Olympic torch relay kicks off in Cornwall
The eyes of the world will be on Cornwall when it welcomes the arrival of the Olympic flame to the UK ahead of the nationwide torch relay to herald in the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Olympic torch has 8,000 small circles, representing the torch bearers
The flame will be lit in Greece using the sun’s rays on 10 May in a traditional ceremony among the historic ruins of the Temple of Hera in Olympia.
Following an eight-day relay around Greece and handover ceremony in Athens, it will travel on board a special gold-liveried aircraft – flight BA2012 - to the UK on 18 May.
That evening, it will arrive at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, near Helston in Cornwall. The venue has been chosen to acknowledge the vital contribution that maritime and coastal search and rescue services undertake for our island nation.
The relay itself begins the following day at Lands End, when the torch will set off on its 8,000 mile journey across the UK – carried by 8,000 ‘inspirational people’ and travelling to within 10 miles of 95% of the population.
Sadly, Padstow itself is not on the route, but visitors to our self-catering holiday cottages don’t have far to go to see the relay as it passes by Indian Queens and Bodmin on its epic journey.
February 4, 2012 at 2:43 pm | No comment