It started with The Queens Baton reaching our little window on the world last Wednesday and ended last night with a BBC live event at their Scottish headquarters at The Quay, Glasgow with Mark Beaumont.
Mark is the adventurer who broke the record for circumnavigating the world on a bike, went on to cycle the Americas (cos he hadn't done mountains) and also rowed the Poles as part of a six man team on the premise that cycling round the world didn't include cycling on water therefore proper circumnavigation.
His latest adventure has been travelling with The Queens Baton as it has made it's way through The Commonwealth and filming it as he's gone. During the event last night he gave a very unique perspective on what the commonwealth games mean to people. We heard of the Belize triathlete who trains on airfields, rides steel beach bikes and thinks that by swimming in the "cool" Caribbean Sea he's getting a sense of what Strathclyde Park Loch will be like (Mark suggested to him he come a few days early to acclimatise).
Then there was a lady cricketer for whom sport has "saved her and her family's lives" because without it she would be struggling to support them.
Another story of winning silver at the Olympics out of the blue by a small national hero - they're first ever medal - and being rewarded with 6 cows by the prime minister of the country.
The Barbados rugby 7s team who only qualified after Nigeria pulled out but don't have anywhere to train but do so with whatever they can find and make into equipment.
The point of all these stories. The Commonwealth Games isn't about the best in the world like the Olympics. For the people Mark met along the way it's about being able to bring their country's culture, heritage and identity to a global audience and to proudly represent their nations whether through winning or losing at sport or through theatre, dance and music. Hence it's reputation as The Friendly Games.
Last Wednesday as I say saw the Queens Baton come to our corner of the world. And what an honour it was to watch Sara Clegg carrying the baton through Clarkston and onto the stage at the big event that was being hosted there. Sara did an exceptional job in not only carrying the baton but in making her family very proud and the many friends who came to celebrate very honoured to be part of such a special day. Sara smiles all of the time but the smile on her face that day exceeded even her best.
On Saturday I attended one of the first of the Festival events that coincide with the games. A theatrical extravaganza of aerobatics, dance, theatre and specially composed music performed by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Of course we were brave enough to make the opening event outdoors. Of course the heavens opened all day. Of course it looked like it would be cancelled. Of course we all turned up hard as nails to take on the weather. Of course we were rewarded with the only dry few hours in the day. It was an interesting figurative and interactive show in Rottenrow Gardens and the surrounding roof tops and building frontages with dance performed off the sides of buildings, actors milling around us all and a wee dance for us all to do at the end. Of course myself and my friends were glad we'd had a wee vino before we got there!! An amazing outdoor world class theatre performance that you couldn't quite believe was happening literally in our backyard.
I know people think I'm slightly obsessed with The Games and The Festival (I promise I'll stop Facebook posting and tweeting - well at least cut it down) but I make no apologies for that. This is a once in a lifetime experience for the citizens of Glasgow and once in a very long time for the city itself therefore I, and many like me, are and will continue to wholeheartedly and excitedly throw ourselves behind it.
I've seen more than some so far but what I have seen is a mere taster if what is to come over the next 11 days of sport and festivities. Even that taster though has left me bursting with pride at what Glasgow is and what the games legacy will help Glasgow become. We aspire to be a world class city and I suspect that will be showcased to the world in the next couple of weeks as Glaswegians welcome the commonwealth in their own friendly, self depracating style. After all as the saying goes People Make Glasgow.
Whilst building up to the festivities I...
...HUNGOUT in the city as much as possible. A highlight - Monday night in glorious sunshine at the BBC Quay right on the River Clyde was a great chilled out evening. Sitting in George Square people watching as the visitors from the Commonwealth gather to have their picture taken with Big G (the massive games logo not me!!!)...
...WINED AND DINED ON...this week I played host for my wine club friends who love their wines and their food so no pressure there. I have to say my food and wine selection went well so this week I'm acknowledging myself - something we should all do once in a while. We took a flight of three cavas to try with our tapas. The most sophisticated and elegant was Segura Viudas Brut Reserva whilst the most quaffable was Freixenet Vintage Especial Brut. The tapas included piperade (marinaded peppers), prawns marinaded in paprika, lemon, oregano and cumin and various Spanish cheeses.
We then moved on to cod and chorizo stew served with Damana 5 Ribera del Duero which was just the perfect match. As for dessert it was Spanish pear tartlets poached in and served with Pedro Ximinez sherry. There may have been a few more wines consumed however they weren't for matching!! The Segura Viudas Cava, the Ribera and the Pedro Ximinez were all matched by and bought from the great wine shop Valahalla's Goat on Great Western Road. Inspired matches.
So I may or may not blog from the Games each day over the coming couple of weeks. We'll see. In the meantime have a great week whatever you're up to and if anyone is in town then give me a shout to catch up for coffee/gin/wine etc.
Have a great one
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