Wednesday - Stag
I arrived in Kos Town at 9pm and was greeted with the sight of Nathan in a rather fetching red number.
After a rowdy dinner in Jackson’s we headed to Bar Street for my first visit. En route, Slug decided to ’lose’ the keys to our apartment on a balcony across the street. Fortunately Sam saved the day and managed to retrieve the keys from their second floor hiding place.
Kos is a small island and even smaller town, we inevitably ran into the hen do which thinned numbers quite dramatically. Still, glad I could capture this moment of Nathan and Harriet. A beautiful spot to pop the question too, opposite Burger House.
The remaining party stayed on bar street, sampling the finest alcoholic slush Greece has to offer.
My memory is quite blurry at this point, possibly due to the aforementioned slushies, but I can recall pole dancing with Alex, then sneaking off for a ‘stand up’ Gyros around 2am.
Thursday
We Had an awful full english in the restaurant over the road, then posted up at Jackson’s for the inaugural committee meeting.
A special mention to Jimmy, the friendly Albanian. Those iced limoncello shots just kept coming and they went down a treat in the Kos sunshine. His travel advice is certainly doing gangbusters for the Albania Tourist board.
In the evening, we headed over to Tigaki for drinks with the rest of the wedding party.
Then it was time for a much nicer meal and a bottle of local white before meeting up with the others.
We walked Nathan and Harriet back to the hotel. Slug was reprimanded by the supermarket ‘piss guard’ whilst waiting for Nathan to return with his belongings. We caught the bus back to Kos town with a group of Polish bar street regulars. Kurwa mac indeed.
The remainder of the evening was chatting on the patio and reminiscing.
Friday - Wedding
Our first task of the day was to finish the reception playlist and to convince Nathan of a 90th minute first dance song substitution. O’ Children was just not the one (Sorry Nath).
A special mention to the song ‘Dragostea Din Tei’, a live performance of which you will see later.
With the final songs picked, we rolled down to Jackson’s for our wedding day breakfast and some liquid courage.
Afterwards we left Slug and headed into town for a fresh trim and some last minute supplies. By the time we got back to the apartment Ian had arrived after a long journey.
Despite his tiredness, Ian volunteered to take Nathan and Alex over to the Utopia early so they could prepare in the more comfortable conditions. Our apartment had no air conditioning and by the mid-afternoon it was a sweatbox.
I broke out the iron and got to work on Ian’s balled up shirt and trousers. Slug, Sam and Ian upon his return, opted for a quick nap before things got really busy.
The rest of us now headed over to the Utopia for the main event.
I think I speak for the majority, I have never sweat so much whilst sat down doing nothing. Alex managed to get all the way through to his suit jacket stood up front with Nathan.
After a mercifully swift service we welcomed the newly Mr & Mrs Griffin for the first time.
Food was Meze and Greek meats, can’t go far wrong in my book.
After a great meal and some brilliant speeches from Carol, Freya, Keiran, Alex and Nathan it was time to join the happy couple for their first dance. Only fools rush in, but I’m glad they do.
And now we reach probably my favourite moment, Nathan’s incredible live performance. Wheel it up brother.
I have to ask, if you went to a wedding and didn’t hear this tune, did you really go to a wedding?
Riding the post wedding high, the majority of attendees headed to Bar Street once again to continue the celebrations.
Afterparty
Bar street, 1:22am, shades of a renaissance painting.
The best man enjoying his best dance of the night.
Saturday
After a daybreak wander back to the apartment I tucked in for 40 winks. Saturday was a much needed recovery.
We piled into the little red i10 and set off for Kefalos, a small town on the south-west peninsula. As usual, Ian was being extremely gentle with the rental.
As the sounds of tyre squeal came to an end we were greeted with a stunning view of the landscape.
We enjoyed a late meze lunch with a ‘big A’ before making our way to the beach.
Later that evening we made our way back towards Kos town, stopping in the village of Zia to soak in the famous sunset.
A special thanks to the group of fellow english tourists who left just in time for us to get box seats.
The views in Zia were simply gorgeous, great food and great company.
After a spirited nighttime run down the mountain we rolled back into town.
Ian got to enjoy his first and final walk down the now infamous Bar Street, and in a stroke of good fortune, I was reunited with my AirPods . After seeing them zip around the island on FindMy, their taxi happened to pull up right opposite us whilst Alex got a bite to eat.
Sunday
Our final day on the island, we stuffed our belongings into the i10 and squeezed in for a cosy journey.
We had enjoyed Zia so much that we had to go back in the day, this time with Alex in tow.
The ’no stress taverna’ was exactly that, the most laid back dining experience I’ve ever had. Stuffed zucchini flowers, mousaka and some of the best lemon cake (sorry Nanny).
Finally it came time to leave Kos, Ian dropped the four of us at the airport and we began our journey home.
The flight was slightly delayed but pleasant enough, unfortunately the same can’t be said for our onward travels from Manchester.
Around midnight, the nearside rear tyre of Alex’s A3 gave up the ghost.
We were still in good spirits and I’d like to say I enjoyed my two hours on the side of the A556. It gave me the oppurtunity to pester the others for the photos and videos you’ve seen here.
Eventually our rescue came, new trye fitted, wallets lightened and I finally walked through my door around 2:45am.
Wrap up
I don’t wish to end on a downbeaten note, so to Nathan, Harriet, Alex, Sam, Connor, Ian, Grace and everyone else who attended I’d like to say a huge thank you. My first ‘rotter’ wedding certainly did not disappoint. I hope there will be many more to come, but this will be a tough act to follow. Congratulations to Nathan and Harriet, I can’t wait for the reception this weekend.
Love you all.
Joseph
