Getting people, luggage and cargo onto coaches to go to Bideford was not an easy task…However, we eventually boarded the MS Oldenburg in Bideford for Lundy. Despite Brian’s misgivings, the crossing was flat calm, the sun beat down around us (various people distributed sun cream to the increasingly red and sun burnt guests) and the sense of adventure kept the excitement flowing! The highlight has to have been the Dolphins which came literally up to the boat and leapt out of the water getting everyone’s attention. Unbeknownst to us at that point, the foreward party (Don, Mimi and Andrew) who were supposedly travelling out before the main party to get the picnic ready, were busy fighting off a fire on the ex-lifeboat!!! They got to Lundy minutes before us and managed to get the picnic prepared and jug after jug of Pimms poured just as we arrived.

The mammoth climb up to Millcombe House was rewarded with Spanish tapas, glorious sunshine and a sense that this was the Caribbean and not a rock in the Bristol Channel. David’s highlight was the mound of nata (Portugese custard tarts) which Ushi and Patrick brought down from a tiny Portugese deli in Camden. Angus’s home-grown raspberries were the perfect accompaniment.

Most people headed off to explore their accommodation and the island just before the shop closed at 4pm. Peels of delight and excitement resounded around the island as discoveries were made….Everyone did their own thing on Saturday night either cooking in their abodes or eating in the Tavern.

The Bride and Groom made it clear to all, as they visited everyone in their homes, that if the ‘blue gate’ was open then guests were welcome, but if the blue gate was closed, then privacy and consummation were the order of the day!

The hail and hearty (and bloody foolish) headed down at 8.30 for a swim off the pier. Some actually swam in a bid to restore the flow of blood, whilst others retreated rapidly (did Bobbie and Niamh even immerse themselves?!!). It is believed that anyone who actually swam was really only after the smoked salmon and bucks fizz at Government House that was strictly for swimmers only. (So, why was Robert there??? Did anyone actually see him exposed in swimming trunks never mind in the water?).

Final touches to the flowers were made in the church as the Seniors (Brian, Eric, Peter and Hugh) got the Courtyard ready for the reception after the service.

At 2.30pm the bells started to ring around the island, as all and sundry got into their finery (having shared the 2 irons amongst them!) and were summoned to the church. David, incredibly, was on time owing largely to the best-man’s steadying influence. Denise, meanwhile was early arriving just before 3pm and throwing a few spanners in the works. The service, Humanist and Church of England, was very personal and poignant bringing tears to a few eyes and hearty laughs from others.

Photos were taken and confetti was thrown as we posed, jubilantly!

Prosecco, strawberries and groovy tunes got the whole party going in the Courtyard. The atmosphere was electric and happiness abounded. The ultimate moment was when Milly, David’s 12 year old niece, put on a mix she had done herself….everyone spontaneously started to dance to Abba’s Dancing Queen! Quite incredible and undoubtedly one of the highlights of the whole weekend. (You should see the video!). The DJ arrived to get ready for after the meal and announced that he was redundant!!! Meanwhile, the chef was getting more and more fierce in his encouragement that we should start the meal. Sadly, the music was stopped and we went into the Tavern.

After a delicious meal, wonderful speeches were given and more tears and laughter were heard. A brief interlude occurred as the dining room was turned into the dance-floor and the DJ came into his own. We had negotiated a two hour extension to the generator, but at 1am the music was turned off and people wandered back to their homes before the lights were turned off!

A sleepy start to the day was soon put to and end by the Venison spit roast and the impending showdown between the Bride and Groom’s respective cricket teams….Charlie and Ian somehow managed to ensure that no injury was sustained other than the defeat of the Bride’s team…(though there is an ongoing dispute about the result!).

On Monday evening people did their own thing again and generally got ready to face the fact that Tuesday was departure day.

A walk around the island for many before leftover lunch (more wedding cake!) in the picnic area, and then we all headed down to the Oldenburg for the return journey. It was a tremendous few days and we were blessed with wonderful company, great weather and a unique location.