University life for freshers (2019/20) - Christmas backpacking (or not) and festive homecomings with all the tinseltastic trimmings!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread.

Mine my DS is doing his placement in Year 3, I though Year 2 was just another straightforward study year? Looking forward to seeing DS next week, going up for a night mid week.

Rags I think it is if you are doing 4 years. DS says he wants to do 3 so it's great that NTU still offer placements in 2nd year, albeit shorter. My DS has booked a train home for the weekend exactly half way through the term on 28 Feb. Cant wait to see him. Then home for 3 weeks over Easter

Anyone else’s university child stuck at home due to cancelled trains because of the wind? Mine will be missing some lectures tomorrow at this rate.

No, but totally understand why they've cancelled so many trains - just seen a photo of a family trampoline that's blown onto a railway line somewhere.

Anyone got an idea as to how long this storm is supposed to be lasting?

I have seen that photo as well. I think it will be pretty noisy with the wind howling around the Park View halls Zanda

Me and DD on way back from Nottingham... we saw DS for lunch and dinner yesterday and did him a Tesco stock up ... can recommend Soulville Steakhouse in city centre ... DS is a lover of steak and this was way cheaper than Miller and Carter and with more personality and great music ..

Gin Dd mentioned it will be noisy in halls - however it’s hypothetical as she’s not there! Apparently her train is running now but taking much longer and I don’t fancy going out it this - there are quite a few trees down.

DD has just messaged she says the weather is better in Newcastle than where we are (currently in rural Leicestershire)

That’s good Gin - I guess Durham must be OKish too - not sure if DS has a match...

Had a quick phone call from DD this afternoon. She said it was windy but ok. Her workloads has increased a lot this term so she’s spending lots more time studying and less(slightly) time partying. Looking forward to seeing us next week though she will be busy. Hoping to take her out to lunch and dinner at least.

Mine said just a bit of wind and rain in Durham today

@Benjispruce, DS has loads of summatives to do this term so has apparently cut back a bit on partying

how often are you guys visiting? We've only been down at Christmas - left him alone otherwise :P

We are selling a house not far from where DD is, so we have been up to visit a few times. Some visits are only half an hour as they are to just drop something off or pick something up en route.

I went to see DS at weekend .. then he's home for reading week end of Feb .. but I'm only in Birmingham and he's in Nottingham... I probably visit once a term

I am only able to see DC in holidays although DH contimplating flying in to visit soon if work allows. Yesterday DS1 was able to travel to Aberdeen from Portsmouth as part of course and met up with DS2. He was very unhappy in a propeller plane in the storm.

That must have been very frightening. I bet he was glad to get back on the ground.

Didn't visit 1st term . Going up once this term .

DS on his way back to Leeds, am a bit worried they are giving snow warnings en route. On Saturday his train and the one before that was cancelled so they were delayed. Northern Line really deserve the criticism they get.

It's fine justasking. It isn't cold enough for snow to settle. Northern Rail are crap aren't they.

Ah thank you @Ginfordinner that is good news.

Asked DS and girlfriend about the chinese students in Leeds. Apparently they are wearing masks. Their halls have a lot of chinese so they see them all the time. They have had one e-mail about the virus, but so far no instructions on what to do. Guess Leeds is not too worried thus far. They all use the lifts so what can you do to avoid this, rather like being on a cruise ship.

Standing room only on Dds train. She managed to get a seat as she had a jammy offer for a £20 1st class seat that was supposed to be for yesterday on a cancelled train. Least she’s back now. Before more bad weather by the sounds of it. There’s too many people at Edinburgh apparently so today’s tickets are valid tomorrow.

I'm glad she's back Zanda. I hope your other DD continues to improve

We visited DS once last term. He came back to see gf (and us!) last weekend and DD is going up next weekend, then gf the week after.
Haven’t been to see DD at all this year, but she is back tomorrow to do stuff for dissertation!

Glad your DD got back Zanda

how often are you guys visiting? We've only been down at Christmas - left him alone otherwise

I went once when she first arrived, only because she'd just lost a friend to suicide and was really struggling.

Once in December to see a sports event where she was playing in the band. A massive snowstorm meant it took us 36 hours to get home :-/

I've booked flights to visit her in a couple of weeks, to see another sports event where she's playing in another band. I'm also hoping to see the sorority house she'll be living in next year.

DH will try to see her sometime soon - he goes to Chicago for work quite often.

Then I don't know when we'll see her again - not sure if she'll come home for spring break.