Memories of Manderscheid
2004 can it really be almost 18 years ago, since we were invited to the most magical, mediaeval marriage in Manderscheid?
Yes, it can - and since the computer has been restored to health, photographs from that time have become accessible again - and what happy memories they bring back!
The younger son of a dear friend of ours was getting married in a very romantic setting, in an old castle in Manderscheid. It dated from mediaeval times, and guests were asked to wear attire appropriate to the age; without a moment's hesitation, we accepted the invitation, and really entered into the spirit of the occasion!
I got my old sewing machine serviced, which I'd bought at the Co-op in Portsmouth, when Wendy was about 2 years old. I'd made a number of outfits on it, but for years it had languished unused and rather uncared for, so I made sure it was in perfect working order, and then I could set to work.
An elegant pattern was found, satiny material chosen and in due course set out on the lounge carpet, with the pattern pieces pinned to it; being extremely dexterous at wielding large (and heavy!) scissors, Bob did all the cutting. I made a full-scale dress in red for Wendy; an adapted outfit for Mum in mauve, and a full-scale dress for myself, in blue.
I was really delighted to learn my sewing skills hadn't deserted me. My Grandma used to hand sew so many pretty dresses for me; she could do smocking and she would embroider them for me as well. My Mum used to make all my ballet outfits and the floral head-dresses to go with them, so I had lots of good ideas to work with. The sewing machine was put to good use, stitching up the (very!) long seams, but I also did a lot of sewing by hand, especially when it came to attaching the trimmings.
When I was 9, and at school in Port Shepstone (on the coast in South Africa, south of Durban), I was the best hemmer in the class; to this day, if I have to turn up a hem to shorten a dress or skirt (or trousers for Wendy, as I had to do recently), I still sew all hems by hand; you get such a beautiful finish, and my stitches can scarcely be seen.
Mum was really thrilled to bits to be invited to the wedding, and when the day came for us to set off on the journey to Germany, she was packed and ready ahead of all of us!
We travelled in Wendy's Vauxhall Corsa - it was not a very large car, and we had to put a roof rack on the top for the suitcases - and then off we went, in high spirits. Al was only 8, so he, Mum and I sat in the back; Wendy did all the driving, with Bob in the front seat, making the most of the extra leg room.
Ready to go to the Wedding!
As Manderscheid Castle is set atop a mountain, I was also worried about accessibility, especially for Mum; steps to climb up to the different levels were roughly made, but in the event, Mum managed them magnificently! and what a wonderful experience the Wedding was, for everyone present.
The weather was beautiful, and the bride and groom made their vows under a blue sky with brilliant sunshine. The guests looked magnificent in their outfits - Bob and Al were dressed as Knights of the Realm, and Mum, Wendy and I enjoyed moving in the stately way demanded by our long gowns.
Couldn't decide which picture to choose - so I've kept both of them!
Red balloons floating in the air, against a clear blue sky
After the ceremony, we all enjoyed a Wedding Feast - the logistics of bringing everything that was needed to a venue like Manderscheid Castle must have taken a great deal of organising! but it all went without a hitch - it was only the happy couple who got "hitched!"
Looking back to 18 years ago, it also makes me so happy to know how thrilled Mum was, to be included in all the celebrations; she was so keen to be part of everything, she coped magnificently, and enjoyed it all so much. She was nearly 85 years old at the time of the Wedding, and it just shows we should never think of anyone being incapable of joining in what was such a wonderful experience; how privileged we all were, to have been able to share in such a happy and memorable day.
