After a day of blue skies and sunshine, the heavens opened and the lightning struck just as the final dress rehearsal was due to get underway. Undeterred – and in any case now well-practiced in working around the problem – Head of Ceremonies Martin Green and Creative Director Stephen Powell talked through the 'storyboard' of what we’ll see instead, and gave the assembled (somewhat damp) audience a sneak preview of the music that will accompany it. 
Just over three weeks ago we started the story at the Olympic Games Handover, in an 8-minute section setting out our journey to Beijing. Later today we'll witness the second half of the story at Paralympic Handover – the journey home.
Picking up on lots of the imagery and iconography from last time, the Paralympic Handover will feature the next generation of artists and performers, once again mixing tradition with the British ability to be just a little irreverent. 
Once again, it's a statement of intent. London 2012 will be young, diverse, vibrant, challenging. It will look both to the future and to our rich heritage.
Of course I can't give too much away, but once again the music is magic, with our talented Musical Director Phil Sheppard managing to weave in a seemingly infinite number of well-known UK tunes - and sounds - into the score. See how many you can spot.
Back in the UK, unlike the Olympic Handover, today's a normal school day. So we’re using it as the opportunity to get children and young people excited and inspired about the Paralympic Games. Over 5,000 schools – an estimated two million or so pupils - will be taking part in activities ranging from assemblies to sports days, learning about the Paralympic Values, China and London 2012. Many will end their day watching the ceremony itself, at around 3.30pm.
Make sure you tune in too – the Ceremony's being covered live on BBC2 from 12.50pm, the Handover segment will be taking place at around 2pm. It will also be shown on giant screens across the UK.
We're going to be going out with a bang. This is London.
