And the Gold Medal goes to...

When it was announced that London would be hosting the Olympic Games in 2012 we were told to expect a Games that we would never forget. For the Griffins nothing could have been more accurate! The Griffins Olympic Games Journey: Five weeks with our family and friends; these memories now etched in our minds forever:

Memory 1.  Me wandering around London on my own the day before the Olympics started. Taking in the atmosphere. Without children, being able to walk quickly and cross roads without holding hands! Eating lunch in Trafalgar Square, taking time to admire the Road to 2012 Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery and stopping for reflection at the Cenotaph. Watching the various Olympic events throughout the competition, absorbing the news as it happened. Dan made it to some of the best events, including the Men's 100m Finals. Feeling so very proud to be British.

Road to 2012 - National Portrait Gallery

The Omega Sponsored Countdown Clock - 1 day to go!

Memory 2. Colouring in various national flags with Annie and Dan's Mum Marilyn, and then taking part in numerous Olympic 'events' in their garden. I was Canada. I didn't win a medal. Neither did any other country. Annie was the USA. She won every Gold there was. Sigh.

Memory 3. A tea party for Annie and Tom, traditional games and decorations.Dress code = football kit.

Memory 4. Travelling to London, meeting Dan for lunch and then getting on the tube to meet my parents outside Buckingham Palace.  Spending the day catching up with them, sat on deckchairs in St. James' Park before heading back to Dan's hotel room to watch the Opening Ceremony, which my brother was in. Hearing that the Red Arrows were heading from the west to fly over the Olympic Stadium and running with Annie to our hotel window to watch them fly over. What a day!

Memory 5. Flying a kite with my parents, brother, Annie and Tom. 

Memory 6. Enjoying the company of so many friends, including drinks with Newbury Mum Chums Sal, Rebecca and Nadia, Bridgend school mates Marc and Jamie, Cousin Jo and Ian, Phil ''Reacher' and Michele Green and Best Man Ed and Christina. Coffee and cake with Louise and Craig Nowell, Gareth and Ruth Williams, Auntie Molly,  Auntie Beryl, Val and Tony from Spain, and Sarah and Warren Jones. A picnic with Scottish Pals Toni and Sam. Meeting Lucy and Sam who have relocated to Shanghai  for drinks in London - a wonderful night three years after our last get together made possible by our time in the UK overlapping. 

"Around the small town we did roam" - Sam, Lucy, Me and Dan

Memory 7. Tom taking his first steps on British soil!

Tom 'walking' around Kensington Gardens

Memory 8. Visiting Priory Farm, St. Fagans National Museum of Wales, Basildon Park and Ogmore Tea Rooms and Castle. Fish n Chips, wrapped in newspaper and covered in salt and vinegar. Yum!

St Fagans National Museum of Wales

Memory 9. Annie's Fourth Birthday. A morning swim. An afternoon birthday party with all our Newbury based friends. Enjoying the service that morning at our old church, drinks that night with church friends. 

NCT friends - four years on

Memory 10. Watching Annie and Tom with cousins Harry and Teddy - an oblivious age gap and an enormous affection.

They say that home is where the heart is. Having enjoyed the best five weeks of my life in the UK I realise that it is possible to have two places in the world to call home. More than that, it makes us very lucky to have a home on either side of the world. Saying goodbye was awful, knowing that we will be away from the people who mean the world to us is gut wrenching, but we were lucky enough to have this opportunity and I'm so glad that we made the most of every day.

So finally, and without further delay. The moment you have all been waiting for. The winners of the Griffins Olympic Games Journey.

Bronze Medal awarded to the Great British Food we enjoyed, with special commendation to Brian Griffin for the Lamb Roast.

Silver Medal awarded to the many toasts we enjoyed with family and friends. Cheers and Yachi Da to all who took part. Special recognition given to the heavy investment made into Team Malbec, Team Pinot Noir and Team Rioja. 

Gold Medal awarded to the memories of Annie and Tom with our parents, siblings, nephews and Granny Rita. Watching our children laugh, play, trust and love you is worth more than a million gold medals. National Anthems please...and no tears.