We drove from Mndy's place up to Kerikeri in The Bay of Islands in 1 day. Sweating hot with no aircon the journey was pretty good and took about 8 hours. Looking forward to Ellen's wedding plus catching up with Brendon and Rory meant we didn't mind steaming ahead. plus the most amazing Mezze for dinner.
We hadn't seen Brendon for 4 years and only made contact with him whilst in Ohope. He was the handy man in The Valley. Only knowing he had bought some land in Northland and had been through the mill with his late mums battle with cancer. He sounded chipper on the phone and we were looking forward to a reunion. I bought a bottle of gin!
Two and half years ago we caught up with Rory at our wedding. Who's wedding will we meet up at next time? He's not changed a great deal since uni, but looks healthier.
We'd arrived a couple days before the wedding. I was eager to catch up with Ellen but knew that they were busy organizing everything (flowers, high tea). Can't believe I've been in NZ this long and haven't seen her! I complained as we finished our bottle of red that night.
Brendon rocked up the next day and cracked open the beers while we talked and put up his tent proving men can indeed multitask. It was great to catch up, reminise and find out about Brendon's plans. Rory turned up and joined for midday drinking in the sun which turned into a barbie in the evening. For the first time it really felt like a holiday. Ellen and Nick joined for a swift gin to escape the prep for a wee while.
The following day Ray, Brendon and I went kayacking. Then I took pictures while the guys threw themselves in the river via the rope swing. More beers, gin and BBQ. Decided on an early night with the wedding the next day.
The ceremony went well. And the opening hymn "All things bright and beautiful" seemed so long and reminded me not only of school assembly but of the Monty Python version. (google proper All things dull and ugly/cancerous) which amused me more than the range of pitches at which people were singing. Ellen looked stunning as did her mum and sister. The boys were all well turned out too. Despite the rain the pictures were beautiful and you can see some here. Ellen and Nick then served high tea before going for their photo's. Hung around the church hall catching up and meeting people before canapes and meal. I wangled a lift (thanks Rory) in the Rolls 5 mins down the road to the resto. But as we went to check Ellen and Nick into their hotel I had time to speak to Ellen for about 20 mins. She hadn't hardly eaten a thing and couldn't believe how quick it was all going. She updated me on a few pieces to do with the preps, how much work everyone had put into it and how the pics went.
The evening was fabulous, excellent food, brilliant company (laughed my arse off with Gemma and Wayne - had heard heaps about Gemma and it was great finally meeting her), witty and touching speeches and of course dancing. There were gazz hands, sequined top hats, hot pink wigs and a sailors hat. Need I say more? Dancing bare feet as is the NZ way we had black feet by the end and slightly perturbed about the last time they mopped. Thank chuff there was afree shuttle bus to take us back to the holiday park (with the remainder of the table wine).
Ellen's mum boyfriend had everyone round for BBQ the next day with Rory, Brendon, Ray and myself arriving firts and gradually people rolled up with big shades but feeling good. Sitting, chilling and watching salads and a giant ham being brought through to the kitchen. A little later the feast began. And it was a proper BBQ that can only be compared to Mel and Neil's.
Em xx
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