neil's oxford graduation...

On Saturday, Neil graduated with his MA degree from Oxford. There is something that only is done in Oxford in this regard.... If students perform up to a certain standard throughout their undergraduate programme, they are rewarded with a MA degree in the same subject five years after they graduate with their undergraduate degree. So Neil got to come in for the day, sit through the Oxford graduation ceremony, and walk out with an MA degree... intresting.

I was lucky enough to be invited with an extra ticket to the ceremony, joining Neil's parents and brother in watching the show. It was really great to get to see the ceremony that I will be sitting through on my own in just a few months time. The ceremony is held in the Sheldonian Theatre (same place we had marticulation), was all conducted in Latin, and lasted about an hour and a half. Interesting procedures and traditions.

After the ceremony we went back to Lincoln college for lunch with the graduates, which was lovely. And during that lunch I was convinced by the Bush's to head back with them to their home in Southampton for the evening. So we went off and I got to spend a lovely evening in their home (so nice to be in a family home for a change!). Sunday it was really rainy, but we still went on a driving tour of Southampton, Portsmouth, and the surrounding areas. Definitely looked like a lovely place to explore in greater detail with better weather and more time!