Queens University Graduation Day

Driving home from work one day in May 2004 Marguerite and Jude had a conversation which touched on such issues as personal lives, work lives, ambitions, personal goals, challenges, unfulfilled potential and the future. By the time the car was in the driveway there was agreement to commit to going to Queens and obtaining a Degree in Management and Business Studies, and to do it while holding down two full-time jobs. Here 5 years later Jude and Marguerite stand at the war memorial in front of the Lanyon Buiding proudly preparing to enter the Whitla Hall to collect their Degrees.

To the left Marguerite's proud Mum & Dad join in the pics as they celebrate too. And below it's uncle Fra's turn. Check out the cool sunglasses there folks, wha? Michael's are by far the funkiest don't you think. Sure they are like something out of the 70's.

The Clarke clan are out in force for this pic below. Kevin, Paul and Lorraine join Marguerite and Jude here, but where are the sunglasses? Kevin only wears his sunglasses when he is skiing while Paul only wears his when he is looking for UFOs.

So Marguerite and Jude are now officially Queens Graduates. Here they pose below the clock in the Quadrangle. The garden party has started in the pic below as the Champagne begins to flow. This pic below had to go into the blog as it was the only one taken all day where Marguerite Jnr's gown was sitting correctly!!!!!!!!!

Marguerite and Jude had returned Kevin and Lorraine's two wonderful kids to them just a couple of days earlier. That's Aideen and Megan of course. It's funny how time flies but within days of these pics being taken Aideen had passed her driving test and Lorraine was the proud owner of a cool MX5. Kevin decided to splash out and buy it for Lorraine for her birthday. That was very nice of him don't ya reckon?

Jude was delighted to have his brothers Paul and Kevin at his Graduation. Paul got all emotional about his wee brother graduating and all. The tissues were nearly called for. That nearly started Kevin off too, it was getting embarrassing.......big softies they are those two!

Michael is guarding the swall like a securicor man. Thank God he has removed the 70's glasses though, at least now he can see. He did a good job though, not a drop was spilt!

'Here Marguerite, I'm telling ya that auld Tattinger is nice gear'. 'Bottoms up then Michael'.










Marguerite and Jude's pal Louisa was also graduating at the same ceremony. Here she and her husband enjoy the craic at the garden party.

Ok, so the show moved to the Park Inn hotel for dinner and a jolly up. The craic was mighty good. Here Michael had Kevin in stitches with his account of how earlier that morning he offered Jude breakfast and Jude turned his nose up at it. Was Jude displaying a lack of gratitude or doing the right thing? You decide for yourself. 'Well what was he offered?' asked Kevin. 'Tea and Bap', said Michael. As Jude thought Michael was joking he asked Michael to repeat the offer. 'Tea and Bap', was the response. 'Bap with what?' asked Jude. 'Butter', says Michael. Wha? What about bacon, sausage or something? I mean, jam would have been a start, wha? Bap and butter you say!! 'Nah thanks Michael', said Jude, 'thanks all the same but tea will do the job'. Ungrateful git!

The Pahhhhhhk Inn was great. Emma arrived to light up the room with her laughs and mad craic. She got stuck straight into the cocktails but had to share this one with big sis. Sorry folks I meant to say Park there, it's that auld Boston lingo kicking in again muckers.








Here Jude and Marguerite soak up the day. They would like to express their thanks to all friends and family who congratulated them on their graduation.

Later in the evening on Graduation Day and everyone is in great form. Dinner is just over and everyone settles down to have a chilled out night.

Later, later, later and it's back to Marguerite's Mum's for more partying. But when some people start they just don't know when to stop.......Yeah you!!!!!!!!!

Michael had been saving a wee bottle of Bollinger or three for the Graduation Day. Sure why not? It's not every day your daughter graduates from university. 'Don't be shy now Marguerite, I say don't be shy ', says Michael. Oh, and the night ended with Marguerite's wonderful rendition of Michael Jackon's Liberian Girl. Watch out X Factor, this doll is good!