Proud, proud, proud!

Sorry I have been missing for a week, but it has been a very busy and important one here in the Gotch household as it was Ben's graduation week. It started for me and Hugh on Monday evening after work as we had to pack our suitcase ready to leave straight after work on Tuesday. I had two outfits to pack - one for sunny and warm weather and one for cold and rainy weather - well, you can never tell over here and especially in Plymouth where Ben was graduating!

On Tuesday evening we set off at 6.30pm once we had both returned from work and had a bite to eat. We were driving to Plymouth via Reading to collect Ben and Rachel on the way. That first part of the journey took about an hour and a half and we were fortunate that the traffic on the M25 wasn't too bad. The rest of the journey was uneventful and we eventually ended up at the Premier Inn in Plymouth just after midnight.

After breakfast on Wednesday morning we had a quick trip to Sainsburys to buy some sandwiches for lunch and then it was off to the park and ride to catch the special graduation bus to Plymouth Hoe where there were marquees set up for the graduation ceremony. Ben met up with some of his classmates and we started the photogrification (as Penny would say!).

Ben (on the left) with 3 of his friends

After our sandwich lunch we moved into the graduation marquee - Rachel, Ben's girlfriend and Hugh.

Ben receiving congratulations from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Plymouth. Not only did he receive a first class honours degree in computing, but he also received an award for the best degree in his year in the school of computing and mathematics.

Once everyone had received their degrees they all went outside onto the Hoe for a class of 2011 photograph - as Rachel said - 'Where's Wally?' Can you spot Ben?

We then took loads and loads of photos out on the Hoe! Although the weather was kind to us with no rain, and the sun did show us its face now and again, there was quite a lot of wind and it was a bit chilly! However, I did get to wear my summer dress, which I was pleased about as I had already bought some scrapbook papers for the graduation which had green in lol!

Proud Dad with Ben

Proud Mum with Ben

Family photo!

Ben and Rachel

Warming up in the after ceremony marquee! In case you are wondering, Penny couldn't come as she had college and was also due to go for a job interview. Ben was very understanding and although Penny was very disapointed she was thrilled for Ben and showed off a photo of him in his gown and mortar board to her college friends which I sent her on her phone!

High spirits!

We finished our day off by driving Ben and Rachel back to Reading, stopping in Swindon for a celebratory meal. Hugh and I finally got home at midnight on Wednesday and then I had to be in work again at 8am on Thursday morning! On top of that, I seem to have come down with a heavy cold and sore throat, but I am battling on and looking forward to scrapping all the photos from Wednesday!

So, thank you for bearing with me and I promise to try and keep a bit more up to date! I am almost up to date with LSNED and will try and take photos today and blog them early this week. I also have to get my story ready for Sian's Story Telling Sunday next week - can't believe it is nearly October!