NZ BLOG 11 - THE WEDDING - Part 2

 

So, with a loaded car, literally to the hilt, including Jamie, Katie and Tash off we set to Wanaka. However, I couldn’t resist showing them Kawarau Bridge, to see if the bungee temptation would be too strong! 

Tash and Katie seemed up for it, especially Tash and a tandem jump too! But with some hesitation and a need to return to this area anyway in the future they swapped it for the more “leisurely” zip line! Next time, possibly?! 

So soon we were in Wanaka, just an hour’s drive from Queenstown to our five bedroom villa…not quite the views of the Queenstown residence, but still close to the lake, and also very close to the Edgewater Hotel, a rather salubrious venue for the big day.

The build up to the big day, now only three days away, was quite predictably a little stressful, more-so for some rather than others….I managed a morning away on a cracking two hour walk at the end of the lake, beyond Glendhu Bay at Diamond Lake reserve, taking the longer offering to Rocky Peak Summit…with outrageous views of Lake Wanaka and the mountain backdrop including Roy’s Peak and the Mount Aspiring range….I felt garbage previously with an awful nights sleep, but now relatively, I was much better, both physically and spiritually!

All was geared now towards the Big Day, with task after task

 being mainly completed…Jamie and I did a morning jog, my eighth in alternate days without a calf breakdown, fingers crossed it continues to progress 

There seemed no expense spared with the wedding, their choice, that’s fine, on various levels….all the lovely bridesmaids arrived to prepare on the day, with a beautician and a hair stylist knocking on the villa door at 7am. The bridesmaids all had lovely peach toga like dresses (worn in differing styles) but on preparation had matching gowns and soft shoes! All the dresses including the wedding dress were steam ironed previously, with yours truly assigned to collect in his dirty smelly travel car….I hasten to add the main dress did not go in my car, as insisted by the lovely lady at the collection point!

By midday on the Day, the photographer and videographer had arrived….do the Kardashian’s get more than this! 

Eventually party by party left the villa (all the boys were based at the venue) in the Munro family’s classic car - and all that was left was Becky and her Father (that’s me).

She looked beautifully magnificent, scintillating, and angelic… she blew me away visibly and emotionally, but it was me who had to stay strong, because Becky was justifiably a little anxious.

We did that final journey in the car just a few hundred meters, but then realised we left the brides bouquet at the villa! Well, the groom can wait a little longer…it’s tradition.

Sienna with cousin Isla led the way, and how cute Sienna looked in her little wedding outfit. Then after a delay, Becky and I walked slowly down the “isle”….everyone smiled and they were in appreciation at how radiant and beautiful Becky looked. 

The setting was not just outdoors: it was exquisite, perfect, adorable, even cinematic….on the hotel lawn, adjacent the lake, with the mountain backdrop….the weather was perfect, if a little too hot. 

The actual ceremony was wonderful, and everyone fell silent in quiet emotion to listen to Becky and Hamish’s personal vows….”I declare you husband and wife” was ultimately declared 

The afternoon continued in celebration and joy, and continued into the early hours (for some) to prolong the celebration in Wanaka centre.

The speeches by all were excellent, with special mention to Katie, for reciting an amazingly clever, poignant and wonderfully informative poem on her recollection on Becky as her sister, through those years, and the family….it truly was excellent. 

I was a terrible bag of nerves before mine, but once I stood up and spoke, the confidence boomed, the timing became relatively exquisite and the feedback after was modestly overwhelming….apparently having the audience alternating between laughter and tears….it’s in the preparation and t t t t timing! 

The venue dancing commenced quite late, allowing only a relatively short time before the venue curfew….I was atypically exhausted, more emotionally than physically (I had not drunk that much alcohol). The hardy continued into Wanaka, I headed for my sack! 

All in all a wonderfully successful day! And that’s an understatement. 

The following day there were some sore heads, but not mine….a cheeky breakfast at the Edgewater Hotel, where I think the staff thought we were all residents and then later I set off on another Hamish recommended trail ride, out to Lake Hawea.

The only disappointing outcome was that my calf muscle “went” again on a morning jog…just seems I’m never destined to get back to any level of jogging, never mind running! 

The journey to normality began on the Tuesday morning, although not straight forward….Hamish’s car was playing up and Becky was unwell, a combo of rare excess on her wedding day (who can blame her) and Covid!

After a little frustration and lack of information (what was that advice in my wedding speech? Don’t conceal and always communicate!  ) With the usual suspects of Jamie, Katie and Tash…we set off to Oamaru but back vía Queenstown!

Katie and Tash wanted to experience a couple of adrenaline soaked activities before leaving the area….due to the previous delay, we just made the pre booked Shotover Jet Boat but were too late for the bungee…..

4 hours later we arrived on the Pacific east coast back at base in Oamaru…..where to next I wonder? 

NZ BLOG 10 - THE WEDDING (build up) Part 1

Pre Hen Party

The Wedding of the Year was set for Sunday 12th February in Wanaka. But as part of the build up, I set off to join Becky, Hamish and Sienna on Monday 6th, in nearby Queenstown.

The last time I visited Queenstown was 1989, and I don’t remember too much except the incredulous unforgettable lake and mountain backdrop. The “Remarkables” are still rightly named, a classic alpine extended ridge of sharp pinnacles and promontories. But it’s unfair to exclusively select just that one range, the whole 360 degree vista is simply stunning, even with the high bar set by NZ standards.🙌

Contrasting beautifully with the dramatics of that Alpine frame, is the azure blue of Lake Wakatipu. The 3rd largest in NZ, with five rivers flowing in but only one out…subsequently there can be dramatic flooding. Also, the water is adjudged to be 99.9% pure, by scientists, better than bottled water!

In 1989 Queenstown did have a selection of adrenaline rushing activities, but now in 2023, the choice is almost limitless, it is tagged “The Adventure Capital of the World”….where you can launch yourself out of plane; jump off a bridge; zipline or luge down a mountain; jet boat down a narrow gorge…the list is endless! Leap, lunge or luge!

Arriving in the centre, this was a rare NZ experience. It was hectically busy, there were traffic queues in and out of the centre, the bars and restaurants were heaving…but still, this didn’t distract from the cinematic setting….in fact it gave vitality and excitement.

Our apartments were just out of town towards Frankston, with a lakeside location and views to die (pay) for! 😳

Very soon after arriving, the international visitors were due at the local airport…first Becky’s long term friend from Sheffield, Tash….followed shortly after by Jamie, Katie and Linda. Lovely hugs and greetings from all, even from Linda to me, but I’m afraid to say, that’s as good as it got…the less said the better! 🤷‍♂️🙄 The star of the show though was Sienna, with a lovely welcoming message on her “walker” and a little rucksack, bringing smiles from many other peeps awaiting their arrivees.

Hamish set me a cycle route the following day, a great 70k loop which initially sent me down Gorge Road to Arthur’s (he got around!) Point where the jet boats operated in the Shotover Canyon. I stopped on the lofty suspension bridge to observe, watching the boats, and hearing the adrenaline filled screams of joy….I flagged it for the bucket list!

Continuing with stunning countryside and backdrops, all administering joy and interest, and the next scheduled stop was Arrowtown. Sprung up in the 1860s following the discovery of gold in the Arrow River, there are still more than 60 of the original buildings remaining, giving it an exceedingly quaint appeal. I attempted to find a cafe, but there seemed to be a disproportionate number of bars, I decided to roll on!

Soon I sped down an extended arm of the Queenstown trail, I had a quick return 10k diversion I really wanted to include, a nostalgia trip: 

In 1989, admittedly due to excess beer, and peer pressure the night before, I did a regrettable bungy jump off the site at the historic 1880 Kawarau Bridge - devised by the legendary AJ Hackett, the very first bungy site in the World, opened in 1988, I clearly was an early test pilot!

And there it was! The memory of my all day headache came rushing back, but I had no ambition whatsoever in doing one again, irrespective of alcohol or peer pressure, I’ll leave that to the youngsters! Really great to see, and nostalgic…looking down into the 43m drop into the gorge, a lot of water really has passed since 1989 both literally and metaphorically!

I was soon flying down the trail to the side of the Kawarau river, heading back to base…it was simply jaw dropping! A great ride, thank you once again Hamish.

The following day the ladies headed out on Becky’s hen party, so a quality father and son day out was in store for the “boys”….and where to first! Of course, Shotover Canyon, jet boat….and what a ride it was too….really exhilarating and yes, the adrenaline did rush….at nearly 100kph down the narrowest of passages with protruding rocks flying past with what seemed like inches to spare, several 360 degree spins too…25 mins really was long enough, for this old boy! 

We popped up to see the views from the ski resort at The Coronet, and then stopped in Arrowtown for a beer, a final visit of the day to show Jamie the bungee jumping, but the last jump had been completed, so a return also with the girls perhaps later….and maybe, just maybe they may be tempted….watch this space!

A great day all round, finished off with an excellent curry in the rather frenetic downtown! 

The girls all arrived back in one piece, and apparently all had a great time, with no casualties, but more importantly Becky was fighting fit, for her big day….

And so Wanaka here we come, as we all got excited, and I’m sure some became a little positively apprehensive looking towards Sunday…..I cannot wait…..