After the graduation ceremony, we went back to the hotel to change – I am not spending the rest of the day in a posh frock and heels for anyone.

Then, we drove slightly outwith Oxford to The Trout Inn in Wolvercote for a lovely lunch.

This 17th century pub featured frequently in BBC’s TV sereis Morse and is famous for its’ riverside terraces and resident peacocks.

This is quintessentially Oxford.

After a well-deserved and hard-earned lunch, we drove back to Oxford central, parked up and walked to the Ashmolean Museum.

Oxford is a beautiful city.  A very special place.

The Martyr’s Memorial in St Giles commemorates the 16th-century Oxford Martyrs.

There are the obligatory bicycles belonging to the students.

St John’s College, founded in 1555, is the wealthiest college in Oxford – apparently one of the biggest land owners in the country.

The architecture is wonderful.

It is like walking in a film set.

And then we came across the entrance to the Institutio Tayloriana – part of the Bodleian Library – as Taylors, we loved the Latin inscription.  This is so us!

More tomorrow – it was a great week away.

We arrived nice and early to stand outside The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford.

Built from 1664 to 1669 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford.

It was raining and of course, being from Shetland, we didn’t have umbrellas because we are tough and hard, as well as forgetting!

There were a few different queues around the building.

And we all happily stood in the rain admiring the architecture.

Once inside, we found a place to sit….

And wait….

And look around to admire the scenery…..

Which was pretty goddamn spectacular.  The ceiling was painted by Robert Streater (Charles II’s court painter.  It represents “Truth descending on the Arts and Sciences to expel Ignorance from the University”.

Like you do.

The graduands then arrived and sat in their allocated seats (Floss was looking around for us).

The ceremony started with the entrance of the Vice-Chancellor, preceded by the Bedels and followed by the Proctors.

I know this because I have read the programme.

The whole ceremony is in Latin apart from the Vice-Chancellor’s first welcome speech.

I loved the Proctors’ chairs which made them look like small children as they could rest their feet on the cross-pieces.

Everyone waited until their name was called by the Junior Proctor.

Then they clambered in a dignified fashion out of their seats.

The candidates are then presented by their Dean of Degrees for their college.  The Junior Proctor recited an Oath in which they replied “Do fidem” (I swear) and they were admitted to the degree by the Vice-Chancellor.

They left the theatre.

The Bedels walk, one at a time, to the front door and admit each group of graduates who are now wearing their full academic dress.

Different colours and types according to their degree.

Floss was wearing white – a BA graduate.

They returned to the room and bowed to the Vice-Chancellor and Proctors.

And then left (to stand outside in the rain, which had just about stopped by now).

So, there we are.  One very happy, and relieved, BA (Oxon) Oriential Studies graduate.

I am loving the robes!

I am struggling with Floss’ ‘puter.  It is not my friend.

Photos are either huge or tiny, but I have given up fighting with them now.  Life is too short for this battle.

Mum’s garden is still looking wonderful.  Autumn is always a beautiful season, for me.

Teddy continues to entertain.

He has settled in very quickly.

While I was a-pottering around outside (this is the last rose of summer, apparently).

I was left to look after Teddy.

And he minded very much that Mum had gone inside.

There was porcelain that needed to moved to the kiln and no one wanted to be tripped up by Tedward.

Anyway, all was quickly done and normality resumed.

Teddy remains enchanting.

He knows exactly how to work the room.

Or the garden.

And of course, we all love him.

Still loving the ears – they are huge.

I would really like to know who they belong to, apart from Teddy.

Anywho, all is good.  Tomorrow is Oxford, the next day is the graduation and then home, via just about every method of transport.

We arrived safely at my mother’s this afternoon after two fairly peaceful and easy flights.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Mum’s new dog, Teddy.

You may remember Mum’s previous dog, Pip, the wonderful black Patterdale terrier.  Tragically he died a few months back of a horrid disease that takes no prisoners. Life is not fair. Distraught, we found Mum little Teddy.

Methinks there is Yorkshire terrier in this dog plus a few others too.

Teddy has a wonderful little personality with huge ears – now, who do those belong to?

Anyway, as I type this with two fingers on my iPad, Teddy is busy charmingly us all.

I mean what is not to love though he does bark at just about everything!  The invisible burglars all run away.

My daughters and I are going south again for Floss’ graduation.  We are staying with my mother for two nights and then off to Oxford for the ceremony – a full gown and mortar board job.

I am trying to pack but I keep being diverted.

I know we are only going for a few days but you try telling that to some.

We are back on the boat Saturday night arriving Sunday morning as there are no flights to Shetland on Saturday afternoon – ridiculous.

So hopefully we won’t be missed too much.

OH is very kindly holding the fort.

Now, off to iron all my clothes as I will be judged if I don’t!

Sorry this is short, and there won’t be anything again until Sunday, but I haven’t even begun to pack and we off at the crack of sparrows tomorrow.  Ugh!  A 05:00 start.