… especially all those who drive tractors and/or jeeps with trailers, and believe it’s acceptable to allow a half-mile tailback of vehicles going at 20mph. And especially that utter w**ker driving a lorry down the M1 this morning, who took about 3 miles to overtake another couple of lorries because he was only going 55mph (and yes, caused a long tailback). And basically everyone who made me late getting to the park&ride place and thus caused me to have to drive all the way into Belfast and park in an expensive car park.

OK, I admit it, I can be included in the roster of people who made me late this morning. But although I started out a little bit late this morning, due to not getting enough sleep last night thanks to general insomnia, and then wanting ‘just another twenty minutes’ after the alarm went off, there were other things (see the previous paragraph) which contributed to my lateness.

Bah. Grrr. Argh. I’ll just have to try and get a better night’s sleep tonight (the fact that Colin’s on the night shift might help) and actually leave on time - or even early - tomorrow.

At least I had a peaceful weekend, mostly. There was actually some sunshine yesterday… I went to the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, which meant a good dinner that evening (and some delicious sausages still in the fridge), and then Colin’s mum took the whole family (us, his brother and his wife and their 4 girls) out for a really good dinner in the Smugglers’. That’s twice in 2 weeks I’ve been there, but I’m not complaining - it’s one of the few local restaurants I’ve never ever had a bad meal in.

Also today, I am mostly … finishing off my Thank You cards

… because I didn’t make enough yesterday, and I couldn’t find my nice new fountain pen in order to write them, either. I’ve found that I rather enjoy making things while watching TV (not that I watch much TV). I should take up knitting, or maybe have a go at the cross-stitch kit I found the other week that someone sent me for Christmas a few years ago. Once I get all the wedding photos sorted out and printed off, I can finish making my scrapbook too. I already have all the cards arranged, and I’m pressing some of the flowers from my bouquet…

… because although it’s been a nice sunny day (couple of days, in fact), this morning my car was all fogged up with condensation, there was low-lying mist in the river valleys, and the leaves are starting to change colour and fall. And frankly, although I find this time of year rather beautiful, it’s also damn depressing as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder and bleaker.

On the plus side, Halloween is merely 5 and a half weeks away, as is the start of National Novel Writing Month. Although that isn’t necessarily a good thing; time is running out for me to do some decent publicity this year, never mind to finish the ‘old’ novel I’d wanted to get out of the way before NaNoWriMo this year. I better have a chat with my fellow Municipal Liaison; I wish we could manage to recruit some colleagues, but there is still time to do that. As soon as the lockdown on the NaNoWriMo website is lifted next week, I’ll be putting out another call for volunteers…

I don’t have any more time off work from now until Christmas though, and precious little of it then, thanks to having used most of my holidays the other week… for the best reason, of course! And that in itself is a bit depressing; I wish I had some days off to look forward to. I’ll just have to make the most of my evenings and weekends.

… in the All-Ireland Gaelic Football final. Which we won. Although I’m obviously not a Tyrone native, Colin is, and I’m pretty damn proud of my adopted county for their success today (and in previous years).

My favourite part of Tyrone being in the All-Ireland final is that the company which makes most county Gaelic shirts, O’Neill’s, is based in Strabane. And so, for those years when Tyrone’s made the final (2003, 2005 and this year), they’ve dressed up our local landmark statues ‘Let the Dance Begin’ (aka the Tinnies) in Tyrone kit. As shown in my photo. (That’s a jackdaw on the head of the right-hand one, for scale.)

Also today, I am mostly … returning from our day and night out in Belfast

which was a sort-of honeymoon - well, not really. We went to Belfast zoo - and it was one of the first dry days in ages, pleasantly sunny but not too hot, which meant that almost all the animals were lively and on view - and to Ikea, and stayed in an executive suite in a very very nice hotel, the Crescent Townhouse, watched the first show of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, and had Thai food for dinner (a treat because we don’t have anything except Chinese, Indian or Italian locally).  And all in all, we had a very good time even if we did end up coming straight home today because of wanting to watch the match.

I’m getting used to being married. I think. Slowly, anyway. Being someone’s wife is odd, although weirdly, me having a husband isn’t… I can’t quite figure that one out. I really need to get some photos posted up for people to see though, and to get my thank you cards done!

… for the fourth day in a row. Actually, make that the third day - I didn’t actually eat any on my wedding day (last Friday) because I was so full from the lovely meal we had.

I don’t feel any different now I’m married. Which is OK, since after all, why would I? After taking today off, I am finally feeling rested though - the past week was extremely hectic, and this is the first time I’ve logged on to the net in about 5 days. (Shock! Horror!)

I’ll post more details - and some photos - when I feel up to it, anyway. Sometime soon.

… with socks, because I need to stretch them a bit before the big day. They’re generally comfortable (and mostly flat), but I want to make sure that they don’t pinch or rub at all if I can possibly help it.

Nine days to go - less! -and everything seems to be finally organised. I hope. Except for the music that will be played at the start and end of the brief ceremony. I know what I want, I just need to dig it out, put it on my MP3 player, and get it OKed by the registrar. It has to be completely secular, which means no Welsh hymns, alas - although I probably could sneak them in as there will be the grand total of one Welsh speaker at my wedding (no, not me).

Flowers are booked, hair appointments are booked, clothes are bought and altered (although need ironing), my something old-new-borrowed-blue is all sorted out, rings are bought (although I’m dithering whether to wear my grandma’s wedding ring instead), restaurant details are finalised, I’m not doing placecards after all so that’s one less thing… There remain several cake-related things, but those have to wait till next week.

Even my hen party has been and gone. Marion, Lorraine and I went over to Cardiff last weekend and joined up with some of my school friends (one of whom I can’t actually remember seeing since we left school!). We all wore sombreros and moustaches and had a good night out. I saw quite a bit of my family too (thanks to Dad’s ‘taxi’ and Mum’s ‘B&B’), including Gran.

I liked my moustache.