I am getting old?

Last Friday our eldest son Zaidhe married Rhevy who lives quite close to the farm. This was just a small affair, presided over by the Mayor, as the church wedding will take place later. Paul, her father was widowed some months ago and many are convinced that to have a wedding in less than a year from a parent's death is ill-omened. So I pointed out that a civil wedding makes things legal and the "real" church wedding can take place after the period has passed.

But I really believed that marriage should take place now and so it transpired. And here are the young couple toasting each other in Chilean wine, although Rhevy's face after showed she did not really appreciate wine!
It was both sad and strange to see another going through what I had earlier. Becoming a widower is not pleasant and Paul had the worst of it since he could not even get back from working overseas as an Engineer to be with his wife at the end.
But Alice and I were pleased that at least a civil wedding was held and were happy to stand with the young couple at the ceremony. There is something charming about love; but I was pleased to hear the Mayor, for 31 years previously a policeman, give a solemn warning about the standing of marriage and pointing out that the jail was always ready to be of service to them if either strayed. I was particularly fond of this clear statement, as it rather reflects my views on how important marriage is.
And to complete the pleasures of the day even the wildfowl decided to show their happiness about a marriage!