English Zen at Mottisfont

Phew! phew! phew! OMG was last night exciting in the arena or not??? Had my heart in my mouth when Jess started falling back, before she came storming home.. And the long-jumper, bless him, having to concentrate through the roars. Then Mo Farah, running a pitch perfect race, which I couldn't believe till the end. I tell you, my little heart was pounding like a steam hammer..

So this is an antidote. A piece of English Zen. Thinking calm thoughts, chilling, emptying the mind (and laughing just a little bit at the ridiculous every-blade-of-grass perfection of the English stately garden. Don't you just love it?)

And, of course, 2 of the real major highlights in East London yesterday: saying goodbye to the great Michael Phelps - and seeing Oscar Pistorius taking part in the 400 metre heats. You can't beat that for courage - or achievement..