Two weddings and a locksmith

 You never stop helping your children especially when need arises!!!!!


The estuary near Leigh on Sea from the train.












Our youngest was to be chief bridesmaid at a wedding down in Eastbourne while were to attend a friend's daughters celebration of marriage in Southend. We were going to stay at her flat in London on the Friday evening and travel by train on the Saturday. She was going to travel down first thing Friday. 

On Friday morning I texted to ask how her journey was going from London. "The trains are not running at all" I could hear the panic in the text. No trains. No buses available. What else could we do? 

'Okay we will take you and leave home earlier than planned'. "You can't do that". Well she had no other real option. So having packed the car we drove to London. Unloaded our suitcases and wedding clothes at the flat and took her onto Eastbourne. Of course the Blackwell tunnel was a pain to get through. It was getting late and we needed food. So we ended up before closing time getting fish and chips in Tunbridge Wells. Finally we arrived about 11.30pm. Then we turned around and headed back to London we did not see Eastbourne. The Blackwell tunnel was a pain again as just one lane was open as we approached so the traffic crawled. But we made it back to the flat by 1.30pm pleased to have helped and ready for bed. It was just a bit of an adventure and all was back on track. 

Or so we thought.

Jill had unlocked the flat door and thankfully we went in. Only thing was the key remained in the lock and would not budge. We couldn't lock the door and we needed to be on our way in the morning. So we had no choice. A quick google and a locksmith was contacted. By 3.15am he arrived to give me the bad news that while he could get the key out, on further investigation the lock was in fact broken. Once more with now choice I had him  fit a new lock and I paid the bill which was a bit of a shock.

Finally I got to bed post 3.30am and before I knew it we were waking up not exactly fresh for the day. ahead. Thankfully our train was running and we got to Southend in good time. Hearing the familiar accent of fellow passengers was kind of fun having been part of our lives for a number of years. We took the time to go down to the seafront which was busy with many day visitors from London.



Checking the route we decided that we could walk to the venue as we had plenty of time.  'The Boundary' was a mere 45 minute stroll meaning we could get our steps in. Of course the sun then began to shine more brightly and we did get slightly warm on route. 

Meanwhile chief bridesmaid had ensured the bride in Eastbourne had her makeup on and arrived safely at the registry office and all went well for the rest of the day there.

Our ceremony was held within the cricket score board building very much like a barn, and it was led by a lay celebrant who was a humanist. Then a stroll around the cricket pitch to the marque for a glass of bubbly and lots of conversations catching up with those we came to know when I was a minister in the Southend and Leigh Methodist Circuit. there was lots of catching up on each others children and news of grandchildren were shared. As the afternoon progressed into the evening a live band began and eventually we needed to get back to ensure we made a  train but friends kindly took us to the station. 

Exhausted but happy we arrived back at the flat and promptly fell fast asleep till well into Sunday morning. Daughter was able to get a train back so we caught up on each others weddings.

Yes it was a bit of adventure and we will remember the day for lots of reasons and yes you never stop if allowed helping your kids.



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