Tuesday 19 August 2008

Day Three - Top Tuesday


Setting off a bit earlier today we explored the Forbidden City - 500 years old and a vast expanse of temples and courtyards covering over 10km2. It was our hottest day so far at 34C in the shade and a bit more smog in the air, so we dived into the air-conditioned displays including the weirdest but most interesting display of clock's ever seen. We ended up in the Emperor's garden a magical mix of oriental plants and Ian was very excited to find a 300 year-old Wisteria still in flower.

Later, we met up with Patrick Bruce,luckily in Beijing for a day, for a few beers (lowish alcohol honest Ros) and caught up with old and new times. 27 years has passed so quickly!

Tonight we went to the Worker's Stadium for the men's football semi-finals - Argentina - the defending Olympic champions vs Brazil. Unfortunately the Brazilians had forgotten to bring any decent defenders with them, in their Olympics squad which has to be mostly under 23 and they looked a bit dodgy from the start. Even Ronaldinho was looking down in the dumps, as he kept hitting the post. It was a great experience, though, lots of flags and some Chinese supporters behind us mad keen on the Argies, even down to buying the blue and white kit. We left the Stadium after Argentina had put three past the Brazilian goal keeper, a little before fulltime to avoid the crush and that proved to be the final score.

We then came home to find Christine Ohuruogu had won the gold for Britain in the 400m! And we are still third overall - that topped off a brilliant day.

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