Some of our young people are half way through their degrees (2019/20 intake): lockdowns on repeat, light at the end of the tunnel with vaccinations (?) and the legacy of COVID-19

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose is all I can say!

Hello 2019ers.

Thanks for the new site. Lets hope we have lots of good news to share in the coming months, and not just doom and gloom. Onwards and upwards!

Seeing the things that you lovely people send your DC makes me sad for my vegan teetotal DD. I could send her something now as she is in all day, but in normal term time she got annoyed at having to trek to the sorting office for a parcel so I never did it again. Must try harder... Oh, and she avoids sugar as well. Not easy.

Where's the sorting office if in halls it's reception where ds is, private accommodation their address

Facetime ds last night he called us. It's good to keep an eye on them

@simbobs - would magazines, craft sets or something like that hit the mark for your DD? She might be the best candidate for a veg box!!

@VanCleefArpels she knows what she likes so it is quite hard to find things. I don't want to send her a veg box as I want her to have to go out shopping so that she gets some exercise, but thanks for the suggestions.

@justasking111she is in private accommodation but if not in she has to go a long way to pick up a parcel.

I am very reluctant to send anything to DS as the reception at his accommodation is not manned for all of the advertised hours. He will be here for at least 2 more weeks so any treats will have to go back with him.

@simbobs

Seeing the things that you lovely people send your DC makes me sad for my vegan teetotal DD. I could send her something now as she is in all day, but in normal term time she got annoyed at having to trek to the sorting office for a parcel so I never did it again. Must try harder... Oh, and she avoids sugar as well. Not easy.

Has she tried any Tyne Chease @simbobs?

DD and I tried some at a vegan food festival, and it is the only vegan "cheese" that tastes really nice. We bought some to take home and wished we had bought some more.

@ginfordinner sorry, but she hates cheese, and hasn't eaten it since she was 2. I must be the only mother who used to buy expensive pizza and pick off every scrap of cheese

Oh dear. She does sound difficult to buy treats for. What about Booja-Booja chocolates?

She is trying to avoid sugar as it gives her spots. She will eat it occasionally and does like it, but doesn't buy it herself. Maybe...

Yes it's time for a care package. I was thinking of sending DD an Ubereats gift card so she could get some takeaway delivered.

@simbobs, nice bubble bath or other beauty stuff? New pjs? Or running leggings?

@simbobs Like bigtillymint I was also going to suggest something pampering - mine love a facemask or special body lotion. I also offer clothes! You could offer to let her choose something from an online store and have it sent over....

Newcastle University have just issued a safety net policy

I sent a selection of Fortnum's foods when my son was confined to his flat as his flatmate had covid 19 and to 2 other family members similarly confined to rooms for 14 days. The website lets you pick what you want rather than a specific hamper so you can choose the kind of things people like eg ham, smoked salmon, alcohol, chocolates or whatever although my son said he put out a message about the unwanted scotch eggs which apparently he does not like and had about 10 friends wanting them and the first one to reply got them. My on likes eggs and he likes sausage meat so I am not sure why he objects to scotch eggs really. I think this was before all the fuss in the papers about a substantial meal being a scotch egg.

Well a Fortnum’s (and Mason??) hamper rather puts my Jazzies and gin to shame

Yes. My price range is more M & S than Fortnum and Mason

And mine

DS wistfully told me that @Ginfordinner - nothing from Durham.

I think an F&M hampers sounds terribly luxurious for a student (and DS defo wouldn't appreciate it!). My, how things have changed since I lived on a diet of baked beans of toast, porridge, muffins (the savoury type) and one proper cooked meal a day as a student!

Newcastle University have just issued asafety net policy

Interesting, isn't it, when the original 'pan-RG' message was that the Russell Group universities won't be doing that this year, as in the cabal has spoken??

Re treat packages, depending, obviously, on your budget and your DC's tastes, but if they like cooking, this company does lots of lovely pesto, pastes, oils etc. Our local deli sells some things from their range and I will go on supporting them, but in a moment of deep despond last week, I put in an order for home from the actual company. Not cheap (but cheaper than the deli), but I went just wild enough to get a free jar of pesto and tub of olives thrown in.
www.belazu.com/shop/

Now I'm feeling marginally happier, I may treat DD and DS1 to a package each.
Good job the pesto tastes just as good with 50p pasta...

The F&m hamper I thought was a one off but then everyone starting being confined to their rooms for 14 days so I bought 3 in the end. Apparently they went down well (other than the scotch egg)

Interesting info from Newcastle. I wonder whether my DD would have gone part time this year if that had been issued before Christmas.

I still haven't decided whether to send her something. I don't usually, but am very aware that DS has access to a fully stocked fridge and seemingly unlimited supply of treats., so perhaps it would be a nice idea.

@simbobs

Seeing the things that you lovely people send your DC makes me sad for my vegan teetotal DD. I could send her something now as she is in all day, but in normal term time she got annoyed at having to trek to the sorting office for a parcel so I never did it again. Must try harder... Oh, and she avoids sugar as well. Not easy.

My DC had problems picking up too as office was only open during times she had lectures.

Glad to see the lecturer who called students idiots has been reprimanded

www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-55680375

I was checking the old thread for a link to a new one. I obviously need a dry January!