I feel like Mrs Bennet, with 2 married daughters! Here I am back in Doha and the summer in Edinburgh, and the wedding in Wales feels like a dream.

This time last Thursday, just a week ago, Natasha and I were making sandwiches, then later Gerry, Cathal and I were assigned the task of blowing up helium balloons for the Penarth Hall, then we ate dinner in the Glendale Hotel and Nick arrived from Australia, and we met Leo’s family for the first time. It was all a whirlwind.

Natasha and I shared a room and the bridal dress hung in its ghostly wrap on the wardrobe door.

The morning was a confusion of girls and mascara and dressing. Finally Tasha was ready, and the dress zipped up and she stood with all the beauty and grace of a bride.

Dave had arrived and even though I hadn’t seen him for about 15 years, it wasn’t too awkward.

He walked her down the aisle of the Cardiff City Hall, and Leo’s eyes were wet as she joined him. Bridesmaid, Nicky read an extract from the Velveteen Rabbit, the part when they talk about what being REAL was.

There was a flurry of photos, and a feeling of panic as the rain was pouring down and taxis were nowhere to be seen.But we got down to the Fig Tree and to the Marquee which was on the deck, and we milled about trying to keep dry, and drank champagne until the food arrived and then there were the speeches which were sparkling and funny. Natasha and Leo looked enclosed in their own private bubble, impervious to the rain, just glowing with happiness.

The Penarth Hall was transformed. Nia and Amy had decorated it with the bunting made by my friends Carol and Rose and I here in Doha, and the paper flowers by Irene in Edinburgh. It was wonderful and the Cat’s Claw Ceilidh Band had us all organised and dancing till dawn. There was one respite at 9pm when the Chinese Lion dancers appeared with drums and noise and colour….it was amazing. These were part of Natasha and Leo’s kung fu class.

Now the happy pair are off to Naples to relax, away from house renovations and wedding preparations. They plan to climb Vesuvius and visit Pompeii, and the rest of us have scattered back to our own lives. Nick texted that he was back in Sydney safe and sound, Gerry and Cathal are signing up their mortgage for the house that they have just bought in Dalmeny just outside Edinburgh and I have flown back to Doha. I am so tired, emotionally, and physically…I looked in at my sewing room and just had to walk back out. I don’t have the energy to thread a needle.

The next big excitement will be when Natasha has her baby in February.  Where have the years gone? I shall have to practise being Granny Gael!