Summer's Degree Congregation

The University’s Summer Degree Ceremonies had started on Monday 19th and will be finishing on Friday 23rd July. It was an important occasion for the 3500 students and their families. The ultimate culmination of all the hard work during their time at the University. It marks the point at which they leave to make their way in the world. Congratulations and good luck especially during this time of uncertainties.

I was expecting the usual traffic congestion during the ceremony. We left the casa early and there was nothing. What happened? Kudos to the University for providing a FREE Graduation Park & Ride service for the graduands and their guests. What a brilliant idea. During this whole week, all graduand parking will be situated at Stoneleigh Park and a park and ride scheme will operate from there to campus and back. This certainly reduced the amount of traffic on and around campus throughout the week.

I took the day off on Monday cos I was soo exhausted and felt like a limp rag. After informing the office, I took a nap downstairs on Babe’s reclining chair with the front door open.  Lots of fresh air and the twitterings of my feathered friends at the bird-feeder helped me to catch some much-needed sleep.

I woke up around noon feeling good. What shall I do next? Ha…what about the NEXT sale which was on since Saturday. I told Babe that I wanted to join the queue at 5am. Why??? Just because…I just wanted to experience the atmosphere but he said NO, off course.

I went to the library first to return/borrow some books. Then straight to the sale. I was quite surprised that it was packed. Clothes were everywhere and it was a challenge to go through the racks. You really need to elbow in. Just  imagine the scene on the first day…

I managed to pick 3 items and found one right shoe and couldn’t find the left :-). Still had to queue for the dressing room and decided to keep only one. It was a floral blouse for £15 down from £35. I’d a very nice surprise at the till. It was further reduced to £12. What a bargain. I know it was last season but who cares huh…I was never a follower any way. I purchase what I like and could afford.

Later in the evening we popped to Brandon Marsh. The reserve were much quieter now as the birds have stopped singing and it was still too warm to be flying about. But there were hundreds of butterflies busy at work, flirting from one flower to another. Just look at this beautiful 6 Spot Burnet feeding on a thistle.

On Tuesday, JHE came to the university and we had our sandwiches by the lake. There were quite a few graduates and their families taking those last important shots for the album surrounded by pesky geese and ducks begging for food. Quite funny to watch especially when they tried to dodge the droppings on the path in their high heels. Was that a Louboutin I saw? Sigh…how could she afford it…:-(

Did you see the new guy on CSI? Phoarr…Cardoza gets a shirtless first day at work. Have you seen any other MDPD lab member shirtless??? And no thank you to the girl in green for ruining the moment by giving Cardoza a tee to put on!!! Where on earth did she find it ? Are they trying to sex-up the series? I hope not. Frankly speaking, I find Cardoza a bit too distracting :-)

TW managed to book 2 courts for the staff to play badminton. Unfortunately, we only used one cos only 4 of us turned up. We played at least 4 games and my arm was so sore at the moment. But it felt good. Couldn’t wait for next week.

FM plays for the state and you can guess that she just throttle all of us. Next week we will be contributing £1 into a fund and anyone who can beat her gets to keep it and donate to his/hers favourite charity. A lot of people have signed up including moi. I’m not playing against her though… 

Babe joined me for my lunch walk on a everything –under-the weather Thursday afternoon. It was raining cats and dogs earlier, followed by a very humid afternoon and ending with a very dry, windy evening. We walked towards Heronbank to see if the flock of wagtails were still there. Yes, still around and there was even more. There were Grey and Yellow wagtails plus juveniles feeding along the mudbanks. What a joy to watch.

The family of swan with the 5 not-so fluffy cygnets came over to say hello.  Mama was being territorial, busy chasing the Canada Geese away. We were engrossed with this family of Tufted ducklings. Aren’t they just adorable?

Babe continued his adventure at Brandon Marsh while I trod back to work. It’s just not fair. And to rub it in,  a beautiful snow white Little Egret and a handsome Black Godwit were feeding opposite East Marsh Pool. How lucky was that?

He even called to say he’ll be late to get me. A beautiful bird had flown right in front of the hide and was feeding on the mudbanks. I could hear the cameras clicking away while he was talking to me. Me vs a close-up shot of a beautiful bird…It’s ok Babe. I don’t mind being upstaged as long as it was the feathered kind :-). What a beauty…

Here’s to a lovely weekend. May we all be surrounded by things of beauty.