Memories of Douglas Number 19

WEDDING DAY

My late husband Douglas and I were married in March 1982. We didn't want any fuss so had arranged a low key ceremony at the Registry Office in Gateshead. We travelled there on the bus. My Dad, my 2 brothers and my sister in law came and a friend of Douglas was best man. It was a lovely ceremony performed by a lady Registrar.

Afterwards we all walked across The Tyne Bridge to a pub near the Quayside for the " reception". We had invited our office colleagues and they were waiting for us when we arrived. It was a rough and ready type of pub but it was somewhere Douglas and I went regularly and we had got to know the staff. ( The most popular thing on their food menu seemed to be a savaloy dip - not something I ever tried. )

They had put a notice on the door saying " Private Party" which was a surprise as we hadn't asked them for any special treatment. They also provided a cake for us - another surprise. Everyone seemed to have a good time, drinking, eating and playing pool. When the time came to go we caught the bus home.

When our daughter Becky got married she had all the bells and whistles she wanted. She was married in Las Vegas. On the morning of the wedding we both had our hair, make-up and nails done - we felt really pampered. The ceremony was held at The Bellagio Hotel - it was wonderful with the famous fountains in the background.( The film Oceans Eleven with George Clooney was filmed there ) I was the one who gave Becky away - it was a shame Douglas wasn't there but I'm sure he was there in spirit. We all agreed that Douglas would have loved Las Vegas - just his type of place.

My blip today shows one of our wedding photos - colours have faded somewhat as it has been in the same place on the wall for over 29 years.

**** No more news from Neil - I suppose he is still recovering from his 19 hour bus trip to Laos.