What has Andy gone and done now…?

So, the main purpose (or rather excuse!) for me travelling to the other side of the world was to go the wedding of my cousin Marty to the lovely Sheree…and lo and behold they have just tied the knot on Saturday…Sheree is now Mrs Kennedy and Marty is now…..trapped..!!..haha…

I’ll just stick up a load of photos (not particularly good ones but it’ll give you an idea nonetheless) for those that might be interested.  The ceremony took place in a big area of native bush that belongs to Sheree’s folks, and is just an amazing place – they have spent the past seven months working non-stop to get the place ready and the result is just amazing…I know my photos won’t do it justice, but hopefully you’ll get some sort of idea…

We then went to a local hall that we had decorated the night before for the reception, where for once I didn’t actually have to make a speech..!!..although I was MC for the evening so did take the opportunity of saying a few words while the mic was in my hand (not like me!?), and I passed on best wishes from all the crew back home…

Sean, Marty, Johnie (the best man) and myself outside the house before going to seal Marty’s fate

A couple of nice ponds built at the entrance to the wedding area – the water ran out of the ponds, down a waterfall/stream and under…

…’Marty’s Bridge’…this was actually built from scratch by Marty and is a masterpiece!  The water then flows on down into a stream which runs through the bushland

The ceremony area itself – lots of seating was made, an isle, and a gazebo…

Little Kiera (my new best mate!?) – Des (my other cousin – Marty and Sean’s older brother) and Renate’s  little girl…she walked down the isle first spreading rose petals…

…followed by the star attraction – Sheree with her Dad…

They both made their own vows and managed to remember them all word for word – big effort!

awww…think I might cry…

Zoomed out a bit just to show you…um…the back of peoples heads…

Get a room..!!

Marty looking remarkably calm for someone who has just signed his life away…or is that nervous laughter…?…

Kiera stole my camera for a bit and the result was lots of photos of the ground and people’s knees…but she did manage to get this one of her mum and dad!!

Nibbles and drinks up at the BBQ area while the bridal party got there photos taken

Not a bad spot for a picnic…

Lots of space to sit around…

…or go for a walk along the bush paths…I helped build this one – it goes a way round the corner…to a dead end where there are a pair of nesting owls, or ‘morepork’ as they are called here apparently…

Johnie and Sean beside Sheree’s wheels for the day – a nice Ford Mustang..!!

Uncle Des doing what he does best…talking..!! ;o)

A few of us headed back to ‘our’ house after the reception, and of course Marty had to keep up tradition and carry Sheree across the threshold..!!

So there you have it – Marty and Sheree are now married…and I have only two days left in New Zealand…I am flying out of Auckland on Wednesday night and will be landing in London on Thursday night…the end of quite an adventure it has to be said…it’s been fun indeed…apart from all the travelling I did, it has been brilliant to be able to come over here and meet all the guys on their own turf!  I have finally met the legendary Sean and it has been great craic hanging out with him and Marty (perhaps a little hard on my liver mind you! Perhaps it was best that Pete didn’t come over and complete the foursome – the word ‘carnage’ comes to mind!?).  Des (Jr) and Renate have been brilliant as well, welcoming us round at all hours to watch the Liverpool matches on their massive HDTV (and Des also cooks a mean BBQ!), and of course it has been brilliant to meet wee Kiera and Cian – their 2 year old boy who is also a legend but I didn’t manage to get a photo of (he never stays still for long enough!?).  It’s been great being ‘Uncle Andy’ on the other side of the world and I’m going to miss them too..!!

I must apologise to Sean and Sheree for a not entirely flattering photo of them but this is about the only photo we managed to get of me and my new best mate Kiera having a laugh! )

Of course it was also great to stay with uncle Des and Debra in Sydney and then catch up with them again at the wedding, and also to catch up with my aunt Emma who I hadn’t seen in a very long time and meet the boys’ stepdad, Rob.  All in all a great trip and entirely worth every penny that I now definitely don’t have..!?

Oh, and did I mention I also met an awesome girl from London in Australia and am ever so slightly looking forward to seeing her again in a few days time in London..!! )  I’m not sure exactly how long I’m staying in London with Sal, but I should be back on the sunny shores of Northern Ireland by the end of April or first couple of days of May…I know I know – you must be sooooo excited..!! )

So, I guess this is the last blog entry I will write on my travels, although I will write at least one more when I get home because I know you would all be terribly worried if I didn’t bring this beautiful story to a conclusion with a few photos of me home safely…so until next time…come on Liverpool against Arsenal!!..7am kickoff on Wednesday morning…can’t wait to get back to watching matches at proper times..!!..peace..