Sunday, September 07, 2008
7th Sept. Athletics for youngsters.
One peep through the curtains at just gone 6 o'clock told us that it would not be worth going to Dorking for the car boot sale - yes, it was raining once again.
But it didn't rain all the day, thank goodness. It stayed dry for the athletics meeting this afternoon.
This morning we watched a little sport on TV from Beijing - cycling, with UK riders doing well.
I know that it might seem a bit patronising to feel especially moved as disabled athletes reach the pinnacle of success - but I did feel close to tears as we watched one cyclist collect his gold medal.
Whilst he was on his bike it was hard to see exactly what was wrong with him - man and bike seemed as one. On the rostrum his artificial limb and his stick were much more apparent and he walked with some difficulty and with fragile balance.
Later we were at the track for the highlight of more athletes' lives. This was the final of the Sussex Under 13s League. There were teams from 11 clubs across Sussex competing. At this level the support for each other is obvious and even the "superstars" are aware that each person's effort is of value. It was a lively meeting, with lots of happy children and parents.
I was the chief timekeeper. Having worked out the duties of the other timekeepers in advance I felt relaxed and worked hard to keep the meeting flowing and everybody happy.
At the end the young athletes paraded along the track and assembled at the finish line for the presentations.
The trophy was won this year by the Brighton club. Crawley came 3rd.
And yes, Sue is wearing a jacket from Beijing.
Sue and Keith (Mr and Mrs Sussex athletics almost) have made the trip to all of the recent Olympic Games.
Remember you can click on the photos to see more detail on a bigger image.
There is never time to take photos of the races or of all the timekeepers at work, but Bill took one of me, posing after the meeting was over.
I watched the first of the new series of The Antiques Roadshow this evening. The last interview was with a mother and daughter. Mother had only stood in the queue for so long with their little trinket to please the daughter - turned out it was worth £20,000!!!!!
Now perhaps I can return to The Cradle of Rome. I got bored with failing on Cradle of Persia and am now hooked on a similar game based on ancient Rome. Trouble is I can't get past being a peasant!
Goodnight.
But it didn't rain all the day, thank goodness. It stayed dry for the athletics meeting this afternoon.
This morning we watched a little sport on TV from Beijing - cycling, with UK riders doing well.
I know that it might seem a bit patronising to feel especially moved as disabled athletes reach the pinnacle of success - but I did feel close to tears as we watched one cyclist collect his gold medal.
Whilst he was on his bike it was hard to see exactly what was wrong with him - man and bike seemed as one. On the rostrum his artificial limb and his stick were much more apparent and he walked with some difficulty and with fragile balance.
Later we were at the track for the highlight of more athletes' lives. This was the final of the Sussex Under 13s League. There were teams from 11 clubs across Sussex competing. At this level the support for each other is obvious and even the "superstars" are aware that each person's effort is of value. It was a lively meeting, with lots of happy children and parents.
I was the chief timekeeper. Having worked out the duties of the other timekeepers in advance I felt relaxed and worked hard to keep the meeting flowing and everybody happy.
At the end the young athletes paraded along the track and assembled at the finish line for the presentations.
The trophy was won this year by the Brighton club. Crawley came 3rd.
And yes, Sue is wearing a jacket from Beijing.
Sue and Keith (Mr and Mrs Sussex athletics almost) have made the trip to all of the recent Olympic Games.
Remember you can click on the photos to see more detail on a bigger image.
There is never time to take photos of the races or of all the timekeepers at work, but Bill took one of me, posing after the meeting was over.
I watched the first of the new series of The Antiques Roadshow this evening. The last interview was with a mother and daughter. Mother had only stood in the queue for so long with their little trinket to please the daughter - turned out it was worth £20,000!!!!!
Now perhaps I can return to The Cradle of Rome. I got bored with failing on Cradle of Persia and am now hooked on a similar game based on ancient Rome. Trouble is I can't get past being a peasant!
Goodnight.
