![\"Adam_and_Ava8\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stragnell.com\/befoulednews\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Adam_and_Ava8.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nYou can see the rest of the least bad photos here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Because of Ava\u2019s indisposition during much of the afternoon, I didn\u2019t get a chance to give my \u201cfather of the groom\u201d speech. I know that\u2019s not normally required of the father of the groom \u2013 in general, it\u2019s my understanding that the father of the groom is expected to sit at the top table, eat and drink too much, shout obscenities and fall over during the dancing. Still, I had a \u201cspeech\u201d of sorts prepared which I had spent literally moments planning which I didn\u2019t get to deliver. \u00a0So, here are the main points.<\/p>\n In my forty-two and a bit years of marriage I\u2019ve learned a thing or two. The first and most crucial ingredient for a successful marriage is to find the right partner. Someone who is smart, tolerably good-looking and a great cook. I found my ideal partner nearly forty-seven years ago and have only very occasionally regretted my choice. (Not really, just kidding)!<\/em><\/p>\n Adam clearly has found his ideal partner \u2013 Ava is a delightful and charming young woman, very smart, and absolutely gorgeous. Although we have enjoyed just a few\u00a0samplings of her culinary skills, I couldn\u2019t really say yet whether or not she is a great cook. Still, two out of three ain’t bad.<\/em><\/p>\n Once one has acquired the ideal partner, the challenge then is to sustain that love and affection all the time. And, for that, there is really only one simple lesson which every man needs to learn, accept and embrace. <\/em><\/p>\n Your wife is always right.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s a waste of time arguing, questioning or disagreeing \u2013 something that has taken me far longer to realise than it should have. Penelope is always right, has always been right and undoubtedly will continue to be right all the time. So, don\u2019t argue, don\u2019t complain, don\u2019t disagree and you\u2019ll have a long and happy married life (maybe). <\/em><\/p>\n We are delighted to have finally met Ava. We look forward to getting to know her more fully and have great pleasure in welcoming her to the extended and expansive Stragnell family. Poor girl, she doesn\u2019t really understand what she\u2019s let herself in for!<\/em><\/p>\n In spite of Ava\u2019s hay fever setback, it was a glorious day!<\/p>\n Nick wasn\u2019t able to attend, as I say, because he had a prior engagement \u2013 a weekend of scuba diving examinations in the Lake District so that he could be \u201cQualified\u201d or \u201cCertified\u201d or some such other descriptor. Heck, he\u2019s probably certifiable anyway so why he had to go to the Lake District to find out I do not know.<\/p>\n\n\n
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