Recently by Richard Down

The Maldives are a sensational honeymoon destination.

They form a land dominated by sunsets and sky high temperatures, even in the monsoon season, and odd creatures.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

There's a lot to say and update but here's a teaser picture taken by my bestman, Ian Morris outside the church.

A blow-by-blow that will take you through the suspected bout of Norovirus that hit a fairly important member of the bridal party hours before the wedding through to a serious dance off between family members and reception guests - not forgetting the moment I almost lost it during the vows - will follow in a little over two weeks...

Yesterday was August 4 and marked the one month mark until the big day. I was going to write a post called The Final Countdown but Samantha said she'd already thought of that and would do unmentionable things to me (in a bad way) if I "stole" her headline.
Instead, I'll let you know about a brief trip we took to the Isles of Scilly as a breather before The Final ... run up to the wedding.

Am in the middle of planning a quasi stag do in The Lakes. I run another blog about walking and climbing and, oddly I suppose, that's what I fancy doing on my stag.
I've picked out this place in Eskdale Green, Western Lakes in Cumbria.

Less than eight weeks to go and I've got some things I need to do. Just minor matters, you know - the rings, a stag do, evening invites, order of service sheets, get the banns read out and certified ...

I think I need say no more...

This white sand flanked atoll in the Indian Ocean is where we'll spend the first two weeks of our married life

Bloody Weightwatchers. Samantha is back on it meaning everything in the house now has the consistency of rabbit bedding and tastes like someone has already licked it a few times to get rid of 'unnecessary flavour'.

Don't imagine that St Peter's Church, where we're getting married, will be taking Knowsley Council's lead anytime soon and offering a webcam wedding to its couples.

As you can see by reading Samantha's blogs recently, things have really taken off over the past two weeeks.