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| The Blue Room |
Mr & Mrs Shrimpton welcome you aboard the Blue Room......
This fantastic vessel was the venue for the reception, a five hour cruise around Sydney Harbour including a three course meal. We boarded the Blue Room at 6pm from the private wharf at the Opera House to be greeted with two decks of the finest hospitality. Downstairs were tables set out for the meal and an area set aside as a dance floor, upstairs was a bar and informal seating area, half of which was covered to offer some protection from the sun:
We were encouraged to go upstairs to the bar area for welcoming drinks where we could study the table plan. The tables were all named after the bays surrounding the harbour and were covered with scattered pink and white crystals.
After setting sail out into the harbour we followed the shoreline in and out of various bays at a leisurely pace until we arrived at a sheltered cove which is home to the Taronga Zoo. It was in this sheltered cove that we stayed for the delicious three course meal and speeches. The meal was wonderful, with a way of serving that is unfamiliar to anyone from the UK. There are always two choices, that is two starters, two mains - one of these is fish based and the other is meat based. The plates are put down alternately around the table and guests swap plates with a neighbour if both are agreed. Sounds strange but in practice works really well.
The starters were:
Glazed Pork Belly with Honey, Five Spice, Soy and Queen Scallop
Symphony of Sydney Seafood which includes Steamed Ocean Trout, Carpaccio of Smoked Salmon, King Prawn and Mesculin Salad
Both starters were excellent and followed by the first round of speeches. Announcements were made by our MC for the evening, a close friend of Tim's who goes by the extremely trustworthy name of Lee, however this Lee was also taking bets on the length of the best man's speech! First to speak was the father of the groom, whose story of a young Tim suitably embarrassed but cannot be repeated here. For details please see a guest....
Second speech was from a very proud father of the bride, who I know had been thinking about his speech for many weeks. He had it all prepared, written out and practised - no doubt under the watchful eye of an equally proud mother of the bride. When it came to standing in front of people the speech was put back into pocket and a truly heartfelt tribute to his beautiful daughter followed - interrupted only by the fuse blowing on the PA system.....despite this setback the speech was delivered with confidence and feeling and I'm sure that I saw tears in a few places......
Next came Tim's speech, kind responses to the words of wisdom offered by both fathers, thanks for everyone involved especially the bridesmaids and complimentary words of love for his wife.
By now the sun was setting on a fabulous day, the main course was served in the fading light and was delicious:
Beef Fillet, Asparagus and Kumera with Irish Whiskey and Pepper Cream
Barramundi Fillet with Prawn and Avocado Salsa Infused Dressing
Mixed Leaf Salad and Chat Potatoes
After the main course it was the turn of the best man to speak. John had not been allowed to bet on the length of his own speech for obvious reasons but the air of anticipation was rising as he stood up and everyone looked longingly at the pot of over $300......
John's speech was legendary, stories of Tim's antics throughout their years of friendship both entertained us and also disappointed each of us as our time passed with no sense of John drawing to a close. The final time was a little over seven minutes and the pot was won by Kay's one-time house mate Alex who very kindly donated the winnings to Kay and Tim for their honeymoon at the end of the month.
It was time for Kay and Tim to cut the cake, and I apologise that I cannot remember what the cake was although I will find out and add to this blog. What I can tell you is that it was not the fruit cake with sponge layer that is traditional in the UK.
Once the cake was cut the Blue Room set sail into the harbour once more and continued to follow the shoreline in and out of secluded bays and coves, under the Harbour Bridge, through Darling Harbour on it's way back towards the Opera House wharf. Cake consumed along with a selection of Australian Cheese with Lavosh it was time to get to the dance floor. As is traditional the bride and groom took to the floor for their first dance and the usual scrum for photographs followed......
The rest of the evening was spent by many on the dance floor and a great time was had by all involved.
The Blue Room docked at the Opera House just after 11pm and it was time to leave this wonderful vessel behind. Most descended on the Opera Bar to keep the party going, a great place to experience on the lower concourse of the Opera House. It was well past midnight when I left and there are rumours of some not getting in until 6.30am - they shall remain nameless.....
The night was over, but for Kay her life as Mrs Shrimpton has begun. Another chapter in her wonderful life has opened....
I'd like to thank Kay and Tim for the great memories that the 12th November 2010 has brought to so many people. I'm sure that whether you were here or not you will join me in wishing them a long, happy and healthy life together and I hope that my ramblings have helped to describe Kay and Tim's special day.
