Day 9

The Wedding Day! I didn't mention there is a schedule posted so everyone involved in anything need only glance at their schedule to know where they are supposed to be at any given at what time. Our time was prepping Pimm's at 10a. As we arrived we were turned back by Laila saying it was all done and the schedule was wrong. Oh my, I felt so bad, but we were following the schedule. Since it is too early to dress for the wedding now, we walked around the grounds and then went back to our room. I had time to type the blog for yesterday and start this for today, but unfortunately I cannot seem to get the Wi-Fi to work on my laptop. It does work sporadically on my phone and I have had a couple of messages via What'sApp, but no luck with the laptop. The place is hustling and bustling around us as the caterers are here and things are being set up everywhere around the venue. We are staying out of the way for now!

John around the fort

The Fort

So we relaxed a little while and then got dressed, that didn't go smooth. We had plenty of time but right when John went to button his brand new white dress shirt, the top button popped off. Fortunately, I had a sewing kit and he could sew the button back on. However, it almost made us late for the roof top drinks. As it was, things ended up running late, which is so typical with weddings. After the roof top Pimm's, we were called to go down the spiral staircase and be seated at the wedding site. (Pimm's: A liqueur of sorts that is made of vermouth, gin, and orange curacao. One mixes that 1/3 with 2/3 lemonade. The glass has some ice, fruit pieces, and a mint leaf. It is a refreshing and popular summer drink here in the UK.)

The wedding venue was lovely. Each chair had a ribbon which held a heart embellished name tag so you knew where to sit. That was nice. Tawny had given me a white parasol to use if the sun was too much, but it was fine. I ended up giving that to one of her granddaughters because I could not fit it in my suitcase. It was so lovely and I wanted to keep it but it was not meant to be. Anyway, we waited a bit longer and finally the Bride was on her way. The ceremony was nice and 3 of their children read some quotes that were very nice. Then they exchanged vows and a ring. After that they sat in the gazebo area and filled out the registration for the wedding. Apparently that is they way it is done here. Photos were taken of that and afterwards the certificate was given formally to the Bride. Interesting, different than we do things. Now it was time for rose petal confetti brought from home and other natural flower confetti others brought. The older grandsons passed all of that out, it was thrown, and more photos were taken. We proceeded to the lawn area for a group photo and then they took some family shots while we went over to the drink area and had our choice of drinks: Red wine, white wine, beer, Pimm's, squash (juice), etc. As we sipped they finished their photos and hor d'oeuvres began to be served. These were fantastic! "Bait white fish" was the first one. This is a small fish (smaller than our surf fish), coated, deep fried and dipped in tartar sauce, scrumptious! Then came Cornish Crab claws accompanied by another delicious sauce - what can I say, this is just fantastic as well. We also had a tiny round toast with a mild horseradish sauce and a tender piece of beef on top of that. The final one was a tiny tartlet - I'm not sure what was in it, I think it had caviar but I'm not sure. Of course that was a lovely presentation as well.

The Bride and her Son

Now we are called to move inside for the dinner! More red and white wine is served, squash and water are also served if desired. First is our salad course, with Indian spiced cured salmon, Deviled Cornish Crab and asparagus salad on a potato pancake with micro greens, finished with lemon, fennel and coriander seeds, infused with hollandaise. Our next course was Pot Roasted Leg of Cornish Lamb. It was the best lamb I have ever eaten. It even topped that we had in Greece over Easter one year. On the same plate with the lamb was tender, roasted red potatoes. Side dishes were also served, glazed carrots, broccoli with other greens, and au gratin potatoes.  Everything was delicious, we felt like we might explode by now. Then there is dessert. I must look up the name of that also. It was a lovely meringue with a clotted cream with Blueberries, Strawberries, and mixed berry coulis.

Time now for a Champagne toast for the Bride and Groom. This was also a time for "speeches" and various people got up and told stories of their acquaintances with George and Tawny. Most moving was George's son talking about his father, he even choked up a bit, I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye in the place. They asked us to say something, and we did, but what we said could not surpass some of the fun and touching stories others shared. This was immediately followed with cake cutting, another toast and serving of the cake. They do it differently here. The cake was sort of a moist and delicious fruit cake. That is the only way to describe it, but it was so much better than what we call fruit cake. The cake was covered with fondant and small slices were cut up and served on a platter. You were supposed to just pick it up and eat it with your fingers. Works for me! In addition to the cake there were platters of Cornish cheeses served. If only we could have eaten more… the food was fabulous! Time for that first dance and a few more. We are almost pushed to the dance floor and my camera take by Toby, Tawny's son.

Now we are heading back outside to the lawn area for the sunset and a special surprise for George and Tawny from their son-in-law Pete. They have set up luminaries with hearts on them and votive candles inside. Then sparklers are passed around and lit for a glittery and glowing evening. By 9:30p most are saying good night, us included. Such a fabulous day and experience here at Polhawn Fort we are filled with appreciation and overcome with exhaustion at the same time!

Sparklers

Sunset