very proud parents
What a stunner of a day. Hannah’s graduation day in Durham. We caught the 10.42 train to Plymouth and got off at Durham 11 minutes later. It was only a short walk down to the market square and Hannah arrived at around 11.15 ish. Quick M&S sandwich to fortify ourselves and we were off to the Cathedral. Hansk picked up her gown, had pics taken, preordered champagne and joined the queue to get in at 1pm. Hannah went in separately.
It has to be said that Durham University knows how to organise a ceremony, The surroundings were hugely impressive and the tenor of the occasion was spot on. Academic staff were dressed in outfits that must have dated back to the renaissance. V colourful. I welled up with pride. It took me back to the day of Tom’s graduation where instead of just shaking hands with the Chancellor he turned him and pointed towards us in the audience for an unique photo opportunity.
No photography was allowed in Durham cathedral during the ceremony but we have ordered the DVD.
Afterwards we popped the champagne and bought Han a Durham scarf. A modern languages dept drinks reception was thrown at St Chads just down from the Cathedral and then down to the Whisky River bar (or simlar) down by the river. It was chucking it down all afternoon but that didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the day and I had brought umbrellas along as a precaution.
It was in the whisky bar that we realised that it might have been a good idea to have booked a taxi. There were none available. In the end we caught a bus to Oro at the Pumphouse where we had a great Italian meal with a couple of bots of sauvignon blanc and two very nice bottles of Barolo.
A mini bus took us back to the station dropping Hannah off at Grey College where she headed out for the night to Fabios with her pals. All in all a wonderful day out.
This morning Tom caught the 6.30 am train back to London (urgh) and we are chillin whilst Anne pops to the shops. Setting off back at 10.30. Me to Durham to pick up Hannah and her ger and Anne and the lads home.
vids in chronological order: