Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

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

January 2022 finds our DC packing their big coats, checking the forecast for snow and wondering when Michaelmas actally is...?

Assemble!
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EwwSprouts

I have to ask about the visiting dogs! Which College were they visiting? I know my DS would love to see them if possible. He misses his own pooch so much 🙁

Me too! That sounds a lot of fun.

I've just booked a flying visit on the train for half term so looking forward to trying some of the restaurant suggestions.

My son seems keen to go on the Uni ski trip which sounds like a lot of driving, après-ski but not much time for the skiing part...

I might have mangled this...A whippet comes weekly as owner works in college (I think very senior female). A golden retriever had his ball to play with you and was an official therapy dog and there was a third, a spaniel? DS is in Stephenson.

@red4321 I think that's a fair assessment of a ski trip from up north. Wasn't there a nightmare trip from Newcastle in covid when they got there and then had to rush straight back due to lockdown/French restrictions?

@NotEnoughTime What breed have you got? DS grew up with a black lab but then work commitments meant we couldn't in fairness get another. I'd have another tomorrow though.

That is so sweet EwwSprouts I bet your DS loves seeing the poochies.

We have a cockapoo-she is the best dog ever slightly biased😆I do love labs though. In fact I love all dogs-they all have their own distinct personalities and funny little traits.

I'm glad your DS has settled in well to Durham. My DS has just gone into his second year and is still having a whale of a time. I miss him lots but it is such a relief to know that he is happy and living life to the full.

Durham is a beautiful city. I have been to visit DS on a few different occasions. He is involved heavily in the Drama scene so I have been to see him in a few musicals, plays etc which is always nice.

@NotEnoughTime Yes he did. Friend has a cockerpoo which is high energy but loving too.
Oh I wish DS was involved in drama. Not his thing but I love a trip to the theatre. I'm going this week!
Yes to missing them but I know it's setting them free to follow their dreams.

What are you going to see?

What a lovely idea about the visiting dogs. Do you know if they go around all the Colleges? DS in John Snow and would love to see them I’m sure.

Any recommendations for brunch or Sunday lunch and what time is best to go to avoid queuing or is it best to book? Thinking of visiting DS before weather changes and taking him some additional food supplies and bringing home anything he doesn’t want to store in his room.

DS seems to be very happy and very tired. Its so lovely to know he is cramming so much in and how well he seem to be getting along with his flat mates and other people from his College.

DD’s college had visiting dogs in the fellows garden during exam season. They can also walk a dog owned by one of college staff. I think other colleges did the same.

@NotEnoughTime Oops not entirely sure. Not a classic or musical. Our local theatre is doing a 3 for 2 this autumn and a friend has booked it. Her youngest has just gone to university too so this is step one rebuild our social lives ;)

@ScoobyDoobyDoowhere We had a lovely traditional Sunday roast beef lunch when we dropped DS off. www.sevenstarsdurham.co.uk/sundaymenu.html

Good for you EwwSprouts. It's important that we have a life too

@NotEnoughTime DD is also involved in the drama side - it provides a lovely excuse for a visit, doesn't it? I wonder if they've been in any of the same musicals - DD hasn't managed to get into any of the plays so has focussed on DULOG.

I will PM you now alterego2

Dd was heavily involved in drama too, not on stage but tech and she was on the committee last year. Very much recommend it, especially if they aren't confident. She really loved it.

Dd is continuing to have a ball. Went to a Taylor swift night and loved it. Her friends from home also at Durham went home this weekend so the first time she has been properly alone and she loved it still. She seems to have made a new girl friend (her mates are lads) which I am very happy about, and they seem quite close already.

She has started phoning more which is lovely but I suspect a bit of homesickness is creeping in, though she won't admit it. I am missing her loads 😢.

We are heading up North at half term - watch DS play rugby and play a jazz gig, then over to Newcastle to watch DD play hockey! Very convenient scheduling!

Asda trips for both, then 2 days at the beach for us.

@KingscoteStaff Excellent planning! Hope the sun shines.

Dd is continuing to have a ball. Went to a Taylor swift night and loved it.

My son too. Didn't even know he liked Taylor Swift.. Is that the same place that did the ABBA night?

@red4321 I think so, she loves all the cheesey pop!

That's funny. I'm sure my son scoffed when I last made him watch Mamma Mia with me but apparently they only played the "good" ABBA songs. Hmmmm...

DD sent me a link to the house she rented last year - rent gone up from £125 a week to £198! Even allowing for fuel prices that's a hell of an increase. I'm kind of glad this is her final year if only from a monetary point of view. Apparently they have taken in so many high paying foreign students that there is a shortage of accommodation.

Dc sent me link to a palatinate article about Durham housing crisis here:

www.palatinate.org.uk/durhams-private-housing-market-reaching-breaking-point/

They state the cause to be unis taking in more students in recent years, uk students (not international) grade inflation due to cancelled exams during covid and a shortage of privately rented accommodation which fuels an early rush with inflated prices.

One of the letting agencies in the article
had houses in viaduct and elvet without bills included and the cheapest was £185 pw. That pretty much wipes out a maximum student maintenance loan if they have a 51 week tenancy!

i think college ( livers in) accommodation has also already gone up *this year and I guess it will go up again. Even so, I think there might be more students asking to
return to live in again where they at least know that they have food included

New name btw <<twirls>>

Wow. We rent out our old house to students in a premium and we do not charge anywhere near that (bills excluded, we charge half of that per week per person!!!). It will go up very slightly next year but those rents are insanely high.