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 spoke to DD1 yesterday - she tells me that one of her flatmates is dropping out, and is leaving tomorrow. He was already repeating the year - she never really got to the bottom of why, but she's sad for him. They are now waiting to see if they will get a new flatmate, as apparently people are still being moved about if unhappy with their accommodation.

Oh dear that's a pity for your DD's flatmate. DS was telling me that he's never met the 12th member of his flat, if indeed there is one.

BTW apparently UEA do have random sniffer dog flat searches (did we ever find out which university that was from the other thread), although apparently it does have a zero tolerance policy on all drugs.

@mumsiedarlingrevolta Thanks for recommending The Eagle - I have booked a table for four plus the dog for the weekend

Thanks to everyone saying hang in there, my boys might like each other one day. I do feel doubtful though.

Yes @NewModelArmyMayhem18 ds said the flat opposite had sniffer dogs in to search it.

How are the DC getting on as they enter their four week at UEA?

Speaking of sniffer dogs, I've been told that some young people go to university not to study but to make a healthy business out of selling drugs!

No idea how the DC are getting on but I am thoroughly enjoying our empty nest week in the sunshine 😉
Seriously all seems to be going well but we dont hear a lot from DS2, just the odd photo of his dinners. DS1 reports that autumn arrived in Norwich today though.

I sent DS a bit of a grumpy, as I called him on Sunday to arrange a weekend to visit and mid checking his diary he suddenly said oh it’s burger time in the kitchen must go, that’s was fine, but he never came back to me again, so no weekend booked yet, it’s a bit tricky as we are bringing the dog and not that many places let dogs stay, anyway I told him I wouldn’t be booking anything until I hear from him.....
I’m still waiting 🤣

DS seems ok. I think he is a bit frustrated that there isnt much new stuff on his course yet, but not everyone will have covered this ground before so they need to go over the basics. He is surprised how many people go home at weekends, said most flats seem to be half empty, esp on Sundays which is a shame as the first week the flat cooked a roast together and it was good bonding time.

@Itscoldouthere the Travelodge lets dogs stay. Not very glamorous, but does the trick. Will see what it is like on the 26th.

DS said that most students seem to come from East Anglia, home counties and London, in which case it's very easy to nip home for a weekend, isn't it?

Oh @sluj, you're on holiday? Hope you are having a fab time!

@GoldenRuby do they? I thought it said only assistance dogs, maybe need to look again, nothing wrong with a Travelodge, especially if you have a dog.

@Itscoldouthere oh you've got me worried now! I am sure it is any dog, as we paid £20 extra - I don't think they are allowed to charge for assistance dogs? With a reflective harness our retriever may look the part!

@sluj I wonder what he meant by autumn has arrived. I'm not that far away and it's been a nice day. We've had so much rain, but today was warm. I got too hot in my jacket. I expect you are somewhere warm away from all this rain.

I'm seeing ds again tomorrow. I am collecting him and taking him food shopping. He left his phone charger here at the weekend. So not sure how to contact him. I suggested he borrow a charger for a couple of hours. But he said no one has one. I'm sure they do. He's obviously not going to ask.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 yes ds said his flatmates were from Ipswich, Kent and London. Then the one from Delhi.

@GoldenRuby yours must have better cooking facilities than mine. They can't cook roast as only the hob or microwave. The grill is useless. Ds is disappointed with the cooking facilities. But that's the only thing he's complained about really.

@GoldenRuby sorry didn’t mean to worry you, I’m sure you are right especially if they charged for your dog. Which Travelodge are you staying at?
We stayed in a Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth last weekend and we took the dog, so I know some chain hotels definately take them.

@Itscoldouthere I think it is the central one, not the riverside one.

@icanbewhatiwant DS is in Village Plus, with a proper oven. He wanted an oven rather than a combi over/microwave. Not sure how often it's been used for anything other than oven chips though! I'm told by a friend's DD who was in Paston last year that the combi's can be used as a normal oven, just are the size of a microwave. Does the flat have proper instructions for the combi, as it may do more than they realise?

@GoldenRuby yes ds put village plus as second choice (Barton/hickling first) because the cooking facilities were better. But didn't get either. Yes I looked at the microwaves. There were 2, one looked like it had an oven in it. The other was just a microwave. He said people have tried using it and it's not very good at heating food properly. He also says the grill isn't cooking food, I'd keep trying if it were me, or try with the oven in the microwave. Whether ds will try again I don't know.
So he is only using the hobs. I might take a look myself tomorrow.
I'm quite surprised ds wants to cook.

That's frustrating for your DS @icanbewhatiwant, particularly if he does fancy oven cooking.

DD1 also in Village Plus, and keeps sending me pics of delicious-looking meals she has rustled up! Although she confessed she can't wait to come home for a few days, because it's "just exhausting" having to plan/cook every meal. Welcome to my world, I told her. Meanwhile, I have a fridge full of tupperwared leftovers, as I keep overcatering - I forget I'm a child short.

@CointreanVersial I know I will be flamed for this as usually on MN once a child turns 18 you need to cut the apron strings but I have some small foil storage containers and have been putting some leftovers in the freezer to take up to her. DD has a drawer in her freezer and I took some up last weekend-just for when she needs a bit of home, some veg!!! or just time poor. She is cooking as well but I am a feeder so you could get some use out of those leftovers!!

@mumsiedarlingrevolta I've been doing the same so we can be flamed together! I haven't quite adjusted to cooking for 3 and often have leftovers so I've been putting them in foil boxes and freezing them for DD.
Perfect for days when she doesn't have much time to cook after lectures or just wants some good home cooking. I'm a feeder too 😊

Ah, there'll be no flaming on this thread . You are just being lovely mums.
We are having fun in Morocco, it feels like the end of an era when both DCs have gone away but a holiday is a great way to start the next era. They will soon be back anyway

I picked ds up this afternoon and took him to Tesco. He started the shop picking things up, looking at them and putting back down again. He seemed very indecisive as to what he wanted. Then when I told him I'd pay he soon started filling the trolley up and we spent £75!
We parked right outside Paston house and we took the stuff up to his flat. The mess!! Dirty pots and pans everywhere, plates of food and my feet were sticking to the floor. He told me not to look in his room, but it was no worse than at home.
I also googled local shops and it showed a co op. So we drove there to see where it was. It was 0.9 miles so not far, in a housing estate. So that's another place to try.
They have a new combi oven/microwave, ds has now used it. They also have a new fridge as that was also broken.
I dropped him off without saying goodbye properly though. We looked for the co op last then there isn't really anywhere to pull over to drop him off. So he quickly got out at the roundabout. Never mind. He's not far away. Hopefully he will be home again soon.

@juicy0 thanks for joining me in the feeders club!!

I've def been a bit blue today-wether missing DD (and DS2 at newcastle) or the miserable rain or the very depressing political situation its no wonder I am in front of the fire watching Downton Abbey again but have def felt in low spirits.
Quite envy @sluj basking in the sunshine!!

@sluj I'm so jealous, Morocco is on my bucket list!
Enjoy your time in the sun, it's cold and miserable here 😩