The day the Olympic torch came to Gnosall

A once in a lifetime event today in our village, how could we not be there!!!
The Olympic torch was going to be carried through our village  on day 12 of the torch relay
the road through Gnosall was to be closed from 4pm with the relay due to start around 4.50pm, so we set off to the village shortly after 4pm on foot, not really knowing what to expect as we had waved the Commonwealth Games baton relay through Gnosall back in 2002 and I guess then there were probably about a dozen or so people spread along the street at our end of the village.
On our arrival, it was apparent that today there would be a great deal more than 12 or so people.

Still with half an hour or so to go and the pavements were already getting filled, so we chose our spot and waited!

The bunting was out and there were so many flags being clutched by excited local people.

It was lovely sharing this special afternoon with so many people we knew.

Every so often a metropolitan police bike would drive past with the blue flashing lights and loud noises, checking to see if the side roads were closed and the main road was clear.

These children were being so patient

and then just before the torch relay started one of them swapped a flag for a torch

then eventually it all kicked off, three or four sponsor vehicles came through all with excited young adults  some with pom poms all were waving madly.

once they had passed us the official Olympic vehicles arrived.

So who were these three camera folk photographing

Yes you have guessed it.

No idea who the torch bearer is which is a shame especially as we did have a lady from the village who was a torch bearer but not in Gnosall, no, for some reason her allocated place was in Great Wyrley near Cannock - ours isn't to reason why!!!
No soon as the torch had arrived and the cheering and waving had started it was all over and everyone started to make their way back to their own homes or cars.

We enjoyed a pleasant stroll back down the lanes with some of our neighbours, before returning to our home and a pimms and dinner outside as we were finishing off we had a short but heavy shower. Thank goodness the rain held off until then!

So how long do I have to wait until the Olympics? Apparently as I am writing this it is 57 days 23 hours and 38 minutes and counting  - I can't wait!!!!!