Come through the entrance to St Pancras station in London, look up to be amazed at William Barlow's single span elliptical roof and see some rings have appeared. Bit dull?
Come round the other side and here are the Olympic rings in full colour. John Betjeman's statue has temporarily got more than the shed roof to look at. An appropriate combination for no doubt if still alive then he would probably be attending the Poetry Olympics Enlightenment Marathon or the Olympic Parnassus when it is hoped that a poet from all 204 nations competing at this year's London sporting Olympics will come together with a poem, although there are 23 countries lacking a representative so the search goes on from American Samoa to Vanuatu, a call has gone out to find the missing poets here
When we were in London the Olympic countdown clock was at 196 days now we are down to two figures - 93
and on the other side the Paralympics was 229 days away, now its only 126.
I couldn't feature a statute of John Betjeman without a poem so here he is dreaming of his 'Olympic Girl'
An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet
I listened to John Betjeman's poem and although it was sad, it had such a flow and a ring of truth to it and I loved hearing his perfect voice to accompany those sentiments. I hadn't thought of an olympic poetry event but love the idea. The olympics were here in Vancouver in 2010, and I remember seeing those rings in the shipyard in North Vancouver. I wasn't sure why they were there - perhaps they were being assembled or repaired. Anyhow, a fun and interesting post. Thank you!
Your second photo inside St Pancras is wonderful - from the colourful rings, to Betjeman looking up at them, to the clock that is exquisitely timed to 10 past 10!
O for Olympics is perfect! Would you believe that this is the first time that it has occurred to me that the Olympic rings might actually be Os for Olympics?
You all must be getting excited! I know we were here in Vancouver this time 2 years ago! We're getting a call tonight from London as to whether L will be getting a position as a Venue Security Manager...fingers crossed!
I agree, they could have some more unusual symbols for the Olympics! Like the statue of Betjeman, but his poem:no:( From friends who live there, I hear they'll avoid London traffic!
Great O post, and I love the interior of St Pancras Station!
I got to visit London in 1996 and can't begin to imagine what it will be like with the crush of people that will be there for the Olympics! I'd be keeping a close eye on that countdown clock and packing my bags for a fortnight in Cornwall if I were a Londoner! :-)
The Olympics bring out the best in all of us. It's wonderful to see (most) of the world come together for one event. I hope everything from the preparation to the final ceremony goes smoothly for London.
12 comments:
I listened to John Betjeman's poem and although it was sad, it had such a flow and a ring of truth to it and I loved hearing his perfect voice to accompany those sentiments. I hadn't thought of an olympic poetry event but love the idea. The olympics were here in Vancouver in 2010, and I remember seeing those rings in the shipyard in North Vancouver. I wasn't sure why they were there - perhaps they were being assembled or repaired. Anyhow, a fun and interesting post. Thank you!
Your second photo inside St Pancras is wonderful - from the colourful rings, to Betjeman looking up at them, to the clock that is exquisitely timed to 10 past 10!
I have the Olympic theme stuck in my head! ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Olympic symbol is fun!
O is for....
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Wonderful shots of the place.
O for Olympics is perfect! Would you believe that this is the first time that it has occurred to me that the Olympic rings might actually be Os for Olympics?
Great Oh!
Love the building that those Olympic rings are in too. Very steampunkish looking.
You all must be getting excited! I know we were here in Vancouver this time 2 years ago! We're getting a call tonight from London as to whether L will be getting a position as a Venue Security Manager...fingers crossed!
Leslie
abcw team
I agree, they could have some more unusual symbols for the Olympics! Like the statue of Betjeman, but his poem:no:( From friends who live there, I hear they'll avoid London traffic!
Great O post, and I love the interior of St Pancras Station!
I got to visit London in 1996 and can't begin to imagine what it will be like with the crush of people that will be there for the Olympics! I'd be keeping a close eye on that countdown clock and packing my bags for a fortnight in Cornwall if I were a Londoner! :-)
The Olympics bring out the best in all of us. It's wonderful to see (most) of the world come together for one event. I hope everything from the preparation to the final ceremony goes smoothly for London.
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