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!

Thanks @Peaseblossum22

@Bonkus share your sentiments. Reading about people getting left behind on nights out to find their way home made me shiver a little. Sadly DS has had a similar experience already - he left his car at a friend's place because he was told he can stay over- after their big out was told he doesn't have space. The friend has a massive property so definitely bad space. So DS had to sort something out. Luckily another friend offered him the floor and a lift back to collect his stuff the next day

@chopc I did both. I'm not much of a clubber but I went to balls at other colleges and I did a lot with the uni scout and guide group, they did a weekly pub gathering etc. Just a mix of pub, friends rooms/ houses, college etc. A full college bar crawl is always fun! Though I suspect slightly less achievable now with all the newer colleges!

I had tutorials in the Dun Cow in Old Elvet which used to have a mixture of locals and students, some pubs definitely locals only in my day . Ironically the one next to Moatside was only locals and was actually owned by the University .

Just to say arrived at Premier Inn in Darlington as got morning drop off for DD. Quite knackered but glad to get most of journey done.
Came up A1. Set off from London at 9am .No real queues for petrol either at main services or roadside stations but anywhere with BP overpriced!( 155p/litre!!!)
Only passed one station with nozzles with those yellow not in use signs!hope this helps as Was really anxious before we left!

So real now! Will really miss my DD.
Safe driving all

DH couldn’t get diesel , however traffic in locality very busy near petrol stations , so he wasn’t going to queue , plenty of unleaded he said . Will try again tomorrow .

DD has been busy the piles have grown !

I hope everyone travelling tomorrow has a safe journey and everyone settles well.

My DS (going into second year now) is registered with Durham GP surgery - did telephone assessments & prescriptions sent by e scripts to our local pharmacy. He went to our minor injury unit via 111 (it was over weekend) for treatment when he was physically ill at home. I'd have temporarily registered him if I had to back with our GP down here but his Durham GP surgery was good and made it work - might have been a covid arrangement thing the past year.

Comment about GPs was to add to OntheBench's post

So pleased to read that @peasepuddingplease, we have 292 miles to do tomorrow. Travelling back down Sunday. Not sure dh up for being stranded in Durham for a few days.

Two of our local petrol stations ran out of fuel earlier this afternoon but I managed to join a long queue and fill the tank to the top - we should get to Durham on Sunday but will we get back?? I have also just completed six loads of washing - thank goodness for today's good weather! ☀️ Still haven't got round to actually booking accommodation for Sunday night 😟

@peasepuddingplease pleased to hear your report re fuel at the services. I'm also heading to a Premier Inn in Darlington, but on Sunday night after dropping off DS.

Re the GP, it has been a while since I've been registered with them but I registered as a student and stayed with their sister practice for years until I moved out to a village and a local practice. The uni GP practice was always great, they are so used to a transitory population. The group offers a lot including minor surgery stuff and has always been very good for contraceptive services which given the student population is very much a bonus.

In general Durham is well served. Out of hours calling 111 will get you an appointment with the ooh GP at the hospital (University hospital north Durham which many people still call Dryburn just to cause confusion for non locals). This is always a better bet than turning up at A&E. If they have a mate with a care there is also urgent care at bishop Auckland and at shotley Bridge (free parking there!) At those 2 you get seen pretty much instantly most of the time. Again you call 111 for an appointment.

Any recommendations for a dentist in Durham @OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea ?

Dentist is the same battle to get nhs as anywhere else I think.

Thanks anyway. Think she'll have to come home for it then.

I thought the thread had gone quiet! Never realised there was a new one... going to read and catch up now!

We are settled in our b&b in Durham, ready for our 11am moving in slot tomorrow. Also filled up on petrol just outside Durham in Shincliffe, no queues and diesel also available. Petrol was £1.32 a litre.
Been out for a meal and a mooch around town- so many parents with their student child doing the same thing!

In fact, it is quite exciting!

@LeiatheSchnauzer, can you recommend where you had dinner? We’re looking for somewhere tomorrow evening before ds checks in on Sunday.

We booked a table a couple of days ago at Zizzis which was dd's choice. There was also a Pizza Express and Bill's close by.

We have been to Bill's a couple of times - really nice restaurant on the Bailey close to the Cathedral, very buzzy.

The Whitechurch (opposite the Bill B Library) is another good choice for dinner.

Morning, quick question all my lot are going to drop dd off will this be ok, are siblings going? We are about to head off now long journey ahead hoping to get there by 2pm for moving in slot 🙏

We are aiming for the same time , no siblings just us but ds is the youngest , older brother and dog staying home . Saying goodbye to the dog is probably going to be the hardest thing for him. Oldest brother rang yesterday to wish him well .

I remember the day I was dropped at the same college in 1983, I’d been at boarding school for 6 years so just packed my trunk as usual, we stopped on the way for lunch and I couldn’t eat a thing.

@par05 we are taking Ds2 who is 15, they are very close though pretty much best friends, conspirators and very rarely fall out if ever. Plus Ds2 is already in A level/uni mindset and quite likes the look of Durham so wants to see inside the college.