Charlotte Birthday weekend & driving…

Just got home from taking Charlotte down to the Park & Ride where we practiced her driving ahead of her first lesson on Thursday. Tash has taken her once already and it all got a bit stressful I believe. So anyway we went down there and she was fine. Stalled so many times but I was patient and she got some good practice in. Spent an hour doing it and she got into 3rd gear at one point – something Tash wasn’t allowing when she took her out

It was Charlotte’s birthday at the weekend and I think she had a good time. She was partying at Lula’s on Friday, went to Oxford St in London on Saturday with Rose and was supposed to be having Rose, Bradley and Joel coming over. Joel couldn’t make it at the last minute so she cancelled and we just had a nice family night in watching TV. Sunday we had football and she was working at the Plough but we’d arranged for the family to all come over for evening tea and that was a laugh as usual. Not drunk or mad but just noisy and lots of fun. Skyped Lewis and he was involved for a bit.

Great to see everyone and was all done and dusted by about 8.30pm so not a crazy night!

She enjoyed herself so that was important and she’s been quite well spoilt with the presents that she had received

Belfast

Yesterday I worked at Raintree and then travelled down to Bristol airport and flew over to Belfast. Got to my hotel and it was lovely. Intimidating place though, run down and the murals are everywhere.

Loads of union flags though and very loyalist around where I was. Proud people. Read on Wikipedia about the history and the Troubles over food and a couple of pints. Did a small amount of work before bed Shit nights sleep, dreamt I was chased in my car by the mobs and the IRA supporters an the police wouldn't help me. Scary!!

At the conference today at the Stormont hotel within sight of Stormont itself. Nice hotel and decent setting Set up the design etc and looks very professional!! Hopefully I won't bugger it up.

Globe Trotter…sort of

Only going around the UK but sat in Bristol airport typing this waiting for a plane to Belfast for a Lifecycle Conference tomorrow. I am then travelling to Glasgow and then back down here to Bristol – three conferences (Road Shows) in three days.

I’m going to be knackered

Tiffany and Paul’s Wedding

It was finally the wedding on Saturday and what a great day that was. A lot of build up and all that as you’d expect and thankfully it went really well and a was a huge success.

We spent the morning getting ready and I kept revisiting my speech as I was getting more and more nervous as the day progressed. I went and collected Paul from the Milton Hotel at 11.30am and came home and we went up to the Plough. Gradually people were turning up and we caught up Sunil and Adam. I wasn’t drinking, I was determined that I’d not fluff the speech and this was the order of the day to be honest!

The service went well, no hiccups and everyone looked fantastic, good turnout and the bridesmaids all looked beautiful, very proud of them. We all boarded an old-fashioned double-decker to the reception in Milton and had loads of photos outside in the gardens. I had one drink and then it was inside for the meal. I could hardly touch a thing, sick with nerves!!!

Finally the time came for the speeches and Mike was up first reading from about 4 sheets of paper, it went on for a long time and didn’t quite keep peoples’ attention, it was quite uncomfortable listening/watching to be honest but he ploughed on and we supported him as best we could laughing at the right places.

Paul was next and was much better, he was very sincere and didn’t attempt any jokes and was really well received. It was good for him, he was nervous as well but he did fine. Then it was my turn, when I stood I was shaking and my legs were like jelly, it was horrible. Thankfully it went really well, I had loads of jokes in it and varied between jokes, sincerity and seriousness, it lasted 18 minutes apparently, it did feel like a long time in retrospect. Got it over with and we could all relax and then drink and enjoy the party. It was late when we finished and evening guests were arriving so we got them all sorted and then partied.

We did what we do best and really went to town on the dance floor, such a good laugh. Must have been over 120 people all told in the end and as the party stopped around midnight we stayed up and continued downstairs in the bar area. Usual suspects, me, Gaz & Nikki, Liam & Zoe, Paul & Tiff and Mike as well. We did take advantage of him once by ordering a big round and making him pay for it, not nice but couldn’t help it.

Went to bed around 3.00am in the end…what a great day and night.

I was pleased as throughout the night so many people congratulated me on my speech and said how good it was. Adam, Justin and Sunil kept saying “Is there anything you’re not good at?” So that was very flattering, as they were referring to football, drinking and cooking! So yes, I did have a big head throughout the evening with all the people saying ‘Well done’

Thank God for that, I’d have been so disappointed if I’d fluffed it.

Below is the video from the wedding:

As it says…my Best Man Speech