The rest of the trip (executive summary)

The wedding went very well, and smoothly, with only enough disorganisation to allow guests to feel that they were in on the joke: well, what would you expect...? The weather was kind to us, and the ceremony was held on the lawn without interruption by rain or the full glare of the sun; later it cleared enough for a very satisfactory sunset:

- but that was later. The bride looked beautiful, as did her best woman (I think that was the term used; the bride had a best man, too). Vows were exchanged, poems were read, tears were shed = and thereafter much food was eaten and much wine was drunk. I talked to people I had known for a long time, and people I had never met before, until the disco started and it was impossible to talk to anyone. If we had had our wits about us, we would have left at this point, but a change of plan over taxis meant that we stayed on for another hour or so - my only real regret!

( Wedding Day II )

( A surprise castle )

More driving today, and another unexpected lunch stop: we followed the National Trust signs to Kedleston Hall, which turned out to be an immense Adam mansion built for the Curzon family.

And home.