Ireland - Caroline and Louis's wedding and home cooked food!! (July 14th 2006)

We landed in Heathrow at 6am on Monday 10th July! Our first time back on UK soil for almost 10 months!!! It smelt like home! We were shattered! We'd been up for over 24 hours, and it was starting to feel like it! We didn't fly to Ireland until 3pm however, so got out the sleeping bags and settled for a day of rest on the floor in Terminal 1! We landed in Shannon airport around 4pm, and were greeted with huge smiles and hugs by Caroline!!! It was sooo nice and strangely just like normal!!! Katie soon arrived too and it was all in the car (only just with all our luggage!!!), and off to Tipperary! Arriving at Caroline's house was lovely, we were made to feel so welcome, and at home, and we had our first home cooked food in a long long while...proper 'mum food', it was great!!!! We briefly saw Louis when he arrived, before we were off to bed...jet lag catching up with us!!!! The next few days were filled with wedding plans and preparations, family gatherings and the arrival of more and more people. It was lovely to be there and be a part of it....and a special way to bring our trip to an end. The atmosphere, although hectic and stressed at times, was always one of excitement and love. On Wednesday we moved to our B&B - the Beachview - and the wedding crept closer!!! Mark spent Thursday relaxing in the spa facilities of Dundrum House, and I wandered into the village. As we returned we bumped into Daddy Paul and Celine! This was very exciting, the first time we'd seen them in 10 months.....and the first time seeing Celine pregnant with their twin boys!!!! We settled into the bar at Dundrum for an evening of catching up....Asma and Jamie were next to arrive, then more family types...then Ian, Pete, Karen, George, Baz, Colleen, Sandrabing, James, Ed and Mary! It was sooooo lovely to see everyone....and again.....strangely normal! Friday 14th July was Caroline and Louis's wedding day...and the sun was shining as soon as we woke up! We had a gorgeous Irish breakfast (yet another!!!), and met up with Alan and Susan over breakfast. The wedding ceremony was gorgeous, and quite Irish....i'm sure the priest had already had a few!!! Caroline arrived in horse and carriage, with all the Irish people waiting outside to see her! All us English people were indoors, as tradition would dictate, patiently waiting! I have to say, i think i prefer the Irish way!!!! There was live music in the church, and Ed played his flute. After photos and mingling, it was all on the bus and back to Dundrum for the frivolities! Drinks were flowing from the start...as only they can in Ireland.....and everyone had an amazing time! Mr and Mrs Verlaine arrived in style in their horse and carriage and we settled in to celebrate into the night with them. The meal was amazing...and i honestly don't think i have ever eaten that much food in one go......well...at least since Paul and Celine's wedding last year! The speeches were done before eating, and every bit as humorous as we expected! Then there was just time for a shoe change back at the B&B and a walk around the grounds, before the dancing commenced! The band were ace, and after a quick waltz with Celine, everyone was encouraged up on the dance floor for the Siege of Venice! My goodness those old folk know how to move you!!!!! Everyone had a fab fab time, and there was lots of surrounding Caroline and Louis in a circle and running in to meet them!!! The DJ even played Tiffany (at my request), and of course the Proclaimers!!! (Alan was very pleased..having worn his kilt!!)....so all in all a perfect evening!!!! Bing made a great wedding video throughout the day, and we had huge laughs watching people record their messages! Baz's factoid was the best!!!! hehehehe Congratulations Mr and Mrs Verlaine, and thank you for a fantastic day, it was special to be able to share it with you. xxx