Page 59 - br-june-2021

June 2021
The time had come to get on the bus and leave for our first drop off point at
Burton Bradstock. The rain was still coming down in stair rods as we splashed
through the puddles towards the village. We were to park up by the roadside for
about 10 minutes awaiting the convoy of the major sponsor’s buses which would
lead the parade through the villages. They were to provide the razzmatazz to our
special moment.
There were hoots and much cheering as the procession past and we dropped off
our first torchbearer and our bus moved off. Nothing could have prepared me for
what was to follow as the crowds lining these small villages were staggering.
Simply everyone had turned out to cheer us on and their enthusiasm was
infectious.
Suddenly I felt like a celebrity. There was often a roar and applause and the
crowd was in an almost raucous delighted mood. A little bit of rain was not going
to spoil our day and everyone was there to cheer us on! I felt it showed our
country at its very best: the cheerfulness, the friendliness, the stoicism. I loved it!

We passed through Burton Bradstock and on to Abbotsbury waving like mad to
the crowd. I now know how the queen feels as I waved out of the bus window,
beaming from ear to ear. They were all here to see us torchbearers and we were
stars for the day!

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