from Wrexham on the Thursday pausing only to buy a ridiculously priced
burger from a chain I'd never heard of but seemed to be copying the
Burger King style to the point that I'm sure lawyers should be
involved. Sorry to go a bit 'Daily mail' but why do we put up with this
indigestible overpriced crap at our motorway service stations? When you
have to be trapped in a car with my digestive system for the next
number of hours it's hardly fun.
Anyways we arrived at Bluewater shopping centre a mere four hours after
setting off. The complex itself is set into a crater in the Kent clay
and looks for all the world like an alien spacecraft settled into a
hole its bored in the earth, allowing, rather graciously for alien
overlords, ample parking. I celebrated the conclusion of our journey by
not crashing into the car that veered right in front of us. Perhaps he
was blinded by the dazzling lights crisscrossing the surface spelling
out weird alien names like John Lewis and TGI Friday.
We met everyone in the restaurant for Wez's birthday obviously too late
for the meal but in time enough to feel a part of the celebration.
After catching up we headed back into Gravesend.
Friday was a day of blissful nothing. We walked to the shop for beer
and then spent the day reading and watching dvds/tv. After the
hecticness of the last couple of weeks it was, frankly, awesome.
Saturday we drove to Wez's parents got our glad rags on and headed to
the 02. We had decided to posh it up and were wearing suits and evening
dresses and I have to say catching a bus through some of the less
touristy areas of London was intriguing to say the least. Every major
city has areas where the poverty is obvious but for me seeing that area
in New York or Paris is almost a shield from the reality of it. It's
foreign so it doesn't really count. But when you can see it in your own
country it sort of brings it home.
Now if you're of a certain age you'll remember the White elephant that
the Millennium Dome was on its construction and first few years of
being. Now, however, it seems to be the most popular evening location
for dining out at least by the hordes of people queuing for the chain
restaurants and bars. Ours however was a different sort of night being
Jane's 30th.
We were lead by the door manager out of the bustling crowds and into a
sparsely populated dimly lit lounge with dark wallpaper, massive
chandeliers and tastefully discrete jazz. It was how you'd imagine the
most exclusive of bordellos to be. The cocktails were varied and
delicious, although pretty expensive and uber-strong.
After we'd all assembled and I'd switched from pricey delicious
cocktails to pricey delicious beers, the twenty two of us headed
upstairs in a cow skin covered lift to our private dining room. The
food when it arrived was delicious including one of the best steaks
I've ever had in the UK. But the food however good, played second
fiddle to the bonhomie and atmosphere from the wide assortment of
friends and family that filled the room.
It was lovely to see all these people come to send Jane's thirtieth off
with a bang and it reminds me of how well she's settled down there. She
has friends and family that love and adore her and I couldn't wish for
anything more for my sister.
On a selfish note its always great to see the boys from Wez's stag do,
we all bonded on that day/night and its just great to catch up with
good friends.
One final point about the meal. It was without a doubt one of the
nicest three courses I've ever had but its the first time I've been at
a table and been presented with a bill that runs into four figures.
Quite a culture shock I have to say.
However when we presented ourself at the bus to go home the driver
asked if we'd been to a wedding and we explained it was Janes b'day.
Contary to everything you may have heard about grumpy bus drivers or
London transport in general he smiled widely and waved us onto the bus
for no fee! Awesome!
Sunday we all felt remarkably fine which was fortuitous as the Horan-
Healy clan were gathering for one of Paula and Joan's legendary
barbeques. Sadly no one had thought to mention this to the weather
which then felt duty bound to bucket with rain for the next few hours.
Paula and Joan, of course, had a backup plan which involved some
serious catering-standard George Foreman grills and the food was served
deliciously and on time.
All in all I think we counted over forty people there to wish Wez and
Jane happy birthday and I've met the family enough times now that I
feel comfortable with everyone. I'll freely admit its a little
unnerving at first but that's only my own apprehension nothing to do
with how warmly myself and the rest of the Welsh lot are greeted. The
beer helps of course.
Monday we rose late and recovered through careful application of bacon
butties and coffee and all too soon we were waving goodbye to everyone
and heading back north.
Roll on our next southerly visit for the August costume BBQ!
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