A slow day at home in Dulwich contemplating the start of a New Year. Yesterday in Iraq, Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging. Gruesome pictures of him actually swinging from the rope are all over the news; surely a certain way to make him a martyr in his own country. The whole Iraq invasion, the current civil war and now the expose of Hussein’s hanging is a huge mistake, from start to now, it certainly is no where near over. Iraq will be the sad and painful legacy of both Blair and Bush and I fear a legacy that ordinary people in the West and the middle East will suffer from through terrorist attacks and retribution. Happy New Year! On to important issues, I watch Ronaldo score another two goals to extend United’s lead at the top of the table with a 3 – 2 win over Reading. Chelsea are held at home by Fulham to a 2 -2 draw. Sheffield United beat Arsenal 1 – 0. The footballing Gods are looking favourably upon United as the year comes to a close; let us hope that it continues in the new year. Arrive by taxi at the Chardon restaurant at 7.00 p.m. We are, as is our custom on this occasion early, the waitresses are just finishing their supper when we walk through the doors. We receive what is now a customary greeting from Beatrice the main woman in the place. She is lovely, we receive and give great hugs and kisses. We have a Kir Royal whilst we chose from the splendid menu. Carol starts with Oysters which I help out with, I then have the Fois gras, fish and a few mouthfuls of the sorbet. We manage on just one bottle of very fine Sancerre. The taxi picks us up from the restaurant and we are sat in the pub (now with Kooky) supping vintage Verve Clique with a second bottle on ice awaiting the arrival of the New Year. After the initial bottle of champagne we revert to type, Carol is on Cider, I am on Guinness with only Kooky sticking to the water. We see the New Year in, the first as a married couple and wish the bar staff a Happy New Year (we also buy them all a drink!). We text and call the usual suspects and wish them all the best. The second bottle of champagne remains unopened so we take it home with us when we retire at close to 1.00 am. I am feeling decidedly jet lagged, so much so that I am violently, projectile sick and quite ill for much of the early hours of 2007! I am slightly puzzled as I haven’t had that much to drink and what I have had has been consumed over a six hour period with lots of water to boot. Perhaps I just can’t hold my drink any longer or it is a sign to have a healthier life in 2007!   more »

Gerald Ford, who took over the US presidency after Richard Nixon “resigned” in 1974, has died aged 93. He’s the only US President never to be elected. Allegedly 320,000 people attend Boxing Day fox hunting meets. Retailers have one of the busiest days of 2006 with sales drawing millions of shoppers including Chrissie and Mark who have headed for Regent Street, London, in search for bargains; perhaps they will find plenty of fox fur coats on offer! Carol goes for a run with Nicky from next door – how disciplined and I watch the TV so as to recoup my strength in an attempt to live as long as Gerald Ford!   more »

Shane Warne takes his 700th Test wicket as England are bowled out for 159 in Melbourne in the first innings of the fourth test. Warne will retire from International cricket after this Ashes series. So last Year, Jack and I not only got to see England win the Ashes we saw Warne’s last English test appearance at the Oval. Probably the best wicket taker of all time! After yesterday’s brilliant celebrations, I feel just slightly better than the English cricket team facing yet another defeat and probably a whitewash! Well I am very white (pale) and I have had a wash. Said goodbye to Jack who is having Christmas lunch with his grandparents. Walk to the Chardon, which is bracing and hopefully helping me recovery from the rigours of partying too much. The lunch is at noon, which seems to early but on reflection is a blessing as we didn’t have time to visit the pub for our normal Christmas day pick me up! The soup is a real winner and steadies the swell in my stomach. I munch through the traditional turkey and the roast spuds, by the time I have polished off the Christmas pudding and custard I am a new man. Although I have chosen the wine, I have not had a drop of alcohol with my meal, which has allowed Carol, Chrissie and Mark to have a good helping of the Sancerre which they all agree is excellent. We walk back home around 3.30 p.m. having lunch early was certainly a very good thing. We are now ready to fight the heavy eye lids and watch a Harry Potter film. The eye lids win all round.   more »

Despite not going to bed until 4 ish people are up and about and we all pour over to the pub for Sunday lunch - a full roast with all the trimmings. Surprisingly the food goes down well, as does a few cleansing ales. Jim and Jamie pitch up to collect Ben and Sophie and we have another beer. Everyone recalls having a good time (save Kim who is conspicous by her absence...). Fond farewells, hugs and kisses and retire home for a bit of a rest!   more »

11.40 pm We move from the pub back to house and Ben is in charge of the music and the crates of Champagne – Verve Clicque – are opened and consumed at an alarming rate!!! People are singing and making merry; it is a real hoot and the party closes around 4.00 a.m. I think mainly because I am now in charge of the music! Jack, Ben and Sophie stay, as does Linda, Katy, Becky, Chrissie and Mark. The house if full, everyone surely has had a great time.   more »

9.30 pm We have moved on to the Greyhound pub in Dulwich village – we have a little spot reserved for us – we move on to the beers and Guinness and we are joined by our faithful hounds Kooky and Jake, they are just brilliant and no trouble whatsoever! We give all our guests a present of an individually chosen football shirt. United 1968; Celtic 1967; Cup final City shirts; West Ham; Brazil for Kim; a Brighton and Hove Albion shirt for Sophie – she loves it – and an Ireland shirt for Cat! Ben puts his on and others do the same – the team are really doing well!   more »

6.30 pm Arrive at Beauberry House for Wedding dinner. It is dark – the House is all lit up and looks fantastic. United are playing Middlesborough which is on the TV – so we have a few more cleansing ales, United win 2-1. We have a photograph session with Ben doing a great job and then get ready for the meal. The meal is “Asian fusion” cooked by a French chef and everyone gets to choose from la carte menu. Food is very good indeed. Jack does his speech, which is fun ny and loving and very touching and he obviously cares very much for Carol which is so special. Carol performs her speech which brilliant, she is very fluent and relaxed and loving and sends lovely message to everyone especially Jack and to me. My turn and Carol’s mobile goes off as she is trying to reorganise the taxi (again) because the meal is over running and the first taxis have gone away. She speaks the whole way through my attempts to speak so I just give up – I am not best pleased!!! Throughout the meal Kim, who is sitting next to me has not been terribly communicative; I speak to Carol, Ben and Sophie and others – I am not totally relaxed however everyone is tucking in and having a good time. Most get in taxis and go to Dulwich Village , Jim, Linda and I walk.   more »

4.10 pm We stroll down to the Bluebird for post ceremony champagne and canapés. Walking down the King’s Road, lots of people (strangers, Christmas shoppers) waive and congratulate us; it feels very good! A man comes up and shakes my hand and wishes us well – how good is that – weddings and happiness are infectious. The Bluebird from my point starts off not great as there is no one to welcome us, there is an old woman sitting in our reserved area – I am probably the only person who minds! After a bit the champagne is served, Jack proposes a toast and everyone settles down and relaxes. Jamie and Cat look like they are very relaxed! Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves although Kimmy is a bit withdrawn. We leave at 5.30 pm in the cars and head for Dulwich.   more »

We leave the registry office with fantastic inner glows– I am sure that the commitment we have just made will make a positive difference. There is confetti flying around and Ben (the official photographer) takes more photos.   more »

Carol enters the room looking absolutely radiant – the dress is great but most of all it’s her sparkling eyes and beaming smile – she is so obviously happy. The ceremony goes well although I did initially pick up the wrong ring! At the end part of the ceremony I perform the reading of Anam Cara. We are man and wife - brilliant!   more »

3.00 pm In the registry office – I am a bit tense and am giving poor Jack a bit of a hard time as he is asking me questions, like where to put reading, that I don’t know the answer to! Have the interview with the Registrar and move into the Rossetti room. There is a natural tension in the air! Awaiting arrival of the bride and her group!   more »

12.30 pm We meet up with the McGachys in PJ’s restaurant for brunch. Really good, everyone is happy and on form and we drink champagne and have Egg’s Benedict and pancakes. Ben takes photos and people chat... The weather is bright and we stroll down the road and in to a small pub for a cleansing ale to ensure that we do not bump into Carol’s entourage. We then move on to Chelsea registry office for the ceremony.   more »

Have breakfast in the room – porridge! Get ready and meet up with Jack, who surprisingly has been up and out getting hair gel and stuff. I give him his present for being Best man – a gold coin with Yes on one side and No on the other – it may just come in helpful!   more »

Leave Dulwich mid morning and arrive at hotel in Chelsea to drop my things; I am informed that we are no longer booked into hotel and have been booked into the Four Seasons at Park Lane – compliments of the hotel. I am incandescent. The hotel has been booked for months, they could of phoned in advance, they just think money is the answer to everything – I am furious! Get taxi to Four Seasons and check in. Jack and I have individual suites. Get taxi to King’s Road to get my haircut. Abandon idea of having dinner in Chelsea (restaurant booked in advance) and meet Jack and Jamie in pub at the Borough, Bermondsey. Jack has flown down from Manchester and met by Jamie at City airport. Move on after a few pints of Guinness to Turkish restaurant, very good. Return to Jamie’s apartment. The McGachy team from Hastings arrive; Kim, Jim, Ben and Sophie. Good to see them all, after a few drinks we move on to the hotel where Kim and Jim are staying. Cat arrives at the hotel and after a few drinks Jack and I get a taxi to Four Seasons. We have a 1.00 am room service snack and watch some cricket (The Ashes). I retire to bed.   more »