are very scary. I went to a new one plugged in the Evening Standard and paid eighteen pounds for some chops. Not very recession friendly. Conversely I notice most of them are signed up to that Taste Card company (as am I) Discount food seems the only way they can get people in at the start of the week. Remember folks it’s a double dip recession so watch those pennies. And choose carefully. Although is it stopping us going out to these places? Are people baulking at the prices? No not really. It’s a London thing.