Sights, sounds and observations from our city in the first weekend of this Big Summer.
If you'd like to share your pics and stories with us here at The DC, email us at the usual address
Always Cross At The Green Man
Day One and the atmosphere around Westminster on Saturday was truly infectious – Beach Volleyball at Horseguards Parade and Cycling on The Mall. Happy crowds, bright sunshine and a genuine feeling of being part of a great big party.
The Dutch helped. They always do… 
*** Excuse Me, Is Anybody Sitting There?
The empty seats are disappointing. Mr Hunt the Culture & Sport bod from the government was on the BBC saying he thinks they were reserved for "corporate sponsors" who just didn’t bother to show up. Mr Hunt tried his best to do some finger wagging on the BBC but here at OG we fear that he will be powerless to "repatriate" the unused tix with Londoners who would LOVE to use them.
In defence of the absentee suits… I suppose if you spend your life with your snout in the trough, it's tough to get your greedy bum down on a chair at the same time.
***
That’s Rich
Andrew Marr on the opening ceremony coverage on the BBC on Friday.
“London,” he drawled, “is an ugly city.”
Frankly, I resent that from a guy with such a great face for radio. Cheeky blighter.
***
Oh… Bugger
Here’s our attempt to capture the Red Arrows as they roared over our house on Friday for the Opening Ceremony…
… in my defence, they were going really REALLY fast!
***
Is This Mitt Romney's Favourite Cinema?
Not everyone thinks our Olympics are a good thing. Do they, Mr Mitt? This characteristically irreverent marquee message from the folks at the Prince Charles cinema, Leicester Place caught our eye. Happy Olympics, Mitt, mate!
***
All That Glisters
The gold track suits for Team GB at the opening ceremony... dearie me. The Greeks started this whole Olympic shebang. And as usual, they have a word for everything. The word Hubris means pride before a fall... Gold track suits… no gold medals on Day 1… Hmmmmmmm.
***
Brand Police
Sweet to see the athletes at the opening ceremony filming events on their phones for posterity. Wonder what the people at a certain South Korean mobile phone manufacturers – big sponsors of the Games – thought of the sight of so many Apple iPhones in the parade?
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