The finish line

Ride London came to Maldon High Street again today and Taylor and Angelique got married amidst it all.  Road closures meant that it would have been a lot of work to drive anywhere near the town so I had decided that if the weather was OK I'd walk.   My fascinator got several compliments on route and since the bride requested we don't share any wedding pictures online until Tuesday you get to see it here.

I chose the style from a collection that Mad Hatter had on display at her recent pop up event and she made it in my choice of colour and met me to deliver it.  I love these blip connections.

I was able to watch the cyclists speed down Market Hill, shortly after the  start of the cycle race and then cooled down at the gnome cafe with an iced tea before heading to the Moot Hall.

The groom had permission to drive through the road closures and arrived right on time,  with Grayson and his best man
Grayson was sporting a tartan bow tie to match the tartan on the mens kilts.  The bride was in a iridescent blue with hand painted wooden buttons down the back, depicting signigicant places, people or moments from their relationship and wonderful, colourful shoes. 

We were seated, for a significant period of time, around the lawyers table in the 17th century jury room for the ceremony.

The ceremony was lovely with various pauses and giggles as the event commentary, supporter noises and Grayson punctuated what was being said.  There were 2 readings, including 


Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog

by Taylor Mali

Falling in love is like owning a dog
First of all, it’s a big responsibility, especially in a city like [insert city].
So think long and hard before deciding on love.

On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: when you’re walking down the street late at night and you have a leash on love ‘ain’t no one going to mess with you.

Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defence?

On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breathes and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs. It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad.
Bad, love, bad!
Very bad love.

Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper and swat love on the nose, not so much to cause pain, just to let love know don’t you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk. Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting. It pulls you in several different directions at once, or winds around and around you until you’re all wound up and can’t move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go. People who have nothing in common but love stop and talk to each other on the street.
Throw things away and love will bring them back, again, and again, and again.

But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops


Whilst the signing and photos took place I got to chat to the guests either side of me and, at times, to listen into their conversation.

After the formalities we were able to explore the building but as I've visited before and knew the ceiling height would not work with my twiddly bits I chose to stay on the balcony and watch the cyclists finish the race.

Once the elite riders were through we walked as a group to the reception aboard the Hydrogen.  It was a carnival atmosphere with wedding pendants at the front and rear and several guests dragging ropes with cans.

On the boat there was food, drink, speeches and dancing with the bride changing into some fabulous footwear for the evening.  The DJ Laura, who'd completed a London to Paris cycle ride with Angel years ago, asked about my music preferences and told me what her playlist brief had been.  I knew that mine and Angels taste in music is very different and I was pleased to leave before we got beyond the 70's and 80's disco tunes.

It was a long day and I particularly enjoyed chatting with Taylor about his sporren. I was a little sad to miss parkrun as it helps keep me grounded but it was a privilege to be invited.  What a pleasure to see the love and energy shared by them and all of their friends as well as the attention to detail at every stage of the day