Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday
En route from meeting to office, I posted a letter in Chalfont St Giles (home of the Dad's Army film, Nick Clegg and John Milton) in the post office which is also a dry cleaners.
Monday
Can't really say too much about my new thing today, and understand why Mr SthgNew thinks I am a spy (I'm not, and I promise I would admit it here if I were), suffice to say it involved some unwelcome advice on how to use a ticket machine in a car park, a 45 minute wait in the post office and a visit to an old people's home where I happened to be there in time for a singsong.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday
There's a vital bit of info missing from this story and indeed the full page ad that was in the paper: http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=15185
This meant that we couldn't take part and also missed the event when we came down to watch it. So new thing ended up being watching a really terrible film on TV called No Reservations which is so bad that I can't even watch the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-5RJTf0-Jk I give it 2 out of ten because I really like Abigail Breslin....
This meant that we couldn't take part and also missed the event when we came down to watch it. So new thing ended up being watching a really terrible film on TV called No Reservations which is so bad that I can't even watch the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-5RJTf0-Jk I give it 2 out of ten because I really like Abigail Breslin....
Saturday
A quick walk around Bodmin after marvelling at the sight of a man driving along the M5 on his own, while playing the trumpet?? And then heading for lunch at the Beach Hut at Watergate Bay, which is interestingly right underneath Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant.
http://www.watergatebay.co.uk/thebeachhut.htm
Really lovely meal here with nice staff, cool customers with dogs and surfboards and a fantastic view. I had a lovely crab spaghetti which I'll be hoping to make again at some point and also a lovely vailla cheesecake which I can't have again as I need to lose weight pronto!
The other new thing was stopping at Taunton services which were absolutely deserted. I've never seen anything like it.
http://www.watergatebay.co.uk/thebeachhut.htm
Really lovely meal here with nice staff, cool customers with dogs and surfboards and a fantastic view. I had a lovely crab spaghetti which I'll be hoping to make again at some point and also a lovely vailla cheesecake which I can't have again as I need to lose weight pronto!
The other new thing was stopping at Taunton services which were absolutely deserted. I've never seen anything like it.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday
Trying to avoid the wave of traffic on the M4 heading towards London so got there really early and spent half an hour having a lovely coffee (and cake, whoops) at a place called Rootz in Chorleywood, an ethical shop with free trade coffee shop.
Wednesday
London again for a meeting, but new thing was my boss' funkly Megane Renaultsport 250 in vivid yellow with Recaro seats. Fabulous!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday
A very cool start to the day; had a lovely coffee at the Bridge Cafe which is famously the cafe where the losing team in the Apprentice heads to discuss who is to blame. Having been up since 5am, I was not feeling very chatty, but the guy in here was superb; hugely welcoming and friendly and best of all my coffee was 80p!!!! This is where the winners should come!
Then onto Renault London West to host a very nice journalist who wanted to spend a day in the dealership to see what it's like. We spent a bit of time in each department and both found this hugely informative. The best part of the day was not the MASSIVE lunch at the Ace Cafe, but our trip onto the roof of the dealership offering a brilliant view of Wembley Stadium and then great views of Canary Wharf. The funniest thing was overhearing someone asking someone else if they'd heard the banging footsteps on the roof only to be told that it was Santa!
Then onto Renault London West to host a very nice journalist who wanted to spend a day in the dealership to see what it's like. We spent a bit of time in each department and both found this hugely informative. The best part of the day was not the MASSIVE lunch at the Ace Cafe, but our trip onto the roof of the dealership offering a brilliant view of Wembley Stadium and then great views of Canary Wharf. The funniest thing was overhearing someone asking someone else if they'd heard the banging footsteps on the roof only to be told that it was Santa!
Monday
After dropping my mum off at the airport, I stopped off at the Thatcham family bookshop which is a wonderful resource to have on the doorstep.
Sunday
New thing today was a walk through Goodings and a visit to the Halfway Inn. I have been here before but not since it was transformed into a piano bar. We had a Sunday lunch to the accompaniment of classicial piano and the meal was exceptional. The food was delicious and well presented and the service was delightful, really friendly and nice, but not at all intrusive. Highly recommended and I can't wait to go back. Even my mum was impressed and her approval is not given lightly!
Saturday
A village called Nanstallon by accident and then I met my baby nephew for the first time! What a cutie!
Friday
Went to see Harry Potter at 9am. Amazing how many people don't have to work! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EC2tmFVNNE
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday
New thing today was substantially less exciting than the last few days of travelling around India. I ran a tombola stall at a coffee morning in aid of the Alzheimer's Society; we raised £540!
Wednesday (and I'm an aunt!)
New thing today was heading through the most incredible traffic jam I've ever seen, caused by the highway being closed for Eid (of course) to get to the airport. Hometime boo. It's been a great holiday, but has gone by far too quickly. Said goodbye to the driver who said he would be starting the same tour again tomorrow...
We were met by a rep who kindly took our passports and handed them to airport staff less than a foot away. Very fortunate he was there really. After buying "Really Nice" chocolates. No, they were called that, and a bunch of INdian women's magazines, we got on the plane and new films for me were:
Rinco's Restaurant: I thought this was going to be a quirky story about a woman who opens a restaurant and was looking forward to seeing some lovely food scenes (very necessary on a plane, having seen the food that was being served up to my fellow passengers) and a great story, which it was, but I had no idea it would be so shite. I nearly punched the seat in front of me it was so bad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2saOJIzyfvY
Then: Mr Nice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApzPnkrTI4c which was ok - not as good as the book, of course, but then I said that about Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.
Caught a bit of Date Night as I love, love, love Tina Fey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aspBKFz2dBI but then decided that I'd rather watch The Inbetweeners, Peep Show and Modern Family.
We were met by a rep who kindly took our passports and handed them to airport staff less than a foot away. Very fortunate he was there really. After buying "Really Nice" chocolates. No, they were called that, and a bunch of INdian women's magazines, we got on the plane and new films for me were:
Rinco's Restaurant: I thought this was going to be a quirky story about a woman who opens a restaurant and was looking forward to seeing some lovely food scenes (very necessary on a plane, having seen the food that was being served up to my fellow passengers) and a great story, which it was, but I had no idea it would be so shite. I nearly punched the seat in front of me it was so bad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2saOJIzyfvY
Then: Mr Nice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApzPnkrTI4c which was ok - not as good as the book, of course, but then I said that about Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.
Caught a bit of Date Night as I love, love, love Tina Fey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aspBKFz2dBI but then decided that I'd rather watch The Inbetweeners, Peep Show and Modern Family.
Monday
Tuesday
New thing today was heading to Manesar. Once again, our driver was in a weird mood and spent the journey meandering across the lanes, tailgating and inching through gaps that weren’t there.
There were some great signs along the way. “Jolly Hospital” and “Hotel rooms for families and foreigners!” were my favourites.
I tried to lighten his mood by chatting to him, but this led to silence and a trip to a really awful souvenir shop. “Are you from Delhi?” “no.” “Are you from Agra?” Silence.
We arrived at the Heritage Village in Manesar which was between the airport and an industrial estate which we explored in a walk after dinner. Dinner was a buffet and I don’t recall what I ate because I spent the whole meal watching an obese Indian child (you don’t see that very often) go up to the buffet no fewer than 19 times. On one occasion, he tried to serve himself a plant and on another he helped himself to a scoopful of sweets from the reception desk. He went up to the icecream section six times and scoffed a handful of cupcakes each time. We calculated that he must have eaten enough to feed most Indian children for a month. Then he left. Five minutes later he was back and was at the icecream station again in his coat.
We then went outside to the pool to enjoy some live music. Man, it was awful, so back inside we went to enjoy some proper acoustic music, a few beers and a plate of chilli toast and samosas, before retiring to our room to celebrate the news that I had just become an aunt (and the reason we didn’t really do anything today) to watch some quality Indian TV including Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who wants to be a millionaire. Interestingly Mr SN appeared to be better at this version than the UK version.) and Takeshi’s Castle!!
New thing today was heading to Manesar. Once again, our driver was in a weird mood and spent the journey meandering across the lanes, tailgating and inching through gaps that weren’t there.
There were some great signs along the way. “Jolly Hospital” and “Hotel rooms for families and foreigners!” were my favourites.
I tried to lighten his mood by chatting to him, but this led to silence and a trip to a really awful souvenir shop. “Are you from Delhi?” “no.” “Are you from Agra?” Silence.
We arrived at the Heritage Village in Manesar which was between the airport and an industrial estate which we explored in a walk after dinner. Dinner was a buffet and I don’t recall what I ate because I spent the whole meal watching an obese Indian child (you don’t see that very often) go up to the buffet no fewer than 19 times. On one occasion, he tried to serve himself a plant and on another he helped himself to a scoopful of sweets from the reception desk. He went up to the icecream section six times and scoffed a handful of cupcakes each time. We calculated that he must have eaten enough to feed most Indian children for a month. Then he left. Five minutes later he was back and was at the icecream station again in his coat.
We then went outside to the pool to enjoy some live music. Man, it was awful, so back inside we went to enjoy some proper acoustic music, a few beers and a plate of chilli toast and samosas, before retiring to our room to celebrate the news that I had just become an aunt (and the reason we didn’t really do anything today) to watch some quality Indian TV including Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who wants to be a millionaire. Interestingly Mr SN appeared to be better at this version than the UK version.) and Takeshi’s Castle!!
Monday
Jaipur is I think my favourite place on this tour and was established in 1727 by Jai Singh II. We didn’t start at the Pink City though, but began the day with a trip to the Amber Fort where we waited in a queue with some lovely Canadian girls who were as baffled as I was by trying to haggle for a kid’s T-shirt, a postcard and trying not to buy a Raj style hat or Rajasthani puppets which are a feature of the area. The queue was for our own elephant which would take us to the Amber Fort, and despite feeling terribly touristy, I enjoyed our ride on Champa, but didn’t enjoy the mahoot’s constant badgering all the way up. He was trying to get me to buy some euros and dollars that someone had given him as a tip for an outrageous sum – particularly considering that neither currency is much good here in Newbury.
The Amber Fort was fascinating, but it was the incredible views that were the most breathtaking aspect of the visit. Sweeping vistas and massive walls reminded me of somewhere I’d been in China. There is something weird about being pestered by hawkers while you’re in a poor country. You want to help out, but you want to ensure that you’re not hiking up prices or just giving charity. Give money to one and a veritable scrum develops around you.
We were then taken to a jewellery shop where the guide congratulated Mr SN on marrying a woman who doesn't wear jewellery - (hahahaha). Our next trip was to a painting shop where Mr SN spent the cost of a Tato Nano (the world's cheapest car http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/) on a painting which I have to acknowledge is quite fantastic, but not worth 3000 times more than the cheap painting I bought at the fort). The artist offered to frame it for us and deliver it to the hotel, which he dutifully did, but not without a bit of panic on our part, having already paid for it.
We then headed to the fantastic Jantar Mantar which plays host to 18 massive sculptures which are in fact astronomical devices which map events in the heavens. The guide explained how one of the sculptures tells the time in Jaipur with great accuracy, and the others tell of which days are the best to get married. It’s a great place and one I will mention to the boss in case he fancies sending me back here to oversee a photo shoot of any sort!
We then visited the brilliant Royal Palace which also contains a military museum and armoury. The current royal family still lives in part of the palace and there are some fantastic sights within the public bits, such as the robes of the 7foot tall emperor, and two massive urns which are the largest crafted silver objects in the world, each “more than 1.5m high with a capacity of 8182 litres”. They were filled with Ganges water and taken to London for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901 by Madho Singh II who didn’t trust English water in a neat reversal of our attitude to only drinking bottled water on this trip and not letting anyone put ice in our drinks!
We drove back through the Pink City, which was apparently painted in the 1860s ahead of the Royal visit, although some say the colour preceded this. It’s the most amazing thing to see, as it’s a cluttered collection of shops and houses, all sprawling from one mass. Some of it is really old, some new and restored, all with signs fighting for prominence. Amazing. We stopped for a photo of the Four Winds Palace (Hawa Mahal) which has 1,000 windows and was where the women of the court could watch the goings on (of which they are many!) in the street without being observed.
There was then the loudest crack of thunder I’ve EVER heard, so we headed to the lovely Niro’s for lunch and one of the best curries of the trip so far, a paneer tikka masala accompanied by some of the juice from Mr SN’s chicken jalfrezi. This was topped off with a drink and a view from the 9th floor of the Om Tower and the Amigo’s Bar before heading up a couple of floors to the 14th which had a revolving restaurant for a lassi with an even better view (mainly as the windows were cleaner rather than thanks to the height advantage), before being driven at speed in a tuktuk back to the hotel bar by a very appreciative driver, where I watched Girls’ Night Out – what seems to be India’s answer to Most Haunted.
The Amber Fort was fascinating, but it was the incredible views that were the most breathtaking aspect of the visit. Sweeping vistas and massive walls reminded me of somewhere I’d been in China. There is something weird about being pestered by hawkers while you’re in a poor country. You want to help out, but you want to ensure that you’re not hiking up prices or just giving charity. Give money to one and a veritable scrum develops around you.
We were then taken to a jewellery shop where the guide congratulated Mr SN on marrying a woman who doesn't wear jewellery - (hahahaha). Our next trip was to a painting shop where Mr SN spent the cost of a Tato Nano (the world's cheapest car http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/) on a painting which I have to acknowledge is quite fantastic, but not worth 3000 times more than the cheap painting I bought at the fort). The artist offered to frame it for us and deliver it to the hotel, which he dutifully did, but not without a bit of panic on our part, having already paid for it.
We then headed to the fantastic Jantar Mantar which plays host to 18 massive sculptures which are in fact astronomical devices which map events in the heavens. The guide explained how one of the sculptures tells the time in Jaipur with great accuracy, and the others tell of which days are the best to get married. It’s a great place and one I will mention to the boss in case he fancies sending me back here to oversee a photo shoot of any sort!
We then visited the brilliant Royal Palace which also contains a military museum and armoury. The current royal family still lives in part of the palace and there are some fantastic sights within the public bits, such as the robes of the 7foot tall emperor, and two massive urns which are the largest crafted silver objects in the world, each “more than 1.5m high with a capacity of 8182 litres”. They were filled with Ganges water and taken to London for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901 by Madho Singh II who didn’t trust English water in a neat reversal of our attitude to only drinking bottled water on this trip and not letting anyone put ice in our drinks!
We drove back through the Pink City, which was apparently painted in the 1860s ahead of the Royal visit, although some say the colour preceded this. It’s the most amazing thing to see, as it’s a cluttered collection of shops and houses, all sprawling from one mass. Some of it is really old, some new and restored, all with signs fighting for prominence. Amazing. We stopped for a photo of the Four Winds Palace (Hawa Mahal) which has 1,000 windows and was where the women of the court could watch the goings on (of which they are many!) in the street without being observed.
There was then the loudest crack of thunder I’ve EVER heard, so we headed to the lovely Niro’s for lunch and one of the best curries of the trip so far, a paneer tikka masala accompanied by some of the juice from Mr SN’s chicken jalfrezi. This was topped off with a drink and a view from the 9th floor of the Om Tower and the Amigo’s Bar before heading up a couple of floors to the 14th which had a revolving restaurant for a lassi with an even better view (mainly as the windows were cleaner rather than thanks to the height advantage), before being driven at speed in a tuktuk back to the hotel bar by a very appreciative driver, where I watched Girls’ Night Out – what seems to be India’s answer to Most Haunted.
Sunday
We headed to the incredible deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri which is a massive palace which was built for the Mughal emperor Akbar who built this as India’s capital in the late 16th century. As impressive as it is, it only lasted less than 20 years as the capital, reportedly due to a lack of water, although my guidebook disputed this theory...
With massive courtyards, exciting gardens and houses for the wives, it’s an interesting place and well worth a visit. Then we left our guide (who had borrowed my guidebook and was alarmingly taken with it, as if the information inside was brand new). I prised it from him and we headed for Jaipur. As we approached, the landscape changed from Norfolk-like flatness to mountainous, so our first views of Jaipur were favourable. (Until someone else crunched into the side of the car – my side once again).
We didn’t see any of the famous pink part of the city, but headed straight to the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel which was nice, but just a bit....anonymous. If you go to India, I highly recommend staying in the older buildings with a history rather than chain hotels. This place just seemed to lack soul, nice though it was. My first niggle was that the address of the hotel was nowhere to be found inside our room or in the restaurant, making planning a trip into the centre a bit tricky, and my second was the waiter in the restaurant who protested: “But that’s Indian food!” when I ordered a tikka lababdar....on the plus side though, the food was luverly and there were stunning views.
We then took a taxi for a more reasonable 100 rupees to the MI Road and had a drink at Moti Mahal Delux which was very cool, with live Indian music. Then a young dancing boy appeared so we moved onto the Bouncer Bar.
We then had a smashing bike rickshaw ride back to the hotel. They guy was quite old, so I felt really bad at one point when the road appeared to be sloping uphill and jumped out, much to the driver’s amusement. Sights on the way included a Tato Nano with seven people in it) and a poster for Golden Peacock beer, which later enticed Mr SN to try one back at the hotel, proclaiming it “more pee than cock”.
When we arrived, we gave him such a massive tip that a crowd of people gathered around him, and though I was a little worried at first, it appeared to be all positive!
With massive courtyards, exciting gardens and houses for the wives, it’s an interesting place and well worth a visit. Then we left our guide (who had borrowed my guidebook and was alarmingly taken with it, as if the information inside was brand new). I prised it from him and we headed for Jaipur. As we approached, the landscape changed from Norfolk-like flatness to mountainous, so our first views of Jaipur were favourable. (Until someone else crunched into the side of the car – my side once again).
We didn’t see any of the famous pink part of the city, but headed straight to the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel which was nice, but just a bit....anonymous. If you go to India, I highly recommend staying in the older buildings with a history rather than chain hotels. This place just seemed to lack soul, nice though it was. My first niggle was that the address of the hotel was nowhere to be found inside our room or in the restaurant, making planning a trip into the centre a bit tricky, and my second was the waiter in the restaurant who protested: “But that’s Indian food!” when I ordered a tikka lababdar....on the plus side though, the food was luverly and there were stunning views.
We then took a taxi for a more reasonable 100 rupees to the MI Road and had a drink at Moti Mahal Delux which was very cool, with live Indian music. Then a young dancing boy appeared so we moved onto the Bouncer Bar.
We then had a smashing bike rickshaw ride back to the hotel. They guy was quite old, so I felt really bad at one point when the road appeared to be sloping uphill and jumped out, much to the driver’s amusement. Sights on the way included a Tato Nano with seven people in it) and a poster for Golden Peacock beer, which later enticed Mr SN to try one back at the hotel, proclaiming it “more pee than cock”.
When we arrived, we gave him such a massive tip that a crowd of people gathered around him, and though I was a little worried at first, it appeared to be all positive!
Saturday - The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays)
Saturday
A visit to the most famous, and most romantic building in the world!
There isn't much that can be said about the Taj Mahal that hasn't already been said, and it did not disappoint. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child, it is THE symbol of love and is absolutely breathtaking.
We had an incredible walk through the gardens (where I posed Diana-style for one pic), then approached the building. What you don't often see is the incredible view of the Yamuna River behind the structure which places the building in a peaceful, calm setting, a rarity in India!
Mr SN was quite amused when I asked the guide if he still felt the Taj Mahal was beautiful after visiting it so many times. Long pause. "Yeah".
Later in the day, I asked what he did after work. He said: "eat, meet my wife, have lunch, go shopping, see a movie. And then facebook".
After tittering about that, I then asked him what the driver did after work. "Don't you worry about him", I was told.
We then went to the Red Fort where Shah Jahan spent the last eight years of his life, imprisoned by his son, and staring at the Taj Mahal in the distance. This is also an incredible building and perhaps even more interesting than the Taj Mahal. Artefacts include a massive, portable bath, royal pavilions and a "ludo" board which was played using royal servants as pieces!
We were then taken to a marble shop where the owner revelled in the fact that the staff were descendants of the artisans who created the Taj Mahal, and still used the same techniques to fashion such items as chopping boards and chess sets out of marble. He showed us how one worker didn't have fingerprints on one hand as a result of his work, a fact which made me cry, rather than inducing me to buy anything.
Then, on the way back to the hotel, the inevitable happened and I knew it was going to happen before it did. A bike nearly hit a motorcycle, causing the biker to turn around and shake his fist at him. Not looking where he was going, of course, he ended up smacking into our car right where I was sitting in the back. He seemed ok as he panicked and rode off at speed, wobbling about like I had just done after Mr SN paid for the painting. Our car was not ok....
Lunch and a swim before gatecrashing a party at our hotel which was called the "LIVE cocheal implant workshop". Cue 10 million ear jokes.
We then decided to have a change from our curryfest and headed to a Chinese restaurant called the Mandarin at the Yamuna View Hotel, so asked the receptionist if it was walkable. It's 8km away quoth he, and called us a taxi. Said taxi arrived and deposited us about 100 yards around the corner at a cost of 515 rupees much to my annoyance.
We had a quick drink at the Shalimar Bar where thanks to my new Punjabi suit, I kept being mistaken for a waitress, including by tourists from France whose group was hilariously called "Acme Tours". The dinner was great though, and again I was tickled when Mr SN asked if they had soy sauce? "Do we have WHAT?" they asked, baffled.
As we walked the 200m to our Agra hotel, my phone beeped with a message from Vodafone that said: "Welcome to Mumbai!"
A visit to the most famous, and most romantic building in the world!
There isn't much that can be said about the Taj Mahal that hasn't already been said, and it did not disappoint. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child, it is THE symbol of love and is absolutely breathtaking.
We had an incredible walk through the gardens (where I posed Diana-style for one pic), then approached the building. What you don't often see is the incredible view of the Yamuna River behind the structure which places the building in a peaceful, calm setting, a rarity in India!
Mr SN was quite amused when I asked the guide if he still felt the Taj Mahal was beautiful after visiting it so many times. Long pause. "Yeah".
Later in the day, I asked what he did after work. He said: "eat, meet my wife, have lunch, go shopping, see a movie. And then facebook".
After tittering about that, I then asked him what the driver did after work. "Don't you worry about him", I was told.
We then went to the Red Fort where Shah Jahan spent the last eight years of his life, imprisoned by his son, and staring at the Taj Mahal in the distance. This is also an incredible building and perhaps even more interesting than the Taj Mahal. Artefacts include a massive, portable bath, royal pavilions and a "ludo" board which was played using royal servants as pieces!
We were then taken to a marble shop where the owner revelled in the fact that the staff were descendants of the artisans who created the Taj Mahal, and still used the same techniques to fashion such items as chopping boards and chess sets out of marble. He showed us how one worker didn't have fingerprints on one hand as a result of his work, a fact which made me cry, rather than inducing me to buy anything.
Then, on the way back to the hotel, the inevitable happened and I knew it was going to happen before it did. A bike nearly hit a motorcycle, causing the biker to turn around and shake his fist at him. Not looking where he was going, of course, he ended up smacking into our car right where I was sitting in the back. He seemed ok as he panicked and rode off at speed, wobbling about like I had just done after Mr SN paid for the painting. Our car was not ok....
Lunch and a swim before gatecrashing a party at our hotel which was called the "LIVE cocheal implant workshop". Cue 10 million ear jokes.
We then decided to have a change from our curryfest and headed to a Chinese restaurant called the Mandarin at the Yamuna View Hotel, so asked the receptionist if it was walkable. It's 8km away quoth he, and called us a taxi. Said taxi arrived and deposited us about 100 yards around the corner at a cost of 515 rupees much to my annoyance.
We had a quick drink at the Shalimar Bar where thanks to my new Punjabi suit, I kept being mistaken for a waitress, including by tourists from France whose group was hilariously called "Acme Tours". The dinner was great though, and again I was tickled when Mr SN asked if they had soy sauce? "Do we have WHAT?" they asked, baffled.
As we walked the 200m to our Agra hotel, my phone beeped with a message from Vodafone that said: "Welcome to Mumbai!"
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday
Agra!! We had a hair raising journey, but crossed the border into Utter Pradesh where we were invited to have our pictures taken with monkeys and cobras. Not my idea of fun. Unbelievable scenes on the road of 20 people on one tuktuk and hanging off the back; camels on the road, cows ambling everywhere (apparently they like city life as the fumes mean there are fewer flies and mosquitoes); schoolkids, a lorry advertising a company called "Harsh carpets", women in bright saris riding side saddle on the back of motorbikes. A horrendous lorry crash, lots of banana sellers and magnificent university buildings rising out of the barren countryside. Funnily enough, the main roads aren't in bad nick; they are certainly better maintained than the ones in the UK.
We arrived at our hotel, the Grand Imperial which is far more like it than the anonymous modern one where we stayed in Delhi. Our room was superb, far more like an old colonial building, cool and with a door to the swimming pool where we were joined by monkeys and pigeons. After a relaxing swim, we walked to Sadaar bazaar. The walk there exposed us to scenes of road rage hell and busyness that were far worse than Delhi. Then a Dal Maharani for moi accompanied by a lassi and a chicken for Mr SN who sent his chicken back because it was undercooked. I kept my suspicions that it was a pigeon from the swimming pool to myself.
We arrived at our hotel, the Grand Imperial which is far more like it than the anonymous modern one where we stayed in Delhi. Our room was superb, far more like an old colonial building, cool and with a door to the swimming pool where we were joined by monkeys and pigeons. After a relaxing swim, we walked to Sadaar bazaar. The walk there exposed us to scenes of road rage hell and busyness that were far worse than Delhi. Then a Dal Maharani for moi accompanied by a lassi and a chicken for Mr SN who sent his chicken back because it was undercooked. I kept my suspicions that it was a pigeon from the swimming pool to myself.
Thursday
After a hasty lunch, new thing today was being picked up and driven to India's largest mosque (it holds 25,000 worshippers, and that's with them lying down) the Jama Masjid where we met our guide for the day. The mosque was built by Shah Jahan (he of the Taj Mahal) and contains relics from Muhammad; his sandals, a hair from his beard and a 'footprint' somehow. We have some lovely pictures here of me wearing a pink coverall to hide my clothes and an expression of pain as I try to avoid the pigeons (more than 25,000 that's for sure).
Our next stop was the Raj Ghat, also in Old Delhi, where Gandhi was cremated and his ashes scattered, and then headed to the Lakshminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple, where Mr SN was charged 100 rupees for taking a photo of a cobra, a charge I didn't impose of any of the many people who kept taking our picture!! ironically, given the number of people trying to sell us things outside, the temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Then we headed to the Indian Parliament where there were free roaming monkeys, a bit like Westminster. Interestingly, when the president's home was lived in by the Viceroy, there were 450 people employed in the garden alone. Fifty of these were boys whose job it was to scare away birds.
We then headed for India Gate in New Delhi which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is the national monument of India commemorating Indian soldiers who who have lost their lives. According to the guide, it was incredibly quiet, but there were still many people here picnicing and many more still trying to sell us stuff, most notably henna tattoos of which I nearly had two before I even realised what was happening. I mumbled something about having an allergy and then we drove off past Chandi Chowk which means silver street and is one of the best shopping areas in the city. There was no time for shopping though, as we were heading to the mausoleum of the 2nd Mughal Emporer Humayun. This is a forerunner of the Taj Mahal and looks very much like it even though it's in red sandstone with white marble.
Then lunchtime! We asked for recommendations and the guide suggested McDonalds, but ended up taking us to "Havemore" estd 1959 for a veg korma for moi and a mutton korma (that's goat, not lamb) for Mr SN who I had to keep reminding to eat with his right hand.
The afternoon was spent at Qutb Minar which is one of the most recognisable monuments in the city; a tower built in the 12th century and passed every two minutes by planes leaving Delhi airport which I suppose shows how sturdy it is. Next to it are the ruined cloisters of India's first mosque which was made out of 27 Hindu and Jain temples. The details of the pillars have all been defaced as apparently Islamic law prohibits the worship of icons. There's also an iron pillar which hasn't rusted at all, despite it dating to the 4th century.
Then went to buy a Punjabi suit so I would blend in, but a search for shoes in my size proved fruitless. Without the guide, we went for a walk around the hotel in an area of the city called New Friends Colony which was more relaxed and happening, and how I expected India to be. We had a lovely walk and then went for a snack at a swanky bar called Moksha where a mission statement on their menu and low lighting meant the food (cheese kurkure) was more expensive.
Our next stop was the Raj Ghat, also in Old Delhi, where Gandhi was cremated and his ashes scattered, and then headed to the Lakshminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple, where Mr SN was charged 100 rupees for taking a photo of a cobra, a charge I didn't impose of any of the many people who kept taking our picture!! ironically, given the number of people trying to sell us things outside, the temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Then we headed to the Indian Parliament where there were free roaming monkeys, a bit like Westminster. Interestingly, when the president's home was lived in by the Viceroy, there were 450 people employed in the garden alone. Fifty of these were boys whose job it was to scare away birds.
We then headed for India Gate in New Delhi which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is the national monument of India commemorating Indian soldiers who who have lost their lives. According to the guide, it was incredibly quiet, but there were still many people here picnicing and many more still trying to sell us stuff, most notably henna tattoos of which I nearly had two before I even realised what was happening. I mumbled something about having an allergy and then we drove off past Chandi Chowk which means silver street and is one of the best shopping areas in the city. There was no time for shopping though, as we were heading to the mausoleum of the 2nd Mughal Emporer Humayun. This is a forerunner of the Taj Mahal and looks very much like it even though it's in red sandstone with white marble.
Then lunchtime! We asked for recommendations and the guide suggested McDonalds, but ended up taking us to "Havemore" estd 1959 for a veg korma for moi and a mutton korma (that's goat, not lamb) for Mr SN who I had to keep reminding to eat with his right hand.
The afternoon was spent at Qutb Minar which is one of the most recognisable monuments in the city; a tower built in the 12th century and passed every two minutes by planes leaving Delhi airport which I suppose shows how sturdy it is. Next to it are the ruined cloisters of India's first mosque which was made out of 27 Hindu and Jain temples. The details of the pillars have all been defaced as apparently Islamic law prohibits the worship of icons. There's also an iron pillar which hasn't rusted at all, despite it dating to the 4th century.
Then went to buy a Punjabi suit so I would blend in, but a search for shoes in my size proved fruitless. Without the guide, we went for a walk around the hotel in an area of the city called New Friends Colony which was more relaxed and happening, and how I expected India to be. We had a lovely walk and then went for a snack at a swanky bar called Moksha where a mission statement on their menu and low lighting meant the food (cheese kurkure) was more expensive.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday
New thing today was arriving in Delhi! The airport was surprisingly quiet compared to what I expected Delhi to be like, but that certainly wasn't the case when we went outside and met our driver! Sandwiched between an old classic Ambassador and a Mahindra Renault Logan was our car, a white Suzuki. Our driver and guide (who had reprimanded us for taking so long to get our bags) placed a necklace of marigolds (the flower, not the rubber gloves) and then took us to our hotel. The drive was terrifying. Hundreds of cars, tuktuks buses and massive lorries adorned with decoration, jostling for just two lanes, paying no attention to the lines. There were moments when the person in the next car was actually nearer to me than Mr SN who was sitting next to me in the back. After an intense journey, accompanied by the constant cacophony of horns and beeping, we arrived at the beautiful Suryaa hotel, welcomed by intense security and an incredible lobby.
After checking in, we took a taxi to Connaught Place, a hub of accomodation, bars, shops and restaurants where we had a walk around, being helped to cross roads by two local maths students and ended up in a government shop selling Indian handicrafts. And I thought things would be cheap here. We couldn't afford anything so headed to a typical restaurant called El Boti do Roti where we shared a wonderful tandoori mushroom dish and the sauce out of Mr SN's meaty dish. Approached by a tuktuk driver who gave us an incredible ride back to the hotel (after elbowing another tuktuk driver and a beggar out of the way), quoting us 200 rupees and then insisting he'd said 300 when we arrived. Now 300 was no problem, but it's the being duped that is irritating. When I told the guide, the next day, he said: "Tuktuk drivers is very rascal"...A good first day though and we couldn't wait to see more...
After checking in, we took a taxi to Connaught Place, a hub of accomodation, bars, shops and restaurants where we had a walk around, being helped to cross roads by two local maths students and ended up in a government shop selling Indian handicrafts. And I thought things would be cheap here. We couldn't afford anything so headed to a typical restaurant called El Boti do Roti where we shared a wonderful tandoori mushroom dish and the sauce out of Mr SN's meaty dish. Approached by a tuktuk driver who gave us an incredible ride back to the hotel (after elbowing another tuktuk driver and a beggar out of the way), quoting us 200 rupees and then insisting he'd said 300 when we arrived. Now 300 was no problem, but it's the being duped that is irritating. When I told the guide, the next day, he said: "Tuktuk drivers is very rascal"...A good first day though and we couldn't wait to see more...
Tuesday
New thing today was heading in the late evening to Heathrow by train and bus. Who knew that there is a bus directly to Heathrow from Reading station? Brilliant! The other new thing was a restaurant in Terminal 3 called Chez Gerard before our flight to Delhi where we enjoyed seven hours of screaming children and a woman who took a call on her mobile just as we reached our flying altitude.....
Monday
New thing today was going to a new shop at the gym selling really nice scarves and handbags. Having swum for an hour, I then ate a couple of celebratory chocolates....
Monday, November 08, 2010
Sunday
Mr SthgNew and I went for a lovely bracing walk around Chaddleworth and Leckhamstead, ending up in the Stag pub as the Ibex appeared to be closed. Then we headed back to Newbury for a fabulous evening of entertainment to celebrate Diwali, the idea being to help good triumph over evil. There was a fantastic programme of children's singing, dancing, drumming and pop songs performed by three men with the most incredible voices. Brilliant fun!
Saturday
Went to see my mum's fantastic 94-year-old friend today in Tow Law, former home of Chris Waddle! We drove for 5 hours and took her for lunch in a pub that she had taken me to before, the Cross Keys at Hamsterley, but today's new thing was driving back to her house via some fantastic villages in the Weardale Valley - what a lovely spot. One of the villages was called Wolsingham and apparently this is home to the one of the Pet Shop Boys! We stopped off at services on the way up and on the way back, hours later, and I got recognised by one of the members of staff who said: "hello again!" Very impressive!
Bonfire night!
New thing today was watching the bonfire and fireworks at Falkland Cricket Club in Wash Common. While I used to run past it every Tuesday night, I'd never been in, so tonight was a good night and most of Newbury was there, including the lovely vicar who I'd terrorised with cake and terrible jokes yesterday.
Friday, November 05, 2010
More Thursday
I despaired at my new thing today (HSBC) so decided at the last minute to go and see Felix Dexter -Multiple Personalities in Order, supported by Stephen Carlin, a charming Glaswegian comic.
Stephen Carlin, who described himself as a Peter Sutcliffe lookalike, but was more like a cross between Mr SthgNew's boss and John Cusack. His thoughtful musing revealed that a woman in the audience had put a curse on a surveyor who then died, and his piece about calling chat lines 'to talk about anything' revealed a complete lack of knowledge on the 1982 Embassy Snooker World Finals...I thought he was really good, which was apparently more than his own mother thought of him, commenting when she saw a joy rider on Police, Camera, Action, "at least he's on TV". Great stuff!
I was acutely aware that there were far too few people in the audience - the people of Newbury need to make the most of these fantastic events and facilities. This was noted by Felix Dexter who referred to his promotion company, 'Keep it a secret productions'.
Felix Dexter came on in character, dressed as Nigerian Julius Olufemwe, a 'hotel management student specialising in risotto' who is a likeable but forceful character dispensing advice on romance, which provided one very funny member of the audience to make a cracking joke about horlicks.
After a short spell of being himself, he then became Early D, but this next character wasn't as successful, I felt, with a joke about coffee for gay people called 'Fairy Trade' and was overshadowed by constant crotch caressing, but good characterisation. His last character was much better and extremely believable. He played Aubrey Du Boission, a posh living in the Cotswooooolds...and his joke about his barn door was brilliant.
Finished off the evening with a lovely curry at New Greenham Tandoori.
Stephen Carlin, who described himself as a Peter Sutcliffe lookalike, but was more like a cross between Mr SthgNew's boss and John Cusack. His thoughtful musing revealed that a woman in the audience had put a curse on a surveyor who then died, and his piece about calling chat lines 'to talk about anything' revealed a complete lack of knowledge on the 1982 Embassy Snooker World Finals...I thought he was really good, which was apparently more than his own mother thought of him, commenting when she saw a joy rider on Police, Camera, Action, "at least he's on TV". Great stuff!
I was acutely aware that there were far too few people in the audience - the people of Newbury need to make the most of these fantastic events and facilities. This was noted by Felix Dexter who referred to his promotion company, 'Keep it a secret productions'.
Felix Dexter came on in character, dressed as Nigerian Julius Olufemwe, a 'hotel management student specialising in risotto' who is a likeable but forceful character dispensing advice on romance, which provided one very funny member of the audience to make a cracking joke about horlicks.
After a short spell of being himself, he then became Early D, but this next character wasn't as successful, I felt, with a joke about coffee for gay people called 'Fairy Trade' and was overshadowed by constant crotch caressing, but good characterisation. His last character was much better and extremely believable. He played Aubrey Du Boission, a posh living in the Cotswooooolds...and his joke about his barn door was brilliant.
Finished off the evening with a lovely curry at New Greenham Tandoori.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Thursday
I have been considering moving from HBSC as I am sick to death of going to three different machines to pay in money, while a staff member talks down to me in a manner that makes me think they're unaware of the fact that they're sealing their own fate....anyway. Today I found ou that there ARE real human cashiers hidden upstairs!!
Wednesday
Spent most of today working and then trying to make everyone a mix tape of our wedding songs. Except my itunes will just not play ball so a trip to Curry's was required.
Tuesday
Took ma mere to Bath where we tried out lots of new shops and had a lovely walk. We also went to a place for lunch which was appalling, an oriental buffet called Ocean Pearl which served up tasteless fare covered in oil. Had a lovely walk round though and dreamt of living in the Royal Crescent.
Sunday
I was actually more emotional today than I was yesterday, saying goodbye to people and realising that everyone had travelled so far to be with us was extremely touching. Yesterday just felt unreal and I felt really empty and hollow today thinking I hadn't chatted to everyone or been attentive enough.... I was particularly moved by re-reading the Irish Blessing and by people telling me how much they loved my dad's speech.
So after escaping to the Red House for lunch with my new husband and my old mum, today's new thing was going to see Bib Fortuna at the Halloween Hullabaloo in Newbury's market place.
So after escaping to the Red House for lunch with my new husband and my old mum, today's new thing was going to see Bib Fortuna at the Halloween Hullabaloo in Newbury's market place.
Saturday
Disclaimer: Do not read this unless you are me, or an insomniac...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1n7WeuHCog
Ding dong bells! Managed to get some sleep but looked awful when I woke up at 7.30am thinking I had half an hour or so in bed before getting up. But looked at my phone and had a text from the lovely hair and make up lady saying she was five minutes away! Cue extremely fast shower!
Collected her, set her off on my mum's hair and then went to get my sister, having a lovely chat with my dad while I was waiting for her to get out of bed! While crossing the carpark for the car, we saw a small, young deer amble across the car park and into the woodland. "It's a sign!" said my sister. But of what, we weren't sure!
We had our hair and make up done and I didn't look quite so masculine once finished, but lost track of time and realised that we had to head off sharpish the moment I had my dress on! Dad arrived and my checklist was as follows; something old - me, something new; my blue tights, something borrowed; my hairclip, and something blue; my tights again!
Fortunately my sister (and bridesmaid) is very pregnant and about to have her baby at any moment, so that really put things in perspective and aided the nerves! She was kind enough to drive us in our posh Renault Scenic and we arrived at the church just to see lots of my lovely family arriving!
The vicar came out to meet us and he was one major factor in my lack of nerves. I had idly wondered over the years if I would ever get married, and when I pictured it, it was always with some doddery old minister who was on autopilot. However, our vicar was like a movie vicar; very handsome, funny and sweet and totally put us at ease, in fact saying that this was the most relaxed wedding he'd taken (suppose it's unlikely that he would have told me that I was a complete bridezilla!). He'd even arranged for fabulous weather, which was a wonderful blessing and totally unexpected, I'd been told it was going to pour with rain and had resigned myself to it.
After a quick prayer (and the vicar reassuring me that the groom was indeed present), we headed in and what a moment. The doors are flung open, the music starts and then everyone you know is peering at you and checking out your dress. I imagine that entering heaven is a little similar....
My dad and I glided up the aisle, both with huge smiles on our faces and Mr SthgNew looked very happy standing there with his three best men. I gave my BM the bouquet and my dad agreed to give me away. In a hugely amusing moment, remembering that the vicar had told him to gently take my hand and pass it to Mr Sthg New's, my dad this like a boy scout doing his best. He leant over, roughly grabbed my hand, and lifted my husband's and shoved them together like a child slamming two toys together which set me off with the giggles, together with my constant wobbling as I kept standing on my dress (I am so unfeminine).
The welcome was lovely, then I managed to once again destroy the peace and quiet by looking around at my friend when the vicar asked if there was anyone present who knew of any reason why we shouldn't be married. Not a guilty conscience, but he has the same affliction as me which makes him shove his hand up in the air whenever that question is asked!
We had Praise My Soul the King of Heaven before MrSN's dad read the lesson from St Paul's letter to his bank manager in the Corinthians branch. I actually chose this because I thought his brother was doing it and it amused me greatly to think he would read the "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but don't have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal". Hahahaha! But his dad actually read it beautifully, like the teacher that he is....
After another hymn which didn't have enough verses to match the music, my lovely, beautiful cousin read the Irish Blessing which I will replicate here as it means the world to me:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May God be with you and bless you
May you see your children's children
May you be poor in misfortune
Rich in blessings
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near
May green be the grass you walk on
May blue be the skies above you
May pure be the joys that surround you
May true be the hearts that love you.
She directed some of it at us and some at the congregation, so I was really touched and as I mouthed my thank you to her, I realised that some other people, including the vicar, appeared to be taken with it too.
We then had Lord of all hopefulness before the vows (which I messed up!), then nearly put the ring on the wrong hand (Mr SN did offer up the wrong one, in my defence!), then prayers and then the blessing and signing of the register. WHich I was intending to sign with a fake name just in case of any problems in the future, not realising that it would be so closely scrutinised....
Then, I managed to confuse the organist who started playing before the vicar had finished, then out into beautiful sunshine and photos with my favourite people. The lovely photographer took some amazing pics around the church which is a fabulously beautiful spot.
Back to the hotel and it all seems like a blur of speeches, three courses that we're certain weren't the ones we ordered and a lot of chatting and dancing. My dad's speech was spectacular, funny and touching, and each of the best men offered something funny and sweet. My husb told me that he loved me and I had changed his life and then choked and couldn't say anymore but he assures me that it was to say thank you to my family for welcoming him!
Our first dance was Carry Me, by the Levellers, a song that has meant a great deal to me for more than 20 years and fortunately my husb likes it too. Don't think it was to everyone's taste but it was better than the "Don't want to miss a thing" by Aerosmith that my sister told me was played at the last wedding she went to!
And from the new album notes for Carry Me:
"Mark came into rehearsals one day with the song pretty much done. A friend of Jon’s called Matthew played harmonica originally before Alan joined the group. The song is about the different paths that friends can end up on and the bonds between those people. “Carry Me” took ages to record as Charlie and myself couldn’t get the finer points of the songs “swing” time. As we were attempting to record the whole album live there was plenty of tension around the “take 52” mark!"
We had a brilliant local band comprised of friends and talented local musicians. And lots of worrying about people enjoying themselves. And a suite that was bigger than our house - I really could get used to the his'n'her's bathrooms!
An amazing day, never to be forgotten. I love you Mr Sthg New!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1n7WeuHCog
Ding dong bells! Managed to get some sleep but looked awful when I woke up at 7.30am thinking I had half an hour or so in bed before getting up. But looked at my phone and had a text from the lovely hair and make up lady saying she was five minutes away! Cue extremely fast shower!
Collected her, set her off on my mum's hair and then went to get my sister, having a lovely chat with my dad while I was waiting for her to get out of bed! While crossing the carpark for the car, we saw a small, young deer amble across the car park and into the woodland. "It's a sign!" said my sister. But of what, we weren't sure!
We had our hair and make up done and I didn't look quite so masculine once finished, but lost track of time and realised that we had to head off sharpish the moment I had my dress on! Dad arrived and my checklist was as follows; something old - me, something new; my blue tights, something borrowed; my hairclip, and something blue; my tights again!
Fortunately my sister (and bridesmaid) is very pregnant and about to have her baby at any moment, so that really put things in perspective and aided the nerves! She was kind enough to drive us in our posh Renault Scenic and we arrived at the church just to see lots of my lovely family arriving!
The vicar came out to meet us and he was one major factor in my lack of nerves. I had idly wondered over the years if I would ever get married, and when I pictured it, it was always with some doddery old minister who was on autopilot. However, our vicar was like a movie vicar; very handsome, funny and sweet and totally put us at ease, in fact saying that this was the most relaxed wedding he'd taken (suppose it's unlikely that he would have told me that I was a complete bridezilla!). He'd even arranged for fabulous weather, which was a wonderful blessing and totally unexpected, I'd been told it was going to pour with rain and had resigned myself to it.
After a quick prayer (and the vicar reassuring me that the groom was indeed present), we headed in and what a moment. The doors are flung open, the music starts and then everyone you know is peering at you and checking out your dress. I imagine that entering heaven is a little similar....
My dad and I glided up the aisle, both with huge smiles on our faces and Mr SthgNew looked very happy standing there with his three best men. I gave my BM the bouquet and my dad agreed to give me away. In a hugely amusing moment, remembering that the vicar had told him to gently take my hand and pass it to Mr Sthg New's, my dad this like a boy scout doing his best. He leant over, roughly grabbed my hand, and lifted my husband's and shoved them together like a child slamming two toys together which set me off with the giggles, together with my constant wobbling as I kept standing on my dress (I am so unfeminine).
The welcome was lovely, then I managed to once again destroy the peace and quiet by looking around at my friend when the vicar asked if there was anyone present who knew of any reason why we shouldn't be married. Not a guilty conscience, but he has the same affliction as me which makes him shove his hand up in the air whenever that question is asked!
We had Praise My Soul the King of Heaven before MrSN's dad read the lesson from St Paul's letter to his bank manager in the Corinthians branch. I actually chose this because I thought his brother was doing it and it amused me greatly to think he would read the "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but don't have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal". Hahahaha! But his dad actually read it beautifully, like the teacher that he is....
After another hymn which didn't have enough verses to match the music, my lovely, beautiful cousin read the Irish Blessing which I will replicate here as it means the world to me:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May God be with you and bless you
May you see your children's children
May you be poor in misfortune
Rich in blessings
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near
May green be the grass you walk on
May blue be the skies above you
May pure be the joys that surround you
May true be the hearts that love you.
She directed some of it at us and some at the congregation, so I was really touched and as I mouthed my thank you to her, I realised that some other people, including the vicar, appeared to be taken with it too.
We then had Lord of all hopefulness before the vows (which I messed up!), then nearly put the ring on the wrong hand (Mr SN did offer up the wrong one, in my defence!), then prayers and then the blessing and signing of the register. WHich I was intending to sign with a fake name just in case of any problems in the future, not realising that it would be so closely scrutinised....
Then, I managed to confuse the organist who started playing before the vicar had finished, then out into beautiful sunshine and photos with my favourite people. The lovely photographer took some amazing pics around the church which is a fabulously beautiful spot.
Back to the hotel and it all seems like a blur of speeches, three courses that we're certain weren't the ones we ordered and a lot of chatting and dancing. My dad's speech was spectacular, funny and touching, and each of the best men offered something funny and sweet. My husb told me that he loved me and I had changed his life and then choked and couldn't say anymore but he assures me that it was to say thank you to my family for welcoming him!
Our first dance was Carry Me, by the Levellers, a song that has meant a great deal to me for more than 20 years and fortunately my husb likes it too. Don't think it was to everyone's taste but it was better than the "Don't want to miss a thing" by Aerosmith that my sister told me was played at the last wedding she went to!
And from the new album notes for Carry Me:
"Mark came into rehearsals one day with the song pretty much done. A friend of Jon’s called Matthew played harmonica originally before Alan joined the group. The song is about the different paths that friends can end up on and the bonds between those people. “Carry Me” took ages to record as Charlie and myself couldn’t get the finer points of the songs “swing” time. As we were attempting to record the whole album live there was plenty of tension around the “take 52” mark!"
We had a brilliant local band comprised of friends and talented local musicians. And lots of worrying about people enjoying themselves. And a suite that was bigger than our house - I really could get used to the his'n'her's bathrooms!
An amazing day, never to be forgotten. I love you Mr Sthg New!
Friday
New thing today was a very posh meal in a new part of the Regency Park Hotel with my folks. Except I couldn't eat a thing....
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