Louise & Paul's wedding

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Page 5

Right, it's time for some dance floor action.  When "good mother" Sarah returned, I was free from Henry babysitting duties, which enabled me to head for the music to take some opportune pictures.  Here, Graham shows his moves, much to the delight of the surrounding ladies (still got it, eh).

Some ladies dancing.  No idea what Avis is doing here.  Nor where her hat is.

Helen jives, Graham looks grumpy (it's been a long day/year), while Fiona and Nana look on.

Speaking of whom, here is Nana clapping to the beat.  The energy levels!

It was all happening.  First, Phil, with some help from Strachs (another Andrew, so let's keep it simple) hoists Paul into the air, who looks very pleased with the achievement.

Then two other gentlemen had the same idea with Louise, with Marnie and Graham both clearly in favour of this elevated meeting.

Whatever the song is, Avis is particularly enjoying it, but it is that time of night.

What else was left, but for a traditional everyone grab everyone style dance (the Can Can, New York New York or some such).  No room for the photographer, sniff.

And, to finish, the DJ summoned the bride and groom, and their parents, for one last dance, in a neat moment of symmetry (given that it was how the dancing started).

One final moment of intimacy.  Group hug!

Lynne recounted to Marnie and Jack Bauer(?) the elbowing tactics that wily Nana was using on the dance floor.  Ooh look, there she is in the background.

To finish the evening, and to neatly summarise the alcohol consumption of the day, here are the bridesmaids, with Lynne grinning about as much as her face will allow without tearing apart, and Marnie does her best Frankie Howerd impression.  Sisters doing it for themselves, eh.

It's not over yet, though, as there are the obligatory morning after the night before shots.  It was a good deal calmer (and sunnier) than the day before.  If only they had got married today...  Here is the shot from our window, a little like the one earlier in proceedings (I think - I can't be bothered looking back).

Some of the following photos may feature flowers and their arrangements.

We all gathered at one large table for breakfast, as Morag ran around the kitchen bemoaning the lack of staff (a wedding planner's work is never done).  The sunlit groom subtly demonstrates what he wants out of this wedding.  Peace.

However, Louise, aka Mrs Rowllings, has a different idea.  She drinks tea and people obey her commands.  That's what marriage is all about.

Flowers!

More flowers!

The morning shot of where it happened (ceremony and disco action) looks very different in the cold light of day.  Well, not so much light with the curtains shut, but hey.

The gentlemen had a fair trek to get to the toilets, which took us past parts of the house that were cordoned off ("no riff-raff"), and also a cannon on a cow-skin (or something).  Now you don't see that every day.

We took a post-breakfast stroll in the gardens.  Here, Lynne, Paul and Graham discuss life with/without Louise (you know what I mean).

With the sky a glorious blue, the shot of the house is infinitely less menacing than the day before.

Final flower shot.  Look at them all!

Madame, your carriage awaits.  Flowers do suit him.  (OK, I lied about it being the last flower shot.)

I suggested/insisted on a final group shot.  From left to right, Andrew, Andrew, Marnie, Blair, Graham, Louise, Paul, Warne, Avis, Lynne, Jeanagh and me.

And that was that.  A great day had been had by all, and the long weekend actually passed with relatively little incident.  It was almost worth all those months of build-up!

Anyway, raise a glass to Mr and Mrs Rowllings!

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