An international affair

I attended a ring blessing ceremony in the church at Hennock today. Ben & Amanda got married two weeks ago at home in Barbados. Ben's mum, Jane, a very dear friend of mine moved to Hennock with her parents many years ago, and today members of Jane's family, & friends came together to celebrate. Hawaii, Vietnam, Iran, New Zealand, Paignton, Milton Keynes, Chudleigh, & Barbados. Folks from all around the world gathered in Hennock parish church.
A small local congregation including two dogs with their owners in church, plus a very giggly young lad who sat at the organ & operated the music machine? for the hymns. A jolly elderly vicar completed the gathering. The architecture & elaborate carving always amazes me, & grabs my attention in these buildings. I certainly would'nt be volunteering for cleaning duties. One criticism, the pew seats were very shallow. Jane's brother Tom, photographer for the occasion.
We adjourned to the Palk Arms for refreshments where jugs of rum punch temptingly sat on the bar waiting for takers. So tempting. :-) Better drunk in the shade of a beach parasol in the West Indies, I settled for a half of Devon Red cider.
I walked Indie early, took Mum's blood pressure when I returned. Furniture still a little damp, but removed the carpet protection blocks from under the feet & legs. Cleaned the bathroom, then prepared Mum's meal for later. Still ample time to drive up to Hennock & hopefully find a parking space. A huge tractor, the width of the lane, hedgecutting. Flippin' 'eck!!! I managed to reverse into a gateway, the car behind would have had a lot further to go back. The joy of country living.

** Amanda, Ben, Jane, her partner, David, Julia & Jim, Jane's parents, who celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary tomorrow, complete the picture. **