Tomorrow Ann and I will marry. Tonight we are apart, of necessity, for she is Sydney-bound, her hair and makeup to be done by a Thai specialist. This is a mysterious Thai women's matter and I have no notion of its content or import.

Ann has worked really hard to make sure that this wedding and luncheon goes off well, even if it is a very casual affair. There were no formal invitations and therefore no RSVP's, nor have presents been sought or desired. There are no speeches and probably no toasts and you can dress however you like. Ann's skill is in the detail, arranging where guests sit, the design of place cards, the little gift bag for attendees, the arrangement of flowers and the banquet menu at the Thai restaurant.

I've done a lot too, most of it involving handing over money but also negotiating venues, explaining the process of marriage in Australia, organizing wine and stationary and so forth. It falls to me to do the big canvas stuff and I revel in that. Ann is fond of the minutiae and that is just as well. A good team we be and by this time tomorrow, a married one.