Tired but Happy.

I'm tired and not a little hangover but, as usual after a good night, I don't particularly mind.

My sisters both looked fantastic whilst I looked pretty damn swank myself and I realised I was looking forward to the wedding because even the pre-nuptual photo session overseen by the David Bailey-wannabe that is my dad didn't annoy me.

Meeting the other family was strange, but not as painful as I expected and at 4, the actual signing of the neccessary forms and exchange of rings took place (Two grooms and no official bridesmaid, though?). Huge garlands of flowers arrived then, I think - 15 in all. Each one from an individual or a group or a restaurant. We felt like a part of the community almost with that happening.

A brief sojourn, which was occupied by at least 10 guests desperately trying to place 750 (well, you can't have too many) tea lights in the pool as it began to get darker. And drinking.

From 7 until sometime after 1.30am various things went on. Lots of good food and lots of punch and other drinks; speeches - including a rather drunken one from a guest hailing from Reno who described himself as a "Vagabond Poet"; a bit of dancing and then folk dancing. The dancers weren't Turkish, or Russian, but somewhere in between - they did the big jumps and the leaping off their knees to their feet and spinning round the room - very entertaining.

The first dance for my sister and her husband, Erkan, came in two instalments: The first was Turkish and looked like Flamenco or Tango or a bullfight. The scond (with ballad I can't remember - I'm a music snob ,you know?) was lit by hundreds of huge greenish sparklers given to all the guests, sort of like a less irritating Elton John concert.

More drinks and dancing.

Goodbyes to Erkan's family - they'd got us presents as per tradition (why did no-one tell us this?) and were very friendly, despite practically none of them speaking English (or us speaking Turkish, obviously).

More booze, with singing and dancing.

Drinks and kebabs (it's allowed - they invented them, didn't they?)

Home to bed, still singing Come What May to myself.

A good day, then.

Dave xx