Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

The continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying to Durham, or alumni, or staff!

September 2021 finds us packing, unpacking, meeting old friends and new, and all with our fingers firmly crossed for a positive year!

@Parsonage63 We found the roads surprisingly quiet this morning, guess the fuel problems have discouraged people from making unnecessary journeys.

@LeiatheSchnauzer my dd also a bit teary today as "everyone else" on her landing has bonded. Sure it's not the case though. Hopefully they will find kindred spirits soon.

Sitting here in the JoBo sunshine, marvellous atmosphere!

Such a fabulous drop off this morning. Great atmosphere. Lovely freps. Lovely big room.

DH couldn't recall where he parked the car so had an unexpected wander around as well

One of the freps said there is a floor rep who will gather everyone in the evening to have dinner together which is a nice gesture.

Finally made it back to London after staying a night in Yarm, managed to get fuel at Toddington on the M1 after driving past several closed petrol stations at various services.

DS said his bed was comfortable and they've been given breakfast AND brunch. Said last night was ok but 'nothing special'. Hope it gets better than that!

I'm feeling a bit odd today, not really missing him yet but just a bit meh.

Hope all the mover inners are having a lovely day today.
Gosh it’s a stunning city. Dh and I made a mental list of things we’d like to do in Durham . Take advantage of Dd being there?- Hell yes
Dd had as good first night as as any. She seemed different even after one night… bit of a mind shift I think. We are on the way home now. I didn’t blubber exactly.. (dignified moist eyes only )
Just a text to say that her roommate has just moved in .. I think that will really help to settle her as she had started wondering if the other person had decided not to come (Dd deffo wanted to share!)
I’m feeling ok atm.. will prob keep her room shut for a week or so though !

Ds called as we were on the A1 to say he couldn’t find his contact lenses , we located them . Dh had put them in the cupboard under the sink which ds hadn’t been discovered ! He said they had a good evening last night , I think he went on a guided tour of Durham and everyone seemed really nice , but he’s a smiley type and fairly confident.

@Meery, I am also sure they haven't all bonded already too! I think there is so much expectation of this wonderful time they are going to have but they seem to put so much expectation on it being wonderful straight away.
Dd's room mate has now arrived and I assume they are now getting to know each other and hopefully others on their landing as the texts have now gone quiet .

For those travelling back south today M1 is still reporting no fuel at service stations.

We found last year that no news was generally good news!!

No news is deffo good news @LeiatheSchnauzer x

We have just dropped off DD at Stephenson, Freps lovely, Room fine , we are staying tonight and will drive back tomorrow .

Thanks to everyone for all the advice .

Petrol stations on the A167 between Durham and Darlington had fuel and no queues this afternoon.

Before it starts raining - proof from DS that Durham looked beautiful today!

Beautiful journey home via Barnard Castle, Kirkby Stephen. DS will be fiiiiiine, I am sure. I know it seems like everyone has hit the ground running but for those who are feeling a little lost and sad I hope the caring side of their colleges help with that
Cathedral interesting, whole city buzzing, what a wonderful place to study the subject you love.

Wow. What a brilliant photograph @KingscoteStaff.

Thanks @KingscoteStaff and @Longtimenewsee, yes, I agree that the reduction of texts is positive!
Have just heard she is getting ready for her first formal, am excited for her!
What a lovely place to be studying and finding your feet as an adult.
Really appreciate all the support on this thread xx

Have been lurking a little bit, a s a former Durham Uni student. Had the best 5 years there, was a rower and a cox (v small!) and really hoping DD might look at Durham next year! Wishing all your DCs a great year.

DS has a slightly longer walk (but good for fitness!)......given that he was originally allocated a Bailey college - c'est la vie!

@321zyx at least his Hill college pub crawls will end at his home!!

Glad they're all settling in. Don't worry if they don't meet their best friends forever in the first week, dd didn't!

And on the subject of dd and her toothache, she phoned 111 again on Saturday morning and they made her a hospital appointment for Saturday where they drained the pus from the swelling and gave her antibiotics. She's feeling much better, and the swelling has gone down, so she can sleep and eat again.
She did really well because she has major dental phobia, and normally has to be sedated for any treatment and even thinking about going to the dentist makes her shake. She had to do it all on her own too.
Relief!

As a fellow dental-phobic I can admire her gumption in doing that MargaretThursday! Glad it is sorted for her.

DS very chipper this morning. Seems to be enough structure with talks and Zoom meetings to fill the bits of the day not taken up with getting used to Hall life.

Sounds like such a different experience from my post grad days - no college (the Graduate Society did nothing), no formals, no balls. Social life revolved around the Dun Cow, the Shakespeare, the Colpitts, the Vic, cheap drinks at the Castle bar, occasional drunken forays to Klute and Sunday lunch at the Swan and Three. Good times though!

Does anyone know when the college changers will get their £500? DS was hoping for cold hard cash, but I think that's unlikely .

I can feel the utter relief in your post @MargaretThursday. Toothache is so so horrible . I’m so glad she managed to deal with getting some help for it . She must have been really frightened so that’s quite something- well done to that girl!