Summer and the Olympics

There's an old saying about the weather in June: "In like a lion, out like a lamb". That certainly happened this year, and July seems to be maintaining the lamb-like approach for the foreseeable future.

Today is what I like to think of as a proper English summer's day. The humidity is low, the air is cool but not cold and there's a breeze blowing. A little more sun would be nice, but the fact that it's cloudy doesn't detract too much provided the rain stays off. (We could, however, do with some rain; I understand that the past few months have been the second driest on record, after the drought of 1976).

Quite apart from anything else, weather like this is pleasant. I do not understand, and never will, those people who think that good weather is measured by fatigue inducing heat, and skin-stripping sun for eight hours a day. In those parts of the world where people have to live with that sort of thing all year round, they retreat into the dark coolness of the indoors and try to sleep though it all. That doesn't sound like the way to enjoy 'good' weather to me.

There is some talk around the office of wandering up through St. James' park to Trafalgar Square at lunchtime to celebrate or commiserate London's Olympic bid, whichever turns out to be the appropriate response. There is a couple of people in the office, of whom I am one, who are deeply ambivalent about London's Olympic 'dream'. Part of me thinks it would be a fine idea, and would put the city into the forefront of activity, development and cultural awareness over the next seven years. The other part, the pragmatist trying to make ends meet in the most expensive city in Europe, is less than welcoming of the idea.

It is a London bid, not a UK bid, or even just an England bid. The money will have to be found from within the city boroughs themselves, and whilst I do not doubt that fundraisers will be able to soak some of the big financial institutions in the City for sponsorship, I am equally aware that much will be supported through our Council Tax. And that means another above-inflation price hike.

Of course, the attitude of our French friends doesn't help. With relations between the two countries probably at a post war low, and President Chirac resorting to sarcastic insults about the UK, instead of trying to negotiate policy, I find my stubborn streak kicking in (as if I had any influence in the matter), with the view that London should have the games, and failing that, anywhere on earth but Paris.

We could fund the bid out of the EU rebate. Jacques wouldn't like that.

Summer and the Olympics

There's an old saying about the weather in June: "In like a lion, out like a lamb". That certainly happened this year, and July seems to be maintaining the lamb-like approach for the foreseeable future.

Today is what I like to think of as a proper English summer's day. The humidity is low, the air is cool but not cold and there's a breeze blowing. A little more sun would be nice, but the fact that it's cloudy doesn't detract too much provided the rain stays off. (We could, however, do with some rain; I understand that the past few months have been the second driest on record, after the drought of 1976).

Quite apart from anything else, weather like this is pleasant. I do not understand, and never will, those people who think that good weather is measured by fatigue inducing heat, and skin-stripping sun for eight hours a day. In those parts of the world where people have to live with that sort of thing all year round, they retreat into the dark coolness of the indoors and try to sleep though it all. That doesn't sound like the way to enjoy 'good' weather to me.

There is some talk around the office of wandering up through St. James' park to Trafalgar Square at lunchtime to celebrate or commiserate London's Olympic bid, whichever turns out to be the appropriate response. There is a couple of people in the office, of whom I am one, who are deeply ambivalent about London's Olympic 'dream'. Part of me thinks it would be a fine idea, and would put the city into the forefront of activity, development and cultural awareness over the next seven years. The other part, the pragmatist trying to make ends meet in the most expensive city in Europe, is less than welcoming of the idea.

It is a London bid, not a UK bid, or even just an England bid. The money will have to be found from within the city boroughs themselves, and whilst I do not doubt that fundraisers will be able to soak some of the big financial institutions in the City for sponsorship, I am equally aware that much will be supported through our Council Tax. And that means another above-inflation price hike.

Of course, the attitude of our French friends doesn't help. With relations between the two countries probably at a post war low, and President Chirac resorting to sarcastic insults about the UK, instead of trying to negotiate policy, I find my stubborn streak kicking in (as if I had any influence in the matter), with the view that London should have the games, and failing that, anywhere on earth but Paris.

We could fund the bid out of the EU rebate. Jacques wouldn't like that.

Olympics 2012

That will be Johnny Bulldog one, Cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys nil, then.

Nice one, Jacques.

Olympics 2012

That will be Johnny Bulldog one, Cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys nil, then.

Nice one, Jacques.