This is not
what it looks like. The photograph was taken in 1975 in
Newton-le-Willows just before or after (I can't remember, only in
November that year I began my diary) one of my cousins graduated at
Hull University. It was too tempting not to try if the gown would fit
me. Wearing a gown on your graduation ceremony was unheard of in
Dutch universities, at least in those days. I never wore one although
I gained two bachelor's degrees and two master's. My last master I
got at Utrecht University with the Dutch historian Maarten van
Rossem, who became famous in the USA taking part in the last
presidential election campaign with the slogan 'Van Rossem for
President.'
