Rex,
I also trained at Oxford and share many of your viewpoints.
However I rather suspect the point being made by coldplayer about x winds, is that if it truly WAS gusting 30/35 then it was dog**** airmanship to even attempt a landing, given you were outside of limits. Also you should at the very least have recognised that during solo flying phase you'd (excluding prior experience) have had no more than about 75 hours max and that therefore these conditions were outside your ability to handle safely.
When I was in GYR, Flying was banned if X winds were FORECAST to go above 17 and for solos the duty instructor had to sign you out based on a X wind limit assigned by your instructor, compared to TAF.
As I say, I do agree wiht most of what you have said - but this point is unarguable....if you did get caught in unforseen weather, gusting up to twice your AIRCRAFT demonstrated limit, then I'm fairly certain the school would have wanted you to divert Mobile. Claiming anything otherwise just kinda makes Mad Jocks point.