13 April 2025
Following our arrival back in Brisbane, we found Amy and John heavily involved in planning for their next overseas teaching placement. We gathered that this would, in all likelihood, be there last before settling down up in the hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast; where they had already purchased a property to retire.
Initially they were set on an American school located in South Africa between Johannesburg and Pretoria who were offering a very good placement package but at the last minute this ran foul of Donald Trump's pillaging of worldwide foreign aid grants and so instead a school, in the fairytale city of Budapest Hungary was identified as a perfect alternative.
Coincidently with this planning, was the idea that perhaps the time was also propitious for taking the plunge into marriage......I mean the 10 year courtship was looking a little bit edgy . When eventually consulted, we applauded the idea but had no idea that it (the wedding) was to take place so quickly in a no frills ceremony in one of the many small wooden pavilions on the banks of the the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point. In keeping with this pared-back logistical event, was the decision to keep it a secret. So, there no 'Bands' read in the local church, no gilt edged invitations procured let alone sent out, no time to fit in either a 'Hens" or 'Bucks" night out and no special hats, gowns or even confetti was purchased. The event was in stark contrast to Ben and Sarah's wedding held years earlier on a party yacht during a sunset cruise around Darwin harbour.
We did well not to 'let the cat out of the bag', except to tell Amy's brother Ben and wife Sarah in Darwin who, without hesitation, booked flights down so as not to miss this rare family event. It was good to see all the family together for once to witness the occasion.
A day prior to the event, we booked Greca (a Greek restaurant down on the river at the renovated Howard Smith Wharf) for a surprise family lunch. Surprise it was, with Amy almost reduced to tears at seeing Ben and Sarah turn up suddenly at the restaurant bar. Earlier, we had ferried across the river and Brisbane reminded us all of its propensity for anti-social tropical weather events and let drop about 50mls of rain .....it bucketed down.....making trips to the toilet sans umbrellas a bit of a challenge! The food and service at Greca was great.
Late Lunch at Greca Restaurant
John, Sarah and Amy
The weather thankfully cleared the day of the wedding and the backdrop of the city skyline and newly completed Kangaroo Point footbridge was sensational. Maria chose to use a walker to get down to the Pavilion on account of some lingering back pain but was able to join in the rest of the festivities unworried.
The Wedding Pavilion
Waiting for 'lost' guests to unravel their cryptic summons to the Brisbane River
Almost Ready
Exchanging their Vows
and The Ring
Brother & Sister
All Over and Congrats all round
Amy & John's neighbours Jay & Roxy together with Penny Doust and Luisa Sala
Finally relief for parents of the Bride as well as for the newlyweds
Following the ceremony the wedding 'party' retired to the nearby Story Bridge Hotel and then back to Amy and John's home in Coorparoo for a supper snack of slow-cooked lamb in pita bread pockets. ......a big day !
Luisa and Penny - Old Friends from Darwin days