The one you were waiting for...

So there we were, sat in a buttercup-filled meadow overlooking the most perfect view I think I've ever seen - Mt. Cook & Mt. Tasman with the Fox Glacier in the background, a field full of uninterested bulls in the middle-ground and a sausage sarnie in the foreground. It was quite possibly the most spectacular snag/bap combo ever experienced and Andy was about to make the moment even more memorable. After spending a couple of hours early that morning gawping at the splendid view over Lake Matheson, with the magnificent mountains reflected in the water, we escaped the crowds of people hilariously running around the lake trying the capture the scene before the clouds obscured their photo opportunity of the peaks. Heading towards the Mt. Cook lookout, we stumbled upon a totally amazing spot completely devoid of human lifeforms. It was totally still and peaceful with only a stoat and several grazing beasts for company. Before I could pick up my knitting needles and ball of wool (the new OCD project of the week), Andy seemed to be asking me to marry him! At first I thought he was taking the p***, then I was very happy and then I started crying and then the panic hit me. All these emotions came and went very quickly and within about 6 seconds I seemed to be agreeing to his ludicrous plan.

Not quite prepared for the moment, Andy then legged it back to the van for the jade ring which he tells me is a temporary feature until he has saved up his pennies for a pink diamond like Jordon's (I think that's what he meant anyway). So this is the moment you've all been anticipating for the past 10 months. Was it worth the wait?!? Not only had I given up all hope, but the setting was out of this world. I think Gandalf was lurking somewhere casting good-weather spells. I didn't want to leave, but I was really quite keen to get on with the knitting project - a new hat for my future husband. A rainy drive to Lake Wanaka and then the clouds lifted once more. A bottle of champagne later and we were 'phoning my Dad to ask his permission. Some confusion ensued and a half-asleep Dad responded with some Northern-ness which Andy didn't quite get, but I think he agreed!

The original plan had been to ask me in an ice-cave the day before during an expedition on the Fox Glacier. All had not gone according to plan though as the ice-cave was very small (blog to follow soon) and as it was a sunny day, the ice was melting quite quickly. Andy was trying to shove me into the cave but it was dripping at quite a rate and I was getting soaked. If I'm honest, I was getting in quite a mood by the whole process and this could possibly have put the proposal on hold for a bit. The romance was further removed from the equation by the queue of people outside the cave waiting to come in.

So, on the 7th December, I had a tip-top excuse to flex the Egg card. We found a bar in Wanaka (not a typo) overlooking the mountains and the lake. Champagne and fine wine was the order of the moment. Then it was mussles, steak, tiger prawns and smoked salmon to ease the alarm of the situation. It's all good. Andy has said I can spend 10 English pounds on flowers for the big day and he's going to get his suit from TK Maxx... I am one lucky lady!! No seriously, we are very happy and have agreed on virtually everything since the event... So, here's to the future Mr & Mrs Us! Chin chin!!!!!

Currently Drinking : Quarz Reef Champagne from Otago region, NZ.

Film of the Week : A Very Long Engagement.