London 2012 - free so far!

Alleycat

Seeing as this is moneysaving, thought I would post my, so far free 2012 Olympics. Went to see the torch (twice) as it went round Shepherds Bush Green in West London last Thursday. Got to see it twice as it went round the south side then the north side a bit later. Was fantastic atmosphere and whilst there were loads of people, it wasn't crowded or over policed which was great. Then on Friday saw the torch again on the Gloriana at Hammersmith as it was rowed down the Thames. Wonderful flotilla accompanying as well.

I took the kids to see the women's cycling road race in Richmond last Sunday. After watching the women leave London, we wandered down too Richmond Park and had a damp picnic under a tree and then found a good spot to watch them coming back through towards the finish. Huge well done to Lizzie Armitstead for her silver!:T What an amazing day, again the route was lined with supporters but it wasn't crowded and we had perfect spots both ways. The police and ambulance motorbikes were hilarious, sirens, beeping horns, standing up on foot bars and with one slowing right down to high five the crowds!

Tomorrow we're off to Hyde Park to watch the women's triathlon and will hopefully see an old friend who's also going. An early start but have everything ready, just charging camera now. If it's not too busy will go into the Hyde Park BT live arena after lunch. Would love to hang around for the men's marathon but kids will probably be exhausted! Sunday will be the women's marathon and next weekend, the men's race walk (sounds like a giggle so thought we should pop along and see).

Have paralympic swimming finals tickets for the 4th Sept, which are the only thing we've needed to pay for so far. Though keep finding myself checking the ticketing site for things I'm interested in. Fortunately have restrained so far!

I can't believe how excited I've got after being so whingy about the whole thing a few weeks ago!

Anyone else got any bargain stories to tell?

the-mango

Got gifted some front row trampolining tickets for today. Best thing ever!!! I was also a Londoner doing some whinging beforehand but having been there today it was amazing, I think it was the atmosphere.

Another free aspect, loving how quiet the rest of London is. I can walk on the pavement everywhere without having to dodge people all the time, not sure the shopkeepers love it but I do!

Sharon87

Just going to Hyde Park to watch sports on the big screens really. Although it's not so free if you buy food in there! It's so expensive. But at least they have water taps.

I managed to watch The Feeling for free and Alexandra Burke, even though I don't really like her much, but she was only on for 25 minutes anyway!

I also saw the torch go along the river when I was at work. Just peaked out my window and there it was!

I went to the Women's Football £20 ticket, took my own food in, filled up a water bottle, see cheap evening out, and we won that match so even better!

Wimbledon was my only expensive day - hot dog, baguette, strawberries and cream and a bottle of cider is what I bought! It was a good day though, seeing Andy Murray win

Alleycat

the-mango wrote: »

Got gifted some front row trampolining tickets for today. Best thing ever!!! I was also a Londoner doing some whinging beforehand but having been there today it was amazing, I think it was the atmosphere.

Another free aspect, loving how quiet the rest of London is. I can walk on the pavement everywhere without having to dodge people all the time, not sure the shopkeepers love it but I do!

Whilst I'm enjoying the peace and quiet travelling around as well, I really hope the normal tourists descent en masse afterwards to boost the economy. It seems from what I've read that visitors are just being funnelled directly to the venues and back again which means they don't filter out and spend money in the other places. Also the UK spectators are travelling in and straight out again.

Even just watching it all on the TV, I'm getting so wrapped up in it all. I think it's because I'm local so know I've got things lined up. Glad to hear you thought it was amazing. What part of London are you from?

Alleycat

Sharon87 wrote: »

Just going to Hyde Park to watch sports on the big screens really. Although it's not so free if you buy food in there! It's so expensive. But at least they have water taps.

I managed to watch The Feeling for free and Alexandra Burke, even though I don't really like her much, but she was only on for 25 minutes anyway!

I also saw the torch go along the river when I was at work. Just peaked out my window and there it was!

I went to the Women's Football £20 ticket, took my own food in, filled up a water bottle, see cheap evening out, and we won that match so even better!

Wimbledon was my only expensive day - hot dog, baguette, strawberries and cream and a bottle of cider is what I bought! It was a good day though, seeing Andy Murray win

How has that been, do you recommend it? Sounds like you did a proper MSE visit to the football! Shame they're out now.

My mum went to Wimbledon last week and loved it. Said food was quite pricey but they had centre court and got to see loads too. She was the most excited by getting to go up Henman Hill!

balletshoes

Alleycat wrote: »

Whilst I'm enjoying the peace and quiet travelling around as well, I really hope the normal tourists descent en masse afterwards to boost the economy.

that will be me!

I had a trip to London with my DD planned for the very end of August, before it even registered with me that we'd be there during the paralympics. So we have bargain train fares, bargain hotel, and finals/medal ceremony Judo tickets at the Excel (cheapest category, £15 per adult, £5 per child) plus games travelcard for our first London day, then on our 2nd London day we're doing the sights in Central London (with some vouchers ).

I'm so excited also to have tickets for the paralympics athletics on 3rd September (also cheap rail travel, cheapest band tickets £10 per adult, £5 per child, and travelcard), as its Olympic park and I really want to be in the venue and see it all from there. That will be a straight there and straight back again though, we're coming from Notts and it will be a 5am start for us that morning :eek:.

Sharon87

Alleycat wrote: »

How has that been, do you recommend it? Sounds like you did a proper MSE visit to the football! Shame they're out now.

My mum went to Wimbledon last week and loved it. Said food was quite pricey but they had centre court and got to see loads too. She was the most excited by getting to go up Henman Hill!

I highly recommend going to Hyde Park. It's a really good atmosphere and they have lots of things to do. They had swingball for people to do in the evening when I went on Thursday.