Urban Mountaineering

The great white elephant also known as the O2 that was built for the millennium, goodness wasn't that a lifetime ago, is mostly used for large concerts and event.  However there is another activity which is way more fun, and that is mountaineering over the outside roof.  When you get to the top there is an amazing view.  I did it a few years back.  Such a long time ago now,  I must do it again.  Fancy joining me?

I Am The Greatest

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" the words of the worlds most well known boxer and a man who fought tirelessly for the rights of black Americans.  He began as Cassias Clay and we know him today as Muhammad Ali.

Celebrity, sportsman, politician,  philanthropist,  Muhammad Ali was all of these.  Today an exhibition of his life and career opens at the O2 in London.  I was lucky to have a preview and I can (hand on heart) tell you this exhibition is worth every penny of the entrance fee. What a man!  The exhibition is one of the best curated I've seen in a wee while.  The centre room is all about the fights.   Each room off the centre room focuses on different aspects of the life of the worlds greatest boxer, and dare I say it one of Americas greatest global citizens ever.

From his early childhood - the man we knew as Cassius Clay - the world's best heavy weight champion - to the conscientious objector - the religious man - the philanthropic man - he was so much more than that and the way he will be remembered by most of the world for his boxing feats alone.

The exhibition at O2 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to really get to see into the life of an exceptional sportsman and human being.  This should be compulsory viewing for all current sports people to understand what being a role model really means.

I am the Greatest
Muhammad Ali at O2
4 March to 31 August 2016

Scooters the new Skateboard?

Scooters are in.  From tots to the silver haired, everyone seems to be scooting around the city.  Even those I would have associated with skateboards seem to be in on the scooting craze.

Museum Visit - Walsh Trainers

Do you have any of these trainers sitting in your closet? I bet some of you do.

British made Walsh Trainers is an exhibition currently showing at the Fashion and Textile Museum.  The inspiring story of Norman Walsh who began his career making shoes at age fourteen back in 1945 with photographs, correspondence and brochures, plus an extensive collection of vintage shoes are on display.  In 1948 he fitted out the Olympic team with one pair of Walsh's shoes earning their wearer a gold medal.

Exhibition runs until 17 May

After the Game

New Zealand 20 - England 18.  The results of the Rugby League World Championship game played at Wembley Park Stadium yesterday.

Rock Climbing

A castle and rock climbing?  What a surprise. Wandering around Hackney I stumbled upon a castle and went to investigate. The entire interior is rock climbing walls.  There are walls for the complete novice and walls for the truly ambitious.  They also run courses.  I liked the sound of the women with altitude course. 
 Enthusiasts of the sport are pushing to get it into the 2020 Olympics.

Nelson Close-up

It's impossible to really see what Nelson looks like up on that giant plinth in Trafalgar Square, but luckily you can now you can see all the details in this model at the National Maritime Museum.

The museum website says "In time for Trafalgar Day on 21 October, the National Maritime Museum (NMM) displays a unique object which links the sporting success of London 2012 with the naval victory of 1805".

Is it just me or am I  missing an important piece of information to make that link. I hate it when I misplace my quantum leap suit.

Gay Sports Day

Yesterday's Gay Sports Day was held in true Olympic spirit. Look at that moon hopping what a star. Perhaps a little more training would have benefited some of the other team members.

Keeping the egg on the spoon proved to be an enormous challenge.

The rainbow warriorettes unfortunately didn't have what it takes to win the tug-o-war.