Update 27 - A wee wedding

Tuesday. Arriving in Edinburgh:

Life returns to Norway...'tis the season for sneezing!Last week we hoped onboard a plane headed for Scotland.At the airport we met my friend Johnno and picked up a little hire car.It just so happened that Svein & Yvonne were getting married near Edinburgh...so we also had the chance to see John (old friend from high school who now lives in Edinburgh).And we got to meet his lovely girlfriend Tia :)Mmm pieWe had arrived on the sunniest day of the week. So we made the most of it and went for a walk to meet up with Bruce, Svein & James for a drink.There's Edinburgh Castle in the background. John and Tia live a 5 minute walk away which was very convenient.This area is called the Grass Market.And here are the boys! Svein...the groom to be. And brucey baby.It was great to see James again too. He's been living in Japan for the last few years. He was also going to be the best man at the wedding.Cheers!Another pic of the castle...Walking back home. John and Tia live in that building directly ahead.That night we ate at a nearby Japanese restaurant.Sake...yum!and agedashi tofu!The sushi was great.A street bum.It stays light here almost as long as it does in Oslo (something I hadn't really thought about until we were there).

Wednesday. Where’s that Travelodge?

The next day Dan and I grabbed our old map we'd bought 2 years ago at a car boot sale in Bath (and left with John).Tia told us directions to the bridge over the Firth of Forth which were more helpful than the map considering we didn't know where we were to begin with.Dan tried to fit in with the locals in Glenrothes shopping mall by yelling out 'what the fark are you looking at?'.We didn't know where the Travelodge was either until we drove past it...luckily! And shortly after Bruce rocked up.That night there was a dinner organised at Balbirnie House for the wedding guests from abroad to meet each other.It was only a 5 minute drive from the Travelodge and we stopped along the way for photos (of course).Barnabie House was surrounded by acres of parkland and a golf course.Yvonne is that you?The view from Yvonne's room. The immediate family were staying here at the House.This was the bridal suite (is that what it's called?).We hung out here for a drink before heading to the lounge area for another drink.The room was ok...nothing flash ;)Svein and Dan at the bar...Woohoo, olives!The dinner was a delicious 3 course buffet and that meant trouble!Dan, Bruce, Jo (Yvonne's sister) and her fiance Cal.We got to meet Svein's Aunty and Uncle who had come over from Norway.This possibly doesn't look as nice as it could with the way I pilled it all on my plate...but it tasted damn good!The pre-wedding dinner was a great idea.Mmm dessert.

Thursday. The Wedding Day (get yer kilts on):

But nothing can top my Travelodge breakfast pack.On the day of the wedding we drove to a nearby town in search of a quick lunch.We found something quick to eat. The lady also sold us 2 donuts for a special price. We realised why after biting into the first stale one.Then we hurried back to our room to get ready for the wedding! A fullsize bus stopped by our hotel to pick a bunch of us up.It was a nice surprise to see Roisin and Darren at the Travelodge too! We met them in Sydney a few years ago before they returned home to Dublin.The boys looked great in their kilts.Ooo the wedding was about to start. This was the first wedding that Dan and I had been to together.Looking good guys! Here's Dan in his first suit :)Yvonne looked absolutely gorgeous.As did Svein!Jo was a beautiful bridesmaid.Aww...And now it's time for more photos.This is the most dressed up Dan and I have been...ever.James. Dan. Bruce.Darren and Roisin :)Matching manbagsSvein's mum looked beautiful too.Ok now everyone...say dinne ken!Little Eve had a lot of energy. She ran in circles for a good 10 minutes.Dan got the munchies. Luckily he found something to eat.Having a drink or 2...Darren enjoyed the local scotch...he REALLY enjoyed it.Cheers!The cutting of the cake.We followed the masses into a large dining room and then stood and clapped as the bridal party entered.Once again, the food was amazing.Jo and Cal...aww :)Our table.Sick of photos yet guys?YES! Our chicken breast was stuffed with haggis.And Dan was stuffed too!Svein was pretty happy about his new ring.Unexpectantly Svein gave his speech in Norwegian...which caused the english speakers to burst out larfing.Bellies full of food and drink!We were all having such a fun time. It was great catching up with everyone again.Here ya go...the photo you've all been asking about!I went to the toilet and missed their first dance...but I got the 2nd one at least :)Bruce dances with the bride.Helen (an old friend of Yvonnes), me, Darren and Roisin!Having a blast.Helen and Yvonne have a dance.Svein is popular with the ladies (Yvonne is a lucky gal).Gemma and Bill. They live in London and are getting married later this year.A photo from Svein's classy buck's night.John and...er...uh oh...I've forgotten her name! But they were having a fun night too :)Starting up the scottish dancing segment...The onlookers...Svein's parents having a dance.Bruce tried to steal Dan away from me...but I managed to win him back with my dancing moves.Woohoo! Dancing away with Goli & Gemma & Bill.At the end of the night the bridal party danced in the middle of the dance floor......while we all danced around them. It was a crazy fun night and we were so happy to be invited to such a beautiful wedding!

Friday. Nursing a hangover:

Next day's breakfast.Heading back to Edinburgh over the Firth of Forth bridge (yep I love saying that).Stopping to get a photo.Back at John and Tia's place. We veged out with our hangovers and ate pizza...decent pizza!Tia ordered chips with her chinese....CHIPS?? Then we all started eating them :)

Saturday. Spot of sightseeing:

The next day it rained...and rained. Then it rained slightly less and we went out for a walk.We walked to the castle.Then down the royal mile.As you can see here.If it was a sunny day it would've looked a lot like this.We went into an old cathedral.Well first we stood outside an old cathedral.This room was filled with amazingly detailed wood carvings.And then we saw this! Anyone for a battered cheeseburger?Mmm the chips were good.Love is lovely. Good is good.This dog statue is a tribute to Greyfriars Bobby.Hanging out in Greyfriars graveyard.It was great to finally meet Tia :)!That afternoon we went to a chinese restaurant and ate sludge...it was tasty sludge tho.and of all things to order...Tia got chips! Surprisingly they tasted good with the leftover sauces...mmm.We also pigged out on dim sum.That night we went to a local pub for a drink.About midnight Bruce rocked up and we followed him to a reggae club.We'd never been to a reggae club before. It was cool man.Stopping for a kebab on the way home...The next morning we drove to the airport, returned the rental car and boarded a plane back to Oslo. (which still has some snow on the mountains!).