On Saturday Tricia and I went across to Silchester House, where an old school friend from Brakenhale, got married. Bryan was getting married for the second time. I remember going to his first wedding back in the early 80’s. Unfortunately that didn’t work out for him, and he spent a number of years on his own until he met Margaret. They seem very happy together. Tricia did the cake, and and a tier of cup cakes. I fulfilled a rather odd request for them on their wedding day.

Bryan and Margaret both like Midsummer Nights Dream, and asked if I and some of my ‘acting friends’ would perform the ‘play within a play’ from Midsummer Nights Dream, during the evening at their wedding. I agreed and managed to convince some of my fellow actors that it would be a hoot. And so, the last week has seen a number of hurried rehearsals as we prepared the piece. There were 3 scenes, from within the play that we did, one inside, and two outside in the grounds. It seemed to be very well received, and Bryan described it as ‘perfect’. After the play there was music and dancing, but I faded as the adrenalin ruah of the acting seeped away. All in all though it was a splendid day, and we wish Bryan and Mags every happiness for the future.

The cake was decorated with butterflies, which is what Bryan and Mags wanted. However, the fresh flowers which were supposed to be put onto the cake turned out to be only a couple, they were supposed to cover the whole of the top cake. So, Tricia had to improvise.

Bryan and Mags after the ceremony.

And our group, from left to right, me, Rob, Wendy, Des, Carlos, Deb, Tina and Tricia.

Unfortunately Tricia didn’t get to photograph the tier of cakes before they started being removed . A photo also of Tricia with Tina.

This is me, Des, and Carlos. Carlos has his head bowed forward to show I have more hair on my head these days! And then my fav picture of the day, two old friends sat having a cup of tea together. Perhaps seeing an old school friend getting married and looking happy after all these years made us nostalgic, but we talked about the value of having friendships, such as the friendship Deb and I have had over the years, and the comfort it gives to know that whatever was happening we would always want to help each other out and be there to give support to each other. You can’t buy a friendship like that.

For me though, this weekend has been a culmination of a number of plays / events, where I have had to learn lines and rehearse. There hasn’t been a day in the last 6 weeks when I haven’t felt I should be learning lines. Now I can have a break…. so, no more acting for a while.

After the wedding we stayed over at our friends Wendy and Rob, along with Deb and Carlos, and Tina and Des, who had also been to the wedding. It was good to enjoy their company this morning over breakfast. Tricia and I are back home, and have put away / tidied up, and now we are feeling a little jaded. I enjoyed watching England win the 20/20 world final, England were the best side in the tournament, played the best cricket, and deserved to win.

Robbie went out playing cricket for the village today, but the game was rained off after 8 overs. Nikki went along with him to watch and act as team physio. Ellie went to a friends birthday party today at the Snowdome. Robbie has finished all his Art and Graphics A Level work, he just has music to do now. Some of the pressure has eased for him. Nikki has finished her end of year exams, and assuming she has passed will also wind down for the summer.