From the Foreign Office ... Down Under
The day began, fulfilling the famous Queensland saying:
'Beautiful one day, perfect the next!' I started the day by walking Toby at 6.0am - my morning walk always being a time of reflection and meeting with God as I listen to the glorious bird songs all around with occasional dive-bombing by a magpie endeavouring to protect her babies. I was at peace. Back home, no doubt, there was a flurry of activity with everyone trying to get in and out of the shower and put on their finery.
I returned to a hive of activity and stepped up my pace to join in!
Uncle Chris collected the flowers at 7.30am - an array of white roses and gum nuts, ranging from posies to buttonholes, all looking beautiful. The first car left at 8.15am with Gran, Uncle Chris and Emma (Jenny's friend who had flown over for the wedding and a holiday). They went to check that all was in order at the Church (Metro Church, Brisbane) which was about 30mins away. Louise, Jenny and Emma had decorated the Church on the previous afternoon (whilst I finished my speech!) with fairy lights, candles, ribbons and bows (thanks for the latter to a friend from our Uniting Church), so the flower arrangement still needed to be set up and single roses placed in the bows at the end of the seating rows. The second 'Toyota Echo' to leave was driven by Auntie Pam taking her daughters at 8.30am. Jenny, Louise and I were the last three to don our dresses, make the final adjustments and leave the two dogs safely on the verandah with plenty of water.
The Service was due to start at 9.30am and the bride was suitably late by 5 minutes! As some of you may already know, Pastor Glyn Barrett from Audacious City Church in Manchester, where Jenny and Greg worship, just happened to be over at a conference in the Brisbane area whilst Greg and Jenny were visiting. He organised the Metro Church with which he has a connection and managed to fit the marriage ceremony into his busy schedule before flying back to the UK. The staff of the Church were extremely friendly and helpful; their contribution, together with Glyn's message, making for a very beautiful and memorable service. The Church actually occupies a former theatre which was probably quite appropriate for those who work in the drama industry.
The bridesmaids were Jenny's sister, Louise, and her two Australian cousins, Sarah and Becky, all looking lovely in purple. Their dresses were a natural cue for a photo shoot by the Jacaranda tree which has just come into bloom, so following the ceremony we walked to the nearby tree to capture the colour. What bliss to enjoy the Australian sun and indigenous flora!
The Bride and Groom were last to board, receiving a round of applause from all the other passengers on the lower decks. The eleven members of the party enjoyed champagne and wedding cake, beautifully decorated by Louise and Emma, whilst taking in the amazing sights along the river banks. Of course, there were many photo opportunities along the way, not the least being in the wheel house. It was so hot on board that the two younger bridesmaids with their very fair skins had to protect themselves with Greg's and Chris' jackets!
It was a time to soak in our surroundings and get to know Greg's step-sister, Becky, who had flown up from Sydney to be his Best Man or Best Mate as they would refer to her in Aussieland! We were thrilled that she could come and represent Greg's family even though it further added to the female population on the day!
As if that wasn't enough, we had more delights in store in the form of afternoon tea at a fabulous place called 'The Customs House'. Following a stroll down the boardwalk with all and sundry proffering their congratulations along the way, we went up the steps to take our place at the tables laid out with crisp white cloths.
Sitting outside once again and still overlooking the river, we almost had the place to ourselves. The food was 'out of this world' - unusual sandwiches and platefuls of all types of individual cakes and our teacups were never empty! It as a time for more chatter and laughter as well as the dreaded speeches of course, followed by more photos and confetti on the steps down below.
Well, all good things must come to an end! At about 5.0pm, it was time to return to the cars and pay an extortionate car parking fee, collect our things at the Church and whisk off the Bride and Groom to the airport to fly to Sydney, accompanied by the Best Man with whom they would be spending the next few days......a honeymoon or what??!!!
I wonder if we could have planned such a beautiful day in England on 1st October?.........and all in under two weeks!
We were just sorry that so many family and friends could not be with us on this special occasion but there will be a blessing service at home at some stage in the not-too-distant future. Thank you so much for your many good wishes by card or email, all of which I passed on to Greg and Jenny and they were delighted.
With Love to All, Lynne.
(Highly recommended: Lynne and Louise - 'Wedding Planners Extraordinaire')!!!!
