Handfasting

Today in Alloway we attended our first humanist wedding ceremony.

It involved the ceremony of tying the knot. As our friends' daughter was marrying an Englishman, the ceremony was carried out with the English and Scottish flags.

Not the best of photos from a sedentary position: but one that represents the day which was a joyous one marking the love and commitment of two young people.

The groom bravely - and very wittily - took on his bride's nation wondering why she had to move south to find a real man! He then redressed the balance with a good side swipe at his own nation.

All great fun, interspersed (with agreement) with updates on the World Rugby results as they came in. Mounting excitement followed by despair. But that had to be set aside to support the couple.

The weather was stunning and the setting by the Brig o' Doon was wonderful. Apart from losing one's hearing at the volume of the (quality) music - a great day. Don't think it was just a matter of my age. Someone said that they wished they had hearing aids so they could take them out. An elderly relative of the couple did have them, took them out but still found it too loud!