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Saturday 11 August 2012

Olympic flowers


Quite possibly the most surprising and refreshing aspect of the Olympic Park was the mass of wildflower meadows and gardens in full bloom. The site has a river (the Lea) and several other waterways running through it and they have really made the most of these, transforming what by all accounts was previously a boggy and blighted wasteland into something very attractive. Most of the main thoroughfares (which did get incredibly busy) were at a higher level and so you could sit by the water and walk amongst the trees and flowers in relative peace. Because we've had a wet summer, there weren't many butterflies in evidence; a pity, as normally a flower meadow like this would be humming with insect life. But even so I was really thrilled by the way the site has been designed with such thought and care - and it will outlive the Olympics themselves as the meadows will seed and reseed afterwards.

There's a short video on the BBC website that has some interesting shots and information about the transformation of the site.

7 comments:

  1. Very nicely captured, jennyfreckles.

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  2. When I was a student back in the 70s I lived near here - I can't believe the transformation which has taken place.

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  3. It is very pretty. I love all those colors!

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  4. Hello Jenny, such a long time I didn't comment on your blog... I am so glad to see your grand daughter is now so much bigger and enjoying going out with you!!
    Following Olympic Game from Austria and good to see your close view on these pretty flowers.

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  5. The wildflowers near the stadium are so much more appealing than a field of neatly mowed grass would have been. Thanks for showing this. Glad you are enjoying your trip to the Olympics.

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  6. I can't believe you were there in person!

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  7. I was surprised and delighted by the flowers. It's a lovely thought that this wildflower meadow will continue :)

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