The Purple Penguin

Went down with the full intention of going out to get breakfast as we were going to get various things to prepare for the wedding. We managed to spot the parents in the restaurant and after going to say hi ended up sitting down and having breakfast with them. As time went on more and more people connected to the wedding party appeared until finally half of the little breakfast area was full of wedding people talking to each other.

Joe’s preparations: When we did finally get out, dropped Kathleen off with the full intention of heading out getting my beard trimmed and a new pair of shoes and back to the hotel hours before she got back. First stop, barbers. It was early in the morning so there was no queue so I just walked right in. Sat down and started chatting as I got my beard trimmed and hair cut. Subject turned to why was I here, so explained about the wedding to find out the barber was a rival American Football fan, but also found out the local pub to go to for real sport. (definition: English, i.e. proper, football) So 15 minutes later I wandered around to the high street looking at shoes. Entered a small shop and an hour later came out with some shoes. A very laid back, but extremely good, sales experience. Complete with yappy dog and a long conversation with other customers.

Meanwhile, Kathleen’s preparations: I got to the little shop (oh, ok, I was getting my legs waxed!) Walked in and straight back to the room. about 20 minutes later after a very brisk leg waxing and no chit chat I was out. So walked up to the little shoe shop next door, cruised around looking at very expensive shoes, decided I didn’t really need them, and headed back to the hotel. Got to the hotel and ran into Dad and Mary Anne leaving. So went up to the room and got my book and went to sit in the atrium to read and wait for Joe. Also grabbed the local paper which was interesting. Allison came in while I was sitting and reading and we had a chat. She and some of her bridesmaids were off to get their nails done, so she asked if I wanted to come along. It was at the place I had just been to, but I declined the invitation and continued to wait for Joe. After the local paper, chatting to people and a couple of chapters of Daniel Deronda I saw Joe get into the glass lift. I waved but he didn’t look until after he’d pushed the button and was headed up to the fourth floor. So he spent the ride looking at me before just pushing the button to come back down.

Together again: We ended up running into more wedding party and my sister so chatted for a bit before heading back out into the town. Waved to Allison getting her nails done then dropped Joe’s shoes off to get repaired and then ate at Joe’s Cafe (actually called No Ordinary Joe’s Cafe). Nice lunch. It was raining and nasty day, very cold so we ended up back at the hotel visiting with people. Finally in Dad and Mary Anne’s room meeting people, folding programmes, having drinks, and wondering what is in the dodgy briefcases. There was much discussion about the weather and the decision was made to have the wedding inside, as by this time the rain was pouring down and there was nearly a gale blowing. They needed to get ready for the rehearsal so we went back to our room and napped, played on the computer, various odds and ends before getting ready for the dinner.

The Dinner: (J) In this wedding plan there are lots of different invites, the first of these was the rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents. At 7pm we went down to the dining room in the hotel to meet and be introduced to lots of new people. It was a very pleasant affair a little bit of drinking and a nice buffet meal and a couple of speeches where the very dodgy briefcases were handed out. (Let me explain; when we went to Paul’s Bar (nominally room 408) in the afternoon of the many things stored there for the wedding was 6 to 8 hard aluminium looking silver briefcases, the sort normally seen in films containing the assassin’s gun or the drug’s money. Repeated attempts did not reveal the contents, hence the dodgy briefcases.) At one point Hal’s brother was given the choice of $60 or the dodgy briefcase; he took the briefcase. These were presents for the groomsmen. Allison then gave out the presents for the parents and bridesmaids. At 9pm drinks were hosted by the bride’s parents and more people drifted in. By about 11pm people started leaving and I retired. (K) Far too many people, and way too many cameras, but a nice dinner. I ended up retiring at 10 as I was falling asleep on my feet!