Wedding, UK and the weather!

Apologies for the lack of blog over the last couple of weeks.

We have just returned from a flying visit to the UK to celebrate my lovely step-daughters wedding and meet all the gorgeous new additions to our ever growing family.

Also apologies to everyone we didn't get a chance to see this time, hopefully next time we will have longer and the trip will be planned way ahead of time.

Where to begin.....

Well it was the first time we have traveled via Dubai to the UK (and back)  and for some reason it seemed to confuse our body clocks more than 'normal'.  The longest leg of the journey is now Oz to Dubai at about 14 hours, a very quick stop at Dubai (45 mins going over) followed by a relatively short flight (6.45 to 7 hours) to Heathrow.

It's taking us some time to get back into sync with our sleeping and eating patterns.  At times it's a huge effort to keep the eyes open but as each day passes we get more 'with it'.  Some people think that jet lag is all in the mind and some cope with the time changes very well.  As we're all unique I guess we'll each experience 'it' differently.  Studies have shown it takes approx. one day per hours difference to get back on track with your Circadian Rhythm so some time next week our 'CR' should catch up with our bodies! This is my excuse if the blog is a little all over the place this time... more apologies....

We arrived in the UK at about 5.30 in the morning, picked up the hire car and set off towards Crawley.  What a beautiful morning we were greeted with.  It was a frosty start combined with a beautiful sun rise which meant the hedgerows and fences steamed as they slowly warmed up and the fields looked like they were cloaked with lazy clouds.

The countryside had put on it's Spring clothes, blackthorn bushes were in full flower, fantastic bright green leaves on the trees and bushes, new lambs bouncing around in the fields.  It seemed that every where was bursting with new life.... such a contrast to when we last left in January.  England at it's very best.

AND it was warm, we hadn't really brought enough warm weather clothes with us, convinced it would still be very chilly.  We even came home with a sun tan!!!

The first week flew past in a flurry of meetings and greetings, catching up on news, lots of eating and a few drinks and many, many miles covered.  Our Aussie Sat Nav 'Roger' complete with the newly uploaded Europe maps did a stirling job keeping us on the right track (well roads).

And then, all of a sudden, the big day arrived.  May the Fourth, as Jim being a Trekkie fan thought he'd more chance of remembering all the following anniversaries if Lou and he got married on that day..... (may the fourth be with you)

It was a beautiful day, a little chilly in the wind but the sun shone.  I think the Bride could have worn a sack cloth and still looked gorgeous.  Lou was glowing with happiness, totally stunning in her bridal attire.  Jim and the rest of the wedding party looked gorgeous too.  It was a lovely relaxed day, food was wonderful, cake amazing, speeches moving and funny, lots of fun had by all.  Everything went very well it was lovely to see all the families, friends and to be able to celebrate such a special day with them.

The only blot on the horizon was my camera expiring before the happy couple cut their amazing cake.... hay ho.

The brand new Mr and Mrs A.

The beautiful bride.

The amazing cake or rather cakes... delicious

Time passed all to quickly and in fact seemed to speed up!  Before we knew it we were on our way back to Heathrow and Oz.  It was good to see everyone we had been able to and a joy to meet and finally hug the new little 'un's.

Till next time.....