Stags, Hens and Wedding Bells

In the run up to Amy and Ben's wedding we were both invited to the stag and hen dos.The boys trip was a house boat for the weekend at Lake Eildon which is a man made lake made by the flooding of 3 townships about 60 years ago.As we meandered through the lake you could see all the old trees sticking up through the water and when the water level is really low you can see old chimneys poking through the surface.We moored the boat for the day and got the speedboat out and, whilst dodging the trees, sped around on the inflatable being dragged along by the boat - a fine hangover cure.

There were the usual drinking challenges for Ben where each member of the stag do had to pick a challenge - the loser had to wear a wig and a pair of boobs until the bell rang for the next challenge - I went first and unfortunately lost to Ben in a drinking challenge (not by much though), so I donned the boobs and wig for the next couple of hours!

The weekend was a great success, no injuries but plenty of hangovers.Nice work Jez on a wicked weekend.

*While the boys were swanning around on the boat the girls were back at the fort holding it all together! Nicole's impeccable organisation meant afternoon tea and a night out in Mornington were great fun.Sadly no strippers due to strict instructions from the brides-to-be but lots of champagne was drunk, dares completed and games played late into the night.*

The end of the stag and hens meant the wedding was pretty close so it was all hands on deck to set the house up for the reception.This included a vast amount of fairy lights, flags, cleaning and bags and bags of ice to keep the beer cold - a very important job.

The wedding was fantastic and all went really well, it was an amazing setting with the ceremony up at Arthur's Seat overlooking the bay.Amy looked beautiful and Ben very dashing (first time I think I have seen Ben in anything other than shorts and flip flops!).

The reception back at the house was a real laugh with everyone chatting and drinking the night away.The dance floor was a big hit in the later hours with the Jackson tunes playing and the Rhodes' and a few others cutting shapes until the small hours of the night.

On our last night both the Rhodes' and the Warners' got together for a brilliant BBQ at Amy and Ben's place with some delicious seafood and great lamb (and obviously a few beers).It was great to be able to say goodbye to all the people who had shown us such great hospitality in our 5 weeks there.Good thing is that they are all now Amy's family so keeping in touch will be easy!

Whilst it was sad that Beano and I were off, we were excited about our next adventure heading off on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide.