UEA (2019) dealing with the unexpected and on to 2nd Year

[juicy0]

New thread for the parents of 2019 freshers. Thank you all for sticking around!
At the start of the year we never would have guessed the topics that are currently being discussed in this page but I'm grateful we still have each other to help navigate our way through this with our DC.
With the emptying of 1st year rooms seemingly on hold for many until the end of lockdown our thoughts will soon turn to 2nd year accommodation and whether term is likely to start as normal in September.

Had a video WhatsApp today from both of the boys, so lovely to see them sitting on a sofa together, they seemed happy to be together, DS1 was wearing a Super Mario outfit which was very funny.
It's been freezing cold the last few days -25 with wind chill, I'm hoping it doesn't get much colder as I'm at my limit 😂.
It really is too cold for the dog, took him out in his shoes, which he hates and he can only manage about 20 mins.
How are you guys feeling about the current advice in UK about Christmas? It all sounds a bit confusing.
We're going into a stricter Lockdown on 26th for 2 weeks, all non essential shops closing and no office working allowed, schools will do online for first week of new term.
It feels a bit neverending, but I suppose at least they are firm with their rules here and we know what is and isn't allowed.

Good to see your DS together, I'm sure, @Itscoldouthere. I am sure it will be a boost for your DS2 to spend time with his big brother.

-25 is 25 degrees too cold for me. I still haven't recovered from a student 'tourist trip' in France when it was so cold (it was about -8) the water was freezing as it was coming out of the fountain. Everything was closed and we only had enough money for a short lunch (hot chocolate and croque monsieur type snack), not the three-hour long lunch we needed to eat at a very leisurely pace to pass the time until the shops reopened. Not surprised your dog isn't keen on being out for more than 20 minutes. Hope it warms up soon.

It's all a bit grim and confusing. I suspect the second wave will morph into the third wave without a dip, more of a ripple.

I can't help but think that keeping shops (non-essential ones) open over here is helping with virus spread. Sounds as if Canada have got their finger on the pulse in a much better way.

Roll on 2021.

Not sure if this will work (not posted a photo before, but here he is ready for walkies!

Bless @Itscoldouthere he looks like a skinny sheep with his 'coat' on!!!! He's shaggier than I was expecting. So cute.

He doesn't look best pleased with his 'get-up' though!

Its the thought of going out in the snow, not a happy boy. Looks cute though

@Itscoldouthere he looks like he's got bedlington in him. I think you may have said his breeding...crossed with whippet? I was thinking more whippet fur...that would be even colder. He doesn't look pleased with his outfit. Maybe he needs a hat 😂 I can't imagine what -25 feels like. Glad you have spoken to your boys together and they are happy.

I think relaxing the rules here are a silly idea. I know I've said that before. But maybe with schools off it'll balance it out. We are still tier 2 as are Norfolk. I think we will move to tier 3 next time, or the whole country could go into full lockdown. That's more than likely.

I went to do possibly one of my last shops before Christmas with DD yesterday, For some reason some of the shops seem to have stopped with offering sanitation stations for shoppers. I was horrified how many large family groups were out and about shopping. Think they should have cut back to one per household (even for non-food shops).

Also, and perhaps more worrying, one of our local supermarkets had sweet FA in the way of bread products left, empty fridge and freezer cabinets too!!!

DD will be doing Google classrooms study for the first week 'back' at school. Sure that will be pretty widespread. DS coming home today. Wondering if he is going to get stuck if they decide to stop travel?

I am still waiting for DS1 to come back from Norwich. He is coming on the train tomorrow. We have just gone into tier 3 and we are in the SE so I hope today's announcement won't restrict travel into our region like the rumours are suggesting

@Sluj DS coming home later on today. Fingers crossed that they're not with immediate effect. All very grim.

Any chance you could get your DS to come today instead of tomorrow @sluj? Just heard that the new restrictions could start from midnight tonight.

Just had a chat with DS and he reckons trains will still be running and I am panicking over nothing. He has been on hospital placement till Friday and waiting for the covid test results so couldn't have come back before today at the earliest. I am tempted to drive over tomorrow and fetch him but what if I get stopped? At least he has his NHS card to flash about

@sluj they did say those travelling for education and work purposes were exempt, so presumably, your DS would be okay going home tomorrow?

Do you think coming home from education counts though?? I hope so

@sluj I'm sure as they said university students could come home it'll be fine. Especially if he's had a test too.

I really hope so 🙏

Oh wow you guys, what a pickle it all is.
My DC are currently driving, first to drop DS2 to Cambridge, them going to DS1 GF parents house in London, it was last minute plan to get there before restrictions change.
It means DS1 will have to stay there for the whole 2 weeks as they won't be able to drive back to Bournemouth as it's in a lower tier.
DS2 may have to stay at my friends house longer than he intended, but in theory he could go back to Norwich after Christmas as I think it's the same tier as Cambridge.
Not the best situation really but I think they didn't want to get stuck on their own in Bournemouth.
Seeing as they've had Covid I don't think they will pose a risk to anyone, but it's not ideal really.
My Cambridge friend works in a hospital and she said last night that she thought something would happen re Christmas as the numbers have gone up so quickly and lots of hospital staff have been infected.
I'm sure many people will be very unhappy, but it sound like these changes are really necessary.
I hope all your DC get home safely, it's all so worrying ☹️

Hope your DS arrived safely at their destinations @Itscholdouthere?

DS arrived home safely last night. He looks as if he's grown and lost a bit of weight. Needs to find a new house-share for next year as some of current flatmates are graduating this summer and not sticking around in Norwich.

Hope your DS gets home okay @sluj.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 glad to hear your DS is back, when did you last see him? It must be lovely having him home.
I'm sure this whole thing is very disruptive for everyone, but looking from afar the 4 day Christmas thing did seem crazy especially as the UK numbers are so high.
It is good to see that at least the government has finally acted, it seems like Boris was very reluctant to give up on Christmas, I suppose some people won't adhere to the new rules, but I expect the majority will.
I spoke to friends in Australia last night and they have also been thrown into a Christmas lockdown in the northern beaches area of Sidney, last week they were posting photos out in restaurants and were saying how good things were.
I'm happy that DS2 is now at my friend's house, she will mother him a bit and her DD is a third year, so working hard for the post Christmas exams, I'm hoping she will be a good influence on him 😊
Hope everyone else's DC get home safely, I suppose it will be very quiet in lots of places.

We hadn't seen him since mid-August so a full four months! Yes, it is. He's just gone up to do some work though.

It is disruptive but I somehow expected it (well I'd not got excited about seeing extended family) deep down.

The worst thing is essentially 11 days with little to do except do crisp mid-winter walks and food shop!

Glad that your DS2 is going to get some mothering. You will miss your boys though. Are you doing things differently (food wise) for being in Canada this year? What is a typical Canadian Christmas meal, with French influences, no doubt?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 that's a long time without seeing your DS bet you gave him a big hug.
It's snowing today, we've just been to the market and bought our turkey, it all looks so magical which helps, but also makes us sad, our turkey is so small!
We are going to do the usually thing, I think if restaurants had been open we would have gone out, but seeing as we are all in this strange situation I'm going to stick to what I know, although I've yet to see a mince pie or Christmas pudding here, but that's ok with me.
I believe the French do it a bit differently, but I love cooking Christmas lunch so I'll keep it simple.
The dog was not happy in the snow, dispite having a jumper, coat and boots on, I had to carry him home.
I wish you guys could have snow I'm sure it would help lift the spirits, but I suppose there's no chance.

I'm expecting DS on the 5.41 and the journey has been ok so far, only 30 minutes delay due to a Thameslink cancellation. We should be home after 6.30 pm so it can snow right after that

Canada sounds magical, wrap up warm and enjoy the view.

Snow really would be much-needed icing on the crooked cake of 2020. Come on Mother Nature.

I really only have one recollection in my life of snow on Christmas Eve let alone Christmas Day. It's a total myth in the UK!

I think everyone but the British think mince pies and Christmas pudding are an abomination. I was talking to a French friend (who has lived in the UK for at least 20 years) who was telling us about her first run in with mince pies (and it wasn't positive)!!!

@sluj good news!

DS and DD are doing some type of dance thing on Switch to a Queen song. Great fun!

When are your DC planning on going back to Norwich?
DS has had his plans to stay with friends ruined by the new tier 4 areas. He can stay where he is with my friend, but he's thinking he might go back to Norwich, I presume he will be allowed as it's his home and he will be going from tier 4 so no tier change.