Only an idiot hangs the Union Flag upside down. Shame on you!*

Right then. Where to start… well, the Opening Ceremony was truly awesome (well done Sir Danny Boyle) and, unbelievable as it might seem, we are almost half way through the Games – that said, excitement builds again from today as the athletics commences in the main auditorium later this morning (I hope they have managed to remove the grassy knoll and the smoke stacks).

Yesterday I went to my very first Olympic event… the beach volleyball at Horseguards Parade (obviously my husband’s choice) – in short, I absolutely loved it. The buzz in the absolutely superb temporary stadium they have created (in what is effectively a litter tray for posh horses) was truly brilliant. Supposedly we were the best supporters they have had thus far – we managed a world beating 26 Mexican waves around the stadium I’ll have you know (but I bet they say that to the supporters at all the sessions and by 11pm last night I am sure it was up to more than 30 drunken Mexican waves…). There is also an amazing vibe in the city, with Olympic volunteers smiling and greeting you all the way from the train stations to the event venues (Davy hated this unnecessary demonstration of enthusiasm and had to be restrained at 7.46am yesterday morning). I have to say the whole thing made me very proud to be British and we are definitely putting on a super games that is showcasing our country and our capital in the best possible light.

After a fairly slow start, momentum has built and there have been a flurry of medals, from Bradley Wiggins in the Time Trial (who should be Knighted along with Danny, if for no other reason than he seems to be a decent bloke, likes Scooters, has great taste in music and unashamedly got drunk on vodka tonics after his victory) to successes in the track cycling (good work Sir Chris, with help from that German bloke who said all the wrong things in the post medal ceremony interview), rowing, canoeing and shooting (to name but a few). I can’t wait to go to the Olympic Stadium later this evening to see Jessica Ennis, our poster girl of the London 2012 Olympics, do her stuff… and inevitably win Silver…

2012 has undoubtedly been a year where as a nation we feel confident saying that we are proud to be British – and given that the Union Jack** has had a spectacular revival as a brand (and distanced itself from imagery associated with football hooliganism and other distasteful groups), I thought I would share a few images of how Union Jack furniture can add s stylish twist to the home…

(Image from www.simlygreeninteriors.co.uk) 

(Image from emilywheeler.wordpress.com) 

* Dr Who…

** The current design of the Union Flag dates from the union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. The flag consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white and superimposed on the cross of St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). So, begs the question, where’s the Welsh bit? Answers on a postcard please… also, there are competing theories on why it is referred to as the Union Jack… you can Google that on your own time…