The Olympic Torch

On the same day as the Last Day of School and the day before we left for Germany at 3:30 am,  the Olympic Torch came through a neighboring town.  I was torn whether to go through the hassle of going to watch it or to just bag it since we had so much to do.... of course going to see the torch won.  I mean who knows when we'll get this opportunity again!

We were lucky to have friends who live within easy walking distance of the Brentwood High Street, which is where we went to see it.  We got there about an hour early and people watched while trying to keep the kids off the street. 

It's funny to take kids to an event like this, because they were super excited to be there, but had no idea really what we were even doing there or what we were going to see.

 We met with three other ex-pat families.... and all their kids!!

 I like the police cars.  And they have a funny siren sound.

 About 15 minutes before the torch came through, the double lane road was closed to one lane and all the people gathered around.  Then big semi's (lorry's) with loud music and people dancing on them drove past (I have no idea what their purpose was).

 Owen had a front row seat!

 Like.... real close!!!  It made me nervous!

 Ellie and I hung back a little bit. 

But then, there it/he was!!!!  Carrying the Flame on its penultimate stage in Brentwood just before 6pm was Lloyds TSB Torchbearer Leslie Snellin from Abridge. Nominated by his son, Les now aged 74-years-old was a very good competitive cyclist in his youth and in his later years turned his hand to tennis - and in particular coaching the juniors and adult beginner classes of Theydon Bois Tennis Club. Over the past few years he has been hit with various forms of cancer, and despite this he has fought back through numerous operations and extensive chemotherapy to return to an active role at the club.