farewell Cucaracha

A week after the stupendous event that was our wedding, we crashed our car (the Cucaracha). The Cucaracha was a black Honda Civic, that was indestructible (just like a cockroach).

Basically, it was dark and rainy and the lights were out at an intersection so we drove straight into it and another car smashed into the front of the car (and then hit two more cars and drove off). The airbags went off and we leapt out of the car and stood around in the rain for a couple of hours while the police did their thing. We were very, very fortunate that we had some very kind witnesses who followed Mr Hit-&-run so the police were able to catch up with him too.

We were all a bit bruised and battered, but very grateful to be able to walk away (isn't that what people always say?). As it happens, we had replaced one of the seatbelts in the car a couple of weeks earlier. It wasn't until the next day when Howard and I went back to see the car that I realised how close we had all been to getting squished.

We have been nervously waiting for the police report to find out more details. Finally, three weeks later, we received the police report. Happily, we found out that we were not at fault! Mr Hit-&-run was at fault, plus he had been drinking and was uninsured (bummer). We're waiting to hear from the insurance company before we start shopping for a new car...

Moral of the story: wear your seatbelts and make sure your car has airbags!

Thank you all!

Thank you everybody for being part of our wedding day. We had a beautiful time - it was amazing to see so many friends there with us! We both wish we could have kept the party going for days... it's true that it all goes by so fast and it feels like we didn't get to talk to everyone.

In case you didn't realise, it wasn't just me and Howard who managed to pull this shin-dig together. We had a whole host of people helping us with big and little jobs in the months/weeks/days/hours before the big day.

We would like to send out a few special thank yous to some people who helped enormously with our preparations and celebrations:

Preparations in the months before:

• Howard's Uncle Bill and Aunt Shari, for generously donating the apple orchard and fastidiously tending to it in the months leading up to the wedding;
• Claire, who knows so much about Taos;
  
• Aaron, who hosted Howard's buck's night (and Leslie, for getting out of there for the night - wise move Leslie);
• Shifty, who hosted my bridal shower (much more sophisticated than the buck's night, I think);
• Aimee and Cathy, who organised the bridal shower;
• Paige and Bridg, who spent three days with my trying on wedding dresses in New York;
• Vashti, who helped me make my tiara and continues to give me inspiration to do more fun stuff;
  
• Mum and Dad, who sent stones from Wickliffe to go in our rings;
• Aimee, who kept reminding me to stay sane.
  

Preparations in the days before:

• Aunt Susan, who helped me arrange the flowers for the reception. What a trooper!
• Grandmommy/Frances Joy, Uncle Teddy and Uncle Jon, who organised the candles for the reception;
• Brian and Sarah, who managed transport for Reverend Susan;
• Brian and Greg, who walked our mothers down the aisle;
• Ben, who helped Howard get all the chairs from the fireshed;
• Kristin and Dad, who mowed the orchard and helped to set up the arch;
• Mum and Auntie Hel, who kept me and Susan stocked with wildflowers;
  
• Claire and Jim, who hosted and hosted and hosted.
  

On the day:

• Paige and Matt, who were the amazing DJ combo who kept everyone dancing;
• Bridg, the improptu MC for the evening, who kept everyone organised;
• Cathy, who did everything - picked up flowers, kept Howard sane, managed the liaison between bride an groom when we weren't meant to talk to one another...
• Leslie and Aaron, who made the cake and the figurines (actually, this took months of preparation - we're a bit sad that there won't be any more cakes to 'test');
• Helen and Megan, who decorated the inside of the van;
• Teala, Cathy and Clare, who provided all the vases for the reception;
  
• Auntie Helen and George, who took a million wonderful photos;
• Lee, who left with the best story of the night.
  

At the ceremony:

• The amazing Mr Balistreri and his upright bass, who kept you entertained until the bride and her entourage turned up;
• The fabulous Steve, who was my driver on the day (and so many other times in the past!);
  
• Claire and Bridgid, who chose their own readings and delivered them so beautifully.
  

The day after:

• Oh, you know who you are - thank you to everyone who hung around the San Geronimo and helped us to clean up and/or just chatted with us and made us feel happy!

Always:

• Our parents, who did so much to get the two of us here.
  

Is that everyone? Probably not. Every one of our guests deserves to be thanked - for coming, for writing in the guest book, for having a good time and just for being part of it.

Constructed Images

Earlier, we mentioned that George and Helen are going to be taking lots of photos (and it would be wonderful if everyone did).

George has just told us that he has set up a new business called CONSTRUCTED IMAGES as an outlet for his art. You can go to this website where you can see photos from the wedding and have them printed (for a small fee).

Go and check it out!

rain, hail or shine

September in Taos is an interesting time. Right about the equinox, it can be beautiful and warm, or else it can be rainy and cool.

Howard is determined to go ahead with the ceremony in the orchard, regardless of the conditions (Ayesha thinks that if it's a thunderstorm, we may have to think of Plan B!). Most Taosenos seems to think that it will be fine, but it's probably a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast for Taos, and pack an umbrella.

If it does rain on our wedding day, wouldn't that be ironic?

UPDATE! UPDATE!

After a week on the San Juan in drizzly, rainy conditions, Howard has come to the realisation that we really do need an alternative to the apple orchard if it rains.

If it's cloudy, we'll still be in the orchard.

If it's really bad weather, however, we'll move everything to the San Geronimo Lodge.

If we do end up at San Geronimo, the ceremony will start a little later (~4pm) so that we can be sure that we get everyone from the orchard.

blooper #2

Ok, so we're not sure who was in care of quality control on our invitations, but apparently there is another mistake.

Ayesha's hometown was spelt incorrectly on the RSVP card. Yes, there really is only two "i's" in Wickliffe. No, it is not Wickiliffe.

Thanks to Rachael and Becky for pointing this out to us!

Apologies for any confusion...

Say cheese!

Howard and I decided long ago that we didn't want a formal photographer at our wedding. Instead, we have asked a couple of kind and creative people (George, Auntie Hel) to take photos for us. While we have no doubt that they'll do a splendid job, we would like it if they get a chance to take a break and have a dance and let their hair down too.

If you're one of those kind and creative people with a snazzy camera, take lots of pics and send some of them on to us!

Accomodation in Wickliffe - is there any?

Wickliffe is just a tiny town, and accommodation is kind of limited. However, there are plenty of accommodation options in and around town. We've put together a list to help you out.

Wickliffe
There's no real accommodation in Wickliffe, other than the pub or camping. You can camp at the farm or at the footy ground (as soon as we get the nod from the Rec Committee). We're also planning to host the morning-after breakfast at the footy shed.

Lake Bolac
Lake Bolac is just down the road from Wickliffe. There is a lake there where you can fish, ski and swim (if there's enough water!) and this is the town where Ayesha went to high school. It's a bit bigger than Wickliffe, so you can find accommodation here. Try the Lake Bolac Motel, the pub, or the caravan park. Oddly, there are no websites for the pub or caravan park, so here are their details:

Lake Bolac Hotel
Glenelg Hwy
Lake Bolac VIC 3351
Telephone: (03) 5350 2303

Lake Bolac Caravan Park
Frontage Rd P.O. Box 73
Lake Bolac VIC 3351
Telephone: (03) 5350 2329
Rating: **

Other pubs in small towns close by
There is a pub in Willaura where you can find some cheap rooms.

Mac's Hotel in Glenthompson (03 5577 4301) or the Maroona Hotel (03 5354 7580) may have rooms, but they'll be basic. Give them a call if you want to check it out.

Dunkeld
Dunkeld is probably the best option for accommodation, although it is a bit further to drive than Bolac or Willaura. The Royal Mail Hotel has high-quality rooms, and there are several more options in and around Dunkeld. Dunkeld is a jumping-off point to get into the Grampians, so this may be a good place to stay before heading off on the next leg of your journey.

Ararat
Ararat is a major town with a highway passing through it, so there are lots of hotels and motels. We're not going to list them all on the blog - you can look at them here and here. Wickliffe is south of Ararat, so it may be wise to avoid those ones on the far north of town.

Also, it's about a 35-40 minute drive to Wickliffe from Ararat (if Mum's behind the wheel). If there are lots of people staying in Ararat, we can organise a shuttle bus so that there will be no hassles about designated drivers and avoiding roos late at night. Please let us know if you're planning to stay in Ararat so that we have an idea how many people may opt for the shuttle bus.

Ballarat
It takes just over an hour to drive to Ballarat, but it's closer to Melbourne so it may be a good option for accommodation and vacationing plans.

Ballarat is even bigger than Ararat, and has even more hotels and motels. [I think it has the highest density of pubs in any town in Victoria, thanks to the goldminers.] Again, it's not worthwhile listing them all on this blog, but go and look here and here. Try to choose a motel on the west-ish side of town. Feel free to check with us if you're not sure.