Introduction

Since 2007 without fail, I have attended the UKOUG Conference in some capacity. Initially only as a delegate, then speaker as well as volunteer, and more recently as board member in the position of the Tech Member Advocate.

Also as an Oracle Ace Pro, I have the benefit of being invited to the Oracle ACE Adventures, which are trips before or after conference courtesy of the Oracle ACE programme, to reward Oracle ACEs for their contribution to the Oracle community.

So today was about travelling to UKOUG Conference ’23, which this year is at Oracle’s headquarters in the UK at Reading Thames Valley Park, attending the Oracle ACE Adventures, welcome speakers and volunteers at the UKOUG Speakers drinks and finally attend the Oracle ACE dinner (another benefit of being an Oracle ACE).

Oracle ACE Adventures

Tuesday 14th November and the journey begins with a taxi to train station to catch a train at approximately 7:30am from Manchester to Oxford for the first Oracle ACE Adventure of Bodleian tour in Oxford:

We initially got to learn all about the early history of the Bodleian Library:

We were privileged to enter the oldest Bodleian Library built in 1488:

You could smell the musky smell of old books that are nearly 500 years old. These books can only be access by “readers” that are doing academic work and have to apply for reader permit and then swear an oath.

Here a scene from Harry Potter was filmed, as I’m not familiar with Harry Potter, I couldn’t tell you the exact point in the film:

Here we got to see where the “readers” would read the books:

Next we went into the Divinity School which is directly below the Bodleian Library:

Here more parts of Harry Potter and others films were filmed as detailed above.

The roof of the Divinity School was amazing, with a lot of sculptures of the donators that help fund the completion of the school as funds had ran out:

Finally a photo of the Oracle ACEs on this ACE Adventures:

Next was lunch at The Ivy, where we met the mascot of the white polar bear at the entrance:

I had traditional fish and chips, which was very nice:

As well as The Ivy warm chocolate bomb:

Finally all of us enjoying our desserts:

The second part of the ACE Adventure was to attend the Reading Museum to see the replicate of The Bayeux Tapestry:

Our guide took us around the 70 metres of The Bayeux Tapestry, explaining in detail each section:

Finally a photo of those who attend this ACE Adventure:

UKOUG Speakers Drinks

Next I had to switch hats from Oracle ACE to UKOUG board member and attend the UKOUG speakers drinks, where I was welcoming speakers and volunteers for drinks and food. We at UKOUG greatly appreciate our speakers and volunteers, as without them, we couldn’t put the conference on.

Here was Richard Pepper, the UKOUG president, talking to some of our speakers:

Speaker mingling with other speakers:

Sai and myself for a traditional selfie:

Speakers having some food:

Speakers enjoying some drinks 😊:

Oracle ACE Dinner

After switching hats from Oracle ACE to UKOUG board member, it was time to switch back for the final part of the day which was the Oracle ACE dinner at the Narrow Boat in Reading:

This was hosted by Jennifer (who leads the Oracle ACE Programme) and well attended by almost all the Oracle ACE speakers that had by then all arrived at reading.

It was a very long day! So after the ACE dinner, it was back to the hotel to quickly write this blog post up, so I could get some decent sleep! As tomorrow is day 1 of the UKOUG conference and as a board member I needed to be there before registration opens. And also tomorrow is a very long day with the conference in the day and in the evening, the 40th anniversary of UKOUG celebration in a party for all delegates and extra guests!

You can view my day 1 here.

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Thanks

Zed DBA (Zahid Anwar)