Hi folks.
I thought it was about time to finally do my diary from that wonderful, sunshine-filled day of December 10th 2007!
I have been a little busy since that day. Incredibly, after a total mix-up with my Christian name, I was invited out to the States to attend a bizarre stare out competition, featuring the cast of “Mork and Mindy” versus my team, consisting of the cast from “Doogie Howser M.D!!” If it was not for Mork with his “Na nu, na nu” making everybody lose their focus, we would have come away triumphant. Wanda and Mindi started having a right go at each other. And it was at this point I departed to jet off back to the good ole Pearly Grey and update my Diary!
I have tried so many times to get the photos onto the blog. I am, as most of you know, not too efficient when it comes to computers. So, finally my pal Dennis from I.T came to the rescue.
The wedding itself was absolutely magnificent. What a way to start the day: 18 holes of golf with Murray and my pals. We teed off at 7.30am, and were first on the course, so nobody was in front of us. Fantastic - pity about my golf though. At least I had a ready-made excuse that I was getting married that afternoon!
So, in good spirits, we left the golf course and headed down to PG to get dressed for the biggest day of my life. I got changed in my brother, Malcolm´s, room. As my best man, Jocelyn, that´s right, my sister Jocelyn was my best man. Her room was in total chaos, with bridesmaids Emma and Eva getting ready.
After trying to organize everybody some transport, we headed off to the church in La Caleta. Everybody looked incredible in their various new frocks and suits. My brother, Chris, looked a little unique, but that is another story. So, after handing out the button holes, I proceeded, in my last moments as a single man, down to the altar. I had had a very strange sense of calm over me all day. I did not get nervous; Ana-Maria and I had lived with the planning of this day for many a month. So, in some strange way, it was like having a deja-vu experience.
All this calmness was completely shattered when Ana-Maria started walking down the aisle. Little beknown to anybody apart from Ana-Maria, her gorgeous parents Miguel and Pepita and myself, we had flown in an opera singer who goes by the name of George Pena to surprise everybody. So, as Ana-Maria, Miguel, Father Keith and the gorgeous bridesmaids and a tramp (believe it or not!) started walking down the aisle, George walked out from behind the altar and started singing “Ave Maria” live. I promise you, anybody who was not moved by his incredible voice must be made of sterner stuff than half the Yorkshire contingent, who had their white hankies out in full force!
I, as of yet, had not seen my gorgeous Spanish/Cockney bride in her beautiful, Spanish designed wedding dress. So, when she popped up beside me looking absolutely amazingly beautiful with the biggest grin you have ever seen, I was so proud, so very proud. When George finished off his beautiful rendition of “Ave Maria,” Father Keith took over and did a fantastic service and married us!
After the service, we had a group photo with all the guests and Ana and I headed off to a nearby hotel to have some more pictures taken by no other than Xavier, our famous BBQ photographer (he gave me a good deal! I am a Yorkshireman remember!). All the other guests headed to PG for the champagne and canapés reception. Adrian had totally transformed our lower terrace. Everything looked out of this world, it was unrecognizable. The tables all had a centerpiece (too hard to describe), new glasses, plates etc. He had fenced in the entire BBQ area and had dangling fairy lights surrounding the whole area. Amazing.
Darryl, our head chef, had worked tirelessly to create the most awe inspiring dishes - monk fish kebabs, fillet steaks, lobster & king prawns to name a few. As you can see I did not get my own way with the food. I wanted crab sticks, fish fingers and pot noodles! All the guys and the girls from the restaurant served the champers and the vino well into the night.
The speeches were fantastic, and Jocelyn, after all her nervous build up, did a brilliant job of her best man speech. She had not eaten a morsel of the delicious food, and quaffed about a bottle of Champagne to try to ease her nerves. She one hundred percent nailed it. Mally, my brother, was introduced next by the master of ceremonies, no other than my brother-in-law, Murray Nichol. Mally had everybody in hysterics with his unique wit. Miguel, Ana-Maria´s dad, was up next, great job Papa! Then I had a few words, unbelievably, Ana-Maria pinched the microphone off me and did a great job.
The cutting of the cake pursued, followed by the first dance and then we partied until 11 o´clock and headed upstairs to finish up and join all the guests in the bar. We danced until about 1.30ish and decided enough is enough. As we headed out of PG, all the guests headed to reception, were they formed a human tunnel to the waiting taxi. It was a great moment to end an incredible day.
That´s basically all for now, my friends, please leave your name in the box below if you have read this. And click here to see the amazing photos!
See you all very soon I hope. Many, many thanks to all the generous gifts we received from all you gorgeous people.. Pearly Grey People!!!
