I’m not quite sure when my brother-in-law suggested that I could meet up with my great nephew Reuben during my one full day in Washington, almost at the end of a monumental journey by sea from Southampton to Vancouver via Alaska, and then by bus and mainly train back to New York via Seattle, Chicago, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, New Orleans,  and Washington D.C. Reuben, who had met his future wife while both were studying at Lancaster, was by now gainfully employed and living at the home of his girlfriend’s parents in Maryland.  Momentarily, I had misgivings about such a complicated itinerary. But within say, twenty seconds, I thought, “What an absolutely brilliant idea,”  and a meeting arranged right away.  I’m by no means a romantic.  But I was that day, and if they were to marry, I was going to be at the wedding.  The engagement was announced.  I toyed with the idea of suggesting to them that their wedding day would be close to a departure of Queen Mary 2 back to the U.K.  I thought better of that idea!  August 4th, 2024, was announced as their wedding day, the 56th anniversary of the last scheduled steam train on British Rail (4/8/68)!

I contacted my long-suffering travel agent, Lucy.  “Can you sort me a bit of trip to America? My great nephew is getting married.”  I’m not sure, but I guess she gushed with excitement, and together with her colleague Mark, put together one of their brilliant itineraries, which I enjoy so very much.

August 4th arrived with the certainty of day following night.  And, I ordered an Uber for the fairly short journey from my hotel in Bethesda to Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland, in the grounds of which the wedding would take place.

I haven’t a clue about “behind the scenes,” but from where I was, the whole wonderful day went flawlessly.  This blog is especially for Reuben and Ainsley as well as both families. 

I wasn’t alone in not wanting this day to end.  I took enormous pleasure from being at the wedding of my great nephew to Ainsley.

Many thanks for reading,

Great Uncle David, 22.17 hrs E.S.T. The Embassy Suites by Hilton, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.