A box of memories.....

.....so, that was the closing ceremony of London 2012. And this is a box of memories from my own involvement as a Torchbearer, ready to become a time capsule and be opened 20 years from now.

Reflecting, I can still clearly remember by cynicism about the games and listening with derision as a gushing Canadian Olympic official was interviewed about the 'Flame Effect' from Calagary. A few months later., J-P Jamieson had nominated me and I was carrying the Olympic flame through Berwick-upon-Tweed to crowds of cheering locals, the mayor and the town band. "It brings the games to the people", she said. I think it broke-down the natural cynicism of your average Brit and got the 'ordinary' people engaged in what was the come. The opening ceremony was a celebration of the ordinary people too, and I was hooked. For two weeks, I took no notice of the depressing economic output figures or yet another banking scandal (it was a good time to get their bad news out), instead supping on the steady supply of media about the events in north east London and the reasons to cheer.

The Paralympics are coming and I'm hoping my forthcoming London working stints will afford me the opportunity to cheer more heroes*

*I say heroes because women shouldn't be allowed to take part in sport.