It was such a quiet place...

The original idea for Matt's Stag Weekend was to have a walking weekend. We were to find ourselves on an open moor for a couple of days, braving the elements and feeling the fresh air course through our veins. However, it rained, hard. So we all piled off to Robin's Hood Bay, north of Scarborough, to find somewhere dry.

Photo - Matt

The atmosphere

We first sat in the cars for half an hour as the rain beat down. We dreamed of being able to walk 100 yards to the nearest pub without being drowned. It was all strangely atmospheric...

Photo - John Berrington

A pensive hoodie

In the brief moments when it didn't rain, we wandered to the sea to get some fresh air. There were murmurs going around to throw the Stag in to the surging waves, to which the Stag responded with a simmering stare and deep growls. That seemed to be enough to deter any prospective 'chuckiminnies' away, fearing a possible case of rabies. Meanwhile, Marcus the hoodie contemplated...

Photo - John Berrington

The line up

Despite the dampness, all seemed to be in good spirits, or at least taking some good spirits to keep warm.

In the photo - Matt W, Rob W, John B, Orange, Dave A and Phil H (the best man - what a responsibility!) All seem quite calm, for the moment at least...

Photo - Matt

Itsh dry in here

As expected of a stag do, we visited the odd pub or two for warmth and comfort and to find out exactly what Orange did to his company's dishwasher. You really need to ask him...

Photo - John Berrington

Life through the glass

Soon events turned lively as everyone gained a fascination for the bottom of their glasses, either racing to find theirs or seeing what lay at the bottom of the glass. The stag felt relieved that he had survived the weekend without any major mishaps, having had a very relaxed time.

Photo - John Berrington

Dressing for the Occasion

As you can see, my 'hens' decided to use the day as a practise-run for dressing 'appropriately'. Veil and garter... but wand and wings? I began to wish I'd insisted on a fancy-dress theme for all... A whole bunch of chickens perhaps... There was even a rumour that Emily might bring actual chickens along, but bird-flu restrictions in middle-England put a stop to that plan!

Anyway, all dressed up and somewhere to go - off to a lovely cliff-top pub lunch in Flamborough. Yes, it was raining, but it was cosy and warm inside. Good food, good company - and they even let us stay after closing time. (Well it did take some of us a while to choose from the menu!)

Photo - Emily Emerson

Fancy Pants

It has become a tradition among friends and relatives, that Hen-dos = the giving of fancy pants. Historically, this began with kind friends giving tasteful, elegant (or slightly saucy) honey-moon-wear, but has been taken to a new dimension... Mother-of-the-bride found her creative streak (oh-oh not again) and came up with these wonders. If you look closely you may just be able to make out the myriad of vegetables which make up the design. (I didn't wear these out of the house!)

Photo - Emily Emerson

A Friendly Bunch

(Left to right)

Claire (sister), Melanie (sister-in-law), me, Sarah (fellow-adventurer), Emily (organiser and bridesmaid), Vicky (creative partner-in-crime), Jo (all-round-great-gal)

(So that we didn't miss anyone from the photo, one of the male species was allowed in to take the photo. Thanks Ezra!)

Photo - Emily Emerson

Taking a theme too far???

Someone thought it would be fun to find out just how well I knew my prospective hubby. Despite my protestations of 'But I've only known him 10 months' I was secretly confident. My only concern was whether Matt could decide what 'today's answer' would be. Ever been with him choosing from a menu, or trying to make a decision? For some answers I had to give 3 possibilities - depending on how he may have been feeling when asked! This picture demonstrates one of the few times I got it wrong. Forfeit - chicken impressions round the garden...

Photo - Emily Emerson

More Forfeits...

... wandering the street in my fine attire, to 'borrow' a teabag from my new-neighbour. Ah well, once the first couple of inhibitions have gone a wee task like that is no problem...

Photo - Emily Emerson

What? More Forfeits?

...even skipping up and down the road, singing, 'I'm getting married in 3 weeks time' at the tope of my voice. (As I said, it was a damp day, so there were not too many passers-by.)

Photo - Emily Emerson

5 minutes of fame.

As if a quiz was not challenge enough, then there was the Treasure Hunt. Two teams go head-to-head, collecting oddments from round and about. (Time to prove that I'd discovered the quickestfoot-routes between A and B). It all began rather well with my team (the others were, meanwhile, getting up to mischief in neighbouring villages). We had no problem getting most 'treasures', but finding a Rolls Royce in Bridlington (without visiting my wedding chauffeur) was not easy. And so, we ended up in town, where, my inner-show-off surfaced. I quite enjoyed the double-takes and wolf-whistles... and then the scent of fresh ice-cream... The ice-cream was the last straw - we ended up with time-penalties.

It was a fun frolic. Now that I'd warmed up I felt ready for anything... Perhaps Hen-do 2???

Photo - Emily Emerson