The show opened with a set featuring iconic London landmarks. I spotted:

• The London Eye
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• The Gherkin
• Battersea Power Station
• Tower Bridge
• Royal Albert Hall
• And last and but not least Big Ben (out of which appeared Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill!)

This section was accompanied by artists from top West End show, Stomp.

We were then treated to a journey through British music with a focus on artists from the last 50 years including The Kinks, George Michael, Queen, Tinie Tempah, Jessie J, Kaiser Chiefs, Liam Gallagher, Take That and The Who. You can explore the rich tradition of British pop music at the British Music Experience or revel in Queen’s music at We Will Rock You!

The Spice Girls’ performance proved particularly popular and fans can look forward to a brand new musical – Viva Forever – premiering in London in November.

The ceremony also celebrated fashion with appearance of top British models including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. You can find many top British designers in London along with some of the world best shopping districts. Fashionistas should also head to the V&A and Fashion and Textile Museum.

There was an injection of comedy with Eric Idle’s rendition of ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’. You can enjoy this and other Monty Python classics in popular musical, Spamalot.

The Olympic flag was passed to Rio ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games and London’s Olympic Cauldron extinguished in a dance sequence starring Darcey Bussell. You can discover more about the cauldron at the current Thomas Heatherwick exhibition.

The athletes thoroughly enjoyed the show and Team GB were celebrating their success. I can’t wait to join them for the Our Greatest Team victory parade in London on 10 September.

Now eyes turn to the London 2012 Paralympic Games from 29 August until 9 September, which promise to be another impressive display of sporting prowess and courage. Beyond that I look forward to the legacy of London 2012.

What was your favourite moment of the London 2012 Olympic Games?

How close can you get to the Olympic Park without a ticket? A guaranteed way to see the Orbit, Olympic Stadium and Athletes Village is to take the daily Olympic walking tour around the edge of the park. In spite of tightened security and crowds, the tours are continuing twice a day throughout the Games.

The altered tour route for the Olympics visits the film studio where Danny Boyle is preparing the Opening Ceremony. It takes in the Stadium and the distinctive Aquatics Centre from a pedestrian gate and finishes up at Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, overlooking the Athletes Village.

The real highlights of taking a tour in Games-time are the unplanned encounters with Olympic stars, explains guide Victoria Herriott, who has bumped into the likes of Steve Redgrave, American sprinter Michael Johnson and legendary British Athlete Mary Peters on her tours.

“The atmosphere is great because there are athletes wandering around everywhere,” she says. “The athletes have all been moving in recently and they’ve hung their flags on their balconies so you know where different teams are staying. Last week, we met the American equestrian team with their trainer Mark Phillips, who is Zara Phillip’s father. My group were mainly American so they got the meet their own equestrian team and the father of the Queen’s granddaughter.”

The tours are led by professional Blue Badge tourist guides who tell the story of east London’s industrial past and regeneration, winning the bid and the build up to the Games.

Many guides have led tours of the park for years, from site visits for architects to trips for local schools. They launched the tours in 2010 when they realised the limited bus tours of the Olympic Park weren’t satisfying curiosity about the Olympic site. “We could see there wasn’t going to be much chance for people to be let into the park,” says Herriott. “There used to be bus tours but they were always sold out. It didn’t even begin to scrape the surface of the demand to learn about the Olympics.”

Guided walks take place every day at 11am and 2pm, starting at Bromley-by-Bow Underground station. Booking in advance is necessary in Games time. Have you been on a walking tour of the Olympic Park? Let us know your experience in the comments below.

Tonight sees the official launch of the free Visit Stratford App, now available to download on Android and iPhone.

Created by Stratford Renaissance Partnership and the London Borough of Newham, the app provides information for Games-time visitors to the area, including listings for Stratford’s shops, bars, restaurants and hotels with up-to-date events and travel information.

Download it now to discover more about this rapidly developing area of East London – one that will become a familiar sight to over 2 billion TV viewers once the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games begin this July.

Other great features of the app include:

• Live tube, bus and DLR information
• Interactive map and audio walking guide
• 2012 Games information
• Digital postcards to send to your friends
• Interactive features showing Stratford’s future

For more information on the Visit Stratford App visit www.stratfordlondonapp.com
You can also download the app from the Apple App Store or from Android Play.

The Duke of Edinburgh put aside his 89th birthday plans to scale the Olympic Stadium with London 2012 boss Seb Coe and Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt.

The London 2012 site in Stratford, East London, is taking shape as impressive recent photos have shown and it is firmly on track to meet its construction targets.

On Sunday, I joined about 3,700 other runners in the 10k Newham London Run around the Olympic Park.

Despite the bright spring sunshine, it was very, very cold waiting for the start at Stratford Park at 9.30 yesterday morning. (Ice in the portaloos, anyone?)

I was part of the green wave (rather wishing it was actually a warm green room!) who set off third out of four groups. When we finally got going, it was great to run past local girl and Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu who had officially started the race along with the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales. I wonder if her arms ache from waving to everyone from her position on the starters platform?

We ran into the Olympic Park before heading on to West Ham Park, along part of The Greenway (looking at the beautiful outside of Abbey Mills Pumping Centre - nice to look at, less nice to smell!) and Stratford town centre. Running right up to the Olympic Stadium was very cool – and it was great to see the inspiring posters of Olympic athletes on the hoardings around the stadium.

The mood around the route was really positive, with lots of residents hanging out of windows to cheer us on, and others watching the race in the parks and streets. It was also great to see such a diverse, multicultural crowd of runners: there were all ages and abilities, all joining in the event.

It was the first 10k I’ve ever completed and I’m pleased with my (personal best!) time of 56 minutes and 4 seconds, even if that is a little short of the winners: Jacob Howe in 36 minutes 34 seconds and Sylvie Lloyd in 39 minutes 37 seconds. Overall, I came 1141st.

Thanks to everyone who helped organize such a great event, and congratulations to everyone who took part.

Were you there? Let us know what you thought of the event in the comments below!