You broke a crosswind limit. "Big deal" you say "I got away with it, I could handle the conditions, I didn't want to get into trouble diverting"
My question is this. Would you descend below Decision Height, without the required visual reference? After all, it was forecast above minima when you departed, and if you have to divert the commercial department will be all over your ass. You can handle the conditions, you can get away with it...
Same thought process applied to a different situation, and it doesnt look too clever does it? Remember your HPL? different attitudes?
You've taken a bit of a slating. Not because you went to oxford, but because you have admitted to being a bit reckless, and a bit of a fool. Put it down to the inexperience of youth, learn from it, and move on.
All The Best
TTR