DD managed to stuff basic crockery, cutlery, clothes and bedding into a suitcase and make her own way down. I went yesterday with more stuff (though somehow DH managed to pack quite a lot of ds' clothes as both had done a wash before she left) including an ancient dinosaur duvet. Nothing to decorate her room though so it looked very bare. She ended up sticking the tea towel we bought for her on holiday, on the wall. She said others had astonishing amounts of stuff, including a five ft pot plant.
It worked out really well. We had a late lunch, a trip to Waitrose (a treat - I had intended to go to Lidl) to buy cupboard essentials and time spent sorting out her stuff. The accommodation is lovely, as is Bristol. She says her flatmates are nice and do not include the standard gamer, clubber or stoner student stereotypes.
Freshers week is odd. I think DD will be pleased when lectures finally start. She was a bit tired from the night before so had no real desire to go out again that night, so happy to spend time with me instead. She has more introductory stuff (medic vaccinations!) including some quieter SpLD events, but could easily feel isolated. The gap year, plus the fact she has already seen four people she knows from London (none close but all nice) in her halls alone, means she will be fine. But I see why it could be tough for some.
She has received an invitation to Sunday lunch from the Bristol based aunt and uncle of a gap year friend. Dd was really pleased. Perhaps it is the prospect of some good home cooked food.