How’s this for the Craic ?

A relatively lazy start to the day, anticipating a late night ? saw me and Annette going into Belfast itself for a ‘proper’ Irish breakfast, which we soon found in one of the many cafe’s dotted around the centre, and took great delight in the food, including Irish soda bread !

Then back to the Hotel, change into our best clobber, and off to the Wedding Venue Clandeboye Estate http://www.clandeboye.co.uk/ in nearby Bangor.

As we travelled along the road, it was peculiar seeing over the walls that lined the roads (the Peace ? wall http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_lines) with the flags flying from the lampposts within the estates, not a very welcoming sight for anyone…

Still we were soon in the courtyard of the estate, with lots of people mingling in the late summer sunshine, ready for the 2 p.m. wedding…once inside we were all gathered waiting for the bridal party entrance, and heard the thumps of the big bass drum, and the swirl of the pipes, as the Bride,Avril emerged walking into the courtyard area, behind a Pipe band – in the glorious sunshine, what an entrance – I’m sure you’ll agree

So with the unusual start to the proceedings carried on all day, and evening, including the Best Man not being present – and sending a film from The National Theatre as substitute ! – well done Joe, we all enjoyed it !

Dancing all evening and into the night, as food and drink were served, and the occasional dance was had !

Eventually we all collapsed and headed back to our differing Hotels, thanks JP and Avril, and Best Wishes in your new married life together ..

and the following day, a gentle start,breakfast and flight back home,phew…must be the jet lag !