I would put this in Off Topic, but no bugger reads that! ;)

I was just wondering how London 2012 is being viewed so far by the wider world. Living on these shores, the coverage is blanket, and (North Korean flag gaffe apart), hugely positive thus far. I do wonder how much of that is supporting the home team? If you are to listen to our BBC this morning, the opening ceremony was akin to the second coming. I'm not convinced I'm not pregnant, the images were so wonderful.

It was a weird affair. Us Brits are a self deprecating, hugely underwhelmed race, as a rule. Much more likely to play down achievement and highlight our own misfortune or shortcomings than we are to celebrate something we've done well. There is always much tutting and distaste when an American (for instance) is a bit brash or proclaims himself number one (even if that is undoubtedly true), it's much more British to point out you're not perfect and your opponents are top types. I don't say that to be anti-confidence, more over just pointing out cultural difference. But, at least here, the reaction to last night's opening ceremony was hugely positive. Something we'd done well.

Friends of mine / media that's left leaning seemed to take one night off being almost anti-British and a huge wave of pride broke out. It was unexpected, considering the Union Flag is so often associated with the far right or football violence (events containing the Queen apart). The monarch got a night off criticism, and was indeed almost cool for an octogenarian, turning up with Bond. There was an interesting moment on Twitter when a right leaning politician criticised the (I'll admit) very politically correct ceremony (including lesbian kiss) and got roundly destroyed by all in sundry. Bits of it were slightly cringe worthy, the very marked and pointed difference from the order of Beijing with 'chaos', Mr. Bean (really, world, we can do funny, I promise, quite why he's such a massive export is beyond me), the idea we all live in Hobbiton... But, largely, I thought it was a bit good. I normally fall asleep during the opening ceremony, I wonder if I enjoyed this just because it was our one?

No, for one night, it seemed OK to drop our collective stiff upper lip and be a bit proud that our tiny island has not done bad for itself over the last 2000 years, all things considered. No doubt people across the country are waking up this morning ready to revert back to playing the Olympics down, pointing out the guy who comes second to Cavendish later is a stand up guy who does loads for charity, a top bloke. Oh, and Mark won (we can but hope).

I suppose I'm really interested on how it went down overseas. I've read some non-plussed New York Times stuff, but comments sections on websites are always largely a bit rubbish. What say you, non-Brits? Any good?

Feels very odd to be a bit happy to be British. Off to watch some Shakespeare this afternoon to top off the effect. I've no doubt normal service will be resumed come Monday. No doubt with some light drizzle.