Whirlwind Weekend

Even though my weekend lasted 5 days (why can't all weeks be like that!) it seemed to pass in a flash! Wednesday I was on strike, not something I like to do but it has to happen occasionally. I met friends for lunch and then went to Edinburgh in the evening to another friend's book launch, but more of that in my next post.

I collected my friend Mariana from the airport on Thursday evening and we headed back to Dundee. Friday was the start of my friends Aileen and Paul's wedding weekend! They had hired Comrie Croft, an independent youth hostel in the rolling, lush, green hills of Perthshire for the weekend and the party started on Friday afternoon with the decorating of the barn where Saturday evening's celebrations were to take place. We were hanging tartan, wrapping pillars, laying tables, blowing up space hoppers.... all this before the BBQ! It was great to spend time with good friends, the gang together to enjoy the celebrations!

The wedding was on Saturday, it was my 6th outing as a bridesmaid (dress anyone?) and I had a great day. Aileen looked amazing and I don't think I scrubbed up too badly.

It's so nice when the individual touches at weddings come together well...like our friend Tracey being able to perform the outdoors marriage ceremony (and the rain staying away so we could enjoy it), Paul's brass band (check him out in the centre of the photo), The Portishead Town Band, playing Abba medleys, the wedding cake made of cheese, the Scrumpy Jack cider to toast the bride and groom after the ceremony, the caricaturist drawing pictures of the guests, ceilidh dancing the night away......

Aileen and Paul spent their wedding night in a luxury teepee - glamping in style - up a hill in the woods behind the Croft.....a wood burning stove, champagne and each other for company!

Sunday was a fun day, they had organised a mini Highland Games - we had 3 clans competing for glory in a range of events from Tossing the Caber, to Haggis Hurling, Highland Dancing to Tug-of-War, 4-in-a-Sack Racing (I nearly died laughing watching my team compete in this one) and the Starburst Challenge.....so Sunday saw me stuffing my mouth with 10 Starburst and then trying to eat them as quickly as possible (and believe me, I may have a big mouth figuratively speaking but physically...hmm...10 Starburst was a challenge).

All in all, a great weekend and thank you to Aileen and Paul for allowing me to be a part of it!