Preparation

Today was mainly about the preparation for the big event. Mr A and I made two trips to an "occasion wear" hire shop this morning to get the stuff necessary for us to participate. After that, I headed off to the Law Faculty to present my "seminar" alongside the other honorary doctors. Then it was time for lunch in Sunn, overlooking Senate Square, where Mr A joined us, before a brief period of respite back in the hotel.

Then we had to lever ourselves into our posh outfits, with strict dress code, or at least the variation of those outfits appropriate to the "day before" (as opposed to the "day itself"). We got to the university a little early, so there was time for a cheeky gin and tonic to fortify our spirits (literally....). I collected my hat and sword from the University Building, and then we all had to participate for about an hour in a rehearsal for tomorrow's formal conferment. It reinforced that much of tomorrow's proceedings will be in Finnish. Or Swedish. Or Latin. And occasionally in English.... Cue much bemusement on my part.

Next up, a reception with the Rector and a glass of fizzy wine, before we walked down to the harbour area to join this evening's formal dinner and proceedings. The whole way through the sun shone brightly and it was extremely hot, and there was only some relief once the sun had set. The meal was held in a conservatory with a glass roof. And no air conditioning. It was not so bad for me and the others wearing dresses, but for the men wearing tailcoats there was no relief.

The meal was interspersed with speeches and activities and some musical numbers by a choir of lawyers.

We concluded the evening (not too late thankfully) by wandering back across the market square and up the Esplanade to the hotel in the late evening light.

Tomorrow we go again....