Olympic Torch in Southampton

I woke up again, this morning, to the sound of torrential rain outside - another wet day ahead.  Sara escorted Tom around his paper round - part of her exercise regime - and left me to snooze.  I finally got up at 9 a.m. (very late for me) and after a breakfast of sausage and bacon rolls, helped Sara take a load of old games and other bric a brac over the the village hall for the Church Fete.  I also bought £20 worth of prize draw tickets which resulted in winning a large box of Thornton chocolates and some "smellies".  This afternoon, Tom and I drove into Southampton and after parking at Trethowan's just off The Avenue, we walked into the city centre where there was a wonderful festival atmosphere in anticipation of the arrival of the Olympic Torch later that afternoon.  There were many stalls selling all sorts of goodies and food.  A group from the Amana Trust were giving away free study New Testaments which we acquired.  We left the razzmatazz of Above Bar and walked to St. Mary's Stadium where there was another festival air to the place.  Upon showing our tickets for the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup tournament we were admitted to a funfair outside the stadium and indulged ourselves on a small "ghost train" ride.  The Jeremy Kyle Show is probably scarier. Still, it was free and a fun thing to do.  Inside the stadium we were entertained with three games of football lasting 45 minutes each - Saints v. Anderlecht (0-1); Anderlecht v. Arsenal (0-1) and Saints v. Arsenal (5-4 after penalties).  Each team won one game but Arsenal won the Cup by virtue of only losing to Saints on penalties - Arsenal's first silverware for five years! During the break between the first and second games, the Olympic Torch arrived in the Stadium and was run around the pitch (see picture).  It was quite an emotional moment to see "The Kiss" as the runners exchanged the flame in the corner between the Northam and Itchen Stands.  Tom and I finally arrive back home at around 10.15 p.m.  We had missed the Church Fete but had an incredibly enjoyable and interesting day, once more, in Southampton.  Back there again tomorrow, hopefully, to see Hampshire v. Durham in the CB40 cricket match at the Rose Bowl.