Avril’s Big Adventure

Two weddings this weekend, both gorgeous. Both Durham graduates, living elsewhere, but returning to the homeland of their affections to seal the deal. Both weddings, surprisingly, had beautiful midnight blue bridesmaids dresses. One wedding was at Durham Castle, the other at the Cathedral. Snazzy. You’ll just have to wait for the lovely shots of those flowers, but if you’re desperate for some, then check out these lovely images by Karen McGowran of Friday’s wedding.

So Avril the van has had an exciting time recently, travelling around the county delivering flowers. Usually, I persuade the ‘handy man’ to do the driving, but this weekend, I drove her myself. Why I chose the weekend to drive through the town centre and up the narrow streets of the busy Bailey, I have no idea…

As I drove along, shrieking slightly, somewhat calmed by my helper for the weekend, Bryony, we wiggled our way along the streets, and onto Palace Green. We enjoyed a brief lap of honour around the Cathedral grounds before squeezing our way through the Castle gates, whilst onlookers laughed, and whipped out video recorders to capture the sight of a neon-yellow van driving prestigiously through to Durham Castle Keep. I wound down the window (squuuueaaaak squeak) and leaned out to say to the groom “I always like to make an entrance”, before parking the van in the courtyard. (Little did he know, as I stepped out of the van, shaking and pretty wobbly from the whole experience, I grabbed my camera in a matter of urgency and asked the lovely Bryony to take as many photos as she could, before cooly asking the chief usher where the chapel was and pretending that everything was completely normal.)

So here’s the shots of that memorable morning, and Avril’s great adventure to Durham Castle for the first time. For shots of the lovely flowers (including coveted David Austin’s) you’ll have to wait a few days…