Laura's PhD Graduation

Today Laura formally had her PhD conferred on her at a degree ceremony in the Guildhall in Portsmouth. We were all there - me, Dawn, Sarah, William and Laurence. 

We arrived yesterday and spent the evening together (see here).

This morning we had a little visit to Victoria Park, just beside our hotel, before heading for the Guildhall. After the ceremony we visited the reception in Ravelin Park and then returned to Gunwharf Quays, where we were last night, for Laura to get her photograph taken in her academic dress with the Spinnaker tower. Then in the evening we returned for a celebratory meal at Pho.

Here are some of my photos.

Looking out the hotel window, it was a lovely sunny day.

There is an aviary at the centre of the park

Our hotel. Dawn and I had the room at the end on the right 3 floors down from the top.

The Guildhall.

There were several degree ceremonies today. Laura's was the one for the Faculty of Science and Health.

Here comes Laura in her academic dress. Very fetching.

There she is!

I wonder how many others in the audience noticed the organ music at the end was not the Widor Toccata, as stated on the programme, but the finale of  the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony arranged for organ solo? [Do watch those videos for some awesome playing!].

Laura was able to get only 3 tickets - for Laurence, Dawn and myself. Sarah and William watched on the big screen outside the Guildhall and got Laura some flowers while we were inside.

And here is Sarah's video of the big screen view.

On the Guildhall steps.

The reception provided us with canapes and prosecco.

There was live music from Ken Wharton-Emms. Lovely playing! We applauded him even if no-one else did. and I had a nice chat with him when he stopped for his lunch break before the afternoon graduation session.

After the formal photo, they all threw their hats.

This is Laurence's video of it..

The PhD graduates had their own photo.

With the Spinnaker tower in the background.

Behind Laura here were the Tall Ships Youth Trust training boats and in the background HMS Prince of Wales.

Sarah took this one...

Sarah has a go with the hat.

We continued along the waterfront through Old Portsmouth.

The water looked very tempting.

Across The Solent we could see Ryde on on the Isle of Wight. No time for a trip to the island this time.

Our celebratory meal later.

We had a lovely view...

...and the sun set while we dined.

Yummy. I think I'm going to have to add some Vietnamese recipes to my culinary repertoire now.

So congratulations Laura... and what a lovely day!

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr.