Cambridge and Oxford - ongoing chat for those with a student currently studying there

[DadDadDad]

Some of us have found these threads helpful, so I'm starting a new one to take us through

...end-of-year exams (and parties)

...homecoming for the vacation (and hibernation aestivation for this thread?)

...return in the autumn (and more normal college life?)

Posters old and new welcome to join the discussion. Any tips for finding a summer job?

Oh, and for reference, I have a DS just completing his first year in a small humanity in a tiny college.

I'm missing the bit where she got it delivered from next online. You can get next day to store.

Ah very many congrats indeed to OYBBK Jr :) A good end to the trials of the year and richly deserved.

Goodness poor DD Hoghgyni.

I took one of DD's year 10 school shirts when I saw her earlier this month. To be fair it saw use as a choir shirt in her latter years at school and she is quite careful with her clothes unlike DD2. I will badger DD1 about timings etc but need to sort out a potential slow leak in a tyre - don't want that failing as I go or return from Cambridge.

Off to Oxford today to retrieve DS. I'm wondering how he's going to cope with little to do for three months (he's not yet found a summer job).

Congratulations to everyone graduating or even just getting to the end of a difficult year.

I picked up DS's stuff from O. I didn't pick up DS because he has varsity duties and will then "stay down south" for a while -there are a number of Friends who have offered to put him up; not sure if their parents are aware yet!
O was warm and sunny yesterday. Not many tourists but lots of bedraggled students in sub Fusc coming from the direction of the river.

I've been summoned to Oxford today to pick up DS early.

There are now a number of cases in his college and the College has asked anyone who can go and is not already required to SI to go home ASAP.

Shame I'm in Plymouth for work today. #roadtrip

Safe travels @DadDadDad and @sandybayley

Its a weird and sad ending to the year for many of them :(

Dd managed to get her first jab this morning. It was all students there. Only one faintee but they were all offered sweets.

I got call at 5 yesterday to come and pick up a small. Covid numbers are shooting up in her college and rumours were going around even faster. DD was concerned that she would get stuck if she left it to today. I jumped in the car while she packed. We finally got home at 1 this morning. I guess it saves driving down today.

You must be shattered Unescorted.

Goodness me @Unescorted! My phone is firmly switched off overnight so no possibility of such mercy missions…

Crikey @unescorted!
Am wondering if this might be same college as DD. The college sent out some very frantic emails this weekend.

DS1 described the email he received as 'get out of dodge now'. I think it's multiple colleges saying the same thing. I have driven 500 miles this weekend but at least it's done now.

Just waiting for DS1 to emerge after getting his 'drop in' vaccine at our local football ground.

Test & trace are in overdrive. DD received her 3rd call from them at 8.20 this morning, despite having it herself with all T&T records clearly showing that.
Her varsity tournament appears to be cancelled half way through as someone has a positive test this morning and they had already had to patch together a team.

There was a strong "get out of Dodge" feel. DD said that it was a constant stream of pick ups all day with accents getting more provincial as the day wore on. By the time I arrived most people were self isolating or had already gone. The marquee in the Quad looked post apocalyptic - rubbish everywhere, half finished drinks and not a person to be seen.

Often... A friendly college 😉

It is a sad end to the year, OYBBK. We were in Oxford Wed/Thur to collect D1, and she was really quite upset. She said she couldn't believe a whole year of her time in Oxford has gone and it's all been so disjointed and strange. At the plodge they were saying how concerned they were about the general rise in covid cases, her college has been quite strict (no visitors, booked one hour slots for moving out etc) and their numbers have been quite low. We still had a lovely day in the sunshine, went for a punt, fitted in the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums and delicious tapas at Arbequina. Somehow got all D1's stuff in our small car and have nearly finished the unpacking and washing, ha!

We also had an unscheduled dash up to Cambridge this week as cases were rising in the college. Went in my car which was smaller and had previously gone in DH with roof box. Managed to find a storage unit for 3 months, with 10 mins to spare before it closed.

@lovecatsanddogs How much was the storage unit?

@CinnamonJellyBeans I will dm you.

When I was picking up DS yesterday, I passed one of his fellow students struggling with her large suitcase.

"Got far to travel?"
Answer: "China" - flying back in a couple of days.

It puts my two-hour drive into perspective. I assume she's been stuck in Oxford / UK for the whole year.

This all sounds really stressful. Your poor dd Jules.

Its really odd hearing of everyone leaving when dd has been given permission to stay on for her placement. Given how incalcitrant her college were earlier this year, its quite remarkable really.

Oh blimey. What a shame having got this far.
Now wondering if DDs graduation next weekend will be going ahead or not. (Nothing for parents anyway). We have to confirm or cancel our hotel booking tomorrow.

DD4 sent her escape request at 2.11pm yesterday.

I asked DS about the Covid situation in his (C) college. He doesn't know anyone who has tested positive (yet) but does know a couple of people who are self-isolating due to being contact traced. He seems to be enjoying himself exploring the city and visiting outdoor sights. He went to a nature reserve with a couple of friends, and today sent me a selfie with a painted cow sculpture.