Uncle Wally and Aunty Violet

The huge downside of having a wedding overseas is that, for one reason or another, not all of your friends and family will be able to make it. [Some might say that's a huge advantage but that's another story...]

One couple who will be sorely missed on 22 July are Mr and Mrs Wally Whittaker.

Known to Sarah as 'Uncle Wally and Aunty Violet', they have known Sarah since she was tiny and have been extremely good neighbours, friends and cat-feeders to the Hargreaves (and others, no doubt, in Church Lane, Chessington) for over thirty years.
Sarah has adopted some good habits from Wally and Violet - like if something has to be done, it has to be done right and swearing isn't something to be proud of (Pam!). Though, sadly, Wally's exceptional DIY skills have never quite rubbed off on Sarah.

Anyway, I know that we'll both be thinking of Wally and Violet in July. And will no doubt be raising a glass or two with them later on in the year.

Nila? No, Lah!

A good pal of Sarah's, Nila (pictured below, in her Saturday night best) will not be able to make it out here in July.
Nila did make it out here last year, though, with both her very good friend, and Sarah's partner in crime too, Kimbles (which I gather is not her real name, as it's too feline sounding really. Anyway, more on Kimbles another time.)

The three girls used to lay low in Moira Court, Tooting Bec (although estate agents now call the area 'Balham') where they used to plan parties, nights out/in and discuss fellas, world politics, Eastenders and make-up.

Nila, Kimbles and Sarah were part of the original 'Gang of Four' (the other member being a certain Rachey Rache - news on her to appear here shortly, just as soon as our legal eagles have cleared it).

Apparently this quartet of lasses loved nothing better to do than to get dressed up/down and have a large giggle, drink, cry and a laugh (though not always in that order). However, the long arm of the law soon caught up with this loud, fearsome, foursome (after a few drinks and Abba songs, anyway) and they were each given an ASBO.

As part of thier sentencing, they were ordered to separated for a yet-to-be-fixed period of time.

Rachey Rache (ring leader and Maggie Thatcher impersonator) was packed off to Paris, Kimbles (scrabble-queen and getaway driver) was banished to Brighton, Sarah (an innocent lass who fell in with the wrong crowd, honest) was sent to Singapore and poor old Nila (who, to all accounts, was 'fitted up like a kipper') was marched off to Muswell Hill.

Rumours were rife that they were all planning one 'big last nite out' - but it looks like it will have to be at another time, another place....Unless, of course, one of them wins the lottery!

Magnus and Jean Thorne

Another couple who look like they're not going to be able to make it, are Magnus and Jean Thorne. The main reason is that Mr & Mrs T have a young toddler, in the shape of Callum to worry about. And today, according to Callum, his mum has another baby in her tummy! So massive congrats to Magnus and Jean, but shame they won't be out this way.

[Although, we can't really complain as Magnus did make it out to Singapore a few years ago. Here he is being a tad camera shy after a few ales in the sun:

For those who've never been to Singapore...

Before we set out for Singapore all those moons ago, I remember Mike Patey (an old footy mucker) saying to me after game down at Haydons' Rd, that Singapore was a bit 'staid'. Not knowing what 'staid' meant (other than the past tense of 'to stay'), I acted interested and then just distracted him by asking him if he wanted another pint.

Four and a bit years on, I am still in the dark about 'staid', we can get let our hair down, or in Sarah/Marge's case, put it up!

Cassandra and Martin

Unfortunately, Cass and Martin are unable to make it to Singapore in July. The reason being is that they're going to get married in the UK in August. Well, two can play that game so we'll have to turn down the invite to their bash for the same reason ! ;-)

Anyway, here’s Cass and Sazz, who've known each other some years now, after they met at UM in London:
And, shaking his thang, is Cass' fella, Martin. He and I first met at a bbq that Martin & Cass threw at their place in S.London. I seem to recall helping Martin polish off about 20 leftover burgers with some vino in the early hours. But, for some reason, the night we ended up on port and Ribena probably tops the lot!

It's official: the out-laws are coming!

I had a strange email waiting for me in my in-tray this morning. The addressee asked to remain anonymous as the company that they work for have a record of sacking whistle-blowers. But the contents, if true, show that a certain Pete and Pam Hargreaves (otherwise known as 'The Out-laws') have booked their flights to Singapore.

The email, which looked pretty official to me, as it had all the right stamps in the right places and wasn't entitled 'Performance Enhancers For Sale', showed the following:
...
From: Heathrow (London), United Kingdom
Terminal: 4
to Singapore, Singapore
Terminal: 1
Flight Number: BA0011 (Confirmed)
Depart: Wed 12 July 2006, 21:25
Arrive: Thu 13 July 2006, 17:15
Cabin: World Traveller Plus
Passenger: MR PETER HARGREAVES
Passenger: MRS PAMELA HARGREAVES
....

As you may have noticed, they arrive on the 13th of July - which gives them nine days to get over the jet lag and, more importantly, to get roped into doing things in the run up to the 22nd, and beyond!

The not-so-doubting Thomases

If the word on the street is correct, and we’re not talking about the signs that say ‘P 500 metres’ (which is a very tough thing to do, methinks), then Mark and Tanya Thomas could be coming in July.

Below are some pix of Tan and Mark from Doylah’s 40TH birthday bash in Cork last year. (Doylah is a good pal of ours – despite the fact that he supports Man U – and there will some news on him on this blog shortly, I hope).

Anyway, here’s Tan – with some bystander who refused to get out of the way for the photo:
And, on the right, here’s Mark holding an invisible pitcher of beer, while being a PLP (public leaning post) for Magnus, another good mucker on who we hope to have some news soon:

Re: Lacey and Mike B, plus Mr & Mrs H

I have been told by the (soon-to-be) missus that I haven’t updated this blog for a while, which is true. So here goes..

- Unfortunately, two old footy / work pals of mine, Steve Lacey and Mike Barbier, will not unable to make it across for July, which is a shame. However, if they keep buying those Lottery tickets, you never know.

- Speaking of Lottery tickets, Pete and Pam (Sarah’s folks, who only left these shores last month) have agreed to re-pack their suitcases (and golf bags) to head back out here. And here’s a picture of the (soon-to-be) out-laws strolling on the sunny sands of Bintan, which rings a bell for some reason....



I will add some more pix and updates on Monday after we get back from KL, Malaysia. Honest...

Neighbours....

Everybody needs good neighbours...

Apologies to Mark and Nicole, who are the second and third from left in the photo below for a) posting their wedding photo and b) humming awfully to the Neighbours theme tune. But seeing as they are our neighbours and are from Melbourne, I couldn't resist it!

'
ps Mark and Nicole will be there in July. So am not too sure who's going to look after Jaffy....

The Rock

Some people have been asking about 'the ring' and 'the rock'. Well when I was growing up, 'the ring' was the M25 and 'the rock' was Gibralta. How things change.

For those who wish to see the 'rock, it's here:
'
ps The 'rock' is the large thing behind us!

Notre photographe

Well we've managed to sort a photographer: Gilles Massot.

Not only does he come highly recommended, but has a range of talents that lie in many fields (including writing, fines arts, advertising). He is also well travelled, has many a tale to tell and is a very interesting chap.

If you have trouble spotting him on the day, he has a balding pate (haven't we all?) with a pony tail (no comment), he'll have a few cameras and other bits of photographic equipment on his person - and he'll be the only Frenchman there!

Sarah's mum, Pam, has suggested that we also need to video the event - so if anyone has a video-camera and wish to volunteer to be a budding Quentin Tarantino for the day/night, please shout...

From small acorns.....

Mark Oakes, a friend of Sarah’s from her days as a lifeguard at Kingston Leisure Centre, has the honour of being the first person to reply to yesterday’s general email. And what’s more, he’s agreed to leave a cold and wet Birmingham to join us in July with his partner, Kimberley!

To help everyone who heads out here (and for those who sadly can't make it) become acquainted with one another, we will endeavour to post pix of all the attendees, with a brief bio too.

[And, if you promise to buy us a drink, we’ll even take the photo and write up off after a few days!]

So for young Mark, all I know is that he pushes drugs in the midlands area. But, it's ok, as the drugs are just for the medical profession to then pass onto Joe Public. And Mark is into body-building in a big, bulging biceps way. Just take a look at him in action at the British Championships:


Looks like we know who’ll be heading up security in Bintan on the day!

Email & Out

So far, so good: The email got approved with hardly any amendments (though there are bound to be a few typos in it that someone is sure to spot) and is now whizzing its way thru the wonders of the internet.

Even though a group email is a tad cheeky, at least it means that you can let loads of people know at once about Sat 22 July. Just keeping our fingers crossed that people can find the time, money and inclination to jump on a plane to join us.

First Things First

Apparently, one of my first tasks is to email all our family and pals in the UK to tell them of the date of our wedding. And then I need to get off that 'bloody computer'!

So I will just need to double-check with the boss as to the exact date, which I seem to recall is in July sometime. And then ask Sarah to approve the email. And then there's the small matter of having the correct email addresses...