Was it really that long ago?

Safe to say, I miss the Olympic vibe and spirit. Thankfully SportsAid and the Bucks Sporting Lunch Club keep me immersed in sport.

Paralympic DVD

I will forever be a part of history... thanks to the Paralympic Channel 4 DVD!

It was an obvious present to give me last Christmas (so much so I got it twice!), but little did I know I would appear on it. Full coverage of the opening ceremony is on the DVD including that moment when I ate an apple (orange).

As long as DVDs remain in circulation, forever will this be shown and mocked!!

RideLondon100 completed!

Inspired by 2012, I just had to do more. When the email campaign for RideLondon100 was sent out, I just had to be there...

After a successful ballot application, my cycling addiction began. £0000s of pounds was spent on a new bike and equipment, and I even managed to convince my girlfriend to join me.

The pursuing months of training got us both fighting fit.

The event was a blast. Clear roads, free from people and cars! 100 miles of ups and downs closely following the road circuit graced by Sir Bradley Wiggins and co.

Verity and I would finally cross the finishing line together having ticked off all the miles. 6:30hrs was a respectable time.

The competitive beast in me with clearly apply again next year! If alone, 5hrs will be the target!

Thank you RideLondon for bring back a small part of the Olympics

A thank you at Dorney Lake

With the dust well and truly settled on London 2012, mainly helped by the constant downpours and flooding in my home town, it was nice to be invited to Eton Dorney (home of the "Dorney roar") for a thank you event from Bucks CC.

The awful weather didn't damper the spirits of 30 odd games makers from the county, who all enjoyed some drinks and finger food.

We were joined by lots of distinguished guests including the High Sheriff of Bucks.

The evening lasted a few hours and allowed for another catch up and reminisce - and a brief chat from the council about the legacy plans.

Bucks TV!

Some of you won't be surprised to hear that I was interviewed at the parade last week... but rather funnily it was for BucksTV not BBC London News which we'd been warned about!

Hence the rather nervy interview I gave:
http://www.buckstv.co.uk/buckstv/index.html

Being interviewed



At the parade in Marlow

A fabulous finale...

Saturday was the final curtain call on what's been a fabulous few weeks.. Wycombe District Council arranged a superb gathering of over 60 games makers, a few ceremony dancers and most importantly our local sporting heroes from both the Olympics and Paralympics.

After finally finding Shelley Theatre, I joined the party slightly on the late side! We formed a guard of honour in anticipation of the bus parade at the start of the park entrance. The bus was inevitably late as quite rightly everyone milked the occasion.

The bus was full of amazing people... Katherine Grainger the star of Eton Dorney (finally getting her gold after 3 silvers), Ed McKeever the 200m sprint canoe gold medallist, rower Greg Searle (bronze after a loooooong break from rowing since the golds he won when Redgrave was at his peak) and many others.

The town was out in force which was great to see.

We then formed another guard of honour to start the reception. There were many talks from distinguished guests and one by one the athletes were celebrated with gifts. Once they were all given out it was our turn. A nice gesture from WDC to give us all a certificate of thanks.... need more frames!!

We all enjoyed a toast of champagne and then mingled with the stars. Katherine was a star. Signed my accreditation and joked about her long wait for gold and posed for a photo. Likewise with Ed who said he had celebrated too hard lately especially after getting married too recently. Time for some training then Ed!!

Katherine Grainger

And then that was that... time to go home and take off the legendary purple top. Perhaps for the last time!

2012 has been remarkable.... and it was not over! My team Spurs went and beat Man U at Old Trafford (MIRACLE!!!) and then the European Ryder Cup team stuffed USA in their back yard. Incredible weekend!

Long may 2012 live on!

Ed McKeever

Marlow 2012 parade

Looking forward to Saturday when the local Olympic atheletes are paraded around Marlow to celebrate their achievements.

I received a Tweet from Suzie Clarke (ex Wycombe Wanderers/Wasps) who was trying to get in contact with all the Bucks games makers.

A quick call into Wycombe District Council and I was invited to attend a reception ahead of the parade (in uniform).

Can't wait... details are still vague but will be a great way for us all to celebrate :)