Dave and Flo's wedding day out

26th January 2002

06/02/02

Taking the wives on a lads day out, not this time today was Dave F. wedding.

Ros and I collected Michelle and Graham and headed off to Colchester, Graham had sorted the accommodation, at a pub B&B in Wivenhoe, within walking distance of the reception and after.

"Park life"

 We stayed at the Park Hotel, that be us unloading.

From here, after changing and meeting Tim, Tim's missus was feeling poorly so couldn't travel, we all left for Colchester. Dave and Flo were being married at the registry office, Stanwell House. We found a carpark, close to our destination, which was bizarrely closed, because of a Saturday market, it's the sort of arrangement, I thought that only Norwich City Council could possibly organise.

Colchester Registry office.

"A hard rain's gonna fall"

Anyway, fortunately we were early and several spaces were available at the registry office car park and after trying three I settled for a space and in we went, well into the Robin Hood pub, which is conveniently situated close by. I had arranged to meet Terry at said location. A swift shandy for me and a chat with the landlord, who used to own a pub in Norfolk.

The marriage was at Two O'clock so we shot back to the car for camera's and stuff, Tim left his Olympus on a pub table but honesty prevailed he went back and retrieved it. Dave's wedding party had started to gather, so in we went and we moved to one corner awaiting the arrival of Richard and Issie.

Graham,

"That's entertainment"

 Dave F.'s M.G., rag top, thro' the square window.

"Don't look back in anger"

Jobs a good'un

"Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours"

...............and the crowd went wild.

"Come up to see me, make me smile"

"Sharp dressed man"

Unfortunately, the rain just kept coming and, as a result, the posh photo session was cancelled, we all headed for the reception at the Bake House in Wivenhoe. We did manage to scatter some confetti over the bride and groom before we left.

Parking the van at the Park House, we walked to the restaurant, had some champagne and chatted, by now we were getting hungry, but the orders to sit were given just in time and off we went to find our table.

"Third finger left hand"

"My generation"

Still waiting for the food.

Starter for me was, carrot and coriander soup, with croutons. Main course was, Vietnamese pork, which, probably wasn't pot belly pig, but it made very good eating. The wine red and white satisfied.

"Smooth operator"

After finishing the wine off we had to go, next stop the Station P.H. It was darkish by the time we got there, this photo was taken the next day.

"Station to station"

"You do something to me"

Making an entrance, to shouts of

 "Where have you been, you only left two minutes after us."

"The boys are back in town"

Please don't mention Jasper Carrot again.

"I got you babe"

"Picture this"

"I'm still standing"

Just!

"Young American"

Terry and girls from Boston. Also Richard, but I were not keen to highlight the fact that Richard was chatting up the birds, in case his Issie saw the site.

"Footsee"

"Wild thing" 

"Hanging on the telephone"

Around 7'ish Tim went out for Aspirins, four hours later, as we was leaving, we spots 'im standing outside, playing with 'is phone.

It was "time for bed"

Next morning opting for a late breakfast, we popped out down town to get a paper.

The day after the night before.

Breakfast was most welcome, melon, cornflakes, fry-up and toast. The fried breakfast was one of the best I've had, probably cooked in bacon fat, damn gorgeous. After breaky we walked down to the quay side to have a look around, we passed through the shipyard developments looking at the new flats and houses, also keeping an eye to the ground, loads of dog pooh about. The above picture is of the Rose and Crown on the Quay. We walked on towards, what is left of, the boat repair yards, this area is also up for redevelopment. This new regeneration because of potential traffic problems is causing some local controversy.

We went home.