Family and Friends

I arrived in London on Friday and, in spite of some worries about a bumpy flights because of the strong winds over western Europe, the journey was smooth.  Whew!  

For the first time in a very long time, I booked into a hotel in London.  I'm staying at the Mercure Hyde Park which is a stone's throw from Paddington.  When you find out you can sneak in through the London Street Brasserie restaurant to get to the lobby, it is about a 3 minute walk.  So, it couldn't be more convenient, although it could certainly be less expensive!  It seems hotels in London, no matter the location or style, are very pricey.  However, this one is lovely and comfortable.

Saturday, like Friday, was drizzly and dull in London.  Thankfully, it wasn't too cold!  First on the agenda was lunch with Ann, my second cousin, and her daughter, Corinna.  I was on a mission to "repatriate" the family bible.  Here is the "back story".  On her 16th birthday, my great-grandmother, Martha Lamborne, received a bible from her parents.  The inscription on its inside cover is dated March 16th, 1872, in Pimlico, London.  Martha married a man named Moran which is the family name I share with all my second cousins and she went on to have 6 children.  When my grandmother, Theresa Wragg (nee Moran) immigrated to Canada in 1914, she brought this bible with her.  It is massive and heavy with brass edging around the leather covers and clasps.  While it is not in great shape on the outside, the interior is almost pristine.  With neither my sister nor me having any children, I thought the bible needed to be returned to England to a member of the family with children and grandchildren so it could stay in the family.  So, I toted this book across London over to near Spitalfields Market to have lunch at Ottolenghi's restaurant on Artillery Lane.  Mission accomplished and the bible is now safely back in England in its rightful place 114 years after it was brought to Canada.

The official "hand-off" from me to Ann

On the agenda for Saturday evening was John and Pedro's wedding, the main reason I had come to London.  These good friends of  mine have been together for 25 years and finally decided to make their relationship official by getting married.  About 30 of their closest family and friends gathered at the wedding ceremony in Old Marylebone Town Hall at 6:30. 

This ceremony was followed by a reception at the Royal Over Seas League attended by about 80 people.  The food was fabulous and the champagne flowed all evening long!  I felt so honoured to be seated at the head table with the married couple and their closest friends and family.  What a privilege!

The fabulous evening ended about 11 pm.  Best wishes to John and Pedro for a very long and happy life together.  Funnily enough, the "newlyweds" are heading to Thailand next week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of being together!