Another teacher in the family!

I'm proud to announce that dearest daughter has gained a post graduate teaching certificate. She trained for this "on the job" as part of her work as Education and Training manager at a large central London hospital, and attended the Institute of Education ( part of the University of London). She had assignments and an exam to do as well as having observed sessions of her teaching and training the adults she works with.

Yes, we're proud and I hope she is too! We went down to London last week for the day to attend the awards ceremony and she met us at Euston station. We had time for a quick visit to the British Museum and admired the roof of the glassed-in courtyard.

We did a fairly short tour of the Egyptian and Greek antiquities ( I'd prefer seeing them in situ rather than in London) - some of them are very striking and dramatic. Here is Rameses.

And here is Horus and his shadow. Both are striking sculptures of great significance, and although I appreciated seeing them, I would much rather they had been in their natural surroundings where - to me at any rate - it seems they should be. One could argue that they would have fallen into decay or disrepair of they'd stayed in Egypt, and that bringing them to London and other world cities where many are displayed, their cultural significance can be preserved, studied and appreciated. To me they just seemed a long way from home, out of place, and a bit sad.

We moved on then to the Institute of Education for the awards ceremony, which was very enjoyable. Along with our star receiving her PGCE, the children's book illustrator, Quentin Blake, was given an honorary degree with due pomp and ceremony, and we were treated to a stunning piano recital as part of the proceedings.

Here she is waiting to be called forward. . . . .

. . . . and then receiving her award. . . .

. . . . and giving us a twirl after it was all over!