Packing

I've been making lists and organising things in my head but tomorrow I suppose I ought to start packing.

Have I mentioned that I'm moving?

It feels a little odd, to be honest. As strange as it may sound, this is the first place I've ever lived alone. Yes, I've had a pretty regular house guest but basically I live by myself. Moving from one place to another under these circumstances is a new experience for me.

I've built a lot of memories in this little house over the last three years. Practically all of the good ones involve being here with my Pretty Lady. In fact scratch the "practically" from that last sentence. I've also got some less good memories of the place, most of which involve coming home from work (or waking up) to find pools of rain from where the house wasn't entirely weatherproof. Oh, and not being able to keep the place warm in winter because of the stone floors. Anyway.

So I can move in next Tuesday. That's ideal in a lot of ways as it's payday - if there's anything I need to pick up for the house I'll have the moolah to do so. I'm very excited actually. It's a lovely quiet area. Down a very narrow lane (which will take a little negotiating with the car!) you come to two rows of terraced houses and mine is an end terrace. And the view from the top of the lane is wonderful...

 

Back within earshot of the bells!

Olympians

BBC Sport - Ennis, Rutherford and Farah light up London 2012 Olympics for Great Britain

"Great Britain claimed six gold medals and a silver on Day Eight of the London Games to enjoy their most successful day at an Olympics in 104 years."

I've lived through some days that'll be written in the history books. Today was one that'll go into the sporting history books.

The first Olympics I can remember was Munich '72. The terrific sporting achievements there are usually overshadowed in memory by the violent deaths of 17 people, but I'm slightly ashamed to say that my six-year old self was more interested in the games themselves. 

I remember Mark Spitz, Olga Korbut, but most all Mary Peters who won the hearts of the Bavarian crowd, a gold medal and brought a smile to the face of Belfast for a while.

The Olympic Games have held a special place in my heart ever since.