What a difference five months makes! Almost five months ago to the day, my parents’ sleepy Suffolk garden was hosting what I am guessing has been the biggest party of its 150 year history…mine and Mister Noodle’s wedding reception. With a marquee covering every square inch of grass in the orchard and all our nearest and dearest getting ready to eat, drink, dance and laugh the night away, the scene looked something like this…
A Suffolk Summer wedding...in the back garden
Since arriving in Singapore the constant equatorial weather means we have been permanently suspended in mid-August. Not so Suffolk! This is the snowy Suffolk scene that greeted us when we eventually returned home for our first family Christmas as a married couple.
Our journey back proved suitably epic for Christmas and involved an unexpected mini-break at the Frankfurt Christmas markets, courtesy of London Heathrow and our airline. Finally, 72 hours later and little bit more full of gluhwein than we had anticipated we made it home to Suffolk and Poodle Noodle could end his window-side vigil…
"Where are they? I've made Christmas pudding and everything!"
Our July wedding was a perfect way to celebrate with family and friends before embarking on our new life in Singapore and five months on there is no other way I would have wanted to mark Christmas than back in Suffolk. I have been able to curl up with Poodle Noodle in front of the log fire, eat my own weight in mince pies and cover up the evidence under layers of jumpers and scarves. The television has been almost permanently set to quality British costume drama – Poirot, Miss Marple and Upstairs, Downstairs and Mister Noodle has rediscovered the joy of buying pints of ale and getting change from a £10 note. Most importantly we have enjoyed time with family and friends and laughed and laughed and laughed.
With one more week before we return to the sunnier climes of Singapore there is still loads to fit in…London shopping trips, lunches and dinners and catching ups, new year’s eve with my BFFs, trips to the seaside and more nodding off in front of the fire. The last twelve months have been sometimes frantic but always fun and it seems apt that we will be finishing the year on the same note.
In thinking back over the incredible experiences, challenges and adventures of 2010 there is one person above all that I have to thank for making them possible. Mister Noodle, this post is for you and comes with a very big thank you. You have managed to get the girl who would never spend the night away from home to move half way across the world and have looked after her every step of the way. The first five months of being Mrs Noodle have been wonderful and I can’t wait for what 2011 will bring.
On that note, Happy New Year everyone and see you again in Singapore!
Credit where credit is most definitely due – Our beautiful wedding images were captured by the wonderful Sara Thomas of Sara Thomas Photography
Singapore Noodle 