Current Oxford/Cambridge students support/chat continued (2)

[Panicmode1]

The other thread is nearly full so I took the liberty of starting a new one...

Don't laugh but we have a rowing machine in our shed that DH bought at the local recycling centre for £5. It was only there because the distance/timer thingy is broken; the actual rowing bit works fine. DH & DD use a digital timer and take it in turns to do short bursts. It can't be that bad because when DD has done timed erg sessions back in C, she's been very strong. Getting the bloody thing home wasn't fun. My car was the only one big enough to fit it in and it still took some fiddling. The shed is quite big.

Finally get DS home tonight after the Varsity ski trip (assuming no further dramas with flights)...will be lovely to have him back, even if he will be studying hard for most of his time here!

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas break!

Was it last year that someone's DD on this thread got stalked by a wolf on the varsity ski trip? Or am I imagining that? 🐺 😱

I do remember a wolf...but surely not on a European ski trip....?!

A coyote used to stalk DD1 and I when she was a newborn but I'm not sure I've posted that on this thread.

hahaha. That was DD1. First time skiing, found it easy and not tiring, so skiied every day until it was dark, lifts stopped, people left, , local French skiiers laughed and skiied off , down to car park, alone on mountain, not good at climbing back up, wolf at bottom, on phone to me. Man on snowplow rescued her.

@CinnamonJellyBeans I'm so glad DS is now safely home ...! I'd forgotten it was France. (I'm stressing about bears when we go to Canada in Feb, but I guess they will be hibernating!!)

I knew it wasn't some mad dream @CinnamonJellyBeans - not losing it just yet

After 4 (four) interviews, ds has got an internship for his 2nd year vacation. Grinding process but the company are essentially expecting him to be more than likely to work for them after his 3rd year. Better not mention that plan for an integrated Masters year then 😬

Great news @PermanentTemporary, congratulations to him!

(DS is still waiting on the outcome of his internship interview from 1st Dec. Initially they said they would decide quickly but he got an email last night to say they are still deliberating!)

Good news @PermanentTemporary . Fingers crossed @Panicmode1 - the company that DD did some work with and was meant to do more before Covid wrecked it told her to stay in touch with them and let them know when she completes her PhD.

@PermanentTemporary, very well done on your DS getting this internship. Persistence pays off!

@Panicmode1 good luck to your DS waiting for the results of his internship interview too and I hope he gets good news before Christmas.

@CinnamonJellyBeans I well remember your anecdote about your DD1 and the wolf! Hope life is going really well for her.

I hope everyone on this thread has a restful and happy holiday season, even if some of us are still working, including student DCs studying. DS1 and DS2 are barely taking off Christmas Day this year, as they've got their first set of law conversion exams very early in January and are revising a lot, especially DS2. They've also made further TC and Vac Scheme applications but no news yet with those and given the current success stats (currently 1% to 2% success rate for TCs), the odds remains stacked against them.

We've had a term of adapting to DS1 and DS2 being back at home for the foreseeable future, until they can secure jobs and earn some money - so that might be a long way off at this rate. For me, it's lovely having them here but I can see for them, it's not at all ideal and they miss their autonomy and busy, sociable lives at university so much. Feels like a regressive step for them but unavoidable right now.

All those still at uni., enjoy life as much as possible, alongside studying, as it goes far too quickly.

We've got an easy Christmas planned, as usual, with just the three of us and then seeing wider family in the New Year. I'm still catching up on work, starting my tax return and countering - for the second time - a planning application for a huge development next door to us. DCs have become very interested in planning law, as a result and very helpful too!

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy winter solstice and other celebrations!

Thank you @mutterphore he's still waiting so I'm assuming it's a no - he thinks he was probably in 3rd place (they take 2)...but fingers are crossed. He is studying hard for exams which start the first week back, so I haven't really seen him (just the enormous holes in the fridge and cupboards - have had to start putting notes on things saying "PLS don't eat before Xmas"😂)

Good luck with the planning objection (maybe this isn't the time to say that I work on the other side of that particular fence one day a week....!) but stick to countering policy, state facts not emotions, and maybe look at the new NPPF guidance too.

Wishing everyone on the thread a happy, healthy and fun holiday season, however you spend it. Thank you for your company and wisdom in 2023 - here's to a successful 2024 for our DCs as they continue their Oxbridge journeys - or complete them and fly on to new pastures. 🙂

As expected, it's a rejection..,poor DS is a bit downhearted. He's got through to the last round in the last 3 applications but just doesn't quite make that final hurdle...onwards!

@Panicmode1 I'm sorry to hear your DS didn't get the internship. It can be so dispiriting to make applications, almost get to the final goal only then not to get the offer. Hope he can still enjoy a bit of a break over Christmas, even if he's studying for exams.

Thanks for the advice about planning objections. I actually met the lovely planning officer responsible for the case affecting us and was impressed by how professional she was. She too emphasised that it just comes down to policy in the end and after a very assertive objection from me, first time round, the applicant withdrew but, as expected, has now made a new application.

Is there anything particular in the new NPPF guidance that it would be particularly useful for me to know?

Sorry to derail the Oxbridge thread with a planning issue!

Thank you, I'm sure he'll be fine, but he's a bit disappointed obviously.

Nothing specifically jumps out really, but the update does stress that development should be plan led (so if the development is planned on a plot that was not included in a Neighbourhood Plan or Local Plan, then that is a strong objection) and that any development should be sustainable (ie, if no public transport or access is not possible without a car, then that should be taken into account)and that there should be local services available. The development of isolated sites in the countryside should be avoided (Para 84 a-e). If you want to DM me, please do.

Slight de-rail here but @goodbyestranger I met your DS4 this morning with his GF. He's looking very well and promised to pass on my best to you. My DD1 had arranged to meet them both - she only got home yesterday and has already met 3 schoolfriends.

Sorry about your DS internship disappointment @Panicmode1. Hopefully there will be more options for him to consider.
DS has received an job offer for after graduation and he accepted and signed the contract. It has been a gruelling 3 months of endless rounds of tests and interviews but he made final stages for a fair few and had 2 offers so he's delighted. Me too as it has been very stressful for him and not much attention has been paid to his Masters year!
2020 seems a long time ago -I seem to have a near adult in the house!

@beeswain that's amazing. Congratulations to your DS.

Nice derail Malbec! He phoned this morning to say Happy Birthday to me but has to be back in Oxford for Junior Dean stuff on the 26th and there's no chance of him making that with the ferries which have been utterly chaotic this week (high winds - one of those things - but much expected at this time of year) so he's spending Christmas at his gf's. He'll be very pleased to meet up with your DD1. Have a lovely Christmas and all the very best for the New Year! The sixth DC arrived on the afternoon ferry having completed a nightshift in a London hospital at 8am this morning and we now have a nail biting finish with the laid back seventh and last (first name beginning with C) who is at the ferry port waiting to see if the last ferry of the day sails.... I need that Malbec myself....

Commiserations to Panicmode1's DS - very bad luck. But a huge congrats to beeswain's.

@beeswain massive congratulations to your DS on his job offer! He's done incredibly well and deserves this success. I hope all of you enjoy a celebration.

@Panicmode1 thanks again for the tips about countering planning applications and I think I've got the relevant sections of the relevant documents to do another objection once more. I could do without the extra work involved but hopefully, I'll at least know I did all I could, even if planning permission is granted this time.

@goodbyestranger I hope your DC makes it and the last ferry of the day sails - safely - into port. Have a lovely get together with those of you DCs who can make it.

@beeswain many congratulations to your DS!

Ah thank you mutterphore. The last ferry did sail so everyone is here, which earlier this week looked as though it would take a miracle. Have a lovely Christmas yourself :)

Just dropped off. The boat houses are flooded and the water meadows are much more flooded than usual according to the groundsman we spoke to. Safe travels everyone..

Hope everyone has had a lovely break. I'm taking DS back up on Sunday. His college posted a photo of the Cam this morning ...it looks very high/filthy so I'm glad he's decided to have a break from rowing for a number of weeks!