BBQ @ Pesila's

Hey Pesila, thanks oodles for the invitation, for scrumptious food and great company!

Ahmed's amazing Nutella bread :-)

ready for the oven ...

ready for my tummy!!!

Graduation Ceremonies

This year I got to see the graduation ceremonies from a different perspective ... that of an actual guest rather than having to volunteer as an usher. As always, it's a joy and a privilege to celebrate with students as they receive their degrees. It's also great to meet families, many of whom have travelled miles and miles to be here.

If you have graduated this year and your photo isn't here,

do please send me a copy to include on this entry.

July 27th 

 

 

For years I have been dreaming and hoping for an honorary degree of some form ... not because I deserve it, simply because it's something I've desired!!











July 28th

 

I can't believe it ... my wish has finally come true.  I went just a little bit mental when Basel and Aiste presented me with this certificate. How marvellous can marvellous actually get??!!  I feel like my life is now complete ... so maybe I can retire?!

Hever Castle

Unfortunately we started our day with a frustrating delay of two hours, during which Kwikfit (boo, hiss) did NOT live up to their name,  and when I really needed this anti-stress kit >>>

I cannot thank the students enough for their gracious and patient attitude ... thanks too, Pesila, for your foresight in bringing a ball along :-)
However, once Lesley's tyre was eventually fixed and we were on our way the day went from ok ... to good ... to great ... to fab ... to truly MARVELLOUS!!!

There is so much to see and do at Hever and the grounds themselves are sooooo beautiful. Amongst other things students enjoyed the water maze, trying their skills at archery, boating on the lake and looking around the castle itself.

Yes, Sonali, point the arrow this way!!

I'm not entirely sure what Suvarna has done to upset Ahmed :-(

For me the highlight of the day was the jousting show itself

Henry VIII welcomes everyone. 

I think this was the point at which I shouted "Chop his head off." I'm sure I was thinking of Kwikfit at the time!!

I have to say that these guys know how to do 'picnic' ... there was plenty to eat and lots to share. I only wish I had taken a photo of the scrumptious chocolate creation that Ahmed had made.

It was a very hot day and it made me smile that whilst us Brits were lapping it up, the internationals were covering up ...

Ahmed from Somalia 

Emal from Afghanistan

Post jousting we still had several hours to enjoy the day. Whilst students went off to explore further; myself and my trusty drivers (Wayne, Lesley and Sue) enjoyed an ice-cream and a snooze under a tree :-)

Basel, Wayne, Hussein, Ahmed, Emal, Sue, Dev, Suvarna, Lynne, Wisnu
Aiste, Lesley, Pesila, Amira, Christina & mummy, Sonali
(sadly Chi, Xudong & Yu had already gone home)

Thanks everyone,

for a fabby-dabby day!!!