Current Oxford/Cambridge students support/chat continued

[Panicmode1]

New thread.....!

DD's college have been fantastic in accompanying them to clubs and making sure there is a walking bus (reminds me of primary school days!) back to the college at specific intervals. Or maybe that is how DD is describing it to me to try and reassure me (?); whilst she is probably a bit green she is a bit more savvy than some, she knows the protocols of not wandering about with phone in hand, leaving a drink unattended, leaving a friend alone etc.

I think she was grateful of the two minute commute from her bedroom to the 9am library induction this morning having got in at 2am!

Her college kitchen smells so bad it is un-useable. The kitchen is for 11 rooms but only three chairs and a rather hideous melanine table that seats about five or six. It has the air of decay and appearance (as you can't stay long in it due to smell) of not recently being used. Nothing to fix according to the college.... She is regretting the buttery meal plan she purchased, she did get one up from the recommended plan which is good but there was one higher level which would have saved on the kitchen fee (regardless of how much you pay you still get a kitchen of any random quality), but then if she is never going to use the kitchen due to its dire state and absolute rank smell ( I nearly threw up in it when I put my head into the room it was sooooo bad) the top plan would have been more suited as it included more catered for meals. She has been invited by a college sister to use their kitchen which isn't so bad but that does involve a bit of a trek. Thank goodness she has the buttery and a kettle in her kitchen.

Re clubbing: all of my DC have survived regular Oxford clubbing but DD4/ DC8 (12 years junior to DD1/DC1) had a drink spiked last academic year and was quite seriously ill for four days. She also cracked her head open in a crush. She lives to tell the tale and clearly still intends to go clubbing in her fourth year but just to say - stuff happens. Not sure if it's a coincidence with DD4 or whether things are dicier than they were in recent years. Possibly a health warning wouldn't be out of place.

PettsWoodParadise kitchens can be a nightmare. Meat slabs seem to be left regularly in fridges over the vacs. There's always someone who is so privileged or pampered or lazy they never wash up. The best ploy is to make yourself as independent from the kitchen as possible: don't leave your pans in the shared kitchen, get a mini fridge etc.

Thank you @goodbyestranger for sharing the sad tale of your DD4. How terrifying. Delighted however she isn’t letting it stop her, can’t say I am surprised to learn thet knowing your amazing progeny.

DH cracked his head open for a less good reason amd the only learning points from that was the cats did lick up the mess he left and he had a skull capable of defeating most solid objects. I don’t know if I should be comforted or concerned that DD has her Dad’s physiology.

First year finally over with an evening drop off today in a quiet C. A lpvely harvest moon rise over the downlands of n. Essex was a treat. An uneventful drive back to a late supper and a sip of a reflective whisky - for both of us - before retiring. DS is now a college parent and he has 4 to cook for tomorrow. I hope sll goes well for new UGs at C (and O of course).

Very relieved to be WhatsApped with news that DS1 and DD4 have finally reached Oxford after managing to get a ferry from where we now live which sailed despite an amber warning (windy/ liable to last minute cancellation). Also despite DD4 throwing up somewhere along the M74. Also despite a tyre we all spent a while looking at and prodding yesterday because it looked arguably not quite ok. DS1 has deposited DD4 at her new accommodation which she says is lovely and DS1 has had a massive upgrade in the hotel he's staying in for tomorrow's med school reunion. So all's well etc. At least for now.

A wonderful harvest moon here in Scotland too Clemenc0. I went to pick up my weekly veg at 8pm and do a shop at the CoOp and the moon was enormous coming over the hills, completely full and an extraordinary orangey pink

Thanks for the heads up about the drinks in clubs, I’ll just mention it to DD. So I’m not a crazy paranoid mum afterall. It’s mid autumn festival @goodbyestranger which they celebrate in Hong Kong and China. I remember my childhood in HOng Kong - lots of Moon appreciation and moon cakes and candle lanterns.

All the best to all the first years moving in this weekend.

Best of luck to all parents and their offspring dropping off this weekend. Nothing exciting to report from me. My teaching timetable this year is awful but it gives me two consecutive days off, so I went to visit my dad briefly and with my help, he managed 2 WhatsApp video chats with my DDs. As a result of lots of shopping/coffee trips, I had an abundance of Caffè Nero vouchers, so I sent one to each DD. DD1 messaged me yesterday to say that she had a load of papers to read so had taken herself off to said coffee shop, spent the voucher and done plenty of research into the bargain.

Anyone driving into C today and reading this in time, do not leave the M11 at junction 11. Trumpington Road is solid and scarcely moving almost from the M11 right into the city centre. Both Trumpington P&R buses I saw going into town had signs saying they were full.

In contrast, the A603, from J12, is much more free-flowing - although Fen Causeway is a bit clogged because it meets Trumpington Road.

The Madingley Road P&R currently has over 300 spaces free.

Re clubbing, dd tells me that there have definitely been lots of instances of drinks being spiked and also needle spiking in Oxford over the years that she has been there. Some students in Oxford joined the national "girls night in" clubbing boycott a few years ago to highlight the problem. That said she still goes clubbing but is careful with drinks, sticks with friends - all the usual sage advice. And I'm sure that the problem in Oxford is no worse than in other places.

I don't think it's any worse than anywhere else. There was a particularly nasty accident a couple of years ago on the 2nd night of freshers in DD's college. DD was a JCR "sober angel" along with a medic and had to deal with the consequences whilst waiting for paramedics. Sadly they need to take the same precautions wherever they go, along with the message that taking any sort of drugs = stupidity & can kill.

Did a dawn raid on C via the Madingley Road and that was fine, but it was getting a bit busier even as I left at 920. Easy for me being 2 hours away.

Anyone stranded in O let me know, you can stop off for toilets and a cup of (herbal as no milk left) tea at mine!

Good luck driving DCs to O and C today and across the next few days, to all those returning and starting for the first time. I hope everyone has a great start to this term.

Re. clubbing, in his time, DS2 was one of those accompanying Freshers to and from clubs when he was at O and there was a really good system going, to help Freshers feels safe. Really sorry to hear that your DD4's drink was spiked @goodbyestranger last academic year. That's terrible. Glad it's not put her off going out and also pleased to hear that despite a bit of a challenging car journey, yesterday, she's happily arrived in her new accommodation. Hope she has a very good term.

Thanks mutterphore and all the best to your two starting their next step.

No I'm sure the Oxford club scene is no more dangerous than anywhere else but there are certainly dangers and even being aware clearly can't prevent problems. Just have to be aware and trust in luck too.

I'm glad we dropped DD off earlier this week - there was no traffic to speak of and we had a parking space at her central college on arrival. Can't imagine how it must be when really busy! It feels as if she's been there for ever when it's only been 4 days. She does seem to be having a lovely time getting to know people, and having fun. At some point she is going to get a shock when work starts in earnest. She met her DoS yesterday for the first time in person and it was made very clear that his expectations are sky high (he's the Chair of the Faculty and her course only has a small number of people - she's the only one in her year in her college) so the fun at least has to slow down soon.

Our journey to Cambridge took twice as long as usual due to traffic issues (both in home town and in Cambridge) but we got there eventually.

We were able to park right outside the building.

DS has a lovely big room, and is very close to his subject department and the West Cambridge hub.

Thinking of all those dropping students today, particularly first years.

Can't believe it's a year since we took DS to Cambridge to start his first year. He is like a different person - so much more confident, loving his life. We have missed all the chaos of the late September return as he stayed over summer to do an internship so kept his room on. He moved rooms yesterday to a newer ensuite one with double bed so is thrilled and has been sending us photos. We're going to visit in the school October half term after visiting Bath, as it's DS2's turn to go through the UCAS application process this year. At least there is no early entry for him, so that's something.

I hope everyone settles back in.

DD wants to set off super early to get parked in Oxford tomorrow. She manages to leave something behind nearly every time, and if she gets her way, I'll have just dropped off after a sleepless night, and won't be able to do my last minute runaround to check. Usually the form is that I spot the stray make-up bag/pillow/charger, run downstairs, and open the door, only to see that the car's already gone. So I don't suppose it makes any difference.

DD2 successfully dropped off. Some comedy moments trying to locate her room which is in a very quirky 17th century building with sloping ceilings and staircases leading in improbable directions. Her room is rather poky and dark but she has a nice view and was pleased that her piano (keyboard) was already there. Sad to say goodbye to her but she was full of excitement about the new term which was lovely to see.

@goodbyestranger good to know that your DD and DS made their very long journey to Oxford safely.

Good luck to all DC starting or returning this term. I hope they all have a great time.

@mutterphore, my DS is also missing Cambridge. He is enjoying his grad job and living in London but misses college life. His girlfriend returned from a summer internship in the States today and is heading back to Cambridge tomorrow for her fourth year. DS is coming home this week for a family funeral and then heading onto Cambridge for his first visit since graduation.

Lovely to hear your news @CurlyhairedAssassin!

DS goes back this morning because he hadn't read his emails and applied for an early return...he'd asked us to take him up yesterday and the realised he wouldn't be allowed his key as his college said it was freshers only...! He's got to coach some of the new rowers this lunchtime, so I hope the traffic is kind.

He's had a good summer, but the pressure is now on to secure an internship for next summer. He's submitted a few applications, so fingers crossed.

Hope that all of them settle (back) happily.

Ah, the curse of being only 25 miles away from C. Return visit today to drop off forgotten items to DS (mouse dongle, bike helmet and pump, folding chairs for his balcony, more food and so on). We will combine it with a visit to my nephew and his wife before the next member of the family arrives in a few months.

Well I hope the move goes smoothly for all who are doing it today. About to go for breakfast at the hotel…..I’m sure there will be a few there!