UEA freshers (2019 starters) part 2

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread and hope you don't mind that I set up the next thread @juicy0. Just did it to ensure that we carry on chatting seamlessly

I am sure your DS really appreciated your visit @Itscoldouthere.

No-one else knows our DC as we do. You do have to go with your gut feeling as a parent, don't you?

@mumsiedarlingrevolta - he's not coming until next weekend - from colchester he needs to then change to a train to Shenfield

Can you not do a 'Google view' of the station to check out the platforms @NotSorry? Would have thought platforms 3 and 4 would be side by side, so no stairs to navigate.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 - good idea - I will try that

Well done itscoldoutthere, that's what I call successful parenting. Every one is happy!

Just a note on trains, do you all use the Trainline app? You can check out prices, choose times ,
buy electronic tickets and us anxious mums can track the train's progress on the journey 😀

About voting:
Norwich South is quite marginal and the student vote can make a difference. I guess it depends on their ‘home’ constituencies as well so they could choose where to vote and vote tactically.

I think I’ll encourage DS to vote in Norwich, it’s all a bit one sided where we currently live (and not to my liking) it sounds like it may be a bit more interesting in Norwich.

My DS probably won’t vote as he won’t know who to vote for - I’ll have a chat with him next weekend and get him to think about it

@Itscoldouthere, wonder if there's a polling station on campus at UEA? Yes, DS's political leanings don't necessarily coincide with the party represented by our home MP who has a vast majority and will never be toppled.

Norwich polling stations (the university campus is in polling district UN2 and there is a polling station on campus):
www.norwich.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/5019/polling_stations_in_norwich_2019.pdf

www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20021/elections_and_voting/2072/find_your_polling_station

DS definately wants to vote, he was very keen last time as it was his first time voting, even though he knew it would have no effect where we live, but we’ve always told them we think it’s very important to vote if you can. This is going to be the weirdest election and I can understand that DC might not know who to vote for, I’m even struggling to know who to vote for in the current climate, but it’s still worth doing it.

@NotSorry So just picked up DD from Colchester.

When your DS gets out of the train on platform 3 he literally turns left and walks down the platform to 4. they are sort of beside each other on the same side of the track- very weird. He will actually pass platform 4 as he approaches station while on train from Norwich. It will take about 30 seconds to walk.

DD already in bath luxuriating in home comforts but based on her peaky appearance from last night she will probably stay off the gin

@mumsiedarlingrevolta - you are a star! Thank you so much for checking that out for me - have a nice weekend with your DD

Well done @Itscoldouthere - sounds like you have done absolutely the right thing to help your ds get on top of things.

I did mention to ds about registering to vote in Norwich but not sure he has done it yet. I will chase him now although given that he is studying politics you would think I wouldn't need to! His vote will count for much more in Norwich than our votes do where we live.

Ds called yesterday and he is going to come home for the weekend next weekend for a bit of a breather and a bit of home comfort. I have been missing him so much so I can't wait! I have a meeting north of Norwich on the Monday after he comes back so I will be able to drop him off on the way to it and have his company for an extra two hours on the drive up there

@MrsBartlet DS seemed to think that the Norwich constituency in which UEA sits is a pretty safe Labour seat?

Wish DS hadn't come home so soon into his first term as it seems a long time since we last saw him (and I was busy all weekend, so didn't spend much time with him!).

Ah well I was wrong to say that his vote would count more there then more that he would actually get to help vote someone in (not something we have ever experienced where we live in Essex!)

Well, it's possible that even 'dead cert' constituencies may experience dramatic upheavals in these unusual times. Who can say?

Daft question - how does DD1 register to vote there, rather than at home?

@CointreauVersial I think there is a link via evision. Sure that DS gave the SU permission to register him though?

I haven't looked on here for a week or so. Just had a catch up.
@Itscoldouthere my son is getting on ok doing laundry. He said he goes at 10am I didn't ask what day. But he's doing biology too. I think they have something most weekdays. So perhaps weekends.
I've not had a lot of contact. I still get photos of meals some days. I also had a photo of him in his hallowe'en outfit.
He didn't get a reading week and wasn't happy that we went down to visit dh's daughter (also her dh and ds) on the south coast for a few days without him in half term. I thought it best to tell him we were going rather than hiding it.
@NotSorry the trains run every half hour. If they are tight could you book the earlier one? They don't always run to time. I thought they used to run from Norwich to shenfield without a change too.
Ds registered to vote from home. Though the letter just says thanks for registering. It doesn't mention postal vote. It was before we got told about the December vote. So I'm hoping he is ok to postal vote. I might have to go get him otherwise (about 45 mins drive)
so he can vote.
It's great to hear everyone's news and mostly positive. They are all enjoying themselves.
Ds is still going out quite often. Thurs night they walked home from Norwich through Eaton park at 3am!

Thurs night they walked home from Norwich through Eaton park at 3am!

I think quite a few of them were doing this :) DS2 and his flatmates ended up walking back, seems there was a very log wait for taxis and it was quicker to walk........well zig-zag probably more accurate. However all got home safely. They must have gone to a slightly more upmarket nighclub as DS2 tells me in this one his feet did not stick to the floor.

If any DC is looking to register to vote in Norwich as well as home - www.gov.uk/register-to-vote - quick and simple, although DS2 needed passport number and NI number. They have until 26th November to register.

Waved DD1 off this afternoon - she caught the train into London, then the Megabus back to UEA. I actually found it harder saying goodbye this time; it has been lovely having her here for the week. I think she was quite keen to get back, though, not least to meet her new flatmate, who moved into the vacant room yesterday. Another girl! The solitary boy in the flat is apparently most put out.

She had accumulated so much stuff to bring back there was no way she could carry it all. I have a huge parcel to take to the post office.

Thanks for the register to vote info - I'll pass it on.

Spoke to DS last night and he registered to vote whilst we were on the phone, all seemed easy to do, it said he will now hear from Norwich council within 10 days.
DS played card games in a friends flat on Halloween, still managed to stay out till 5am so I think they had fun.
He seems happy and is now on top of his clothes, he will try to get laundry done on a weekly basis so will try next weekend, hopefully it will work out.

@juicy0 oh no very stressful then, was it her decision to slit up? Or her B/F
My DS1 split with his girlfriend just before he went to uni (her choice) he was rather sad, but has thrown himself into his new life and the ratio where he is is 40/60 girl heavy, so I’m sure at some point he will start dating again !
I think he’s enjoying just thinking about himself at the moment.
I hope you get some progress on Friday with the headache specialist.