As Europe would say...here we are, "The Final Countdown". Promptly cast aside are the memoirs of Warcraft from part 3 along with the unfortunate events of 2007 and 2008. All of which lead me to where my final chapter continues...the summer of 2009.
Its 4am on the 3rd of June. Having been awake for most of the night I slither out of my bed and am greeted by a dizzying wave of humidity, fatigue, nausea, and also the need for a pee. I stagger to the bathroom as if I was blind drunk. The darkness and lack of contact lenses rendering me totally useless in my vain hope of aiming into the awaiting shining porcelain beacon that is zé toiléto without the dreaded mis-hits. Needless to say I fail of course and thus wipe down zé seáto prior to lé lavatóre depárturo.
Now back in my uncomfortable bed I lie awake for the next 90 mins pondering the next few days and asking God, my father (my Dad that is - I'm not the second coming!) and my friend Darragh in heaven for help that everything goes according to plan and that the journey that I - no, WE - are about to undertake is as amazing as I have foreseen it.
Having all arrived on time (thank you Eamonn for orchestrating those rapscallions into some sort of decorum!) at Belfast docks, the fatigue from the early hours quickly dissipates and a feeling of excitement takes hold. It was, after all, the day before my wedding and the feeling of adventure was evident for all to see. A successful undock (cough, 2 pints and a fry, cough) and we were on our way. No turning back now...both Dervlagh and I would return to The Emerald Isle as one.
The sight was breathtaking. I had seen the photo's on the website but they did not do it justice. Comlongon Castle stood before us and I was in awe of its splendor. Had it not been for my mate Dee running amok around the castle grounds with his boyish charm and trusty camera to hand, I'd have sworn I was in a dream.
The bedrooms were majestic; housing four poster beds and old fashioned decor. Each one draped in history. In the bellows of the castle hid the dungeon - full of mystery and foreboding. The castle grounds....oh the grounds. Greenery as far as the eye could see. There were water fountains, stone archways, magnificent statues, and flowerbeds scattered all around; each one awash with every colour under the sun.
The ceremony itself was very intimate, calm.....beautiful. The room in which we all now stood was at the rear of the castle standing aloft a winding stone stairwell. Suspended from the ceiling were dozens of flags portraying a coat of arms of what seemed like every clan in Scotland. In each corner stood 6 foot candle stands. The room however, was dominated by a brilliant stone fireplace where a huge log fire roared...each flame seeming to 'out-dance' the other.
As the vows were exchanged time seemed to stand still. And then, just like that, it was over.
In that moment I had became a man, an uncle, a brother and a son. I was married.
After our meal and some very nervous speeches, the evening that followed was filled with happiness, and joyous laughter could be heard all around. The atmosphere even seemed to absorb the castle staff into the occasion. Staff who were of course, none other than exemplary. We danced, drank and laughed the night away. It was as if everyones worries in life were cast aside, and in that moment a little piece of heaven was granted to every single one of us.
"Urrgh", was sound my body expelled upon awaking. Suddenly the drunken conversations with Dervlagh about life and all its wonders in the marital jacuzzi until 5am seemed like such a bad idea. But, its ok, as breakfast is soon to arrive and black pudding can solve 99% of the worlds problems in an instant! The thought of a cup of black coffee or 3, is also too exhilarating to pass by. My broken body arises from my four poster sanctuary and in doing so exudes further cracks and groans.
Strangely the black pudding and coffee seemed to not live up to my expectations. As we bid farewell to the castle in our journey back to the train station on the minibus, it takes all of my will power to save me covering the back to Gerards head in last nights vension sausage. I was feeling as rough as big rough thing from the Land of Rough. There was only one thing for it. "Magners, please..." - a pint of....in a glass....filled with ice. The bar: "The Flesher's Arms".
Now as bar names go, you will note straight away, that it doesn't like sound the most welcoming of places. The view from the outside...and also inside, it has to be said, didn't exactly shout out "Try me!, Try me!" either. In spite of this however, it had in abundance what so many bars these days seem void of. Good staff and more importantly, character. Couple this with a pool table and more Magners in stock than possibly any other bar in Scotland and as you will agree, we had found....our base.
In a strange way that little bar we stumbled upon, was as big part of our adventure as the castle itself. It was awesome. Many laughs and stories were exchanged in that little place...I will never forget it.
The return journey was very relaxed and everyone was in brilliant mood. Games were being played and jokes were being told. It was as if we had shared something more than just a trip away together. As the HSS sailed back into Belfast, our venture, unfortunately, had ended. We were home.
Straight away Dervlagh and I began packing for our imminent departure to the Canary Islands - Fuerteventura to be exact. Unbeknown to us however as we slept in our bed on the morning of departure, there were strange, mysterious goings-on afoot. Micks wife, Evelyn, had sneaked out to the shops upon first light and bought a multitude of wonders. Wonders which, very soon, would turn my sleek black Renault Megane coupe into a dazzling discoball! As I brought our suit cases out to the car seconds prior to setting off, the sight which greeted me was jaw-dropping! There was balloons on the wing mirrors and spoiler, proclamations of "Just Married" on every pane of glass written in fresh cream. The bonnet was peppered with tiny heart shaped vinyls of every colour you could think of. Any remaining spots uncovered were taken up by silly string. It was fantastic!
Needless to say, the journey to Dublin Airport was a eventful affair. Constantly greeted by other motorist honking their horns and gazing in wonderment of this strange vehicle of which they passed. Our honeymoon had began in brilliant spirits....it was to be an amazing week to cap off an unforgettable time in our lives.
As you can tell, the heartache and woe from my previous posts is gone - as it should be. My life has turned a corner. Having experienced the greatest time of my life, how could I let the past affect my future??! A future which is to be embraced and savoured. My life now is full of excitement and potential. With my first child on the way, a sense of maturity and responsibility has overtaken me and my decisions. My mind is clear, focused and I have a newfound sense of direction.
Recalling the title of this post "The Undersirable Silhouette and the Endless Quest for Slim", it now seems to me to be obsolete. Insignificant. As I began part one it made sense to me, but as I have opened up and recollected the major events of my life to date, it has faded with every post. I might still have an undesirable silhouette, but its not consuming my life and mind as it did before. I may still be on a quest for slim...and fitness, but it no longer seems an endless one. I am on the road to recovery yes, and although there may be obstacles upon it, I can see the finishing line now, where it was not before. On the horizon of my minds eye, I see the goal that I am aiming towards and with each passing day, hour, minute and second, I get a little bit closer to it...
For so long - too long - I have let a simple apparatus, a set of scales, dominate my life and my decisions. Although I may still weigh 15 and a half stone and show signs of their hold on me, I can feel their grip weakening. I know that they may try to claw their way back into my consciousness, but their struggles are futile.
Because right here, right now, I am ready to start becoming the person I know I can be.
A friend to all my friends,
A Son and Brother to my Mother and Sister,
A Husband to my Wife, and
A Father to my Son.
Because right here, none of the sadness and misfortune of 2007 and 2008 matters anymore.
So come on scales.... Try to pin me down and break my spirit, my heart....my will. Do your worst!
For today I shall fly! As from this moment onwards....
I AM FREE!
No comments:
Post a Comment