Bartimaeus

We had one more day in Edinburgh before leaving, time to wash Shane's white shirt, though he did have another, which he packed for travel. I was leaving it as late as possible to put my dress and jacket in. Shane's green tweed jacket is more robust.

I had a walk in the afternoon with my niece Sandra and she led me round Torduff and Clubbiedean reservoirs. The water was brighter and greenish in the shallows. People were picnicking at the edge.

It was, in part, the route the alpacas walk but we didn't see any. We did see a field with several impressive curly-horned rams. Their fleeces were shedding, just as well as it was a warm day.

The next morning we were up promptly to catch our train but discovered it was cancelled due to a tree on the line and no trains were going down the west coast, but we might be able to catch an east coast train half an hour earlier. It was a rush to pack my outfit and finish breakfast. We made it, but of course our seats were not reserved. By going to the front of the train we found a quieter carriage and a comfortable journey. I found there was too much nearby chatting to allow me to read my June chapter of my knitting history book and it was the last day!

Lorna, Paul and Carol Ann (prospective bride, groom and Lorna's friend) caught the same train but were in a more crowded coach and had to stand for some of the journey. On the second train I got a bit of reading done, about knitting cricket jumpers. Lorna had an appointment at her hotel for a facial and massage, so she was still worried about catching the connection but by the third train we got seats together and they could have lunch and relax about the timing. Carol Ann had a bottle of bubbly in her bag, so the wedding party had started before we got to Buxton.

In Buxton we went to our separate rooms. We were in a separate hotel, though it was a sister to the Spa one the others were in and Paul's friend Richard was there. It was very hot and after I had had a shower, we went looking for an ice-cream. We had just missed it at one shop in a shopping mall but at least I liked the tiling.

After finding and eating ice cream, we met up with Paul and his friend Richard in a pub for a quick drink, before getting ready for dinner. With only six in the wedding party, we had easily communicated in a group about choosing a place to eat and decided on The Old Hall, the hotel that we and Richard were in and it all went well. Lorna briefed us on the proceedings for the following day. As it was still light when we finished, we had time to walk in the park.

We had time for one more drink nearby. It may be a small group but we were having a good long time together celebrating. It was still warm enough to sit outside in t-shirts too. Back at the hotel, I had just enough time to fit in completing the June chapter before midnight.

 In the morning of the wedding, we missed Richard at breakfast, but he followed us out of the hotel, as we set off a tad early to a cafe for a drink. The chaps had coffee and I had "apple love mint" tea, which I reckoned wouldn't show a stain on my clothes, even if I spilt it, compared to tea and coffee. Then we had the delightful surprise to see the other three in the party approaching. I was very pleased to discover that with no communication about it, we had chosen dresses in a similar colour range. I was glad I hadn't chosen the purple one and stuck with a duck egg shade.

We finished our drinks and headed across and saw Lorna had decorated the place with her home made bunting incorporating her own paintings. Champagne awaited us. It was a lovely calm leafy environment. It was a cooler day so the Conservatory was not too hot.

In a first for me, I was going to be a witness and the registrar came to speak to me and Richard. Soon it was time. Carol Ann had the tasks of keeping, and presenting, the rings and controlling the music., what a pressure!

In a personal ceremony, they read poems to each other and had their own vows and the rings were hand cast in Portobello sand. I was a little nervous to find the signatures had to be in fountain pen which I have barely ever used (and then not well) but it passed off smoothly.

The celebrant seemed to have been psychic about the colour scheme or perhaps she always wears green in this venue.

It was time for champagne and admiring the rings. Lorna's had extra blue and green jewels embedded in it.

We set off for a walk and photos in the beautiful park.  The gorgeous bride of course attracted attention, but Shane turned a few heads too in his kilt regalia. While  photos were being taken on the bridge, he was asked to keep the bridge clear of passers boy. He had his sgian dhu available to fend off attackers! We had lots of photos.

There were further perfect settings for photos at the bandstand and at a low slung tree. It was lovely to see Lorna so relaxed climbing on the tree. Her beautful dress fortunately did not get damaged. OfThe cooler weather was more comfortable, than yesterday's and the gardens were almost as gorgeous as the bride. We had been here before, but in October, when the trees were in their autumn colours and now it was fresh and lush green everywhere.

It was a privilege to have been invited to this event and a huge pleasure to be at it. All went so well for us. Lunch was booked at a French restaurant which we all enjoyed. Our timing was perfect as the restaurant owner said the electricity broke down just after and he only just managed to get our meals done before the oven cooled. All had seemed calm and we had been oblivious, quaffing our grasshopper wine.

They say green is bad luck for weddings, but if this day was anything to go by, it was good luck. A forecast thunderstorm in the afternoon never materialised. While the others repaired to the spa facilities, we were checking out the evening possibilities, in town. We ended up meeting with the same host, who recognised us in our "normal clothes" and told us the electrician has worked his magic. There was a bar next to the restaurant so we ended up back there again, relaxed on sofas with a drink and a board of charcuterie and fromages to share, suggested by our host. That finished the day perfectly getting them into the mood for their honeymoon.