The Olympic Torch

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK

How adorable is he?!

This is Olympic torchbearer Charlie Palmer

age 87 from Chilworth

I don't know if he or the torch is shining more :)

I stood next to his proud granddaughters

who said he received the exciting news 21/2 months ago that he'd been selected

For the longest time he thought someone was pulling his leg

Mr Palmer has been an active 'King Scout' as he joined Boy Scouts 75 years ago

He received the Olympic flame from torchbearer Oliver Haydon from East Horsley

'Kissing Point' in Shere

The aluminum torch has 8000 laser cut circles representing

the 8000 inspirational torchbearers carrying the flame

8000 miles over a 70 day journey

Impressively
the Olympic Torch Relay will be within 10 miles of 95% of the UK population

I believe each torchbearer keeps his/her own torch (great memento!)

Only the flame is exchanged

which will light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony on Friday

I had thought the flame was carried continuously by people,

but actually it is in a vehicle quite a lot

between the 1,019 community visits

The Olympic Torch started its UK journey on May 19th

with David Beckham bringing the flame from Athens to England

abroad 'The Firefly', a purpose-designed British Airways jet

Bus that transports torchbearers to their position

While sample torches were tested in BMW's high-tech wind tunnel,

the flame has gone out a few times during its journey due to

a gust of wind in Athens,

water during whitewater rafting on the Olympic canoe slalom,

and on a para-badminton wheelchair in Devon

Not to fear,

one of the four lanterns carrying the mother flame is always nearby to relight the torch
and a new torch is never more than 30 seconds away in case of 'droppage'

The flame has gone on other fun and unique adventures such as

speeding along a zipline across River Tyne with Bear Grylls

flying above Eden Project's rainforest in a helium balloon

and travelling on top of a London Eye pod

For me,

I must admit it was a bit emotional seeing the torch go by

Such a historic moment for everyone witnessing it

:)

And
at 8:12am this Friday
the nation will ring bells for 3 minutes to
kick off the first day of the London 2012 Summer Olympics
- town hall bells, church bells, bicycle bells, hand bells, door bells -

Ting-a-ling :)

- all photos by me -

Sources:
London 2012 Festival (bells)