Jules and Gianni's wedding

I still can't get photos to load. Grrrr. It hasn't worked since moving to the Ranches so may be the connection here. Very frustrating.

Daisy and I just survived our first drive without Andy. The roads here are terrifying and scare the bejesus out of me. Everyone drives too fast, the roads are a mess, lane discipline is non existent and the body count is horrendeous. I have a Pajero on order but it will take until July to get here. JULY! Until then I'm in a sedan which feels rather small compared to all the monsters on the road.

Anyway, this post is meant to be about my recent trip to Australia. I was a bridesmaid at Juliet and Gianni's wedding which was amazing. SO annoying I can't put photos on. It was held at Thala, a resort just out of Port Douglas in North Queensland. It was a bit of a flying visit, only there for four nights as Andy and Daisy were still in Dubai. Andy could only get a few days off work and the trip was too long to put Daisy through for a short time so they had to stay behind *sob*.

Ruth and I stayed in an apartment in Port Douglas which was great. We both arrived on the Wednesday and went out for a few quiet drinks in the evening. It felt very odd to be sans baby.

Thursday was the Hen Day. We had a snorkel/dive trip on the Great Barrier Reef. We went to the outer reef which is quite a long way out and it was rather rough so there were a few green faces and sick bags out! We went to three locations during the day and each was amazing. The diversity and abundance of life once you peeked beneath the waves was astounding. In the evening we went to a great restaurant then headed off to a few bars afterwards. I think Jules had a good night which was the aim of things.

Friday we had a wedding rehearsal in the morning then Jules and I spent the afternoon being pampered at a spa. Ahhhh. We had a wedding party and family dinner in the evening then had an early night in preparation for the big day.

Saturday dawned bright and clear and I headed out to Thala to join Jules and get ready which we did over a relaxed lunch and champers. Jules looked absolutely stunning. She was always going to look amazing but she really did look perfect. Plus not a wedding jitter in sight! Golf carts took us to the start of the beach path where we began our walk down the longest aisle in the world. It was a beautiful ceremony, on a slightly raised area overlooking the beach. As is always the way, it seemed to be over in a flash, congratulations Mr and Mrs Pannozzo! Then it was photos photos and more photos and the reception began which was held in a gorgeous open walled circular platform amongst the tropical rainforest. It all went very well and we danced up a storm before bidding Jules and Gianni farewell and heading off on a wedding coach to town. Needless to say much more dancing followed and we got back to our apartment as the birds were getting up then cracked open the champers. I don't get to do it often so figured I may as well do it in style.

We headed to the airport at 10am on Sunday morning feeling well and truly partied out. About 26 hours later I was dashing up the stairs in Dubai to smother Daisy in kisses. I missed her awfully and from the sounds of things she really missed me too. From the stunned look on her face she had given up hope of ever seeing me again and wouldn't let me out of her sight for days. I think Andy was pretty pleased to see me too, he discovered that it's not all about lying round and drinking coffee!

Bx