It's a nice day for a white wedding

Hello beauties,

Many apologies for yet another delay in my posting.  We've had more illness around these parts.  This time M has had shingles.  Nasty nasty nasty virus, I'll say nasty again so you understand the severity.  He's been contorting and writhing in pain for about two weeks now. 

We didn't realise what it was at first because he was describing the pain as a chemical burn on his skin - and as neither of us work with chemicals it was a puzzling time.  Then, like a magic unwanted surprise, a rash appeared in a band around his back and stomach. 

Now I have been reduced to providing any assistance I can, day or night, dabbing chamomile lotion into his skin (or he gets the hose again), always being on hand with panadol (or other chosen variants of pain killers) and trying not to get annoyed with the constant tossing and turning in bed.  I hope he's better soon, it's a right pain in the backside chest and back for me him.

Anyway, back to the original reason for this post.  I know I haven't said anything about our trip to Poland so I wanted to show you some pictures. 

We caught the ferry from Dover to Calais, no fuss, does exactly what it says on the tin.  Then we proceeded to drive a LONG way to just past Berlin where we stayed on the first night.  The hotel was nice enough, we didn't really care by that point because it was about 8pm and we just wanted to sleep. 

I suppose our 'road trip' wasn't really that - it was getting from A to B in the quickest time possible on the fastest roads so we didn't really see much in the way of scenery. 

It was a cool experience and one I'm glad we did.  It made us realise that just about anywhere in the car is possible.  Parts of this country, especially bits of Scotland that seem miles away are actually very reachable.

As we got over the border of Poland there were many strange occurrences.  Most of the traffic on the roads were trucks and as such, we kept seeing signs by the side of the road for 'drivers clubs' and 'trucker night clubs'.  We wondered what these 'clubs' might be.  Then we saw this:-

I couldn't capture it very well because it was on the wrong side for me but it's basically a giant 'lap dancing lady' with her knockers out.  How rude we thought.  Perhaps a welcome treat for the tired truckers.

A bit further down the road and there were loads of stalls/shops at the side of the main roads selling strange garden ornaments.  You've got a gnome, you've got a bird table.  You've thought about adding something else to the mix, something with a bit more of a wow factor.  How about:-

An actual elephant!  Or a triceratops?  How about a camel?  Come on, what's not to like?!  For the next few hours we pondered how we might fit one onto the car roof to bring home.  Unfortunately we couldn't come up with anything better than adding a trailer which wasn't possible.  Shame though,  I think they could have looked great in our garden.

Then further down the very same road we saw a couple of ladies.  They were waiting for a bus I think but they weren't wearing many clothes and their stockings were showing.  Maybe that's how they dress in those parts? *shrug*

That afternoon we arrived in Warsaw to rain which wasn't part of our requested weather plan.  However, I'm pleased to say it stopped the next day.  We relaxed with the family the first night and then we were early to bed because I got up at 5.30am to go with my step-sisters and my dad to the flower market to get the flowers for the table decorations. 

We then set up a factory line in the house consisting of my sisters and I.  It was actually a really therapeutic past-time, I can see why people love to flower arrange.

Sorry about the quality of this shot, it's a camera phone special.  We spent most of the day doing it, in between a manicure at the beauticians underneath my dad's apartment (how very convenient) but it was worth it, they looked great.

So, onto the day of the wedding.  It was all very relaxed really.  Because the wedding was at 4pm it took away some of the morning rushing and worrying about time limits.  Obviously there was still an element of that but the bride took it all in her stride.  Another thing that was really lovely was that in Poland the tradition is for the groom's family to go to the bride's house to pick her up.  The bride and groom meet for the first time in front of their families and then walk down the isle together.  So lovely!

The ceremony itself seemed really nice (I say seemed as I couldn't understand most of it) but the church was beautiful and they had some amazing singers.

The venue was gorgeous, really simple but stunning.  Exactly how I would describe the beautiful bride.  The evening was full of dancing and lovely boozy times.  Unfortunately M took his instruction to 'be like a local' a little too seriously and ended up drinking rather too much vodka.  However he had a little break outside and recovered himself.  We didn't leave till about 5am.  Some others in our 'group' didn't finish partying until about 8am.  Hoorah!  A good time was had by all.

We're planning to get back over there for Christmas so that M can see some more of Warsaw.  I hope it will be all snowy and wintery by then. 

Some shots (I've edited some to give them more of a vintage feel, just because that was kind of the theme):-

The amazing car.

The gorgeous bride, groom and my other sister (who made a stunning bridesmaidzilla).

Outside the church.  Everyone lines up to give their presents to the happy couple, another nice touch.

The stunning venue.

The inside.  They decorated it all themselves.

Arriving at the venue.  The outside was decorated with candles and lights, it was really magical.

Lovely outside tables.

Inside around the sides of the room - actual grass!

My place at our table.

Chocolate fountain omnomnomnomnom.

One of the last pictures that M took on our camera.  

Not sure what happened after this. Messy times.

So that's pretty much it.  We took loads more snaps but I think I've given you a suitable taster.  

I'm doing loads of exciting writing things at the moment.  I'm working with the lovely owner and chief from Hannah Zakari to create a fabulous new blog so expect posts about this soon.  I'm also working on something for a local guide, again will report more soon.  For now, I'd better get back to my patient.  Hope everyone is well.