A special date in the diary

You always need something to look forward to and, after this weekend, Jamie can look forward to a big day in his honour almost exactly four months from now.

For, at 10.30am on Sunday 24 May in St Mary's Church (pictured left), Macosquin, Northern Ireland, James Richard White will be christened.

It was Vanessa's idea to go back across the Irish Sea for the ceremony - to balance up the fact that we were married in Leeds -and I jumped at the suggestion.

However, I was a little fearful that the village church which I attended until I was 10 - before moving into the metropolis they call Coleraine - might not agree to the request. But, after our meeting with the very impressive minister there yesterday, he was only too willing to accommodate us and I think we'll now have an excellent day. In fact, I know we will.

It will be organised into three distinct stages. The first will be the actual christening itself (fairly obvious that one).

Stage two will be when hopefully all our guests will join us at The Loft - the newly-opened extension to The Railway Arms, my local bar in Coleraine - where sandwiches, christening cake and strong liquor will be served (by Seamus).

This will take us through until late afternoon when everyone is then invited to the home of our friends Sean and Melanie (pictured below) for a barbecue, disco and karaoke - it isn't expected to be a civilised affair.

So, should be good.

As for the weekend we've just returned from this morning, it was terrific fun although extremely hectic. Most importantly, Jamie seemed to love every second of the attention he received and his hosts seemed to enjoy every second of him being there.

None more so that his cousins Sebastian and Katie (who he's pictured with at the top and bottom of this posting). Sebastian has already accepted Jamie's invitation to become one of his two Godfathers at the ceremony which should guarantee some memorable scenes on the day.

As for the line of the weekend just gone, the title must surely go to my mother who, during a conversation about the christening, kindly offered to babysit Jamie whilst we were all at the church.

She then paused before adding: "Actually, maybe not - he'll probably be needed." Indeed.