MY BETTER HALF...

This woman is cleverer, funnier and stronger than I am. So she can certainly kick YOUR ass...

LEAST ACTION HERO...

So many deadlines and dinosaur incursions, so little time...

JOURNEYMAN...

Lay back and think of the air-miles I'm earning...

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Biarritz or Bust #7.2

Thursday 25th EVENING - No, one big event in the ballroom in a week wasn’t good enough for this reprobate bunch of journos, lawyers and actors, so Thursday evening was the ‘masked ball’. Firstly there was some filming of extra footage (probably forthcoming on the Director’s Cut DVD) and - with the main door finally being opened - a chance to greet guests in style (just mind the ping-pong table as you go through, please).
As festivities began much of the ensembled players sang to Ariel on the balcony. In what can only be described as a ‘D’oh!’ moment it would be MUCH later when I played back the video of said throng that I listened to the words, thought ‘Sounds like a Disney song, something about a character lacking feet….hmmm… that’s strange, oh must be The Little Mermaid, oh wait… Ariel… of course (slaps head)’ Everyone had donned masks and waited for Ariel to vote for best in show. My carefully planned ‘I’m behind the camera so no-one can see me…’ gambit failed miserably and apparently by utterly shameful begging on my knees didn’t win the day either. I’d have tried money but the Euro isn’t worth much at the moment).

Though I was on camera duties most of the time I did manage to put it down for some of the time. Enjoyed a dance with Holly, though I have two left feet when it comes to formal dancing (I’m more of a ‘free-style’ guy). Much fun was had on the dance-floor and afterwards with talking in front of the fire (not sure the climate warranted an open flame, but it looked picturesque.

Curling up on the sofa and long talks late into the night as everyone one by one drifted off was nice. With Friday being the last full day, making every moment worth it was important. Who wants to head home after a week like this?

Outside the temperature was perfect and even though I was ready for bed, there was enough time to step outside and look back at the house from the grounds - its various windows illuminated under a relatively cloudless sky. Picturesque doesn't cover it. It was like the final shot of 'The Waltons', only not quite as dated or wholesome. Then again, what is? ;)

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Biarritz or Bust #7.1

Thursday 25th. There was some confusion as to who was going to do what on Thursday. Though the Bilbao trip had been too early the previous day, I'd planned on accompanying the group that might start out much later on Thursday - probably to San Sebastian rather than all the way to Bilabo. However it soon became clear that with Ellen's car insurance not covering a journey across the border, spaces were suddenly very limited. While several people including myself wanted to go, there would never be enough room in Kit's car and though Kit had initially assured me a place, I felt it was only right to drop out and let someone with lesser access to Europe to take advantage. So, once again, it was a do-what-you-please-day and with the sun shining as nicely - as it had continued to do much of the week - there was no real problem.

Kerry decided to relax finishing her book and try to shake-off a migraine, so Ellen, Holly and I went for a quick two-hour trip around the local area in Ellen's car. We travelled through Urt (can you be travelling and In-Urt at the same time. Discuss?) and then up through a designated trail back towards Bayonne. The views were impressive and there was a nice relaxing atmosphere. We absolutely did not get lost at any point. Nope. Not a bit of it. And for anyone who might disagree, I would point out that WE - unlike the San Sebastian posse - actually found an open shop and came back with some supplies ;)

Later: thrashed Kit at table-tennis, then got thrashed by Kit at table-tennis. Objection sustained, dammit! Later still....the masquerade ball...

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Biarritz or Bust #6

Wedneday 24th May... Despite the success of the wedding, I think everyone let out a huge sigh of relief that all had gone well and from the Wednesday onwards there was less a sense of urgency and more a case of 'What can we fit in in the rest of the week?'. On Wednesday it was decided that everyone could do what they wanted, separately or together. Holly, Dean and Fran had planned in advance to go off to Bilbao, but though they ahd space in the car, was too tired to be dragged up for a 7:00am start so decided to pass (hence I eventually got up just before lunch). Some stayed at the chateau and some of us went into Bayonne (I think by this time, Kerry had seen Bayonne so many times, that the chateau and book-reading was a welcome quiet alternative... and as I keep telling Kerry to rest, relax and enjoy the week off - but her enjoyment usually seems to be involved in organising, creating and catering - the fact that she's actually quietly sitting reading is a victory! ;) ). Bayonne is just a short trip out anyway, and we're gone only a few hours. We had a look around Bayonne's main church and then enjoyed mucho eating. The highlight was a tie between my consuming of a crepe suzette AND a banana split... and the group viewing of Shaleah's impressive jugs.


The group divided up into girly shoppers ("Isn't it ironic we're going shopping in an American make-up store in Bayonne?") and the manly explorers ("Quick, let's make shadow-hand-puppets against the castle wall and discuss the velocity created if we fell off one of these battleme...THUD!")

Both groups headed home separately late afternoon and sedate relaxing ensued. With Dawson having left the evening/early morning before, there was no discussing of Buffy and no energy to stay up late. Holly got back late evening and by the time everyone else retired, the sound of contented Spanish-themed snoring wafted gently across the servants' quarters...

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Biarritz or Bust #5.x

Some pictures paint a thousand words.

Clockwise from top left:
1) Holy trinity, Batman! The bride, the groom and the pre-ordained.
2) Lighting of the candles.
3) Frock n roll!
4) I do, They did.
5) Olympic Pouting
6) The full chateau ensemble (minus the darned photographer!)
7) Candle-lit!
8) Come hither?

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Biarritz or Bust #5.2

The wedding went off without a hitch. Or rather with only one hitch which is the hitching that's supposed to happen. The non-chateau dwellers (we will refrain from calling them the tail section survivors as the Lost metaphor is getting old) came up from the villa/townhouse in plenty of time and around 7;30pm I went to get changed. I'd brought the traditional collarless suit (mandarin/grandfather style) which Kerry referenced in her 'vicars + tarts' speech. It's my best suit, what can I say... and looks somewhat spiffy even without the need for a tie.

As videographer/photographer I handled the tech side and the only annoying thing was that my own video camera somewhat cut off the very top off Kit and Ariel's hair/heads becasue they weren't standign quite where I thought they'd be. Photos were much better. The ceremony was lovely, largely candle-lit with the great idea of lighting candles one by one through the 'audience'.

God bless Dawson for starting his duties by quoting from The Princess Bride. "Mawwige..." surely a great omen of wonderful, lovely things and not a warning of rodents of unusual size. Dawson's speech was informal but poignant and his self depricating humour was balanced perfectly by the serious side of the ocassion. There were speeches, tears, vows and rose-petals and when all's said and done what else do you need?

A party perhaps, and one was forth and fifthcoming. Wine and beer mixed freely. The bridesmaids looked good enough to eat (peach-flavoured?) ALL the ladies looked great: Kerry, Holly, Laura, Tina etc, you looked fantastic. Ariel, this was your day. Guys, we washed and brushed up okay too! There was dancing and smooching and I-poding and can-can-can-ing. Though some energy would be saved for the 'masked ball' on the Thursday night, Tuesday ended and Wednesday began in the best way possible.

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