I said before the Olympics (although I didn't say it here so you'll have to take my word for it) that the only thing I really wanted was for Kelly Holmes to win a gold medal.

And she did!

What an amazing, tough, down-to-earth character she is. She's one of the people that makes me feel good about being British. I see something I aspire to in her: unpretentiousness, grit, a sense of humour. I was so delighted for her. Yay Kelly: you go girl!

One other Olympic bon mot. To my lasting joy I learned last week that the nickname of the New Zealand basketball team is.... The Tall Blacks! 's true!