This post is a little 'off topic' but goes some way to explain why I haven't posted much in the past couple of weeks!
I was there to cheer Gemma on in the swimming of course and thanks so much to many of you out there for the messages of support, emails etc.... The outcome and I quote, was "not exactly what she had hoped for" but reaching two Paralympic finals was the stuff of dreams and she will be better equipped for the future from the experience!
She may not have got amongst the medals but a timely facebook message from her Australian coach reminding her of her climb...... from the fresh faced youngster in the pool ten years ago was spot on - "the victory was entirely hers" !
Speaking of another victory.... The 400m IM, final featured Ellie Simmonds, chasing an American swimmer who had led for some 350m and then, some 16,000 people including me, screamed her on to victory. I found this vid on youtube (my ears are still ringing!) Pundits dubbed it one of the best races of all time? Seek out the longer version if you wish.....
What do you do at the end of a long day? If you haven't seen it, the 'Last Leg' at the end of the coverage proper on Channel 4 is well worth a watch. It's an irreverent look at the events / Paralympians and manages to cleverly break down barriers of disability and humour...
It is quite simply very, very funny - give it a watch, there's only a couple more days left!!
To get you in the mood, here's a couple more Paralympic moments....
A table tennis player shows that a stick is no barrier to agility!
A small part of Jody Cundy's infamous rant - he was not very happy at being disqualified!!!
I hope to be back in birding action very soon.......
