please empty your brain below
Two of the heading links don't work. Neatly, they both start with "Casa".

dg writes: Sorted, thanks.

swirlythingy | Homepage | 07.08.12 - 1:08 a.m. | #

Here's another one for you: Proud2 aka House of Jamaica at the O2. I went on Friday, and it was there I decided (or made a bet with myself) that - if Usain Bolt won the 100m final - I'd dig deep and stump up £50 to go to the Jamaica Gala [also at the O2], tonight, marking the 50th Anniversary of the country's independence.
I'm just back, and what a fantastic evening. Jimmy Cliff was utterly incredible!!!
(Hope I haven't pre-empted your next post)

RogerW | 07.08.12 - 1:30 a.m. | #

I must of been following you yesterday as I visited many of the same places! Did you miss the 3D flyover of Rio at the Casa Brasilia? It is not well signposted but it is brilliant. it is down one of the steps off the inner courtyard ( on the left hand side looking towards the river end of the courtyard). Basically you can pilot a virtual hang glider in a fly over of Rio. well worth doing

Peewit | Homepage | 07.08.12 - 7:27 a.m. | #

Kiwi House at Granary Square is ace. The lamb at their 'backyard BBQ' is some of the best I ever ate.

Arkady | 07.08.12 - 7:31 a.m. | #

The exhibition of Italian art and design was good at Casa Italia. Maybe you missed the second floor.

Richard | Homepage | 07.08.12 - 7:37 a.m. | #

I went to Austria House and was disappointed. The French House in Billingsgate charge £5 so I didn't bother. I'd be interested to hear what the Irish House is like - especialy on the night when their women's boxer wins the gold !

Brian | 07.08.12 - 8:44 a.m. | #

Following Richard's comment, Casa Italia also has an impressive photographic exhibition (of scenes of Italy) occupying pretty much the whole of the fifth floor. I was lucky enough to be there on Friday, at a time when the Italian team won through in one of the fencing events: it was really great to see the happy reaction of the crowds watching it on the big screen TV.
I've also been to the Swiss house when they've had some of their special attractions, ranging from a performance by Nadja Stoller (you could maybe call her a Swiss Suzanne Vega) to Alpine horn blowing to Swiss wrestling (including visitor participation!)

RogerW | 07.08.12 - 10:56 a.m. | #

Just wanted to say a huge hanks for your Olympic blogs. We attended the park and the athletics last night and your posts were a massive help in us getting the best from our day. Cheers!

Dave | 07.08.12 - 1:35 p.m. | #

The Russian houses are apparently now free- anyone been?

Carlbob | Homepage | 07.08.12 - 2:41 p.m. | #

I've just printed out this blog entry. As always, far better than any official guide!

Bob Lindsay-Smith | 07.08.12 - 4:42 p.m. | #

To be super-pedantic, it's actually 'St Katharine (note spelling) Docks (plural), not 'St Katherine's Dock'.

| 07.08.12 - 5:18 p.m. | #

For some reason the Russians have 2 houses at 2 different parts of Kensington Gardens. As well as the Sochi Park near the Albert Memeorial there is also the Russia Park north of Kensington Palace. Probably the geographical dislocation is because they were all originally supposed to be in Marble Arch. The Russia Park is free and has some nice Russian rock for the benefit of of the Kensington residents.

KissenMe | 07.08.12 - 8:56 p.m. | #

looks like they had an exciting time at the Kiwi house:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19184803

Jon Allen | 08.08.12 - 10:57 p.m. | #

You need to time your visits to these houses for cultural events (if you want them). Londonprepares.com hasn't done a good job at providing good information on them - eg the description of Africa village is all content-free pr hype. Germany house is awful - Wurst, beer and tele. Bring-in water not allowed. You can pay 400 euros for the private area. Korea is superb: very Korea, seriously cultural and very friendly. Gorgeous. Switzerland was wonderful last weekend with traditional games from the Unspunnen festival and serious prizes to be won. Austria house had a lovely opening ceremony with a lot of humour and the country's chancellor without masses of security. The minders glared straight through me and left me alone to take all the photos I wanted. I enjoyed it more than the official opening ceremony on the tele. Russia.park is a missed opportunity. There have been wonderful acts on stage brought across from Russia but also lines of monitors to block half the view. Denmark is fun and friendly. Nearby, South Pacific islanders - unpaid volunteers from Essex and other parts - occasionally perform dance. It could have been excellent. You're not allowed down on to their pontoon dock - you watch from above behind railings. A missed opportunity. They built the island but didn't follow it up. France had an enormous queue so I didn't get in. Identity cards seemed to be required and, weirdly, they had a board with a list of olympics tickets available. Czech house culturally uninteresting apart from the bus outside. They were handing out free entry tickets outside to get people in when I went.

rt | 09.08.12 - 9:15 a.m. | #

Seems that Africa Village has shut, unpaid bills apparently. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19190778

Gavin | 09.08.12 - 11:25 a.m. | #

I had never even heard of these "villages" before the African one was shut down and never knew until now there were loads more!

Karl, Dover | 10.08.12 - 12:14 p.m. | #











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