Another path - now we have a map

[chopc]

Chopc - Durham-History
@jano69 -Durham -History
@OnTheBenchOfDoom -Durham - Natural Sciences
@Majaso12 -Imperial - don't know subject
@bendmeoverbackwards -Bristol- History
@Pumpkintopf -Imperial/Cambridge -Natural Sciences
@ChimneyPot -Brown (US) - ? Subject
@Stillcrikey -Bristol -MML
@Tenpastseven - Bristol -also modern languages?
@Longtimenewsee - Durham - Chemistry?
@MidLifeCrisis007 - Durham -History
@BigWoollyJumpers - Exeter- History
@SeasonFinale -Bristol- History

Well DD is finally packing very, very slowly. I have offered to pack her kitchen stuff as otherwise I can't see us being ready - we are off tomorrow morning!

We are supposed to drop off on Sunday but DC hasn't packed yet. Maybe that means she can take the train instead as she has no luggage anyway....??

You lot are all making me giggle with your wry look at your DC's approach to packing. I have absolutely no doubt we will be in exactly the same boat in three weeks time, despite him having three weeks (or actually four and a half months) to get this sorted!

@Majaso12 your poor DD. She sounds completely stressed out by it all. Chopc's advice sounds sensible. Tbh I think I only passed my driving test second time as I had the same (horrible) examiner as the first time so thought 'f- it, I've failed this anyway-I'm just going to enjoy the drive'. When he told me I'd passed I said 'are you sure?!' His response- I can change my mind if you like!

A rest from driving probably would be good for her, but she would still like to try one more time before uni if she gets the chance to! I just worry if she gets a test over Christmas and hasn’t driven since September, then she’ll be so out of practice.

But then she also says she never wants to take a test again!

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav

Well DD is finally packing very, very slowly. I have offered to pack her kitchen stuff as otherwise I can't see us being ready - we are off tomorrow morning!

We will wave to all with laden cars as we head down the M3/A303...... hope it is not too busy.

Good luck, we can commiserate on Sunday when we are all feeling bereft and without purpose. What on earth are we going to worry about then .

Just seen a pic of DDs accommodation block, hugely relieved to see there’s an entrance half way up the building (it’s on a slope) so hopefully we won’t have to lug all her bags up 4/5 flights of stairs!

@Notagardener

@AvocadoPlant

Just seen a pic of DDs accommodation block, hugely relieved to see there’s an entrance half way up the building (it’s on a slope) so hopefully we won’t have to lug all her bags up 4/5 flights of stairs!

Eeeekkkk - DD is on the top floor, but only two flights, phew.

DH just did test pack, and IT ALL FITS - HOORAY! Obviously some on the spare back seat, all the soft stuff, duvets, toppers etc. He grumbled about the two bags of food/cleaning stuff, but meh, he's a boy, what does he know about cooking and cleaning requirements .

So DD just dumped a load of school books at me to drop back to school next week. She forgot to take them back. She had all summer, literally all summer..... durrrrrrr.

@BigWoollyJumpers - ds didn't return a library book to school, a flimsy novel, and they charged £9.99 for it. The day we got the bill we found it in a pile of his stuff in the kitchen. He claimed he had 'looked everywhere for it'. Needless to say we made him pay the fine. I'm hoping that will make him think twice with his textbooks and library books at Uni. I may be a bit too optimistic!!

@BigWoollyJumpers this would be typical of DS too!

Btw what food/cleaning stuff are you sending with him? Am after ideas...

Not much packing happening here yet either and we leave on Sunday! DS is seeing his girlfriend of two years for the last time before he goes - even I feel tearful for them

Big pile of stuff in the corner of the living room and DH is getting a hired roof box tomorrow.

[quote Pumpkintopf]@BigWoollyJumpers this would be typical of DS too!

Btw what food/cleaning stuff are you sending with him? Am after ideas... [/quote]
DD has basic bathroom cleaner, bleach, sponges. Also kitchen cleaner, w/u liquid, wash pods, and hand wash liquid Anti bac wipes and duster and polish . She is very tidy and house proud. Am sure a boy wouldn't need half of that haul.

Food wise mostly dry stuff, pasta, rice, couscous, oats and granola. Nuts and seeds, dried fruit. Biscuits and Pom bears, grissini. Tin toms & jar sauce to get her through first couple of evenings. Then basic salt, pepper, squeeze garlic, Tom purée, herbs, spices. Too many types of tea, coffee, oat milk. Olive oil, cooking oil.

A lot (too much) probably.

Also cling film and tin foil.......

That's a brilliant list, thank you. Also realised I had inadvertently misgendered your DD - apologies!!

She says she will go shopping on Sunday.

@Pumpkintopf

That's a brilliant list, thank you. Also realised I had inadvertently misgendered your DD - apologies!!

That's OK, it was DH who was grumbling

@BigWoollyJumpers that is a very similar list to DD.

@Jng1 your poor DS, 2 years is a long time to be together and now be apart.
DD and her bf were together for a year and a bit but split up at the start of summer. Quite sad at the time, but one less thing to deal with now.

@BigWoollyJumpers yes!! That makes sense now, reading back 😂

@AvocadoPlant and @Jng1 it's very tough isn't it? DS broke up with his gf of two years just before Leeds fest though they still went together as friends. I know most of these relationships won't last through university but losing your first love is a terrible thing 😢

I filled a 3 litre really useful box with useful thinks for DD and DS1 when they went, and I asked DD tonight what I should put in DS2s. Here is what she says she was grateful for. Stamps, White Tac, board pins, batteries, painkillers, Lemsip, Throat soothers, sellotape, safety pins, mini sewing kit with threaded needles, plasters. I also put in a spare ten pound note for emergencies.

Raspberry I also put in Sharpie to put name on things in fridges etc.
Also as per Mumsnet few years ago I gave dc1 a plastic cup for his toothbrush, and pack of lunch plastic bags to use to put things in freezer.

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav @BigWoollyJumpers and anyone else heading off today, travel safely and I hope all goes smoothly