Jayesh & Priya Part 2

This week saw the big build up to Jayesh & Priya’s Indian Wedding, with the Sanjee lasting from Monday to Thursday, including a Michael Jackson night, an 80s Disco night and a Henna night, as well as a dramatisation of how Jay’s early years right up to his meeting Priya. This ‘play’ involved various members of the family including a short stint of myself playing a snippet of a famous bollywood song. It was a bit nerve-wracking but all very light-hearted and carried off with aplomb.

The Wedding itself was at a big hall in Harrow: a rather non-descript building from the outside but which disguised a very plush interior. Plenty of music and food and mingling. The evening reception was held at another venue in East Ham – the highlight of which was an MJ-style dance-off between Jayesh and Priya, with lots of other guys and girls joining in… All in all, pretty EPIC stuff!

Team Page Fundraiser

This Saturday Alien’s Team Page gang had arranged a fund-raising party for their BIG adventure: taking Mike Page’s resurrected Triumph/Ducati to Bonneville Salt Flats later this summer (see here for more details).

The party was held in a social club in London Colney, with a raffle plus live bands and all sorts of other amusements! The bike itself was unveiled and I have to say it’s an absolute beauty: there’s something very magical about it indeed. Twas a great night and a fitting send-off / launch party for the great escapade. Graham and Howard were there, as well as the Smiths themselves.

Karting with Adrian

This Saturday I joined Adrian up at Whilton Mill Kart circuit to take part in a charity day laid on by Club 100, who run a two-stroke Kart championship which Adrian has taken part in for the last couple of seasons. Being a complete novice I was almost completely out of my depth: little more than a passenger as I attempted to muscle the stubborn machine around tight bends with faster guys streaming past me on the inside, outside and sometimes both! I did improve steadily throughout the day though, and eventually started to enjoy myself. In the hour-long Endurance race I didn’t break any lap records but I also didn’t spin off once, which is what usually drops you down the standings more than anything.

Oddly enough, the next morning I went for a whizz on the Ducati and found myself paying much more careful attention to my lines into and through corners, which was a very welcome side-effect!

The Wedding Planners

We’ve been busy every week thinking and planning our big day. Invites have been printed and sent out, we’ve been to Brighton a couple of times to get my suit made, and Smeeta is still working out exactly what to wear on the day. It’s exciting! And daunting too, but in a nice way. We’ve been to the Registry office for our final appointment, and we’ve checked out the grounds and need to sort out some music for the ceremony.

We’ve been collecting beer bottles for EVER to use as table decorations and had been hoping to grow our own flowers for the day but they’ve not come on well enough with all the wet weather. The cake stands are ready though, and look just the job!

Jubilee Brunch

The Brunch Bunch convened this weekend in Sheffield at Mike & Lynda’s lovely house. The weather has been shocking so we didn’t get out very much, but we got a good selection of beers in Saturday and eat handsomely well. On Sunday we visited the local Museum, which the kids very much enjoyed. Always great to see the gang 🙂