On the second day, the canal-side wedding was to take place at the canal turn in Fron. Joe and his new dear lady wife Jackie were dressed in proper 'boater' style (as, indeed, Joe always is). Jackie arrived at the appointed spot on Josher 'Fern', which is being sensitively restored, and had had its first cruise for 3 years the previous day. Joe, of course, came on his boat Will Crooks, which was decorated with lots of suitable bunting. The service was conducted by the boating vicar, Ian Cardinal.

At 2pm on Monday the 3rd of June, the rain was falling down; by 2.45pm, it had stopped and the sun was shining, Ian Cardinal and myself were sitting aboard 'Will Crooks', and I was getting changed into my wedding best.

The sight of the ex-F.M.C narrowboat 'Fern' coming though the turn at Froncysyllte was magical, not only was 'Fern' carrying my bride to be, but I knew that it's the first time that I've seen 'Fern' under her own power, Di had spent most of the last couple of days getting the Lister HA running.

It was only some six months ago that I'd snatched 'Fern' down from Chirk Marina as a shell ... and an ex. F.M.C one at that, before, she had been sunk in the Ellesmere Port yard.

Ian, who just must be the fastest change Vicar in the business, changed from boatman to Vicar in a trice, no telephone boxes required!

He gave us a marriage blessing that we will hold true and dear to us for the rest of our lives - everybody there was part of it too - Thank You.

After all that, as tradition dictates, the Bride and Groom jumped over a nicely, spirally painted mop handle, which was supported by two gleaming Buckby cans.

The photo shows the water cans which supported the famous Mopstick.  The left hand one was a wonderful wedding present from local boat and decorative painter Ed(ward) Strong - a Inland Waterways Craft Guild member - and the Will Crooks can (old, battered and used) is by Christine Wright - also IWCG.

Our procession of boats crossed Pont Cysyllte, causing something of an uproar in Trevor Basin as we winded for our return...

And at which point one of my cats, Brindley, made an appearance, to be grabbed by Jackie to stop him going AWOL (has anyone got a picture of Jackie and Brindley on the aquaduct?).

The sight of 'Fern' turning in the Basin, Lister thumping, and Blackstone growling in reverse was a sight to see and hear (unless you were perhaps aboard a boat coming down from Llangollen, and about to poke your bows out of Bridge 31!).

On returning to the Fron side of the Aqueduct, and having lost no-one over the side, the BBQs were lit, and everyone feasted on the traditional BBQ burnt offerings. Later, as darkness fell, we repaired to the Aqueduct Inn in Fron, where much drinking and merriment took place, not only to wish Joe 'n' Jackie well, but also (as it was Jubilee Day (June 3rd)) in honour of Her Maj.

The Bride and Groom were last seen at about 12.30am, winding the lift bridge at Froncysyllte and setting off aboard Will Crooks for a little early morning wedding night cruising - no, we didn't go far, just moored up in one of our favorite spots for the night.

I'm afraid that we didn't crack a bottle of champagne on our wedding night, but broke open a bottle of Irish Whiskey to make some 'boatman's coffee'.

Special thanks must go to our very good friends Carl and Allison, who drove, cooked, decorated the backcabin of Will etc. for us, and also to Dia and Karina and the F.M.C boat 'Fern' for being wonderful friends and boaters.

Joe and Jackie