With the weather turning for the better and summer finally arriving, it gave us the opportunity to get really excited about my sister, Kate’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday (27 July).

I went along with both our parents as well as a very long standing family friend, Sheila, who used to change our nappies! There was much hilarity as all of the ‘Opps’ came downstairs dressed up for the photos, especially when Kate commented that we had better get photographic evidence as it would be the last time we were all dressed up until either of us get married!

We left with plenty of time as the ceremony was in the Freemason’s Hall in London and it was one of the days that the Olympic torch was going through the capital city.

On arrival we met up with Katie, one of Kate’s friends who was also graduating, and her family for lunch at a lovely Italian restaurant. It was great for us to finally meet Katie as we had heard a lot about her but not actually met her. It was a very enjoyable meal with good food and lots of pride around the table!

Once we got to the Freemasons' Hall, Kate went off to sign the veterinary register and get her gown so she was ready for the ceremony. It was quite emotional when she came to find us, but we managed to hold it together and went off for the official photos.

The hall is a magnificent and very beautiful building and a lovely venue for such a special moment. It was another emotional moment when they announced Kate as graduating with honours and very scary when the graduates went from being ‘students’ to ‘colleagues’! 

Kate is now free to practice as a vet, and will now be known as Kate Oppenheimer BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS, which is also also scary!

It was a wonderful day and we are all very proud, and for once we were all scrubbed up well and able to get some nice photos!

Now we are enjoying the Olympics, after a magnificent opening ceremony on Friday. Good luck to all of the athletes competing, it looking like it’s going to be a fantastic fortnight that will hopefully bring a lot of success for team GB!