:: The Big Day

Christchurch, NZ

It's the day of the wedding and fingers are crossed that the weather forecasters are wrong: they're saying there may be showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. It's been sunny all morning but it's clouding over now.

Everything's going smoothly - the bridal party is at a hotel in town; Trevor is wrangling three of his grandchildren; Pinky is looking after Mum and John; I'm at Liz's place helping Ken, Leighanne, Cathy and Gary mind the twins (ie, we're sitting around reading magazines, watching TV and drinking coffee while the babies cry in another room). I've already been sicked up on once, it's fun! This morning Cathy and I collected the large, fragile wedding cake from a chocolatier on one side of town and transported it across the city to the venue, a large colonial farmhouse on the way to Akaroa. We also had the floral arrangement for the room where the reception is being held.

I've had a great time so far; the weather has been mostly very hot and sunny, with some oddities. I had to stay an extra day in Wellington because of thick fog, and there was a violent rainstorm in Dunedin the day I left there, plus there was persistent fog along the coast. It's been wonderful catching up with everyone. The kids have all shot up of course, and there are the tiny babies and a couple of new boyfriends to meet. In Dunedin I stayed with Leighanne and her two girls, Georgia and Amelia, and her partner Gary - all very relaxed and enjoyable. We visited Uncle Jock and cousin Margaret on the peninsula, and dropped in on an old friend of Leigh's who makes beautiful Damascene knives. Leigh also took me for a drive down to Port Chalmers, and we visited Julia in St Leonards. She's a friend of mine who was a nurse, then a stockbroker and is now an artist.

There are photos on flickr - I think you might have to open an account to look at them, I'm not sure. It's free and very easy though, and it's a great site. My screen name is hockadilly.

Here in Christchurch I'm staying with Trevor and Jenny, another relaxed home. I haven't been doing much - a lot of babysitting (no hardship! the twins are soooo cute!) and a bit of sightseeing. I also visited some old Invercargill friends who are living up here now.

It's nearly time to get ready for the wedding, whee! It's going to be a wonderful day.