We are on the Eurostar and bound for Avignon after an eventful fortnight in England culminating in Nikki's wedding. I thought I'd take the opportunity to catch up on my blog for all my fawning readers (hello Anne!).

I think I left you at Portsmouth, where bovril was on the drinks menu. Hang the expense, let's have the bov with our Cornish pasties! No, tea will do, but lunch was very disappointing for all the raving over the authenticity of the pasties. Here's a photo of the Victory.

Then on Friday was the big day for the wedding ceremony to be held at Winchester Registry Office. It took place in the Basing Room which is located in a complex of very old buildings - maybe post Tudor, pre Georgian - very impressive. The room had a vaguely churchy feel about although completely secular. The registrar was a warm, friendly woman and the ceremony was dignified and nicely done. Nikki wore a short lace dress rather than the full getup. Warwick managed to prang the hire car on the way and my brother and sister-in-law arrived 20 millions late after a bit of strife with the traffic. Here's a pic of Nikki and Boyd with bridesmaid and best man.

Nikki and Boyd's friends turned out nice and friendly and we adjourned to the pub across the road for drinks, hot chips and ham sandwiches (with hot mustard). Nikki and Boyd had not booked anywhere for dinner so we all split up into smaller groups and headed off for dinner. Warwick and I, Michael and Kate, Elaine, Clare and Fay had Indian at the Banyan, which is just near where we were all staying.