It's been a bit of a bumpy start for this year's Olympics in Paris, but the Opening Ceremony seemed to go ahead without mishap - other than the impressive downpour. The relentless rain didn't dampen spirits, at least nothing that was apparent from the careful camera work of the television companies, and the competitors are all set for the Games to begin.
I sat through most of the Ceremony. I'm not sure why as it's not really my sort of thing. But I interviewed Frank Cottrell-Boyce this week and, as he was responsible for creating the production for London 2012, I felt I needed to do some sort of critique, I suppose.
And I'm thrilled that his efforts parachuting the late Queen out of a helicopter, making Mr Bean contribute to the orchestral performance of the soundtrack of 'Chariots of Fire' and celebrating the Industrial Revolution and the NHS still stand as a phenomenal, memorable and wonderful spectacle.
I was speaking to Frank in the light of his recent appointment as the new Waterstone's Children's Laureate. A screenwriter and the author of a dozen brilliant books for children, he has taken on the role for the next two years and, with his childlike sense of joy, he says he's particularly delighted that he will soon be presented with a medal as an official token of his post.
Frank is a perfect ambassador for the role inspiring all ages, young and old, with his passion for books and reading. He is enthusiastically full of wonder and invites us to celebrate kindness and find happiness in everything around us.
But, he says, there is no need for him to remind us about the pleasure of reading. The previous twelve laureates have achieved that, he thinks. Instead, he wants to use his position to lobby those in power to bring about change so that all children might be able to access books and stories.
From all that he has achieved in his career so far, it will be exciting to see how he reaches this goal over the next two years.
Thank you for reading.