The Olympic Torch in Cleethorpes!

It's official, Olympics fever has taken over the nation; whether you like it or not, the summer's biggest sporting event is EVERYWHERE! I will be the first to admit I am not a massive sporting fan but I do like a good celebration and a bit of patriotism so I will be cheering on Team GB come July.

This Tuesday saw the Olympic torch enter North East Lincolnshire (my county) and to celebrate, the London 2012 committee and North East Lincolnshire Council hosted a celebratory event at Meridian Park, Cleethorpes. Tickets were very limited but DC's mother kindly offered us two of hers, so of course we couldn't turn them down! I booked Tuesday afternoon off from work to get myself prepared (although, I think I have made a couple of wrong wardrobe choices, I wasn't expecting rain!), and then we headed down to what is likely to be the county's biggest event this year.

Left: Queuing outside the arena Right: Tickets at the ready!

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you will know I got a bit snap happy! Luckily, @ultimatecoddy was on hand to take some pictures on my trusty camera ready for this blog (so a massive thank you goes to him!) But be warned, there are plenty of cropped heads from the crowd and shamelessly branded merchandise in these pics...

Meridian Park upon arrival

Getting in position...

DC and I (looking very tired!)

It started...

Presenter Andy Akinwolere of Blue Peter fame.

The show started with community dancers and a street dance troupe.

This DJ got everybody dancing!

Twist and Pulse

The 'social media moment'.

Acrobats!

Tribes performing

The Mayor giving a quick speech

The torch arriving

Here it is! Carried by Jack, 92.

Lighting the beacon

Followed by a fanfare

The crowd.

Taking a piece of the flame to a secret location ready for the next day's relay.

This really was such a fantastic, feel good event; it made me realise that actually, this is a pretty big part of history! The whole ceremony, from the up beat music and live stream of the relay to the passing of the flame and lighting the beacon, really captured the celebratory sense of the whole event; I felt quite proud! And Jack, what a fantastic torchbearer! At 92, he is a WWII war veteran who has been active all of his life. My favourite quote of his speech: "Instead of paying money to watch football, get a bike." What a proud moment for him and his family.

After the flame was taken to the secret location for the night, it abseiled down the Dock Tower and made its way to the rest of Lincolnshire via my street.

The flame made its way down my street the next morning!

There is still some time before the torch reaches its destination so if you have the opportunity to catch a glimpse, I definitely recommend it!