That's quite a view!

robin look out over toronto
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

This is the third in the trilogy I like to call 'Robin: A Small Bird And A Large Tower'. Here he is at the top of the CN Tower, looking out over downtown Toronto. Well, actually, he's looking at the camera. If he was looking out over downtown Toronto you'd only be able to see the back of his head and you might think he was ignoring you. Safe to say, moments after the photo was taken, he span round and had a good old gawp.

Robin. A glass floor. A big drop.

robin on the cn tower's glass floor
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

This is Robin lying on the glass floor at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, below which there's a sheer drop about 130 floors to the ground below. Quite a spooky feeling to walk on it - though it didn't stop me joining in with the schoolkids jumping up and down on it really hard. We'd have looked pretty silly had it given way...

Robin and a very large tower

Robin and CN Tower
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, I'm back in London (straight into work from overnight flight - feeling slightly dazed).

As you'll see from the pic, yesterday myself and Robin went and explored Toronto - this was taken down by the harbour and the weather was gorgeous.

We also went up the tower (tourist-y, but surely worth it on a clear day like that...). Pictures from up there to follow...

Robin and me are in Toronto...

...but sadly, my USB chord isn't - so don't think I'll be able to share any pictures till I'm back (on Friday).

Anyone got any top Toronto tips? I've been once before, but was literally in the country for less than 14 hours, so my expertise is minimal.

From where I'm typing, I can see a massive revolving ice hockey player on the roof of a bar across the street. That seems typically Canadian, somehow.

Robin, chillin'

Robin on the Heath
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

So after we'd released Robin from the door of the phone box (see below), we took him up to the extremely lovely Hampstead Heath, which is a bit like London's version of Central Park, except hillier, not in the centre and with ponds you can swim in.

As you'll see, he buried himself in the grass and enjoyed a relaxing few hours catching some early-summer rays...

Robin! Phone box!

Robin in a phone box
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, it's Robin poking his head out of the door of a traditional British telephone box. There aren't too many of them left in operation these days (they're usually modern plastic ones) but this is one of the old school types - as spotted in Hampstead, a particularly upmarket part of London.

Robin, a fish and a giant metal head

robin and a big metal head
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

This is the last of the Robin shots from our Scottish trip, taken in a wee (see, I picked up the dialect) town called Kilmarnock.

We stopped off there for a couple of hours before getting the flight home (Dawn, it wasn't a work trip - it was a fun one, crammed in among a busy time at work).

It's not the most glamourous town, but the sun was shining and everyone seemed very friendly. And all down the main shopping street they had these little scupltures built into the street. I've tried to find out more about them online (because I think they're ace) but, as yet, to no avail.

There, that's four postings in 24 hours - we haven't been this prolific since the Olympics!

Robin at Loch Lomond

robin and a loch
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

This one was taken on the way back from Mull to Glasgow Prestwick airport, when we stopped off at one of the viewing areas for Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond is approximately 23 miles long, and up to 5 miles wide, with a maximum depth of about 190 metres (620 feet). It is the largest body of inland water in Great Britain.

The loch famously features in Andrew Lang's verse, The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond, published around 1876.

You might know the chorus:

Oh, ye'll tak the high road, and I'll tak the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye;
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.

See, robintherobin.com - not just fun, but educational!

Robin on the isle of Mull

Robin on Mull
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

Here's the second picture from our Scottish adventure. This was taken on the seafront in Tobermory on the isle of Mull, an island off the west of Scotland. All the buildings are painted different colours making for a place that looks like a toy town - which may be why a popular BBC kids show called Balamory is filmed there.

To Robin's right is the gorgeous seafront/harbour that the town is stretched around. It's a very beautiful place - well worth a visit if you're ever up that way.

Robin hits the Highlands

robin back to nature
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hello folks, hope you're all well.

Sorry for not posting for a while, I've been (as ever) rather busy.

We went up to Scotland for a few days last week (Fri to Mon) and this picture of Robin was taken on the gorgeous drive up from Glasgow to Oban (passing Loch Lomond), where we caught the ferry to the isle of Mull. Absolutely lovely scenery and, as you'll see, the weather was great.

More pics from our Scottish adventure coming soon...

www.robintherobin.com

robin addresses the world
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Those of you who come to this blog via the www.athens2004blog.com might've noticed that although you can still get to the site, you now get an annoying pop-up from UK2.net.

The best, pop-up free way to get to the blog now is to come via www.robintherobin.com - which is pretty easy to remember, even for a toy bird.

STOP PRESS: Just to clarify, using robintherobin.com will still divert you to www.athens2004blog.blogspot.com (the overall holding page for the blog, and that address is fine to use still too). But if you were using www.athens2004blog.com you will now get a pop up from UK2. Hope that makes sense.

Spring seems to have turned up

A robin and a pear tree
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

After the cloudy, grey skies in London the other day (see below) spring seems to have arrived today - as the sun shines and the sky is a deep shade of blue. Whether the thousands running the London marathon are pleased about this heat is, of course, another matter. But myself and Robin are very pleased - which is why we took this picture out of the window of our flat.

Robin meets Chris Martin from Coldplay!

christopherrobin
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, a few months after he met Kylie, here's Robin going nose to beak with Chris Martin from Coldplay. As you'll see from the pic, the lovely Mr Martin was quite awed at meeting such an international star (this despite the fact he's married to Gwyneth Paltrow!) and the two chatted for a while, swapping tips about things like how to avoid being bothered in the street (Robin's advice was to 'just fly away').

Robin. And London.

robinontheroof
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

Thought you might like to see a shot of Robin on the roof of the building where I work, which I just took during a hasty lunchbreak.

If you look very carefully you'll see the Millennium Eye big wheel over on the left and Big Ben somewhere over on the right. If you look not very carefully, you'll see clouds. Where did Spring get to?

Robin is cool!

Robin the cool dude
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

Long time, no post - sorry, I've been flat out busy with work and then went to Hamburg for a few days but forgot to take Robin (that's what happens when you have to get up at 5am to catch a flight!). I did take a couple of 27 pics though if you want to see them (see 27 site link over on the links bit). Anyway, as I've not posted in ages, here's a bit of a catch-up.

The picture's of Robin in his trendy new leather jacket, about to flutter into town to wow the local chicks. (Okay, okay, he's sitting in the top of my leather glove, but you've got to admit it suits him).

I liked Vix's idea the other day about trying to think of what Robin's fans should be called. Any ideas gratefully received.

I'm also trying to think of another competition along the lines of the ones we had during the Olympics - so look out for that soon.

Any other big excitements? Well, tomorrow a bunch of us are going for an 8 mile country walk as kind of a wedding reunion - nice to get our mates back together for the first time since Athens. Oh, and Prince Charles is getting married today, but nobody that I know gives a monkeys. Was very surprised that his wedding was the top headline on the news in Germany last week. I think Brits are more excited about the Grand National horse race.

And finally, in smoothie news, this morning we had banana, milk, honey and a bag of frozen forest fruits, which worked very well blended up together - and was nice and cold because of the fruits being frozen.

That competition will be up within the next few days (just trying to think of something everybody can join in with, where's there's a definite answer at some point...)

STOP PRESS: For the benefit of Andria in Texas, and anybody else who doesn't know - forest fruit is the generic term for a bunch of fruits, usually berries, that you might find if you went wandering in a forest. We're talking blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, redcurrants, raspberries, that sort of thing. You get yoghurts, sweets (candy) and various other things in forest fruits flavour. Do they really not have that term Stateside?

Robin makes a new friend!

Robin meets a lamb!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, today Robin, my lovely wife and myself went to a farm near the Derbyshire village where my mum lives, to see some newborn lambs.

This little fella was born in the last couple of days and is, needless to say, one of the cutest things in the whole wide world. And perhaps even the universe (though I'm told the Lesser Striped Deeegtwerts on Jupiter are mighty pretty),

It was a lovely way to spend Easter - and certainly fit the whole 'new life' theme nicely. Robin and the lamb got on so well that they exchanged email addresses and plan to be in touch soon. Probably.

Robin plugs new 27 blog

Robin plugs 27
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

Here's Robin plugging a new blog that I've set up. Being born on the 27th, I've always been a fan of the number 27 - and whenever I'm out and about and see the number somewhere, I usually take a picture of it. And now I'm putting some of those pics on a blog.

It's www.twentysevenpics.blogspot.com (or just click on the link over in the links list)

Check it out!

Happy Easter!

An Easter Robin
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

A very happy Easter from Robin and myself! Have a good one and go easy on the chocolate.

(These eggs will be going in neither a smoothie nor a juice - but thanks for all the recipe ideas, will defintely be trying some of them out.)

Our blender arrived!

whizzz...
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, the posh blender (which, you'll remember, was a replacement for the second juicer we were bought as a wedding gift) has arrived!

This morning we had a banana, milk, honey and yoghurt (Greek of course). It was tremendous.

Note too, the extremely swanky coffee pot in the background my brother Edward got us as a wedding gift. And the lovely bread bin given to us by a friend. Verily we have the best-supplied kitchen in London now!

And, don't worry, the blender wasn't plugged in when Robin so beautifully modelled it!

The joy of juicing!

Robin and various vegetables
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, following the record-breaking (I think) number of comments about root beer (thanks for all the suggestions, I shall be sampling as many as possible next time I'm in the US!) here's another drink-themed post.

Obviously, having just got married, we were very lucky to get a bunch of wedding gifts. One of the most fun has been the juicer which we were given (actually, we were given two - clearly juicers are like buses - but the second one is being swapped for a posh blender instead).

Suddenly, we've become slightly obsessed with the various combinations available. Yesterday we had a very tasty spinach, carrots, apple, radish and beetroot - a combination which helps boost brain power according to the book which the second juicer-giver gave us. And today we've just had a very sweet pear, apple, ginger and celery. All very healthy and VERY tasty! I can seriously recommend one if you haven't got one. Not nearly as hard to clean as I thought it would be either.

So folks, after your root beer advice, does anyone have any favourite juice combinations they'd like to recommend? (Naturally Robin tends to prefer the ones with berries in them...)

STOP PRESS: Yes, smoothies do count!

The big root beer taste test!

Robin and root beer
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up folks

This is Robin and two cans of root beer (if, for some reason you hadn't worked that much out) which we bought from the Chinese supermarket we went to. Although they're American brands (I think), the two cans were made in Singapore and Malaysia respectively!

I'm a big, big fan of root beer, which is quite hard to find over here. They used to sell it in McDonalds in the 80s, but stopped a long time ago. So the only time I get to drink it is when I'm in the US - and it even seems to be disappearing a bit there. I know some people think it tastes like dental mouthwash, but I think it rocks.

So, imagine my excitement on finding not one but two brands in the Chinese supermarket. The Frost brand (which I hadn't heard of) was selling at 49p a can and the A&W (which I had) at 59p. So we decided to buy a couple of both and have a taste test (that's the kind of crazy kids we are!).

And the winner? A&W hands down. Not only is it a better colour (much lighter - Frost looks like treacle), but it has superior levels of carbonation and a crisper flavour! Worth the extra 10p a can any day.

Any of you marvellous US readers got any root beer tips or tales?

A bird on the shelf is worth two in the storeroom

Robin at the Oriental supermarket
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up folks

Yesterday myself, my wife (!) and Robin went up to Oriental City, an amazing far east shopping complex in north London. A friend (my Greek orthodox best man in fact) has been raving about the place for ages and we finally got around to driving up there.

It's an astonishing, huge place. The supermarket and clothes, gift etc shops are amazing - we bought loads of brightly packaged things - but the food court (which features individual places selling Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese etc etc) really has to be experienced to be believed! The Penang Fish Curry was out of this world!

It's well worth a visit if you're ever in London. But please note, the bird on the shelf is not for sale.

Here's Robin at our wedding!

Here's Robin at our wedding!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, I've just downloaded the shots from my eldest brother's camera and here's Robin at our wedding. I'm the tall one and my wife, um, is the one in the white dress!

It was a lovely service - all done in Greek (it was in a Greek Orthodox church) but I'd read up beforehand about the wedding service, so even if I didn't understand every word, I knew what was going on. Most of the service was sung (there was an amazing choir up on the church balcony) and it was quite a moving spectacle. In fact, is that a tear I see in Robin's eye...?

Robin on honeymoon!

Robin at Elafonisi beach
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, here's a pic of Robin on our honeymoon in Crete (when I say 'our' I mean me and Lex, not me and Robin - me and the bird are just good friends).

The beach was a crazy, windy drive through the hills down to the south-west coast of Crete. Apparently the beach, Elafonisi, is very busy during the summer, but we were there off season on a gorgeous, crisp day and there wasn't another person on the beach apart from us. We didn't quite dare to swim in the chilly winter water, but we had a nice paddle (and I've just about got the feeling back in my feet now).

Good to see so many of you on the Blog yesterday - 46 visitors! - so clearly you've not forgotten about me and my red-breasted pal. Hello to Mary who posted a comment for the first time yesterday - always nice to have a new poster (obviously alongside the cherished regulars!).

How blue does that sky look in the pic? Ah, wish I was back there. Back to work on Thursday for me after a massive six weeks off (a sabbatical) for our wedding. Sigh...

We're back! Big news! And we went to football!

Robin at Shef Wed
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hello folks!

Yes, we're back in Blighty after a top. top honeymoon. I've got various pics of Robin at our wedding and on honeymoon to show, but I thought I'd kick you off with this shot of him in the crowd at Sheffield Wednesday vs Doncaster Rovers that we went to yesterday. Why do you think that chap behind him is hiding his face? Perhaps he is a master criminal?! Maybe Robin should become a sleuth.

So, the big news I refer to above is that I've decided to launch a multi-million pound/dollar rebranding of this website. Yes, as you might've noticed above, it's not called Athens2004Blog.com any more, it's called RobintheRobin.com. I've bought the address www.robintherobin.com (should be live from tomorrow) but you'll still be able to get here from either www.athens2004blog.com or www.athens2004blog.blogspot.com.

Why has it changed? Well, because it's really not about the Athens Olympics anymore, but it is mainly about Robin. And, in a bid to increase traffic, I might email some of the journalists who wrote about the Blog during the Olympics and ask them to mention the site in their round-ups as www.robintherobin.com. What do you folks reckon to all that?

Right, best get on for now - but pics of Robin at wedding and honeymoon coming up very soon...

Kit
A married man.
Very happily so.

Hello from Crete!

Hello folks

No picture, because I'm just at internet cafe without a USB cable - but Robin says hi. I've got to be quick because our half hour is nearly up, but I just wanted to say hello.

The wedding went really, really well - amazing service and great reception surrounded by people we care about. Our honeymoon was delayed by a day because flights out of AThens were cancelled because of crazy wind, but we made it to Crete on the Wednesday after our wedding. We're having a lovely, peaceful time here, just relaxing after the mania of wedding-ness. It was all quite hard work to plan (and it never let up right until the afternoon of the wedding) but it was all well worth it - we both had an amazing time, and married life is, so far, very good!

Hope you're all well. Pictures of Robin on Crete to follow when we're back...

Today I get married!

Robin and rings
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, here's Robin on the morning of my wedding in Athens, looking after the wedding rings.

The service is at 6pm tonight (they do evening weddings in Greece) in the Orthodox church that my fiance's parents got married in 30 years ago.

Thanks for all your best wishes.

I can't wait.

:)

Robin visits a 2,500-year-old temple...

Robin at Sounion
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Evenin'

Today me and Robin went up to the Sanctuary Of Poseidon, a temple at Cape Sounion about 35 miles outside Athens.

We went up there with my Grampa and fiance (that's them in the background on the left) - as my Grampa's in Athens for my wedding and he's always wanted to go up to Sounion, which he's never been to despite having travelled to Greece so much in the past that he speaks fluent Greek (to our taxi driver's obvious amazement!).

It's a beautiful place, amazingly situated that's definitely worth a visit if you ever make it to Athens. Nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of wedding planning in the city too.

So, we've got some last minute sorting to do tomorrrow and then it's the wedding on Saturday. Thanks so much for all your best wishes in the comments tabs (including you Diegem - can't believe I didn't put you in my list of regulars!). It's ace that you're following our progress from all over the world.

I'll try and post something tomorrow - which is when about 40 of our friends and family arrive to join the 25 or so that have already made it out (plus, of course, the 60 or so guests who live here in Greece).

People keep asking me if I feel nervous. That in itself is making me feel nervous.Truth is, I'm actually more excited than anything else...

:)

We did it! We hit 20,000!

Robin in a market, celebrating!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, as you'll tell from the extra wide smile on Robin's face, today we hit our 20,000th visitor! Thanks loads for the extra effort over the last couple of days - it's much appreciated by both myself and my red-breasted pal.

So, today was another cold day in Athens. Would you believe it has snowed - at least a sprinkle - every day since we arrived last weekend. The snow isn't settling, but it's absolute FREEZING cold (espcially for folks who packed thinking it would be warmer than mild London - which it very much isn't!). But the sun's shining. so that's the main thing.

Today we did our wedding seating plan and then went out and met my mum, brother, grampa and stepdad for a wander around the massive old central market hall in Athens. That's where Robin's standing, with folks packing up meat stalls (i think) in the background.

Right, I'm off to watch the all-important Greece v Denmark World Cup qualifier on TV (tried to get tickets, sadly didn't manage).

Thanks again for helping us hit 20,000 (especially the Robin loyalists like Vix, KJ, Dawn, Shay, Andrea, Cathy and all the others!).

Three days until the wedding... :)

It's working! Just 27 to go!

Yes, our campaign appears to be doing the job - we've had our busiest day on the Blog for ages. So thanks. As I write we're on 19.973 visitors. We could even hit 20,000 by tomorrow morning. Wowser.

Someone kindly posted on the comment tab below saying that they (and others) read through the RSS feed. Excuse my ignorance, but can someone explain what that is? And where would you go to read it? I'm a bit confused by all this RSS malarkey to be honest. People sometimes email about my RSS feed, but I have no idea what they're talking about! Help! Please!

In other news, today I wrote my groom's speech for the wedding on Saturday. And my mum and big brother have just touched down in Athens. We've got about 65 people from outside Greece, and they're all arriving in the next couple of days. Exciting stuff. I'm off into Athens again tomorrow, so I'll get another pic of wee Robin out there (stayed in the flat all day today working on this speech!)

Robin needs you!

Robin's campaign...
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, as the picture shows, me and Robin are back in Athens and had a nice trip down to the old Olympic Stadium today (the one used for the 1896 Olympics and the archery/marathon at the 2004) ones.

And, as you'll see from the picture, he's got a campaign to launch! If you click on the Site Meter below, you'll see that we're just short of our 20,000th visitor to www.athens2004blog.com - in fact, about 80 short as I write this. We normally get between 15-25 visitors a day (of course, it was thousands during the Olympics!) but we're keen to hit the magic 20,000 mark as soon as we can. This is mainly because I get married in Athens in 5 days' time - and I was really hoping to pass it before that.

So, what do me and Robin want you to do? Ask your relatives, friends, colleagues and even enemies to come to the blog (www.athens2004blog.com) in the next couple of days. They don't have to even read any pages when they get here (but it would be lovely if they did), I just want to see if we can push it over the magic 20,000 mark with a burst of visitors.

So go on. Ask a couple of pals to pop to the Blog and let's get past 20,000 by Friday. Then I'll be able to get married with that particular mission accomplished.

Thanks very much. Update tomorrow...

Robin and Robot

Machine and bird in perfect harmony
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

This is Robin and a chap who lives in our flat called Robot. Although it looks like Robot is karate chopping Robin's head, he is actually just giving him a friendly pat - they're good friends and Robot is very happy to have Robin back.

Oh, and Robin's left leg hasn't fallen off, he's just tucked it behind him.

Nine days till I get married...

Robin's made a new friend!

Robin and his new pal
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, having returned from a month in my brother's sports bag at the weekend, Robin wasted no time in finding a new friend on his return to London.

He bumped into this chap in a bakers near where we live. Quite why the bakers is selling 2004 Olympic ginger bread men in February 2005 wasn't clear, but he seems fresh, so we're pretty sure he hasn't been sitting there since August,

In wedding news, my big brother Eddie took me shopping today and, with his marvellous advice, I managed to get myself a shirt, some shoes and some cufflinks. 11 days to go...

Here he is!

Robin is back!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, as explained in the post below, Robin is back. Found. Discoverd. Back back back!

So here he is with the flag we made for him on New Year's Eve, which was exactly when we discovered he was missing.

Ah, it's good to have him back.

:)

Robin. Found. Yes!

Yes, 30 long days after we realised he was missing, Robin has turned up. I always thought he would, because it didn't seem possible that he could've just disappeared into thin air.

So, where was he? Well, on Boxing Day, I lent my football boots (which I'd brought with me from London) to my brother Robert to play in our village's annual football (soccer) match. Robin, as it turns out, was in a plastic bag in the plastic bag that contained the boots. So my brother took both Robin and the boots off in his sports bag. And, my brother being my brother, he only got round to completely unpacking that bag today. Whereupon he found Robin, who'd obviously just spent a nice relaxing month away from my camera's lens.

Funnily enough, we found this out as we were driving up to my mum's house for the first time since Christmas, and I'd just been thinking about places where I could look for the wee fella. No need, because as we neared my home village we got the call saying he'd been found.

Now, I know he's only a soft, little toy bird qand there are more important things to worry about in the world, but I think I can speak for my whole family when I say we've all been somewhat sad about his disappearance for the past month. The thing is, with Robin's whereabouts being such a mystery, it was impossible to get 'closure'! I just kept trying to work out how he could possible have disappeared. And now I know.

So, I'll get a picture of him up very soon (I don't have my digital camera with me right now) and the really gerat news is that now, rest assured, Robin will be there in Athens, where his Blog adventures began, to witness myself and Alexia getting married in 13 days' time.

Result. There's some big grins in my family tonight (and Robin looks pretty pleased to see me too).

Happy new year. Sad new year.

First up, happy new year to all you readers out there - hope you have a great 2005.

But, I'm afraid, I do have some sad news too. This news is really not very sad when put against what's happening in Asia right now, but it is still quite sad. Robin has disappeared. I took him up to my mum's house for Christmas, but as I forgot to take a USB chord to connect my digital camera to her computer I didn't bother taking a picture of him. So, having returned to London I went to my (as yet unpacked) bag on Dec 31 to take a new year's picture. But he wasn't there.

The bag he was in (a big holdall with all my clothes etc) has only been in my flat, my car, my office and my mum's house. We've searched all of them very thoroughly (including the bins) but he hasn't turned up. He was in a little white plastic bag within the holdall, and as that plastic bag hasn't turned up, I'm guessing he's still in it. It's absolutely baffling and very frustrating.

But I'm assuming it's a question of when, not if, we find him. He must be somewhere. I could've just taken my mum's robin, Robyn, and used that for my blog pictures instead, but I thought you folks would probably like to know the truth - that the pesky little bird is currently off on an adventure somewhere without me.

Obviously you'll be the first to hear when (let's say when) I find him!

Happy Christmas!

Seasons greetings from Robin!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

As Robin has written in the snow, Happy Christmas (well, he says Xmas, but there was no room for the whole word, sadly).

Hope you all have a brilliant Christmas wherever you're reading this. Thanks loads for reading this Blog during the Olympics (such amazing memories) and for still reading it now.

More Robin pics from over the festive period very soon. And then onto 2005 and a wedding in February (and, yes, Robin will definitely be making an appearance there and on the stag weekend!).

Kit
x

Robin is back! On top of a mountain!

Robin on top of a mountain
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Okay, okay, I know. I haven't posted on this Blog since the end of November, which is very poor indeed. I'm sorry. Genuinely.

I've been a very busy man all through December - the lead up to Christmas is the busiest time in my job and I had to work the last three weekends before this one.

But, as you'll see, I finally got a weekend off this weekend. I went up to Penrith in Cumbria (aka The Lake District) to buy my fiance an engagement ring (wanted to buy it in my hometown). We found one, and it's lovely.

So then yesterday (Sunday) we climbed up Helvellyn - a mountain in the Lakes, which was covered in snow on the higher reaches. It was quite a tricky climb (it's never been snowy when we've been up before) but we made it up and were rewarded by the most amazing views. Robin could've flown up in no time, I guess, but he decided to do the whole journey in my backpack.

Hope some of you are still reading and that you're all set up nicely for a great Christmas.

More pics of Robin in the next few days, I promise...

Robin visits the church I'm getting married in!

Robin and a church
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes folks, this is the church in Athens where I'm getting married in February. It's the same church that my fiance's parents married in in 1974. The fact I've been out there is one of the reasons I haven't updated in ages (sorry). The other reason is that I've been super-busy - I've already spent 24 hours in Lyon, France since I got back to London from Athens on Wednesday. Busy busy busy. So busy I forgot to take Robin to Lyon. Sorry folks. Sorry Robin.

But the wedding stuff is coming on nicely (thanks to those that have asked). The church is booked as is the reception (after a last-minute change caused by a stunningly awful refit at the (previously classy) place we'd booked - pink fur everywhere and walls upholstered in shiny silver fabric!). And tomorrow I'm off to get measured up for my suit. Less than 3 months to go now. Exciting stuff. Nice to be back in Athens too - there wasn't too much evidence of the Olympics, just a front page in a newspaper saying how much it had cost and a few shops with reduced merchandise! Felt odd to go past the stadium complex on the metro train - would love to have stopped off for some water polo or some athletics!

Here's a funny thing for you folks that read during the Olympics. On the site - flickr.com - where I store my pictures to use on this site, it tells you how many times each picture has been clicked on to make it bigger (cos that takes you through to their site). Most pics from the Olympics have been clicked on 100-160 times, the one of me and my fiance 190 times, but the only one that's been clicked on over 200 times - in fact 1,200 times! - is the one of... can you guess?... yes! Robin and the beach volley babes!

:)

Robin enjoys Bonfire Night!

Whizz! Bang! Robin!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hello folks.

This is Robin enjoying the fireworks at the Guy Fawkes celebration at Alexandra Palace in London.

For those readers who don't know what Guy Fawkes Night (aka Bonfire Night) is, it commemorates the day Mr Fawkes from York (where my dad lives) tried to blow up the Houses Of Parliament in 1605 by placing lots of barrels of gunpowder in the cellar (which is why it's also known as The Gundpowder Plot).

Unfortunately for Fawkes, the plot was discovered and he was caught on November 5 1605. Naturally not best pleased with his behaviour, the King decided to hang, draw and quarter him.

Every year since then, Brits have celebrated Fawkes' failure by letting off fireworks and, often, burning an effigy of Fawkes on a bonfire (hence Bonfire Night).

(This is actually quite educational for me too - had to look for a lot of it online, but obviously every schoolkid in the UK knows the story backwards!).

So, we went up to Ally Pally last night with thousands of north Londoners and had a great time - it's quite a major, organised display and the fireworks were very impressive (better than the ones that have been set off every night for the past few weeks on every street in Britain by pesky teenagers which just go 'weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....BANG!' rather annoyingly).

Bonfire Night rocks - you can keep your Halloween which seems to be built around its tacky merchandising. One of the great things about Nov 5 is that the only things shops can sell are fireworks and perhaps some bonfire toffee. So, as a celebration, it's pretty much exactly the same as it was 20 or 30 years ago.

The bird in Budapest

Bird baths
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. After I took the Kylie pic - which I'm glad you liked - I've been super duper busy at work, with a few days' holiday squeezed in the middle.

The picture above was taken on those few days' holiday, in Budapest with my fiance, my best pal Simon and his girlfriend Ruth. We went from last Saturday until this Wednesday night and had a really cool time. Here are my off-the-top-of-my-head highlights (in no particular order)

1. Szechenyi Gyogyfurod es Strandfuro baths
This is where the picture was taken, an amazing complex of baths and thermal pools, built in about 1920. As well as the hot outdoor pools, there were plenty of saunas, steam rooms and eggy sulphur pools Inside the buildings you can see behind Robin. Great place for a relaxing day out - and only cost about four pounds (seven dollars).

2. The 6-3 Bar
Not a particularly nice bar, but it was named after a football (soccer) game in 1953 when Hungary became the first team to beat England at Wembley. I like that 50 years on a little pokey bar commemorates that.

3. All the other bars
Cheap, good beer is hard to argue with, especially in cosy, stylish places. Some great restaurants there too.

4. Our flat
We stayed in a flat in the centre of Pest, which very much confirmed my theory that self-catering and having your own space beats hotels everytime.

5. Buda
The place is called Budapest because it's made up of two places either side of the Danube - Buda and Pest. We stayed in Pest, but had a lovely time up in Buda, which is like the old town, with a pretty castle etc. Funnily enough the only pest we met the whole time was in Buda - some loopy fella who was desperate to be our (paid) tour guide and didn't like to take no for an answer. He said 'Allow me to say one sentence more...' at least five times. We just wandered off eventually.

6. The cake shops
There are some amazing cake shops in Budapest. Okay, so they do like to put goose fat and cabbage in an alarming number of their pastries, but the sweet cakes are superb. And again, extremely cheap (30p/50c will buy you a properly amazing chocolate cake).

So, there you go, the highlights of an ace few days away - can really recommend a visit if you ever get the chance.

Hope you folks are all well and sorry for not posting for a while.

Robin meets Kylie!

He should be so lucky
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

No, your eyes do not deceive you, today Robin met the woman who closed the Sydney Olympics. The woman who's sold around 40 million records in a really rather successful career. The woman most of the world has had a crush on at some point or another. And the woman who thought Robin was so cute that she let him stand on her head.

Kylie Minogue, for posing with Robin (and for being a thoroughly pleasant woman) we salute you!

Robin attends GB Olympic parade!

A Robin among pigeons
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, several months after the Olympics finished and we all came back to the UK, the British athletes finally got their victory parade today.

Floats carrying all the medal winners from the Olympics and the Paralympics went through London and ended up in Trafalger Square, where we went to see them.

The BBC were broadcasting the whole thing live and they went through batches of different athletes on the big stage, showing highlights and interviewing them.

Although the crowd gave nice cheers to the rowers, the relay squad, Kelly Holmes and all the rest, to be honest the whole thing felt a wee bit flat. Perhaps cos it was Monday lunchtime. Perhaps cos it all went on quite a long time. Or perhaps because it was such a long time ago that they actually won their medals. Still, nice to go along and wave our little flags at some of the folks we last saw on podiums in Athens (and, let's face it, we couldn't not go - having made it all the way to Athens, a few hundred metres from my work is nothing!).

Robin's lunch-break adventure: Pt 1

Robin goes down the tube
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, this is Robin's three part lunch-break adventure, which we've just returned from.

This is a picture of him at Tottenham Court Road tube station, where we went to catch the underground train to get the picture of Big Ben (which, you'll remember, got most votes).

But it's just a boring tube platform I hear you say. No, no dear readers. This, I believe, is the very tube platform where something nasty happens in 'An American Werewolf In London'. Luckily, Robin looks tough, so nobody bothered him.

Robin's lunch-break adventure: Pt 2

Robin. Big Ben. Parliament
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

So having waited seven blummin' minutes for a tube (seven blummin' minutes is a long time to wait for a tube) we made it to Westminster station, which looks right out on Big Ben.

Sorry it's a bit dark (even with the camera's over-exposure turned up), but that's the weather in London today. Cold, dark and rainy. Brrrr.

Obviously pub quiz fans will point out you can't actually see Big Ben, because Big Ben is the bell, rather than the tower. But, hey, you can see the tower holding it, and the Houses of Parliament and even a traditional red London bus (which are being fazed out as we speak).

Robin's lunch-break adventure: Pt 3

Eye Eye Robin!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Directly behind where we took the Big Ben picture is the London Eye or the Millennium Wheel, depending on what you want to call it.

Robin was feeling a bit chilly by this time (and the rain was rainin' even harder), so I made him put on his woolly hat. Doesn't he look smart?

Once we'd taken the pictures we walked back along Embankment to the station there, came back on the tube and typed all this up - all within a lunch hour! Don't say I don't put the effort in for you folks!

Apologies for lack of picture! Excuse!

Mornin'

Yes, I've not put a picture of Robin up for a wee while now, but I do have an excuse. I've been feeling a bit under the weather this week, which culminated on Tuesday night with my body taking it upon itself to make me throw up frequently and violently for around 8 hours. Not nice. Guess it must've been one of those bugs that the London Underground seems so effective at spreading. But I'm feeling a bit better now and am back at work (with lots to catch up on). So, Robin picture will be up very soon. As will a wedding update. And various other bits and bobs. As soon as I've got all this work out of the way...

Bring. On. The. Weekend.

Robin London shoot delayed!

Yes, I'm afraid the Robin photo shoot scheduled for today has had to be postponed until Monday. I have several excuses...

1. I'm dang busy at work.

2. Debate still seems to be hotting up and so we need longer to decide. It's currently:
- Big Ben 4
- Traf Sq 3
- Buck Palace 3
- London Eye 1

And last but not least...

3. I forgot to bring Robin with me today.

Oops. Sorry. But get your votes in if you haven't all ready done so!

Robin London pic voting hots up!

Quick update for you on the voting for the where-I-should-do-a-picture-of-Robin-in-London voting (to save you the effort of having to click on the comments on the post below).

Five votes in.

2 x Big Ben
2 x Trafalger Square
1 x Buckingham Palace
0 x Picadilly Circus, London Eye, Victoria Station

Oooh, you could cut the excitement with a knife. Even a blunt one. Who will the winner be come Friday lunchtime when I shall venture out to take said picture in my lunch break? One of the above is ten minutes from my office, others rather further - but I'm looking for a fair contest, so I won't tell you which...

Get those votes in on the comments tab on the post below (hmm, so it looks like you'll have to click on it after all...)

Robin goes to Italian footie! But where will he go in London? You decide!

Robin Italian style
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up

Yes, our hectic jet-setting lifestyle continued this weekend (honestly, we're not always like this) when we flew to Italy, a present I gave my fiance for her birthday in July.

We went to Treviso on Saturday, a beautiful little town about 20 miles from Venice, also with waterways through the town, but not jam packed full of tourists (Venice is nice, but once is probably enough).

Then, on Sunday we took the train up to Udine, where we went to see Udinese play Juventus, one of the best football teams in the whole wide world! The fella on the ball in the background is Trezeguet, just one of a number of world-class players they have. We ended up in the Juventus end (Lex got a five euro discount just for being female!) and Robin kept up his winning mascot record - Juve won 1-0.

And now back to London where debate is hotting up as to where Robin should have his first London picture taken. So, now I want you to vote. And here is the shortlist:

1. Big Ben
2. Picadilly Circus
3. Buckingham Palace
4. Trafalger Square
5. London Eye
6. Victoria Station (for Vix)

So, get your votes in the on the comments form below (easiest way is to click on Post Anonymously). And on Friday lunchtime I'll go and get a pic of whichever one's got most votes.

Robin gets an Eiffel!

Ah, le Robin!
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, me and Robin took the train across from London to Paris yesterday afternoon - the trains are amazingly handy, gets you there in well under 3 hours without any of the hassle of long checking in times and all that airport gubbins.

As you'll see, we got up early for a wander around Paris and to get a nice shot of the tower before we came back to London. Wasn't the nicest day in Paris but it's a lovely, relaxing city to be in, even when you're only there for a few hours.

I notice they've got posters everywhere gathering support for their 2012 Olympic bid. London is bidding too, but it isn't nearly as obvious. I've still yet to really decide whether I firmly support London's bid or not. Obviously having the Olympics was great for Athens and it ends up being good for every city, but there just seems to be such an apathy about it among Londoners that I'm not sure we deserve it.

I think New York's a strong bid, particularly as they've never had it, but the fact US TV isn't showing any of the Athens Paralympics might be held against them, as they'll need to convince the IOC they want the Paralympics as much as the Olympics.

Oh, by the way, Vix wrote to point out that I haven't taken any pictures of Robin in London yet. Any of you got anything you'd particularly like to see him pictured by?

Robin and Robyn!

They love each other like sister and brother
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, with Robin back in Britain after his jaunt to San Francisco, he spent the weekend catching up with his sister Robyn (for who my Mum had created a special new haircut!). This picture was taken at Burton Albion v York City football/soccer match.

Although York - my team - have had an awful start to the season in the lowest league they've played in for 80 years, I saw them win 2-0. We've only won three games out of 10 this season, and the two I've been to have both been victories. Last season, I saw 11 games and only one win!

In fact, Robin has only ever been to two York City games and his record is
Goals for: 5
Goals against: 0
Wins: 2

Not surprisingly a few of the long-suffering York fans were hoping he'll be coming again soon!

For now, though, he's got more travelling to do. Another country tomorrow - this time a little bit closer to home and this time with me (rather than my fiance). Watch le space...

At last! The promised picture!

Robin the Frisco kid
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes folks, here's the picture that you've all been waiting for (well, at least 3 or 4 of you). It's Robin in San Francisco! Yes, there he is, trying to catch a tram to take him to the shop where you can buy flowers to put in your hair (or feathers).

My fiance was out there with work on a quick trip which involved flying to Sacramento too (a 19 minute flight from San Fran!). She didn't get too much time to look around either city, but with us both having been to San Fran in the last few months (particularly keen long-term readers may remember my trip) we'd quite like to go back for a proper holiday having had a taste of what looks like an amazing city.

Robin liked it too. Since he's got back he keeps cheeping things like 'far out' and 'dude' and 'cosmic'. He's currently sitting in his room with some joss sticks listening to The Grateful Dead. I'm sure it's just a phase...

STOP PRESS: Dawn has written a comment to this post saying that the picture doesn't show a tram, but a trolley car. Apologies - rings a bell now you say it. I believe tram is the word we use for trolley car over here. If anyone who's familiar with the culture on both sides of the Atlantic does know of a difference between a trolley car and a tram, speak now or forever hold your peace...!

Wot no picture of Robin

I know, I know. I promised a picture of Robin in a far-flung destination (or I guess near-flung if you happen to live thereabouts), but I've yet to post it. That's because I've yet to receive it. Latest news is that my fiance has - repeat has - taken the picture and the delivery of it is expected any time soon. I know these are trying times for all of us. We want to see the picture. We want to know where Robin is. But we must be strong. Good things come to those who wait. As do pictures of cheery-looking birds.

Be strong. Be alert. Be nice to old people. Be there or be square. Be equals bemcee squared.

Lazy Sunday. Golf. Wedding. Other stuff...

Robin. In bed. With radio.
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Hey up folks.

Welcome to my lazy Sunday afternoon. Robin's sitting in bed listening to the last day of the Ryder Cup which has just teed off (it's only on pay TV, so we're listening on the radio). Can't believe how well we (the only time anyone in Europe ever says 'we' for the whole continent) are doing against the US. Be a great victory if we keep this lead. But I'm counting no chickens just yet.

So it seems the posting about the 1906 Marriage With Foreigners Act was just what you were after. And I'm proud to say that if you search for that act on Google, this is the only site that comes up! Hurrah. I can see us getting hordes of new visitors through that one!

Got lots of comments to the post too, but I'm afraid I've had to delete them. Thing is my mum posted up the link to the info site for my wedding which is meant to be just for people that are coming (my fault for not telling her this!). Obviously most of you would be very welcome to read it (that certainly includes you KJ!), but our guests will be posting personal details on there (where they're staying, time they're arriving etc) so, sorry, but we decided to keep it private.

But don't worry, the plan isn't for me to post about the wedding on there - that's what this site is for! So you won't be missing anything very exciting. All my pre-wedding thoughts will be on here (though I'm still not sure why you're so excited to read about it).

So, I should deal with the comments that got deleted. Ginger pointed out that it's meant to be Japanese people in the hills that don't know WWII finished, as opposed to Americans (a straw poll at work confirmed this). She also asked for a pic of Robin at the Register Office. Sorry, I was too shy to take him. Next time...

Another pic request came from KJ who wants to see Robin with my Mum (she being Sarah/typical Mum) - no probs. Reckon we might be able to sort that one next weekend when I'm at home (and, of course, Robin's sister Robyn lives there too!)

Cathy asked if I managed to make it along to any of the 9/11 memorial events when I was in NYC. Sadly not. I really wanted to, but having arrived back from Philadelphia on the Saturday morning at 10am, I literally had to sit in my hotel room working until about midnight, when I went to bed. Then got up at 6am to go to the airport to catch the plane home. Would've liked to see the twin beams of light, especially. Ah well.

Meanwhile, Diegem in Belgium asked if we have to give a blood sample before the wedding. No, don't think so. Don't think that's ever been the rule here (though, hasten to add, I've not been married before!).

So what's new on the wedding? Well, apart from setting up the (infamous) website for guests this weekend, we've been sending out some pre-invitation invites, just so that people know the details and can book their flights. It's a really great feeling that so many people are coming out to Greece for us. It's only 150 days (or so) away now. Exciting times.

Last but not least, the Paralympics have obviously started in Athens this weekend. Would love to have been there - saw bits of the Opening Ceremony online and it looked great, packed stadium too. And GB have already won quite a few golds - we came second in the overall medals table in Sydney and we look like being there or there abouts again.

Actually, there's talk of a parade of gold medal winners from both Games in London once the Paralympics. You can bet your rice pudding me and Robin will be down the front for that one!

Right. Best go. Robin's off on another jet-setting trip tomorrow (this time with my fiance) so keep an eye out to see where he lands this time...

ps. hope you like the new random picture bar thingy at the top - ah, happy memories!

1906 Marriages With Foriegners Act

Hey up

So, I'm still getting 100+ visitors to this site a day, even though the Olympics are long-gone. Problem is, I'm not quite sure what to tell you next. Maybe you're like those folks in America who live in the hills that don't know WW2 is over. Hmm, but then again, you need the internet to look at this site and that's a pretty good way of keeping up with the news. Maybe you're all Robin addicts. Must say, he's walking with quite a strut since he got back from NYC. I think he thinks he's John Travolta at the start of 'Saturday Night Fever' (but without the tight trousers and with wings).

So, in the absence of anything Olympics-related to tell you about (although the Paralympics do start in a couple of days) I thought I'd let you know that, as of this morning, I have complied with the 1906 Marriage With Foreigners Act, by visiting Haringey Register Office in north London. There, I set the wheels in motion that will get me a 'no impediment' form to take out to Athens to show the Orthodox folks that I'm not married already, in order that I can marry my fiance there in February. So, assuming no one in the Haringey Registry Office area who likes to peruse the forthcoming marriage notice board knows something I don't, I'll get the form in 21 days. Think the plan is to take it to Athen late in October sometime.

Is that interesting? Is that the sort of thing you're coming to this site for? Or is just the Robin pics? Hard to say really. But thanks for coming. I may be baffled by your visits, but I appreciate them very much all the same.

Robin hits the Big Apple!

He's an English bird in New York
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes folks, this is Robin in Time Square in NYC, where I've come with work for a few days.

Lots of Olympic advertising up around the place still and I saw a chap at a gig last night wearing an Athens 2004 official T-shirt (ah, brought back memories) but that's about as Olympic as the trip's got so far.

I've been over here a few times, but this is Robin's first time in the big apple where. after a couple of rainy days, the sun has finally got its hat on today.

I was meant to be getting Saturday off - which means I would've been able to go and see GB's Tim Henman in his first US Open semi final - but sadly now I've got to work. Hey ho. Guess that's what happens when you're on a work trip rather than a holiday. Well done Henman though - hope he makes the final (it's a long shot - he's playing Federer).

Robin was obviously most excited about coming to Gotham because it meant the chance of meeting his namesake hero. But, alas, as yet, we've yet to run into Batman and his tight-trousered assistant...

Blog gets 15,000th visitor! Robin off on new adventure!

Hey up

So, yes, sometime around midnight on Monday night, we got our 15,000th visitor - and you're still turning up in good numbers to read the blog. Very heartening, Thanks very much. I may even set up a new competition just so that you have a reason to keep in touch on the comments pages (you're all very quiet on that front)! I'll have a think for a question.

Plus, me and Robin are flying off on a new non-Olympic adventure tomorrow lunchtime. Look out for some fantastic tourist shots of Robin coming in the next few days...

Robin brings Olympic spirit to Kit's team!

Robin, looking (at) Daggers
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

So, today we went to our first post-Olympic sporting event, which was also the first time I'd seen my team - York City - play in the non-league, after they were relegated from the top leagues last season for the first time in more than seventy years (A Very Bad Thing).

So, our new season in the Conference (four leagues below Man Utd et al) had started very badly - despite being one of the favourites to win it, we'd lost four and won just one of our opening games. That meant we were 18th out of 22 teams. And today at Dagenham & Redbridge (way out east in London) we were favourites to lose. All very humbling and sad.

But, amazingly, we won. Perhaps inspired by Robin The Olympic Robin, we won 3-0! This was, we think, the first time we'd won by three goals in the league for about six years! Amazing.

Being a massive fan of York, I was quite worried it was going to be a very depressing way to return from the Olympics, but it turned out being one of the best days with City in ages. Had a great time. Even England throwing away a 2-0 lead in their first World Cup qualifier later (David James. Why?) couldn't spoil it.

Not surprisingly, several of York's fans were very keen for Robin to come again. But it wasn't down to luck - the great thing was that, for the first time in a long time, we actually played really well. Hurrah.

:)

Best of the Olympics!

Robin sips from the Olympic cycling bottle
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Yes, we're back in Blighty (happily we've brought the great Athens weather back with us) and, as promised, here's a list of some of the Best things about Athens 2004. In no particular order. More when we think of them!

Best comeback
Canada coming back from 5-2 down in the final quarter of their women''s water polo group game against USA to win 6-5. After that, we can almost forgive them for Bryan Adams. Almost.

Best 'can't buy it in the shops' souvenir
The Athens 2004 water bottle one of the cyclists threw at our feet in the road race. As the picture shows, it's ace.

Best 'can buy it in the shops' souvenir
Country flag temporary tattoos - as worn by many of the athletes during the Games and a bargain at 1 Euro 50 - no wonder the GBR ones became almost as hard to find as Greek yoghurt with honey at the food concessions.

Best-sounding items on food concessions menus that we never, ever saw for sale.
That would be a toss-up between meat balls, moussaka and various types of salad. If anyone ever managed to try any of these, we never met them.

Best fans
Ooh, that's a hard call. The Greeks, except for their behaviour at the men's 200m final (it seems to have passed into history that they stopped booing when Frankie Fredericks asked them to - they didn't). The Aussies, except it's easy to be that exuberant when you win so much. The Brits, apart from those folk at the hockey. Nope, it's going to have to go to the wholly unexpected choice of the Germans. Fully co-ordinated dance routines at the beach volley, grace in defeat at handball and all round chirpiness in the Olympic complex. Who'd have thunk it?

Best match
In the strictest sense of the word - Fish and Massu in the men's tennis final. Four hours, five sets and you couldn't split them. Massu got the gold but the winner that day (wait for it...) was Olympic tennis!

Best half time entertainment
No, not the dancing girls at the beach volley - the slam dunking acrobats on trampolines at the basketball. We'd pay to see them again (well, as long as it wasn't more than about 8 Euros).

Weirdest phenomenon
Pin badges. Literally thousands of different types. But why? And for what reason? It would've cost you literally about 30,000 Euros to buy all of them. And they're tiny - the only one we bought (an owl one for the man upstairs who's been feeding our plants who collects owls) seems to have disappeared somewhere in our luggage! Pah!

Best cheese pie (or tyropita to the locals)
The one at Helleniko complex before the handball final on the last day. Decreased number of spectators in complex is clearly directly proportional to increase in quality of pie. Mmmm.

Best cheesie radio show
Oh that would be the morning show on Athens International Radio. Over two days we heard the DJ say on four separate occasions that though the flame was going out, it would 'burn forever in the hearts of Athenians'. Yeuch.

Our best moment
The 4x100m mens' relay. Utterly unexpected win for GBR. Utterly thrilling.

Best flag
That would be Guam. Nice colours and a little drawing of a sailboat on a blue sea with a beach and a palm tree, and the word Guam written in the middle. Why couldn't more flags be that descriptive? Nigeria is way more exciting than just green, white, green.

Most confusing flags
Serbia and Russia - whose red, blue and white horizontal striped flags are exactly the same, only they're held different ways round. Which made it very hard to tell whose fans were which when we saw them play each other at volleyball.

Best game to play when you're killing time and have nothing to do
Flagpole baseball. In which one person with a Union Jack flag tries to hit the plastic bottle top pitched at him/her by the pitcher. It's a heck of a game (just ask the news-stand (or periptero) proprietor by Kifissia station who was our Number One spectator). Expect to see it as an exhibition event by the 2012 Olympics. Strrrrrike!

Actually whatever happened to exhibition events?
Do they still have them?

Olympic volunteers. They were ace.

Four volunteers. One of whom is striking quite a pose.
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.

Here's a pic of four volunteers. Unless you had a problem, volunteers didn't really have that much of a role except to be really, infectiously cheery all the time. They'd sit there on their high chairs (like tennis umpires use) happily welcoming you, singing, waving goodnight, giggling, trying to speak the language of whatever person was walking past and just generally making everyone feel welcome and sparky. They, more than anyone, were responsible for the lovely atmosphere that prevailed. Big up the volunteer massive!