The main purpose of this short trip to Blighty was to see Jan's son Josh graduate. Typically for a left wing bolshy student he refused to formally accept his first degree and had it sent by post. With a bit of pressure from his mother, who had attended all her other children's degree ceremonies, he finally relented. Last year he achieved his PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education) thereby allowing him to teach and, more to the point, increasing his salary from that of teaching assistant.
Anyway, at 11.00 this morning, he called to say that he'd been knocked off his bike the night before and had a lot of pain in his neck. Mum naturally rushed to his bedside and decided that it wasn't so serious that he could skive off another ceremony. We all then decamped to Brighton Pavilion, or the Dome, as it is also known, in downtown Brighton. This is a seriously nice venue. Jan and I have between us attended five other graduation ceremonies (three at Manchester, one at Leeds, and one at Oxford) and, with the possible exception of The Sheldonian at Oxford, this was the most impressive venue and ceremony. More to the point it was very comfortable and everyone got a good view.
Whilst Josh went to get his gown, Jan and I had a quick bite in Carluccio's. I'm sure that I've mentioned them before, but this chain of restaurants is, in my opinion, as close as it comes to good, authentic Italian food. Highly recommended.
Back in the Dome, the presentation ceremony began with a procession into the hall of the great and good of the University (of Sussex). The Chancellor happens to be The Lord Attenborough (Dickie Attenborough to all us luvvies) and he attended in all his finery. To give the man his due he stood throughout the ceremony and shook every graduand's hand and gave an excellent speech before the closing the ceremony. Very enjoyable.
Anyway, at 11.00 this morning, he called to say that he'd been knocked off his bike the night before and had a lot of pain in his neck. Mum naturally rushed to his bedside and decided that it wasn't so serious that he could skive off another ceremony. We all then decamped to Brighton Pavilion, or the Dome, as it is also known, in downtown Brighton. This is a seriously nice venue. Jan and I have between us attended five other graduation ceremonies (three at Manchester, one at Leeds, and one at Oxford) and, with the possible exception of The Sheldonian at Oxford, this was the most impressive venue and ceremony. More to the point it was very comfortable and everyone got a good view.
Whilst Josh went to get his gown, Jan and I had a quick bite in Carluccio's. I'm sure that I've mentioned them before, but this chain of restaurants is, in my opinion, as close as it comes to good, authentic Italian food. Highly recommended.
Back in the Dome, the presentation ceremony began with a procession into the hall of the great and good of the University (of Sussex). The Chancellor happens to be The Lord Attenborough (Dickie Attenborough to all us luvvies) and he attended in all his finery. To give the man his due he stood throughout the ceremony and shook every graduand's hand and gave an excellent speech before the closing the ceremony. Very enjoyable.
***
Because we had an early start the next morning for our flight back to France, we left Brighton and got on the road north to stay at Tim and Sue's house in St Albans which is closer to Luton. For dinner, Sue prepared an excellent bangers and mash, the best I have ever tasted. Thanks Sue.
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