The Best(ish) Man

Week 26: 15/10/2012 - 21/10/2012

The week provided a chance to catch up with family and friends. It was particularly good to catch up with Al and BC in Oxford. The Bristol crew also provided an entertaining evening out. 

Me and The BC

Preparations for this weeks wedding however were slightly hampered by me getting diagnosed with DVT. The NHS really came through though, from GP consultation through to diagnosis and treatment was about 24 hours…. The only little problem was that I was still in hospital 90 minutes before the wedding! So having abandoned Chris to get ready by himself, I finally arrived at church in Saltford 10 minutes before the service started.

Chris and Gemma

The service was beautiful and I managed to discharge my duties without the gorgeous bride Gemma suspecting a thing. I missed out on canapés and mingling at the reception as I frantically made phone calls round the world to try to deal with the situation.

With that out of the way I was able to enjoy the wedding breakfast. The speeches were all great (36 minutes, £10 winnings). I think it was fitting for Chris and Gemma that tea got mentioned at least 5 times in the 3 speeches. Chris speech was the most emotional wedding speech I’ve ever heard! It was a tough act to follow, but a real privileged to be able to give my little insight into the happy couple's relationship.

Me with Gemma, and rocking the air guitar with Chris

It was a great evening, Rocker Covers were a great band, followed by a disco with enough rock tunes for me to bust out my air guitar. The only drawback to the evening was repeatedly explaining my slightly embarrassing predicament to everyone.

A fantastic wedding, and so great see two people I know so well celebrating the start of their married life.

Anyway, the day following the wedding I was advised by doctors not to fly for 4 weeks, thus cancelling my return to Malaysia the next day, and cancelling my planned trips to Myanmar and China. Gutted….. but alive!

Dinner with uni mates...................................................................Carys and Beth undertaking the Double After 8 Challenge

So it was great to be around friends that evening, with Abi, Dunc and Hannah, Rich and Claire, Beth and Carys showing some compassion.... and Si just laughing at me for having an "old lady's disease"!!! The After 8 game was as fun ever. Great to see you guys!

So, there you are kids….DVT is for real, please take precautions.

 

The Three Best Men

Week 25: 8/10/2012 - 14/10/2012

It didn’t feel like I’d been in KL for long before I was back at the airport to head back to the UK for a pair of weddings. My plans for catching up with friends in London were scuppered after my flight into Dubai was diverted because of fog. I ended up arriving into London 8 hours late. Luckily Howard (pub blog can be found here) and Abhi were still up for a beer. Thanks guys.

On Friday afternoon the wedding party met up to receive final instructions. Nige, The Groom, treated his Best Men and Ushers and his aunts and uncles to a great meal at the Wheatsheaf Inn in North Leech. 

Nige and Lorna under assault from rose petals

Nige was unusually calm on the morning of his wedding, enjoying a full English breakfast at The Fleece, Cirencester. His nerves did begin to show as he paced up and down whilst answering the registrar’s pre-ceremony questions culminating in him singing his date of birth in an operatic style… much to the bemusement of all present. 

Tricky Dicky, Del, Me, Spike and Paul carrying Nige

The Bride, Lorna, looked incredibly elegant upon her arrival and the ceremony went smoothly. The sun continued to shine (just about) for the canapés, blessing and photographs.  The meal was awesome and the speeches came in at 52 minutes (£80 to the sweepstake winner). The evening entertainment of barn dancing followed by an amazing silent disco was a lot of fun. 

Dean Close crew..... 22 years and still going strong.

Sunday morning brunch was a great post wedding gathering, with the sun shining over the Cotswolds. It was such a great weekend, and an absolutely fantastic way for Nige and Lorna to start their married life.