With all the drama over Mrs T’s seizure while we were in Amsterdam, I’ve not gone into detail about the wedding or rest of the trip – so here we go, get ready for the full lowdown!
The wedding, held at a fancy hotel in the middle of a national park just outside Amsterdam, was brilliant and filled with some amusing moments and eccentric characters.
It was the last day of March and it snowed. Thankfully, they hadn’t planned many outdoor activities so it didn’t affect the day.
One of the highlights of the wedding was the ceremony which was conducted by a very unique registrar called Mark. With the mannerisms and an English accent reminiscent of actor Christophe Waltz mixed with a hint of Sean Connery, he was more of an MC than a registrar. Taking an active role from the start in the hour and a half long ceremony, he began by asking the bride and groom.
“How did you feeeel when you shhaaw each other today?”
He then proceeded to question them about the honeymoon and wedding night (only in Holland).
In a break from tradition, he involved the whole wedding party – asking a slew of questions which had the congregation in stitches. It included questions such as “How would you desshcribe the bride/groom?”
“How does is feeeel” (this was one of his favourite questions).
As you can imagine when it came to the ushers, the answers about the groom weren’t as favourable.
“When did you first meet the groom”
“We were about 12 and we had a fight in the playground.”
Another question: “Does this wedding inspire you”.
“I’m already married”.
To one of the bridesmaids: “When did you first meet her (the bride)?”
“At school”.
Mark: “Oh, so you would play together.”
Cue laughter.
The ceremony also involved some of their close friends and family providing the music which gave it a personal touch.
Mark would back announce everything with another one of his favourite remarks: “Beautiful, beautiful.”
While we were at the ceremony, Mrs T was enjoying her time in the crèche they had provided. It was such a good idea to amuse the children during the ceremony, dinner and if we wanted, the drinks reception (Mrs T slept during this). She didn’t seem to mind us leaving her in the crèche Although three days without a dirty nappy and the poor girls looking after her had to tackle an explosive poo ripping through the posh vest and dress I had lovingly put her in.
The evening events saw Mrs T go to sleep in her pram just as dinner and the speeches came to an end around her usual bedtime (7pm). She then took up a position at the side of the dance floor and managed to sleep through the evening festivities. It really is amazing how they can sleep through anything. She even moonwalked (while she was sleep in her pram) When she woke up at around 11pm, Cal had a little boogie with her before I took her up to bed. All in all a pretty stress free and helped by us staying at the wedding venue.
But how, I hear you ask, was our journey to the Dam. Well, it is one of the shortest flights I have been on – took less than an hour. We flew British Airways who were really good (at Heathrow T5 they have a special security queue for families so barely had to queue). I fed Mrs T on take off and descent.
When we got to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, we had a bit of a panic. We had put two pieces of luggage in at the “oversized baggage” at Heathrow. One piece came out at the other end, the second (our travel cot) was nowhere to be seen. After almost giving it up for lost, it transpires there was a separate carousel for special or oversized baggage. Worth bearing in mind if you travel by air. I think it is put in separate places at most airports.
Now, to get a better picture about our journey to Amsterdam and first evening away, I have compiled a quiz. Here we go…
We get to security. Put our bags on the conveyor belt and go through with Mrs T’s buggy. I go to retrieve our bags while the buggy is getting checked by security man. Does my husband..
A) Wait patiently with her as the man checks we aren’t smuggling any illegal substances, firearms etc in there.
B) Leave her with the security guy and, in a mild panic, rush over to retrieve his Rolex watch when I give a dirty look, protesting “my watch is in there!”
C) Start arguing with security because they are taking too long.
We are on the flight. Mrs T needs entertaining. She keeps chucking her toys on the floor. Does my husband…
A) Give us his undivided attention and help me entertain her.
B) Start chatting to the stranger next to him for the duration of the flight talking about a range of topics including the Eurozone crises, what they do for a living and kids – ignoring his own child- and my attempts to divert his attention back to us.
C) Go through several glasses of wine and drunkenly make stupid faces at Mrs T.
On the first night staying at the hotel does my hubby…
A) Come to bed when me and Mrs T go up at around 11pm.
B) Keeps drinking with his mates until 2am, slamming open our door at 1am, turning on the lights and waking myself and Mrs T up with a bang.
C) Has a couple more drinks with his mates and comes up at midnight
If you answered…
Mostly A’s – This would mean he would be the perfect man/husband. Everyone knows they don’t exist (and life would be boring if they did). Need to read more of my blog to fully appreciate Cal.
Mostly B’s – Well done. You are clearly a regular reader and have got my hubby spot on! Keep reading.
Mostly C’s – Almost. These are things he probably would do or things I would like him to do. Keep reading.
Fair to say Cal had a bit of a shocker (but thankfully improved for the rest of the trip).