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

I got DD a first aid kit, small tool kit, a sewing kit, white tac, command hooks, a small vacuum cleaner and a handheld steamer (because she will never iron)

Raspberry, notagardener and chimneypot - those are fab ideas.

Echo avocado in wishing everyone setting off today smooth travels.

Good luck to all heading off with their Dc this weekend. I hope it all goes smoothly and that the traffic is on your side. Let us know how it all went x

Sharpies weren't on DDs list due to her extensive stationery collection! But, yes!

Good tip about the cup. DS1 found a plastic shower caddy thing useful for going to the shower and back, he had a sink in his room so no worries about toothbrush, same with DD. DS2 doesn't have a sink so will add one to the pile!

Good luck to all this weekend

Well we are off to Exeter. We had to leave the clothes behind as no room so will just have to buy one when we get there.

Good luck to you too @AvocadoPlant and @BigWoollyJumpers I hope you are not as teary as me thankfully DH driving!

Dc1 accommodation were quite strict on no bluetack etc allowed, but they had a small board to put things up with push pins

Good luck to everyone setting off this weekend. Travel safely and I hope it all goes smoothly, no flat tyres, no traffic jams. I hope you come back to update us.

I have asked how on earth Dh is going to drive because I know he will be upset.

I have considered cooking Ds's favourite chili and then taking that with us in a cool bag so he can put it in the freezer for a little taste of home or is that just too much? It takes hours to prepare and cook so I don't think he will be wanting to spend hours cooking in his first term even though he loves cooking and food.

We will be dividing his stuff into Ikea bags next week and then dummy packing the car to get a feel for how much he has in comparison to the boot space. For the record Ds will be taking 4 coats including his waterproof winter parka. He loves being warm, always wore a coat to school and sixth form (no hoodies allowed).

Good luck to everyone setting off this weekend! Hope all goes well.

Sorry to hear about the failed (or missed!) driving tests. My dd had her last lesson with current instructor yesterday. She’s not at test standard yet. He wants her to continue with him in the holidays, dd really likes this instructor but would prefer to continue lessons in Bristol so she doesn’t get rusty.

Love the 8 coats 😂 Dd hasn’t even thought about clothes yet. We’re still shopping and gathering all the other bits and pieces. IKEA tomorrow!

Hi - I just wanted to wish the very best of luck to all the DC off to uni this weekend (or next). They have all done brilliantly!

To all the mums - if it’s any consolation, DS is currently working (voluntary) on another continent and loves it so much he has extended his stay. Messages from him are very brief, but I’m trying to take this as a positive.

All the best to everyone!

Thanks @quest1on, wow that's great news for your ds but you must miss him like mad.

In other news, it looks like my oldest dd is not moving out just yet. A few months ago she had flatmates but no flat, now it appears there are flats available but not flat-mates! She had a few possible groups but they've all let her down and made other arrangements. The latest was a girl she met on their college FB group who was a bit older and seemed more reliable. However this girl now doesn't want a year's commitment of a flat rental and has decided to live in a local Travelodge instead!

@quest1on it’s great for your DS that he is having such a good experience. Much as we are happy for them it is hard to let them go.

@bendmeoverbackwards why are people so unable to make a commitment? I ended up sorting my own accommodation out for most of my time at UCL due to similar issues. However a lot of the friends lived in London and looking back I can completely understand why they wouldn't have wanted to pay for a whole year of accommodation when we were at clinical placements outside London for half the time

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav

Well we are off to Exeter. We had to leave the clothes behind as no room so will just have to buy one when we get there.

Good luck to you too @AvocadoPlant and @BigWoollyJumpers I hope you are not as teary as me thankfully DH driving!

I assume you mean clothes dryer? Not clothes!!

I saw a family coming down the hill with one earlier - I wonder whether that was you.

We are back after a long and emotional day, will update you all tomorrow.

Just to add, yes medical tin, with all the basics is an absolute must. We just used a xmas tin, always have loads, and put in anything and everything that might be needed in the short term. Drugs, creams, plasters etc. Also added those little sewing kits you get in hotels.

As well as a medical kit I was thinking of putting together an isolation box as I assume there will be periods of isolation . Ds is in catered accommodation but I know last year the supplies were not brilliant so I will include some non perishable treats but does anyone else have any good suggestions ?

That's a good idea @Peaseblossum22 - I assume students will be able to access their pantry or kitchens? So pot noddles, peanut butter, crackers, porridge, canned veg/tuna/hot dogs?

I hadn’t done an isolation box and ended up getting a target express delivery sent to DD in quarantine. An oximeter, thermometer, lozenges, cough medicine, herbal teas, vicks rub, microwave popcorn, fruit, fruit compote, sweets, chocolate, bottles of water, relaxing bath salts, fluffy socks and anything else I could think of!

@ChimneyPot how is your DD?

Fed up at being in quarantine and missing a party tonight! But not sick.

Well that’s disappointing but frankly so great that she’s not feeling ill x

Sorry @ChimneyPot - not sure my message conveyed what I meant. Sorry your DD is missing the party, but it’s really good that she’s not feeling too unwell.
My message was a too blunt- probably cos I’m worried my DS is going to come with covid after going to a festival next week, and despite being double jabbed, the thought of getting covid still scares me.

I understood @AvocadoPlant. Mild Covid is far from the worst that can happen.

Tired and emotional today. Forgot that you shouldn't go into their empty bedrooms for a few days, killer.

Yesterday was just a very long day. Trip down really good, we left early, but trip back awful, very busy.

Exeter Uni very green and very hilly. Actually quite quiet yesterday, although I think we were early movers. DD accommodation clean and comfortable. Top floor which is nice for quiet and views, but hard on the lungs and knees taking all her stuff up. Lots and lots of 4x4's from Surrey, with dogs, lots of dogs 😂

We dropped everything off, went for some lunch, and then she wanted us to leave her to it. She had unpacked, done her room, and made everything cosy by late afternoon. She cooked pasta with olive and garlic for her and someone she met from her flat, and they are cooking for her tonight, which made me very happy.

Today she is going shopping with another girl from her block, meeting her BF later who moves in today, and another girl from her course also moving in today. Her block doing excimer drinks tonight in the little garden they share.

So all fabulous. But I miss her really badly. I was fine all day, until I walked back into the house. Hey ho, I will survive. Just DH and I, and the cat now. Planning to do lots of work to the house to keep me occupied.

So many comings and goings, and bereavements this last year......what a year.