The Other Wedding

When Greyrocks told folk we were off for a wedding some suggested it was that of Chloë and Jack. No such simplicity chez nous - theirs has developed to have four events at least and straddle six months!!

No- this was the long-awaited splicing of Sam and Catherine! We were honoured to be invited - along with Gaby, Charlie and Eva - to join them and Eoin (best man) and Julia for their celebration in Shrewsbury. We would form the YiaYiaGaGa team representing Paleochora, where the couple have spent many, many holidays! Out of mothballs came Bob's only (never-worn) summer suit plus accoutrements and Ruth's "funeral dress" to which a new lace jacket would be added if it arrived chez Chloë. Greyrocks is known in all its domains for its lack of interest in sartorial elegance, ("Dress like camel herders!") To this add Ruth's difficult feet and you have a shoe crisis. She threw in a pair of black mules that had been in a basket for more than a decade and off we went on a another tightly-planned trip. We started with a remarkably pleasant Easyjet flight to Bristol. It was the first time we had landed there and we were charmed by the approach on this clear day! We saw as far as the South Wales coast and well down into Devon, then the various bridges and rivers, Fascinating!

Excuse for a pizza party!

However, it's not the easiest airport to traverse and leave! When we eventually got out we walked straight onto a bus that took us to Temple Meads Station and the hotel was across the road! Dead easy! The plan was to use this evening for the Grand Opening of the re-modelled backyard at Chloë and Jack's house. It still needed planting, upholstery and an anticipated mural, but the outcome of some brilliant design - taking account of strange levels after part-demolition of the garage - and meticulous work by Mark and Matt - was very impressive. Family members Clare, Nigel  (electrician to the project) and children came along for the evening, but only Janet from the in-law side, In view of the mid-week and numbers we had suggested some delivery pizzas and Prosecco, We took the train for a couple of stops and were confused by the station exits.  As we dithered at a road junction there was furious ringing and we saw a cyclist zooming down the road on an impressive bike - with helmet and serious warm gilet! It was Greyrock's offspring! So we went to the pub to catch up, and Jack joined us, then went to get the pizzas from a local outlet. We had a jolly - but chilly - evening, collected various delivered items, chewed the fat over wedding arrangements with Janet, had various other interchanges and got an Uber cab back to the hotel! Short but sweet, and the backyard is wonderful!

"About time, too!"

Next morning it was raining as we took breakfast! We had ahead a few hours of cheap rail travel, First it was a slow and tatty GWR train as far as Newport (South Wales) passing through the Severn Tunnel. The trip was blighted by a woman insisting on sharing with the entire carriage the details of her prison visit! As the next train approached at Newport we realised there was a problem:- short train, too many passengers! Thanks to an earlier cancellation this was a fairly unpleasant run in terms of comfort, but stunning for scenery, and once descended the sins of the operator were forgotten!  We went for a recuperative pint in the pub nearest to the station, walked through the drizzle to the hotel, and found a welcoming committee! Most of the gang was already there in the lounge with real ale (and Eva turned up soon after!) At some point we handed over the mastica from Chios, which we had ordered for delivery to Bristol, and has a history with Catherine - in particular -

A weekend of jollity ensued!  A large party went for dinner that night; and we were all on parade next day for the Main Event. This was all centred on The Lion Hotel.  The bride entered accompanied by her lovely Mum, and looking beautiful in the bargain gown and with local English garden flowers, There are good pictures around and a link might be made in time, but this is your lot for now. On the way into the formal part Ruth's shoe collapsed - (victim of neglect and too much hot sun!) Later in the day Bob went on a rescue mission and the cobbler did his (no charge) best, but the only destination was the bin, and a new pair was bought next day! After the ceremony there was a very nice and slow lunch culminating in baklavas for the Greek theme, speeches and then a break and the evening with added guests, a good disco and a late night! Bob's change of gear during the recess caused a lot of amusement. He dumped the suit and tie in favour of shorts, sandals, Hawaiian shirt and sun-hat!! At some point the DJ announced there was a request for the Paleochora contingent and we made a reasonable attempt at Zorba's sirtaki!

The deed was now done but we were all in Shrewsbury for another day or so. Bob had an optician's appointment and Ruth needed shoes (!) so we strolled around the town and met up with the rest (including S African chapter) for dinner, Afterwards there was a farce getting beck into the hotel and securing a nightcap! On Sunday Greyrocks said farewell to Gaby and Charlie, checked out and walked around a bit of the river bank to say hello to Eoin and Julia in their little cottage , This turned into a champagne-fuelled long stay alternating with brother John next door, until Eoin drove the three of us to Birmingham airport. Poor Eva had a terrible journey back to Bremen because of freak flooding in Germany, but we had a quiet night in the highly convenient Ibis Budget at the airport and a flight back on Monday, which could have been better with some ritalin for the lad in the row behind, but Dave picked us up smoothly and normality resumed!

An event well worth the effort! A long and happy marriage to Sam and Catherine!!