The Godfather pt 2

Having not been out on Saturday night I was able to get up early on Sunday and head out for a swim before getting ready for the christening. By the time I had wandered to the pool it was a little after 8am and a small army of kids from Clovelly Nippers were massing on the beach. The pol had bouys that suggested kid soup was about to be made in the pool and that was confirmed by a couple of lifeguards. So I wandered around to a flat, clear Gordon's Bay and while a couple of surfers and a group of civers got ready in the car park I went for a quick swim. The water was not as cold as my last dip. It was clear and I saw blue grouper, morwong, stripey, senator wrasse (I think) and plenty of other bits and pieces. I headed into the bay and then back to the ramp, just the one circuit because there were not that many folks about and I am not that good a swimmer, and there was the small matter of the christening to get ready for. A brisk walk up the hill, bought some yoghurt for breakfast, had a rest, had a shower, got suited and booted and we headed for Putney, one of the many Australian suburbs named after British suburbs that just confuse us poms.

We arrived 20mins before the noon kick off and were soon joined by the rest of the clan and 4 other groups of Christenees and hangers on. Quite a crowd actually. We made our way in, took our seats, Alisia (Godmother) and me behind Adam, Michelle aka Munchkin and Maddie, who looked typically gorgeous and is quite possibly the happiest, smiliest kid I have ever met. Parents et. al. were behind again, back in the cheap seats. Among the guests was Marc, who I did feel for, having been relegated, for the day, to Guardian from Godfather. This was because Adam, when asked by the priest about the relgion of the godparents had said that Marc was not christened and therefore was not "in" any club. Oh dear, it seems that for this priest that is a red card offence. Weird. Being CofE and christened means I could come on. I did make a quip about an Aussie side needing to bring in an Englishman blah blah. Aside - that won't be happening in the cricket.

Points of note. One of the father's was named Fabio. COUld not help but laugh to myself. One of the families was the Impala family. Again, a little internal chuckle (wonder if Dad's name is Chevvy? snigger.) One family was Philipino and they had arrived mob handed. Apparently the Philipinos do that, and the priest said that once he had a christening with 20 godparents. The ceremony was good, and I'll deal with the religious side of it, or at least my thoughts upon that, in a later post. Once I have my thoughts clearer in my own mind. I managed to rationalise the whole thing and I think I can still manage to avoid burning in hell for all eternity. Not sure you are supposed to rationalise religion and maybe I am missing the point a bit. Ah well. So there was a bit of stand up, sit down, Alisia draped Maddie in a white gown thing and I lit a candle. Photos were taken. Sal came very close to be ejected from the church for straying into the middle of a front pew to click shots after the priest had instructed photographers to stay to the sides. He did go somewhat over the top with the chastising and I'd not liked to have been on the public recieving end. But as I wasn't it was quite funny. Sally will, one day, look back on it and laugh. But not yet. Alisia said afterwards that she thought about belting the priest for going over the top. Now THAT would have been funny.

Ceremony over we headed bac to Adam and Munchin's for drinks and eats. I fell of the wagon without to much of a push because I wanted to have a beer with Adam. It turned into a beer and a couple of very nice glasses of wine and Sally becoming the designated driver. Highlights of the afteronn start with a lowlight. Little Jesse managed to help a tooth come through by falling off of a mattress. Blood and tears ensue, grown up looking flsutered but he camed down and will live to fight another day. Jax, Jesse's older brother spent most of the afternoon naked in the garden, pissing over Adam's free weights that were in the garden. That kid is a skinny streak (pardon the pun) but if I needed a fire putting out I'd be calling him. Sheesh. A definite highlight was (Auntie) Mary's mushroom dip and Michelles french onion dip, and, well, all of the food. Kids getting sleepy and adults too, the party came to a natural end at around 6 and we all drifted off to leave Adam and Michelle to the bombsite we'd made of their garden and kitchen.