A fantastic weekend had, up in NW Scotland. I’d booked a day off on Friday, so hammered up there Thursday night, getting to the Ben Nevis Inn at around 10 pm. Met Heather & Popey in there who had recently arrived from Chamonix via a 20 hr ferry ride – quaffed ales with a worried eye on the weather, as it was trying to lift the roof from the pub. Dave and Tracey also arrived, generally beaming!
The next morning, the weather hadn’t relented. We decided to go to the Ice Factor after a decent breakfast, so went into town getting a few things and helping Dave pick out some last minuite presents for people.
Off to the ice factor for an hours climbing on the rock before 2 hours in the fridge. Played around with some different axes, but also spent some time working on technique, traversing, downclimbing, and ascending hanging logs (cos that happens a LOT in nature). Back to the pub for a pint, then out for a meal with the wedding party in town (I was an usher). Met stacks of people, including Tom & Maria, had a decent catch up & got to wierd out some of the extended family.
Saturday morning came, and with that we all set to work. There were a great many willing sets of hands, so much so that we completed a lot of stuff quite early, including rehearsing with Drew and Heather. Tracey’s execl organisation had been pretty detailed, but not that much of it involved me, so Tom and I bimbled down to Fort Bill to grab a brew & talk randomness.
I met Dave at the wedding site (about 400m from the pub, just off the main path up Ben Nevis). He talked me through what was wanted as I was in charge of getting everyone in the right spot. After grabbing suit, buttenhole and guitar, I headed up to the site & met the piper on the hill (piping his pipes). A quick check of the site, and then the stream of bodies began up the path. 20 mins later and we were ready, with Tracey 5 mins behind everyone.
The ceremony was a Humanist one, and the celebrant did a great job. Several readings of poems were done, lots of cheering was had, then Heather, Drew and I did a rendition of Newton Faulkners “If this is it”, which seemed to go down ok. Quite luckily really, as Heathers’ voice was pretty destroyed that morning! We got some photos, then back down to the pub for beers, meal, speeches, more beers, and then a storming Ceildh which ran for several hours. Good & young band, straightforward tunes, and I think there were no injuries. Well, I probably caused some but didn’t recieve any. Young Jack Pope really buzzed off the music – transfixed by these wierd sounds that were coming out. Made it til about 1am when I crashed and burned.
Sunday, up and away reasonably early – think I left by 10.15. Didn’t rush back, took time & enjoyed it, Home for about 4 after fighting with car for a bit (bonnet refusing to open & oil light on!)
Then hit Parbolds new cinema with Nige to view the hurt locker. Not bad for £3, although the seats are bloody firm and my arse has been giving me real pain for 2 days now (no comments 
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Will stick some pictures up in a bit, also check http://davidandtracey.net
