After an amazing time in the French Alps, we made the big journey up to Calais via Dijon (yes, home of the mustard!) where the big P&O Ferry awaited us.
One final night camping (only 10 euros at this joint, bargain and my mind clicked over at the extra we’d have at Topshop) and the pair of us plus our fancy little Citroen were onboard, heading to the white cliffs of Dover! We arrived, after a few curse words at road closures, at Trish’s house in Uckfield where her and my second cousin (cousin’s son) Joe were waiting. It was so nice to be chatting away in English, in a house where we could close doors and my cousin’s nail polish collection awaited (thousands of shades of pink, heaven). Trish had organised a family barbecue and I got a family snap. It’s minus Katie though, who was still working.
Trish being hugged by Ben, Joe, little Miya, Jim and Jana
The next day Sean got up early and had a run through the local woods which he loved while Trish and I did an exercise dvd and it hurt to walk up stairs for 4 days following. Trish organised for two of my great aunts, Thelma and Muriel to come for lunch to a local pub and Mum’s other cousin Chris joined us. Typical english pub food, we all had fish, chips and peas (i made sean order the mushy version for tradition’s sake, he liked them!).
Sean, Chris and Portia outfront of Trish's local, The White Hart
Muriel, Trish, Sean, Thelma and Chris chanting for the fish n chips, I had to ask them to sit still for the pic. Larrikins.
After a great afternoon catching up on all the family gossip, we headed home through the fields, keeping our eyes peeled for the albino deer that lives there and tried to dodge the summer rain. The rest of the afternoon was spent drinking tea, lamenting the British summer and beating Sean at cards (Joe helped me, it was a good team effort).
The next day we had been looking forward to for ages, Fleur and Ricky’s wedding! Katie had arrived home late the night before and allowed me to attack her pink nail polishes… my fingers and toes may or may not have resembled Barbie’s. Trish, Sean and I had made the guest list and we set off in plenty of time to get to Stoke Newington’s Town Hall. We were the first ones in there! Who knew we could make it early to an important event? Must have been Trish’s influence. We met up with a pretty nervous-looking Ricky (even though he declared he wasn’t nervous at all… suuuuure!) before taking our seats, being moved several times and ending up in the back row… not sure how it happened, but we coped, especially as we got the first glimpse of Fleur!
Getting excited to see the bride!!
Fleur, looking stunning, with her nephew Todd walking her up the aisle
The ceremony was lovely but once i saw Fleur was crying, the waterworks started for me too. Sean, being Sean, asked “why is she crying, is she sad to be marrying Ricky?” I almost didn’t dignify him with an answers but spluttered “tears of joy” through my own. Trish was discreetly wiping away tears too, I don’t think there was a dry eye (apart from all the uber tough men like Sean – only tears he shed when he thought he’d miss out on the cake).
Ricky just held it together and the two of them looked so in love, it was very special to witness. Here they are after the ceremony, looking just a little relieved and ready to party!!
The newly married, Mr and Mrs, looking incredibly happy.
We all breathed a collective sigh of relief that the emotional part was over and that the party began straight away! We had a few pics out the front of the church and headed to Ricky and Fleur’s back garden where marquees were set up.
Fleur and Ricky with Fleur's sisters, Selina, Fanny and Joey
The cousins beating the summer rain in the gorgeous marquees
The cake was a sight… Fleur’s sister Fanny went on a cake-making course and made this beauty!! It looked gorgeous and ohmygoshgivemeanotherpiece it was delicious.
Glorious wedding cake... is it wrong this is may be my fave part of weddings? I love wedding cake, even the weird icing.
Fleur about to cut the cake with... a sword! Her nephew collects them and she cut perfect pieces with it.
After some excellent speeches (Ricky, yours was perfect well done!), cake mouth-watering cake, and the bouquet throwing – we all hit the dancefloor! We stayed till fairly late before the 2-hour drive back to Uckfield beckoned. Trish and I chatted merrily away with Sean to keep him awake and before we knew it we were home and filling Katie in on the fun and emotional day. I slept like a log that night.
Next up is the London escapades with Hazzy and Pete with a surprise cameo from Pip!! It was fun to the extreme. We are now in Amsterdam, soaking up some unusual smells (the first thing we noticed when we stepped out of our trusty steed was the stench of marijuana), sights and shops. Now off to find our next campsite!!
Hope you enjoyed the wedding blog, wish me luck in keeping Sean in line with the red light district and “coffeeshops” beckoning. He’s WAHLD this man, I tell you.
Lisa and Sean xoxo
Hi Guys,
Don’t you love weddings? So pleased the wedding went well for Ricky and Fleur, they look so happy. I remember Trish from your wedding, she looks great too.
Lots a love & hug from
Me