Five wonderful years!

Yesterday, Richard and I celebrated five wonderful years of marriage! However, before I get to that I have some rather sad news.....

It is poor Bruce! At the moment he is sitting in our garage unable to move. He did a wonderful job of travelling more than five thousand kilometers in under four weeks, but then about two kilometers from home started having a few issues. He burped and gurgled his way home and then magically, sorted himself out again.

That weekend he didn't miss another beat, but the following weekend (last weekend) when we were on our way to do the Aspie thing (visiting steam trains) he got as far as Brixton (45 min from home) and decided that he could do no more! So this is how he came home.....

He is off to have a checkup tomorrow and to see if it is worth our while financially to have him repaired.  His MOT is about due and he has to pass a road worthy to get that so if the repairs he needs are too costly we will be on the lookout for another vehicle!

Last week was my first week back at school.  Let's just say that I think I will be in for a few challenges this year!  By the time I got to Friday I was exhausted and really looking forward to our weekend.  We had decided to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary by going to one of our favourite places int he UK, York.  We left yesterday morning and went up by train and I have to say we had THE most wonderful time!   

We set off early Saturday morning.  It turns out it didn't need to be quite so early however as the train to York was over half an hour late!  Not to worry, people watching in London stations is fascinating.  Eventually we were on our way and arrived in York just over two hours later. 

We took our luggage to the hotel and dropped it off and then proceded straight to some very famous tearooms, 'Betty's', where I enjoyed a totally delicious Yorkshire Cream Tea!  Harvey of course, was terribly impressed.  We had to queue to get in there and it was well worth the wait, particularly as it meant we managed to avoid a very heavy shower and sit inside where it was dry while the queue continued to grow longer out in the rain!

From 'Betty's' we decided to go to the Jorvik Centre.  It is a fascinating museum about the Viking's who lived in York.  I had been there before in 1998, but Richard had not been so off we went!  It has changed quite a bit since 1998, so I am pleased we went!

Next it was off to National Rail Museum.  Harvey had apparently told Richard he really wanted to see it and this is why..... 

... Harvey got to sit on the train from 'Harry Potter'!

As we wanderered back into town from the railway museum we finally found the place a bus driver tried to send us to five and a half years ago. When he told us where he wanted us to go, I thought he was having a go at me (I had had a few wines that night!). Say the name quickly and then see if you would not think he was having a go!!

After Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate (you want me to go where?), we came across these guys (Morris Dancers) dancing in the street:

It is honestly one of the loopiest things you will ever see!  Grown men with bells on their legs dancing around and banging sticks together.  I couldn't help myself and had a great big smile on my face and this is what happened!

'What have I got myself into' says Ali...
'Let me see, let me see' says Harvey

Our first tentative steps

Feeling a bit like a goose!  It's a little like 'Strip the Willow' a Scottish reel.

Starting to bang the stick! ...ooh ...  Check out the new boots!

Obviously enjoying myself!

Now holding the stick properly and loving it!
.. poor Harvey's still trying to see what is going on!

A little sashay around the crowd for well earned applause!

A kiss from each of the boys!

Richard it wasn't me!  and on my wedding anniversary!

...and finally a photo with my new found friends the Morris Dancers!

Just one of those extraordinary life experiences!

After there we went back to the hotel and then went out for a vary romantic anniversary dinner.  We shared a bottle of the same champagne we had on our engagement night, but most importantly we renewed our wedding vows.  Every anniversary is special, but it seemed to me that our five year anniversary was a great one to mark.  So I took along a copy of our vows and surprised Richard with them once the champagne had been opened so that we could truly make a toast to us and this wonderful life we share.

This first five years has been incredible, who knows what the next five will bring!