Environmentalists say that every day an area the size of Wales is destroyed... Why is it never Wales?

Actually, I love Wales so I do feel a bit guilty about the joke.  We went there on the weekend, travelling down on Friday to stay at a lovely hotel for a wedding yesterday.  I have to day, the hotel was great.  On the Gower Peninsula it was a great place to stay, once I had worked out how to open the doors, and the kids loved it.  Not just because it was close to the beach, but because of the way the rooms were set out, having the space to play, clean and of course, watch Cbeebies on the large screen in the living room, and the televisions in their room or in ours.

We have been to Wales before (and I would return to the Gower Peninsula again), mainly because the best man at my wedding, Tony, lives there with his lovely wife Sally and their three kids, Dan Lowri and Tomos.  Mind you, I am hoping that I have spelt their names correctly.  And today, we met up with them on the way home.

So the wedding first of all, one which the kids loved, and so did we.  A cousin of my wife marrying a welsh beauty.  I had met the cousin before, and I do like him, and it was great to be there for his (and her) special day, one which celebrated their different backgrounds, with people flying in from across the globe to be there.  At the table I was on, there was one gentleman from Chile.  The kids were really good there.  Which was amazing as they were there for ages.  We got there are 1400 for the ceremony.  The legal stuff actually had been done the day before with close family and friends present, this being a day for everyone else to show their joy at the marriage of the two.  And it was an out door wedding, which was at risk of the elements.  Which considering that Wimbledon is about to start, was a brave decision. We found out later, that there was no plan B but as I said, if there was a plan B in case of rain, it would have rained.  Not sure if anyone (including myself) fell for that!  The vows that the happy couple made to each other were brilliant, and of course, reminds me of how wonderful a wife I have as the vows, about true love, apply to her as well.  After that it was drinks and a game of cricket, where the groom was caught out by the bride!  Start as she means to go on!  My daughter did find herself popular with insects, the wedding being held in a farm.  And after the tears, she was convinced to risk being bitten again (though I did not tell her about that) and the two kids and me walked around the farm looking at the hen, the cockerel and of course the two horses which my daughter loved.  I think that my son liked the chickens more, but they both loved seeing the animals.

They were great during the meal and at the end, it was time to dance, and both loved dancing.  Not that either of my children, or my wife and I could compare to the first dance between the happy couple.  Set to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now, it was a very memorable dance, and had some very impressive moves.  I have to say, the kids would have tired me out with dancing, but I hurt my knee on the dance floor which meant that I had to rest and watch.  After my daughter fell asleep on me (something that does not happen very often now) we later had to call it a night, though the couple and friends partied till three in the morning!

Anyway, come the morning, after my wife met other members of her family again who were present for the wedding, we went to meet up with Tony.  I have to say, I do feel guilty about messing him up a bit.  While we had mentioned to him a while ago we would be coming to Wales, we did not remind him until this weekend.  But his family and he met us at Margam Country Park.  And not only did all the kids (ours and his) have a great time, but we did as well.  One thing that I am amazed at is how few people there are there considering how great it is for kids and families.  It is a pleasure meeting up with Sally, Tony and their three kids, it is just a shame that we do not get to see them more often.

Anyway, after that, a long drive back to England.  And now time to rest...

Take care all.