Around the world in 30 flags

Day 20 - August 7 (part ii)


So the challenge today was simple: get as many photos as possible with flags from around the world.

At first I didn't think this would work at all but it was a tremendous way to meet people, differentiate smaller European nation colours and get pics with hot chicks.

In the end the count ended between 20 and 30 with various rules (can't get a photo with someone you have seen photographed; has to be a flag; each country only once etc.) preventing higher scores.

But bonus points were received for a Spanish regional flag of the bloke who got second in the men's triathlon and finding a drop dead gorgeous British girl in amongst the million of Union Jacks around Hyde Park (proof to the right).

From the park it was off across the Monopoly board, through the squares and then down past big brother Ben, little sister Abbey and David from number 10.

This included pub-to-pub gold for Australia after watching a bit of the action live on the big screen at Picadilly Circus (pictured).

Firstly, I walked into one of the locals in Covent Garden and I was the only Aussie in amongst a stack of Team GB.

Anna Meares was about to take on Victoria Pendleton in the velodrome in an Ashes style battle.

The banter was away and thankfully we scored a win otherwise I may not have made it out of there alive.

Secondly, we ended up at the Red Lion for dinner and with another pair from Down Under witnessed Sally Pearson secure gold on the track.

And to top it all off - maiden voyage on a red double decker bus (and of course there was a group of drunk Aussies on there).

Olympics (day 11):

HUNTER WATCH

*Maitland’s Simon Orchard scores a 7-0 win against Pakistan to put the Kookaburras through to the semi-finals.

*Maitland triathlete Brendan Sexton finished 35^th in his debut Olympic race won by hometown hero Alistair Brownlee.

*Newcastle pair Suzy Batkovic and Jenni Screen progress to the semi-finals after the Opals defeated China in the quarters.

*Eleebana discus thrower finished ninth in the final after performing slightly below his best. 

Links:

*Twitter - @joshuacallinan

*Check out the Maitland Mercury online for Postcards from London

*Read the London Eye each day in the Maitland Mercury during the 2012 Olympic Games

*Tune into 1233 ABC Newcastle each morning from 7.30am during the Games period for a live cross from the London Olympics with breakfast presenter Aaron Kearney

*The Hunter's Road To London - 1233 ABC Newcastle