Highlights of the Olympic torch run through London, April 6th 2008. Someone somewhere decided the Olympic torch(es) would run 31 miles through London, from Wembley Stadium to the O². Below is the parade route, courtesy of the Telegraph.

Whitehall

The Chinese are out to celebrate the coming Beijing Olympics, it’s a happy day today…

…or is it?

Trafalgar Square

A large base of Chinese await the runner with the torch. Some protesters are among them.

The Chinese tried to cloak this sign from view with flags. A slight irony here.

The torch approaches Trafalgar Square from Piccadilly Circus via Haymarket. For some reason the name of this particular torch bearer was not reported.

The torch was then passed to none other than Trevor McDonald. Trevor McDonald! A bizarre sight I must say.

A rogue participant complete with home-made torch eagerly awaits Trevor, hoping to intercept the proceedings.

Whitehall

The real runner waits a little further along the road. The Greater London Authority is currently reporting this runner to be Denise Lewis (see 1.10 PM). Doesn’t look like a Denise to me.

Trev’ makes it past the rogue runner to Denise.

The torches meet to continue the flame.

Ignition

Denise ran the torch to Downing Street. I believe the real Denise Lewis took on the flame from here and took it up Downing Street for photos with the Prime Minister.

The Indian was also shooting today, seen here making some video footage with her phone. Pete and Brian were shooting as well.

Protesters across the road from Downing Street.

Protesters for Burma were out, using the media opportunity to raise awareness.

The torch nears Downing Street. For activists, it is the green light. ACTION TIME.

Look carefully at this pic. Someone’s shoe landed on his arm just as I made this photo.

Note the goings on in the background of this photo.

Kevin Pietersen took the torch from Downing Street to Westminster Pier. More activists en route.

Parliament Square / Westminster Bridge

The Police messed up here. There were cars on the road that had to reverse as much as possible to let the relay pass. I stood in front of a car that had nowhere to reverse. A policeman pushed me onto the car as he ran past. Then some policemen threw an ITV cameraman to the ground where he apparently received a few kicks.

Spot the relay runner.

Like a game of Where’s Waldo, right? And who names their kid Waldo?

Bemused onlookers.

The torch squad makes it to the pier. From here they boarded a boat and went along the Thames to festival pier.

Meanwhile. no protesters to be found outside City Hall. Just Chinese flags and Chinese dragons…

Aftermath

The protesters made themselves heard. The BBC are saying the majority of people came out to see the torch relay – I think the majority of people who attended came to see the protests, were protesting, or were random tourists caught up in their travels.

Gordon Brown did not touch the torch when it came to 10 Downing Street – I think the PM’s opinion on the goings on is in support of the protesters, however because of the economic links with China he can’t just come out and say it. I think the Government’s message was subtly made in the thirty one-mile opportunity for protest.

As for China, the day was a complete shambles. Utterly ridiculous and embarassing. Demonstrators 1, China 0.

Watch the BBC news coverage – if you watch carefully, you can see me on the BBC news video clips when a protester is getting taken to the floor by police. Look out for my Suede Timberland boots.

How else to end the day than with a typical random sign on the relay route.