Week 1 - Summary

The first week involved us spending two nights at Hotel La Prior, where we relaxed in the spa and then used as home base to visit London. The rain set in on Sunday, to a point where our train journey from the city to High Wycombe was cut short due to flooding...enter the maxi taxi with sat-nav and we finally (after many detours) got home.

Drove to North Devon and was introduced to our place of residence...1 minute to Arrins on foot and three more minutes to the infamous White Lion Tavern. After dropping our gear and having a cuppa, the call was made to have a sneaky surf at Putsborough, 15 minutes up the road. Enter strong wind and sideways rain - I was in my element and getting homesick for N.Z. fast! Met Simon and Jack, who entered into the surf as well. A few dodgy waves were had, then back to Arrin and Julia's for a bite to eat.

Then up to the farm where Julia's family had rented some very nice accomodation onsite and made base. Got to meet the crew, partake in my first Guinness and Speckled Hen and cruise home fuzzed out and ready for bed.

Tuesday saw the arrival of Arrin's parents and he drove into London to collect them, leaving Ness and I the opportunity to look about Braunton. The church was amazing and it was here we got a feel for the history of England, finding a tomb that was dated 1330 something! The site had been in use since 550AD, so was quite mind blowing for two green Kiwi's.

Arrin got back with his folks and we had a get-together and chin wag to catch up. Plans were hatched for the wedding preparations and so Wednesday was well sorted, with plenty of running around and odd jobs to be done...did I mention it was still raining? Had a tour of Barnstaple - the nearest town to the village and did a little bit of retail therapy. All good.

Wednesday, OK, so things are getting a little damp and water is coursing off the fields and down roads. We set up for the arrival of all the hire equipment, which is set to come a 9am but turns up at 3pm! Wind is howling with squally showers, Arrin and I are clearing scrub on a path to get you to the marquee, but things are looking a bit grim. There is mention of a back-up plan but we try to keep positive. Off to the White Lion for din-dins and a 'few' pints. Hoorah.

Thursday - heavy overnight rain, flooded roads and tears. The farmer, Andrew offers a barn as a secondary venue and it is that or no wedding...barn looks good then! He and those on hand (Simon and Pete, Belinda and Tom) pull off a miracle and the marquee guys chip in as well to get a venue that looks awesome. Julia is a lot happier than when last seen at 10am and while it was tough for those left in Braunton, Marty does finally manage to write his speech. We get up to the venue at 4pm and are gob smacked by 1) the amount of water everywhere and 2) the final product. A few things are put together, the bubbly comes out as a relief breaker and Steve and Suzie make it from Newquay.

Arrin and Julia part for the night, while 'the boys' have a few quiets around the chiminea at Arrin's pad. We turn in at a decent hour, hoping the storm warning issued for Friday doesn't reach the forecasted levels.