August 26-29
Udine is a delightful very old town in Northern Italy in the foothills of the Alps. While we were only there to attend the wedding and enjoy the company of family, we were based in the old town centre, which allowed us to enjoy the squares, colonnades, old buildings and, of course, many cafés and restaurants.
Kirsten and Lynne not only managed to walk up to the castle, on a man-made hill, and enjoy the views, but also went round its museum. We also visited Udine cathedral.
The castle was devastated by an earthquake in 1511 but almost completely renovated over the course of the 16th century. The Parliament Hall is magnificently decorated, with noblemen’s crests adorning the cornices from 1424, until the crests suddenly stopped appearing in 1797, when Napoleon conquered the Republic of Venice.
The castle houses an impressive exhibition of early photographs and photographic equipment. One floor houses works of art, from the 1300s to the 1800s, some, including frescoes, taken from nearby churches. There was a temporary exhibition covering the era of Napoleon, but it was all in Italian.
The cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore was built in the 13th century, but damaged by the earthquake of 1348. It was restored in the 14th century, but a radical transformation was completed in 1735. There are many beautiful side chapels and art works dating from this period. We enjoyed our visit to the cathedral all the more so because an organist serenaded us with soaring religious music.
The weather was really, really hot over the weekend, but we suffered torrential rain on what was the Bank Holiday Monday in England – just to make us feel at home! That meant we could enjoy the cafés, restaurants and bars outside. Sunday morning and Monday were quiet, with many establishments closed, but there was formal dancing on Sunday evening, in the covered market.
David and Desirèe’s wedding was held in Castello di Susans in Friuli, about 40 minutes north of Udine. David’s friends and family met at a pre-reception at 11am before taking a coach to the venue. Lynne was relieved that we had taken the risk in cancelling our first night hotel. We managed to pre-extend our booking at our main hotel despite it showing to be sold out. Otherwise Lynne would have had to carry her rucksack to the main hotel, en route to the wedding, in her long dress!
The wedding venue was a large mansion with fantastic views of the Alps and the places where Desi was born and went to school.
The bride was beautiful and both the bride and groom, joyous, welcoming and fun.
The wedding was truly magnificent, combining traditions from Scotland, Italy and Somalia. We had a splendid Scottish piper, Prosecco and canapés outside, a magnificent wedding breakfast and dancing to the wee small hours. The highlight of the ceremony was the couple’s Bichon Frisé, Louis, bringing in the rings on a pouch on his back.
The legal marriage act was in Italian with an English translation. The speeches were given in one language with a written translation in the other language. The groom managed a bi-lingual speech. There were all sorts of exciting extras, hand-held paper fans, sparklers, a “drinking” game, temporary tattoos, a delicious wedding cake and a Hangover-Recovery kit to take away with us!
Overall, it was a beautiful, emotional day and we were so glad that our travel plans were not thwarted (as they were for many on their return journey), so that we could celebrate the occasion with the happy couple.
We were also able to enjoy some time with Chris and Becca, Kirsten and Dylan, my siblings and Pat and Eric. Aileen and Chris made the journey from Sydney and Pat and Eric from Aberdeen.
Lovely memories Lynne and grateful that I am able to see the museum, cathedral, etc that I was unable to walk to.
However I do not like the final group photo lol