26 May 1958

53 years ago today there would have been a flurry of excitement in Plumstead, South London as guests arrived for my parents' wedding. May 26 in 1958 was actually a Bank Holiday Monday and it was typical bank holiday weather. Thankfully everyone had proper-serious, black umbrellas in those days.

It wouldn't have been anywhere near such a striking image if someone had whipped out an
M & S cupcake-print brolly.

They escaped drizzly Plumstead and flew to sunny Portugal for their honeymoon. (Unfortunately I wasn't there to say 'lose the mac luv.')

umbrella installation by Alexandre Pachiaudi and Gaetan Kohler

Brian and I are off to Hackney Registry Office this afternoon for the Ceremony of Commitment of our gay Caribbean next-door neighbours. After months of drought it's absolutely pissing it down and we're expecting a far more flamboyant selection of umbrellas outside the Town Hall - I'm taking the camera :)