Puycelsi - girl

My best friends, Kate and Deran, got married last weekend in Southern France. We made a long weekend of it and had a fantastic time.

On the plane on Thursday morning we bumped into Alex and Henry, two friends from university who were also heading to the wedding. In two cars we drove to Albi and instead of visiting one of Europe's only fortified cathedrals, we had lunch, and wine. Eventually we left and headed to Puycelsi for the 'wedding welcome drinks' - more drinking. The same four of us snuck off for a great dining experience (with wine) where we ate our own body weight in foie gras and other delicious items. Plenty of wine ensured that the slightly stilted atmosphere in the restaurant didn't hinder our fun.

The next morning we were joined by Ben, an American friend of Deran. We headed up to Cordes en Ciel for more drinking and scenic views. This time the rain and the wine almost made us forget to turn back, get ready and head to the venue for part one of the wedding.

Chateau de Mauriac but a beautiful building, definitely not a castle in my book, whatever it might be called. The ceremony was held in the wine cellar (I think) - highlights were Alex reading a possibly unsuitable John Donne poem and someone else reading the Velveteen Rabbit. Following this those who wanted to take a tour of the place could. I opted not to although in retrospect, perhaps I should have since it sounded hilarious. Lots of naked paintings all over the place. Very French. Owners extremely proud and also seemed to hate the farmer who had kept his livestock in the building before they bought the place, which caused much hilarity amongst returning tour-ees.

Supper was pleasant, best wedding food I've had but had a strange man on our table. No sense of humour, only cracked one smile all night - when I offered the toast, 'down with the queen, up the republic'. Poor Col had to sit next to this guy. Dancing was followed by drinking back at the hotel (Jack, his sister and I managed to liberate enough booze from the party to ensure we could drink until 0430. well done us) before we all passed out. Alex wanted to swim in the pool but luckily fell asleep before he could realise the dream. Henry was definitely the object of Jack's sister's attentions.

A heavy hangover on Saturday meant we only managed a trip to a local vignoble for wine tasting and buying before lunch and part two of the wedding - the civil ceremony. This was followed by a party with far more booze and not much food - always a dangerous combination. Every time I looked around, Col and Henry were off giggling in a corner somewhere. Again, dancing, boozing and thankfully, at midnight, Deran produced some food, which was demolished almost immediately.

Sunday we went to a small village to check out their market - dull and wet - before driving, the long way round, to Carcassonne. Entirely my fault we drove the long way although I do hold that given there were three others, they could have looked at the map too. Quick march around the old city, which I thought was fairly disappointing and touristy before supper. Henry and Alex took their leave and headed back to Puycelsi, the quick way while Col and I spent the evening speaking French together and wandering around the New City. We hung around, saw some real castles, some caves, ate more good food and eventually arrived home on Tuesday night.

Seeing the Kate and Deran so happy was just wonderful, hearing their vows and knowing that a great match was made just topped off a great trip to a stunning part of the country.

Rwandan visitor - girl

William, an old friend and colleague, from Rwanda has just left after two weeks in the UK. Watching him experience London was almost as fascinating as it was for him to experience the city. From struggling with escalators and trains to mastering chopsticks, from experiencing 3-D films to shopping in Harrods, everything was new and exciting.

I had sort of expected William to experience culture shock akin to that experienced by Brits in Rwanda - total melt-down at the entirely different world. He didn't, at least not on the surface. He took everything in his stride, asked questions, experienced and enjoyed everything, except for broccoli which was experienced but not enjoyed!

We tried as many foods as we could in a short time - xmas pudding, sushi, British green veg, burgers and milkshakes (GBK and MacD's to give the full range), Chinese food, Italian food, Nando's, cheeses, fish and some hilarious combinations.

We saw everything: parliament, Trafalgar Sq, Leicester Sq, Picadilly Circus, the Thames, South Bank, we took a ride on the London Eye, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Harrods, everything we could think of to show him our marvellous city.

Personally I think I found taking him to the museums the most rewarding. Being a bright guy he was quick to pick up on everything and could even acknowledge that there might be something in this 'dinosaur thing' and that what he was learning did appear to contravene his views on creation. We didn't push the issue.

Seeing his interest and excitement and hearing him revel in our world was incredible. Knowing he's gone home with a new fascination for the world and a curiosity for everything (his words) is something special. I hope he'll use some of what he saw in my office in his own office and that he'll help the kids from SACCA question the world in the way he saw us doing.

Bro-law wedding - boy

The Belgian wedding was a very pleasant affair, wedding Leo (Cassie's brother, my brother in law) to Sarah (and vice versa of course).

On Friday after work we had a relatively painless Eurostar and SNCB journey to Liege, a city (if Liege can be considered large enough to be a city) on the right side of Belgium (if Belgium can be considered large enough to have sides).

We didn't get to experience much of Liege since (a) the wedding was on a farm a few k away and (b) we arrived after 10pm Friday night, which is when Liege fluffs up its pillows and goes to sleep, along with its B+Bs apparently, including ours. Fortunately, we were pre-warned about this so arrangements were made for Sarah’s friend (who was staying there too) to let us in so the owner could get her beauty sleep in order for her to be fresh and revitalised for what must have been a challenging morning preparing our breakfast of bread and cheese.

There was some shuttling around Liege on the Saturday before the main event; a family gathering of quiche and wine at Sarah’s parent’s house, a ceremony at the town hall and possibly other places.

At the town hall there was the customary queuing of the couple and guests. I think there were a couple of weddings in front of us and one behind (the one behind had a huge white limo too, urgh, very tacky, who gets a limo for their wedding? probably the sort of people who get married in Vegas). Once in the ceremony room there was some distinct traces of Belgian humour in the clerks choice of music, but the chap who officiated did well to recite what must be tired lines in a non-mechanical way and the clerks to his left and right did some admirable smiling, nodding and general paper shuffling. Friends and family cried, Leo and Sarah beamed.

The main ceremony (the one that really mattered) took place on the farm where both sets of parents spoke and Leo and Sarah made their vows. Not being a very emotional person I feel a little under qualified to comment, but I could tell from the faltering tones and expressions that it was a sincere moment of positive reflections.

And the rest of the evening, well what wedding wouldn’t be complete without great food and wine, more speeches (this time from the siblings and best people), good company, pots of melted cheese, a ton of dessert, an especially nice blonde beer and lots of dancing. As well as the obligatory wondering around the village in the dead of night, peering at house numbers and trying keys in random doors to find our night's abode.

A superb breakfast (which I suspect we still haven't paid for - need to sort that out) and afternoon BBQ finished off the festivities perfectly. All in all, a fun weekend.

Brother's wedding - girl

My baby brother got married last weekend. How else can I say it? I guess he's no longer my baby brother. I have to admit that he's all grown up and he's no longer entirely mine. I have to share him with another girl. Of course, he hasn't been 'mine' for years and that's how it should be but this was really a watershed. I love my brother and I'm thrilled he's found his half orange but it feels a bit weird in a totally nonsensical, non logical way.

Col and I met up at St Pancras and hung out in the lounge until our train arrived. I do love the lounge - so much fun to eat and drink for free.

The 'hotel' that wasn't a hotel was ok. Not loving the foam bed or the non insulating walls. Find it hilarious that the hotel owner claimed she didn't want us to turn up late because she has to get up early to prepare breakfast: breakfast was bread and cheese. I'd love to know what she 'prepared'.

The town hall service was lovely. I loved sitting at the front with Leo (I was his witness). It really meant a lot that he wanted me there with him and I felt so much a part of his/their day. After the service we moved to the Ferme des Sources for the real ceremony and the party. Their vows to each other were lovely and really showed me how grown up my baby brother is. I wonder if other people find the marriage of a younger sibling quite so surreal. Great party although I was pretty nervous about my speech so didn't eat or drink much until almost the end of the meal.

Speeches were entertaining, mainly because Belgian tradition is to wax lyrical about the couple while the British tradition is to lovingly poke fun. Looked a bit lopsided. I am entirely certain that Leo knows how much I love him and how happy I am to see him happy. I cried a lot this weekend, the first time being when we apologised to each other for arguing on the phone in the build up to the wedding. The last thing I ever want to do is upset him.

We danced until 3am. I was sorry our parents left early, think it made it look like the party was more about her parents than our parents but it was their call.

Was so glad that we had Monday to relax before heading back to work. I loved seeing my brother so happy and loved seeing his friends again, they're such a great group of people.