NZers can't dance!

Two days into my jet lag I was travelling again, this time in a far more leisurely fashion but ferry to the South Island for 'The Wedding' which was taking place in Nelson. The ferry journey was three hours, twice as long as a trip across the Channel, for a short crossing across a tiny drink of water. Apparently the ferries aren't allowed to go faster than 5 knots an hour for fear of whipping up too much foam or something, but it's a much more scenic journey than a Channel crossing so I sat back and enjoyed it. Once in Nelson it was pretty frenetic. I stayed with the bride-to-be's prospective in-laws in a lovely house with fantastic views across Nelson up a 1:3 hill - try doing that in heels, carrying bundles of 'stuff' at what feels like 20 miles an hour. I did, at least twice a day for the next three days - my glutes have never been tighter. I spent the next three days finishing off bridesmaids dresses, wrapping fairy lights around 10 foot pillars in the wedding venue, making posies and generally being sociable, meeting interesting family members from all over New Zealand who had made a special journey for this particular family event. I was also an unofficial win taster - one task I didn't mind participating in... So the day came and luckily the weather held up, unfortunately the groom's car didn't and unusually it was the groom who was late for this particular wedding. Finally he arrived and everyone entered the church. Except me. My next duty I was told was to tend to the 'ring-bearer'. In this case one beautiful white-haired golden retriever, the family dog. Someone remarked that they'd never been to a wedding where there had been so much laughter in the church, due in no small part to my charge deciding to smell his way to the alter and almost escaping from the side door but needless to say he made it in the end. After the ceremony and the many photos, it was off to the party venue and my final duty for the eve - barmaid. I know NZers can knock back their booze and maybe that was the reason for the lack of rhythm but in all the weddings I've been to I've never seen anything like it. Not one dancer among them - the kids were worse than the adults. They probably thought I was doing my best 'stiff upper lip' english jig by the side of the dance floor but truth is - I was embarrassed. Dad - I'll never be shamed by your 'english dad dance' again, all is definitely forgiven!