One of the nice things about getting married overseas is that you get the chance to celebrate everything at least twice (or in our case, thrice – England, USA and France!) Since we were going to be in Washington for a few days, my parents took the opportunity to throw an impromptu engagement party for us. Some peanuts and cocktails, perhaps?

Nope. Six racks of lamb and all the trimmings. You know, a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.

We had a great time – a great excuse for a party and a chance to catch up with lots of old friends.

Jim and Sima listen to Raymond tell a story

Marta, Aude, Carol and Jim

Andy smiles for the camera

Joanne, looking like she’s about to get into mischief

More vacation updates: When we got back from the Chesapeake Bay, having stuffed ourselves with crabs, it was soon time for more food. My mother made a chicken and lentil tagine. We sat out in the garden until quite late, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.

“Momcat” in the kitchen

The next morning was a bit of government-sponsored sightseeing. In order to get married in France, I need to attach an Apostille to my birth certificate, effectively certifying that my certified copy is genuinely a certified copy (a certification of a certification, if you will.) Initially I thought that I could get the Apostille done at the Department of State, but it turns out that they only issue them for federal documents. State documents, like my birth certificate, need to go back to the state where they were issued.

Since I was born in Washington, I thought I would find out if the Apostille could be issued in person. Luckily, it could – all it took was a quick trip down to the Mayor’s office and for $10, they prepare the certificate while they wait.

It all seemed so simple. And it was, until I read in the fine print that they only accepted cheques, money orders, or bankers’ drafts. No cash, no credit cards.

This wouldn’t normally be a problem, but I don’t carry my US chequebook as a matter of course. So I figured I would buy a money order at the post office. Only I assumed that there would be a post office on every downtown corner, the way there are in the UK. I was wrong – it was 17 blocks to the nearest post office!

Once I finally had the money order sorted out (which took all morning), the actual bureaucracy in the government office only took a few minutes. One more thing off my list of things to do before the wedding.

In the afternoon we went to Alexandria for lunch and to tour the Torpedo Factory (where the one gallery we really wanted to see was unfortunately closed!) We spent the rest of the afternoon down on the Potomac River, watching the planes take-off and land from Washington Reagan National Airport, which took me back to doing the same thing as a child. I am amazed, post 9/11, that they still allow you to get so close to the runway.

Planes landing at Reagan National Airport

Planes landing at Reagan National Airport

Planes landing at Reagan National Airport

Reagan National Airport

From there, we went out to Hains Point to see what was left of the cherry blossoms, then back home for an engagement party that my parents had arranged…

An old couple looking out onto the Potomac

Aude at Hains Point, overlooking the Potomac River

Matthew & Aude pose for a photo at The Awakening at Hains Point