Holiday Wedding

We've just come back from 3 days in France for a family wedding; essentially 2 days of great food and lovely people bracketed by 12 hours on either side of foul weather and car journeys.

I've never been to Rouen before but I highly recommend it - a beautiful medeival town with not only the most glorious cathedral but an absolutely fascinating modern church in the middle which is simultaneously modern and gothic - lovely. Tiny cobbled alleys and so many cafes and pastry shops that it is not possible to spend more than 20 minutes in the town without putting on at least half a pound. The spud had two croissants for breakfast. And one for lunch.

The second day was the wedding and not only did my brother-in-law and his new wife book us into an hotel 30 seconds away from the reception but they also laid on a babysitter for us and another couple. And gave us adjoining rooms - so we got to take the spud home when he was knackered, open the door and have our lovely babysitter stroll into the room, introduce herself to him and take over while we went back to the festivities where the Spud's older cousins, having danced themselves silly were beginning to flag in their seats.

My new sister-in-law is Iranian and partway through the disco, on came some absolutely bewitching Iranian pop. All these gorgeous women hit the floor and started dancing so beautifully I instantly wanted to be catapulted into the heart of Tehran. Then I think I may have fallen asleep for a moment or two and so we went back to the hotel where the spud was blissfully asleep.

Next morning there were more croissants, more cousins and then a drenchingly awful, rainy drive back to the ferry, during which the spud kept up a running commentary about the passing cars until he announced he was 'going to sleep in the car' and within 5 seconds was blotto.

I have to say, it was a relief not to be flying - but it's even more of a relief to be home.