Thread 32 - Corona Cohort 'May' the Mumsnet force be with them for their venture to exams

[OrangeCinnamonCroissant]

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to threads about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

Previous Thread 31

CONGRATULATIONS ZEBRACAT !

We have Riverford for fruit and veg (they leave it on the doorstep) and milk and more for milk (ditto).

I always put "my usuals" in my basket for my online shop. Then edit the night before. At least if I forget I'll have something delivered. I'm lazy, so always have an online shop. I have done for about 10 years or so. I work in a co-op so I can pick up extra bits, but even with my discount card co-op is so expensive.

Ds's prom suit arrived. We ordered a cheapish one from ASOS in the end. He wanted pale grey. The trousers are a perfect fit. The jacket is too big length wise. So I've just dropped it off at a local dress maker to have the sleeves shortened. The button does up a bit too low and it's too long. But it'll have to do as it can't really be altered. If he were needing one regularly then it would be better to get one made to measure or from somewhere more specialised. But I don't suppose Ds will wear it again.

Ds seemed to not be bothered with his EPQ in the end. It wasn't mentioned by any of his university choices. So he said no point in aiming for a high grade. I said I'm sure your grade will be put on the ucas page. Anyway...he only completed it recently, he got a C which he is pleased with as he said that's all he wanted. It's annoying they don't do them in year 12 as I think he'd have been a bit more enthusiastic. Now he just wants to concentrate on A levels. He was given his coursework grade for history which comes out at B so that's good. The last months at school are flying by. Ds3 is year 8 so many years ahead yet as a parent still. It will be strange when he finishes though.

@Piggywaspushed can I make it my job? I think I should've been a travel agent.
Actually my dream job would be a place in the sun presenter

Isle of Man on the ferry? When you say not keen on flying, does that mean he won't fly or will only do very short haul?

He wants hot or exciting. Norway appeals but probably not with DS.

He doesn't want to fly at the moment, so it'll be France I guess but southern France. Long drives. Joy. He thinks I'm fussy....

I would love you to wave a wand NCT! DH is also tight. And easily bored.

How about northern Spain piggy, think you can get to Santander or Bilbao on the ferry from Portsmouth.

Or Newcastle - Amsterdam overnight ferry and then a wander around Netherlands / Belgium. I would be able to sell this to DH on the beer opportunities alone 🍻

@Piggywaspushed Colleague went to Barcelona last month with just a change of trains in London & Paris.

I love Norway! We've done many holidays abroad on the ferry (camping). Depends how far you want to travel. We did look at the ferry to northern Spain but it was quicker to drive after a Dover Calais crossing.

Definitely not Belgium. We aren't going to northern France because of weather! Done Barcelona. Trouble with train is lack of car at other end. DH likes charging all over the countryside seeking out beaches. Which must have waves.

Is the Santander ferry overnight? I think I'd hate that.

It's the plane /crowds that is causing the issue really. Hence why I suggested channel tunnel to him which has now turned into driving to the south of France.

I definitely do not camp!

I think the Santander ferry is overnight and then some, so maybe not great if you are not keen on being confined with others! Maybe a long drive through France is the least worst option.

Yes, maybe... doesn't seem to be many options for accommodation left. Will have to keep hunting.

We are taking the Eurotunnel them driving to the French Alos with an overnight stop each way. I have organised every single holiday we have ever had in 25 years and this year I said to DH "I've done all the uni and college stuff, you are doing the holiday". He found an apartment on booking.com ok a few weeks ago. Then I forwarded him the Martin Lewis list of all the things you need to do to drive in France and his face sank a bit. He said he would do travel insurance this afternoon (I'm out). We have a lot of pre-existing conditions so it gets complicated.

Portsmouth - St Malo is an overnight crossing and I really like it, you get early evening, sail out of Portsmouth which is really impressive then have a relaxed dinner. It's a daytime crossing coming back but you can still book a cabin so you have somewhere to leave bags, change, private toilet. The Santander crossing is 24 hours I think.

I book all the holidays too because I am 'fussy'. I actually dread to think what DH would come up with, so I am my own worst enemy!

DS has firmed Bath with Cardiff as insurance, completed student finance and picked his accommodation choices for when it opens next week.

Well done to your DS @volterra!

That’s good @Volterra , a relief to get it done!

Yay! Well done @volterra DS!

Yay Volterra’s ds : great news! Ds put all his accommodation preferences in last week too. Made it feel a bit real!

Thanks, I am indeed very relieved that bit is done finally!
🍀to those still waiting, really hope this week brings good news.

Well done, Volterra!
Dd still hasn't done finance or DSA or accomodation.

Piggy, ferry to Jersey, hire car on the island? Decent weather, gorgeous beaches and amazing food. Or fly to the Scillies from mainland Cornwall?

Ooh Jersey is a good idea, Guernsey too, we took our own car there on the ferry one year. The beaches are great.

Just been thinking about Jersey. Other than it being pretty is there much to do? We are a bit bored of UK type holidays...