Attempt to Grab Olympic Torch in London Relay

The BBC has a video of the attempt by a protester to grab the Olympic Torch that I mentioned in an earlier post today. This is why I saw the police officers jumping out of the van. You can see the Notting Hill Carnival dancers in the distance. This area is called Ladbroke Grove. I was pretty much 100 yards behind the camera taking this video (links to article and video on BBC). You can tell from the video that the entire incident was over and done in about 20 seconds. I'm impressed the police let the relay continue. The show must go on.

The BBC says, "The former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq spoke to the BBC about the incident in which someone tried to snatch the Olympic torch from her grasp."

Check out this article from an online Chinese publication which doesn't even mention the attempted torch grab although it talks about the Carnival.

All of Notting Hill is a Stage

Back at midnight from our Scotland trip and up at 9am to experience the Notting Hill Carnival. We live along the parade rought and have a balcony overlooking the action. It started at 1pm and at 9.45pm it is still going strong.

Laptop a lagging

My poor old laptop has run out of juice. I'm in the process of getting a new cable from the US. Until then I'll be blogging from my work computer - on my lunch break.

Highlights of the week to come:

Edinburgh Festival: Friday - Sunday
Notting Hill Carnival: Monday

Photos to come...

All Edinburgh's a Stage

Stephen, our friend Laia and I are heading up to Edinburgh later this month to explore the Edinburgh Festivals. There are seven or so official festivals taking place all at the same time. Each spare space in the city becomes a platform for performances and exhibitions. In fact, there are hundreds of festivals as each venue presents their own selection of international performances.

You can compose an entire blog about the history of the festivals and each year's preparations, performances and controversies. The Scottish Arts Council offers a history of the festivals and a list of their descriptions and dates. I recommend the Fringe Festival's blog.

We'll be there 24-25 August and then back to London on 27 August for the Notting Hill Carnival which is another interesting invent that I have yet to experience.