My private diary
After the excitement of the 'legal' register office ceremony and lovely afternoon tea, I get changed into my comfy clothes and wait for my friends to arrive from up north!
Helen & Paul are driving down all the way from Manchester, and will take me to Glastonbury this evening where we will stay in my favouite place ever 'The Backpackers Hostel' at The Crown pub. Ok so it's not very glamorous, sharing a 4 bed bunk dorm on the night before my handfasting- but it's exactly what I want. I've been coming here since i was in my twenties. You always meet amazing people from all walks of life, you can watch the crazy and colourful goings on from out of the window. Breathe in the faint smell of insense , and pop out for a Chai and organic flapjack in one of the many gorgeous organic cafes. Helen made me chuckle when she said "Is there a Costas?" , "It's not a Costas kind of place", I giggled " but wit till you see what else there is!"
That evening we'd planned to have a meal in The George & Pilgrim - I ordered a rocket & parmessan salad, and Paul offered to buy a bottle of Prosecco. A few minutes later, he emerged from the bar looking sheepish. "Er, they've stopped selling food- and they don't sell Prosecco!"
We all laughed, i didn't really mind. But It was odd that nowhere seemed to sell food after 9pm - the Italian Pizza restaurant was completely full.
La Terre were only selling left over cakes. In the end we happily munched our way through a massive cheesy garlic bread from the Kebab shop - then drank local cider in The Crown, whilst looking at huge mural/ collage of 'Glastonbury Festival Over the years'. We reminisced, we joked, we took selfies. It was a lovely evening, and then we staggered up to our little dorm room and collapsed for the night. In the morning, I was a little hungover- and couldn't work out if i'd taken my contact lenses out! This freaked me out for a while. But then I put more in, and it seemed to be fine- I crept down to the communal kitchen/lounge - made myself a cuppa and sat looking at the little town waking up. I was giddy with excitement about my second, and in my eyes, most important 'big day' .
When Helen & Paul woke up we had breakfast at 'The Looking Glass' cafe, it was totally lush. Then Helen and Paul explored the High Street. I showed them the Goddess Temple shop, Stone Age -crystal shop, The Goddess & Green man..and all the other weird and wonderful shops. I left them to wander, while I met my mum for a bite to eat - sitting in the church yard then headed back to get changed into my 'hippy' dress. Wayne, his brothers, our little boys and dogs would meet us at 2pm at The Abbey.
As I got ready, I drank a little bottle of Babycham to take the edge off my nerves.
It was time to go....eeeek! The sun was shining brightly, and Glastonbury Town was alive with colour and music. We walked over to the abbey, and I could see friends from near and far, Wayne, the boys...and haha, our old friends Ian & Chaia fully robed! Ian a Druid, Pagan ex Town Councillor dressed , as Rowan put it - like a Wizzard. And a real live Knight! Our lovely friend Tim.
Nixie-Scott James our Interfaith Minister lead the way to the Orchard, as guests oohd and aahd at the amazing architecture of the iconic buildings.
Some of the pretty white apple blossom was still fluttering off the apple trees. In a clearing was a wicker goddess, with ribbons attached - it felt like she was there just for our blessing. She was a hollow sculpture, and so the kids immediately climbed in , on and around her. Everything felt calm and relaxed. Nixie performed a really beautiful and magical, personal handfasting ceremony. She called in the elements and spirits of North, South, East & West. She included 'handfasting' insence sticks which the children lit, a crystal, Wayne's sword, my Green Tara 'wellbeing essence' and something very special indeed. We were extremely honoured and privilaged to have the completely amazing Palmer Fox Eldrigde_play his very own song 'Valentine' as Nixie bound our wrists together. This man, who happens to be Nixie's partner - is a complete legend- he even played Glastonbury Festival , the year the Avalon Stage sank! And here he was, playing especially for us. Wayne actually cried. Please check out his website. You can catch him playing locally on occasion- and he is well worth travelling to see.
During the whole ceremony, fab alternative Wedding photographer Kelly from http://kellyjphotography.co.uk/ took the stunning photos you can see in the 'photo' section. After the blessing, guests and children enjoyed the Abbey and it's grounds. Laughter and a little bit of Glastonbury magic filled the air- and it really was one of the best days of my life. Thank you so much to everyone! Later, we had our reception at The Horseshoe Inn. I shall write about ´that ---next time :)
Helen & Paul are driving down all the way from Manchester, and will take me to Glastonbury this evening where we will stay in my favouite place ever 'The Backpackers Hostel' at The Crown pub. Ok so it's not very glamorous, sharing a 4 bed bunk dorm on the night before my handfasting- but it's exactly what I want. I've been coming here since i was in my twenties. You always meet amazing people from all walks of life, you can watch the crazy and colourful goings on from out of the window. Breathe in the faint smell of insense , and pop out for a Chai and organic flapjack in one of the many gorgeous organic cafes. Helen made me chuckle when she said "Is there a Costas?" , "It's not a Costas kind of place", I giggled " but wit till you see what else there is!"
That evening we'd planned to have a meal in The George & Pilgrim - I ordered a rocket & parmessan salad, and Paul offered to buy a bottle of Prosecco. A few minutes later, he emerged from the bar looking sheepish. "Er, they've stopped selling food- and they don't sell Prosecco!"
We all laughed, i didn't really mind. But It was odd that nowhere seemed to sell food after 9pm - the Italian Pizza restaurant was completely full.
La Terre were only selling left over cakes. In the end we happily munched our way through a massive cheesy garlic bread from the Kebab shop - then drank local cider in The Crown, whilst looking at huge mural/ collage of 'Glastonbury Festival Over the years'. We reminisced, we joked, we took selfies. It was a lovely evening, and then we staggered up to our little dorm room and collapsed for the night. In the morning, I was a little hungover- and couldn't work out if i'd taken my contact lenses out! This freaked me out for a while. But then I put more in, and it seemed to be fine- I crept down to the communal kitchen/lounge - made myself a cuppa and sat looking at the little town waking up. I was giddy with excitement about my second, and in my eyes, most important 'big day' .
When Helen & Paul woke up we had breakfast at 'The Looking Glass' cafe, it was totally lush. Then Helen and Paul explored the High Street. I showed them the Goddess Temple shop, Stone Age -crystal shop, The Goddess & Green man..and all the other weird and wonderful shops. I left them to wander, while I met my mum for a bite to eat - sitting in the church yard then headed back to get changed into my 'hippy' dress. Wayne, his brothers, our little boys and dogs would meet us at 2pm at The Abbey.
As I got ready, I drank a little bottle of Babycham to take the edge off my nerves.
It was time to go....eeeek! The sun was shining brightly, and Glastonbury Town was alive with colour and music. We walked over to the abbey, and I could see friends from near and far, Wayne, the boys...and haha, our old friends Ian & Chaia fully robed! Ian a Druid, Pagan ex Town Councillor dressed , as Rowan put it - like a Wizzard. And a real live Knight! Our lovely friend Tim.
Nixie-Scott James our Interfaith Minister lead the way to the Orchard, as guests oohd and aahd at the amazing architecture of the iconic buildings.
Some of the pretty white apple blossom was still fluttering off the apple trees. In a clearing was a wicker goddess, with ribbons attached - it felt like she was there just for our blessing. She was a hollow sculpture, and so the kids immediately climbed in , on and around her. Everything felt calm and relaxed. Nixie performed a really beautiful and magical, personal handfasting ceremony. She called in the elements and spirits of North, South, East & West. She included 'handfasting' insence sticks which the children lit, a crystal, Wayne's sword, my Green Tara 'wellbeing essence' and something very special indeed. We were extremely honoured and privilaged to have the completely amazing Palmer Fox Eldrigde_play his very own song 'Valentine' as Nixie bound our wrists together. This man, who happens to be Nixie's partner - is a complete legend- he even played Glastonbury Festival , the year the Avalon Stage sank! And here he was, playing especially for us. Wayne actually cried. Please check out his website. You can catch him playing locally on occasion- and he is well worth travelling to see.
During the whole ceremony, fab alternative Wedding photographer Kelly from http://kellyjphotography.co.uk/ took the stunning photos you can see in the 'photo' section. After the blessing, guests and children enjoyed the Abbey and it's grounds. Laughter and a little bit of Glastonbury magic filled the air- and it really was one of the best days of my life. Thank you so much to everyone! Later, we had our reception at The Horseshoe Inn. I shall write about ´that ---next time :)