All at Sea - with a bucket and spade!

I went to the societies fair in university square. I got 2 free CUOnline calico bags. two refresher lollies, a tecton D-lock for my bike (although the police officer did say “you never know; somebody might steal it for their kids” as he put my bike into their security database !!!), a slimline gideon new testament, several toffees and three badges - bright pink emblazoned with the slogan ‘homophobia is gay’. Only two in the pic because the third was already pinned to my jeans

Friday tomorrow. Lectures til 12. Then I think that’s it!

Most people have necks on their ID cards. Some people even have shoulders. I just have head. I don’t think they get many 4′10″ people round these parts. I had to sit up very straight in the chair to get in view of the camera. Imagine if I’d been slouching?!!!

Lots more coffee times today. I sat on my own in the common room when I wasn’t busy. I like people-watching and it’s easier when you’re on your own. I’m sure I’ll make friends gradually but I’m not in a hurry to lose the peaceful times drinking coffee and watching the world go by. I photographed my feet. And my third cup of coffee of the day

Today we had to start at 9am. BUT we were dismissed at 11 Everything else for the rest of the day was optional. I joined the rcn union and parted with £10 for the year. But I did get a free dictionary of nursing. And a pen. And a slightly naff drawstring bag. And a badge. I also got my NUS extra card. Parted with another £10 for the year. But I get discounts. And I also got a free tin of beans, free packet of instant mash, a colemans sauce, small can of impulse, toothpaste, other bits and pieces I can’t remember.

Funny story: I met Lorraine in the corridor (looking for her timetable for starting her third year next week) just as I was about to head off for the Student Union to get my NUSextra card. She came with me and also got a bag of goodies. I think she was pleased. Funnier still, we went to Freshers Fair at Bar 54 and she got loads of freshers freebies and I got loads more freshers freebies to add to the ones I got at yesterday’s visit!. I’ve eaten most of my choccies and stuff. I’m pretty sure that the givewaways will end after this week. I hope so. I want to lose weight not put it on. And I can’t resist edible freebies of any kind.

It was great to see Lorraine in the Uni - not least because she took all my goodies home in the car so I don’t have to risk my life getting them home on my bike like I did yesterday

I visited the ‘faith and spirituality’ centre (aka Chaplaincy) and met a nice man from the Christian Union. They were having a bar-b-que outside the cathedral so I went and met some more Christians. They’re not sure where they’ll be meeting this year but they have a facebook group so I’ll join that for now. I’m not sure how the CU will work being on a full time course. We’ll see. I met Wes who is fab. We had an interesting conversation about faith and healing and stuff. One thing that gets my goat is telling people that if they have faith they will get better or be victorious in some way - like with money, a good car or a nice house. It does my head in. I don’t see it in my bible. It does Wes’ head in too. That’s why I liked him. Wes is in a wheelchair. And attended a ‘faith’ church for a while. He’s had some interesting experiences. He’s also really funny. I’m looking forward to meeting him again.

At 3.30pm, we have induction in the library. I’m kind of looking forward to understanding how all that works. I like that there are computers all over the place. Broadband. And that I’ve managed to log on and use one to write this blog entry. There’s also wi-fi internet everywhere. Cafe’s, common rooms, some bars and resaurants on campus, library. Once we get into the whole studying thing, I’ll bring my laptop on days where I’ve got a lot to do.

Being a student is FUN! So far anyway.

Last night, to ground myself, I went to watch x factor (repeat from Saturday) with the family across the road. My family across the road, I mean, not just any family across the road. That would be nowhere near as grounding. On account as I’ve never been in their house.

This morning I made up my new 1 litre flask with steaming hot coffee. Reduced from £25 to £5 from go camping. Fantastic. I drank the remaining coffee at 9.3o this evening (11 hours after filling it) and burnt my mouth on the contents. I stuck the flask in my backpack with a few other bits and pieces and jumped on my bike for my first day at Uni. Actually, it’s induction week (Freshers Week) and the whole thing really kicks in next week.

I didn’t actually get much time for drinking coffee because my breaks were taken up with some crucially important tasks:

1) Going to buy a Starbucks card and put a tenner on it. I also bought caramel waffles. It was kind of important to buy some on my first day. I’ll eat them on Friday if I survive the week!

2) Getting my student ID Card. Only had to queue for an hour. If I hadn’t enrolled online first, I’d have queued for two. Tomorrow I’ll get my NUS card and NUS extra card. I need photos so I couldn’t get it done today. I’ve got photos. Nipped to Tesco this evening with Emma, Nette and Leah

3) Going to the Freshers Fayre and getting freebies. And information….obviously. Here are the freebies I got:

Lipgloss, Lipstick, Toothpaste, Condoms, Lillets, Tin of Beans, Rizla Filter Tips, Loads of pens, Lighter/Bottle Opener in one, Lovehearts, Lollies, Refresher Chews, Mars Planets, Coasters, Keyrings, Screen Wipes, Stickers, Mints, Spatula, Latest copy of FHM, Magnetic Word Game……..Other Stuff.

 I might go back tomorrow for more information.

Then again, I might find somewhere comfy to sit and drink nice hot strong coffee

I think they look good. Especially as they were almost a third of the original price! I also bought the two peter rabbit tins on the shelf - the bunny shaped one and the green square one. Not from Cath Kidston, from Wiggler, a toy shop in Chipping Norton. I need to be organised when my life is changing. I’ve been tidying and sorting for almost 36 hours straight

Little bo peep is a wonderful place to take the caravan for a weekend, week, month, forever - weather permitting.

Nice and quiet. Lovely scenery. Peaceful. Friendly. A little bit of heaven.

If you click on the next two photos (and look closely), you can see Emma eating her coco pops in the new half-size awning she picked up off ebay.

If you look really really closely at the next two, you can see me - on the laptop playing freecell/spider solitaire/inkball and standing outside the fantastic kath kidston shop at Bicester Shopping Village

No-one told me there was a Cath Kidston shop at Bicester Shopping Village.

Emma bought me a set of three hat boxes - reduced from £45 to £18. I love them! When I get home, I’ll put a photo up.

There’s also a starbucks and they sell toffee waffles! They’re made by the same people who make the famous welsh ones - tregroes - only they’re a bit bigger and called caramel waffles. They taste exactly the same - gorgeous!

That’s my weekly treat at Uni sorted. Off into town to starbucks to buy waffles. (348 calories a pack of 2 - not bad as a treat) I’ll take my own coffee. I’m going to be a poor student after all. The waffles are only 75p for 2. The coffee’s £1.75. I’m going to get a good flask. I love my coffee!

We’re off to look at Chipping Norton today. Then pack up and it’s off home. It’s been a lovely break. Beside’s all the other good point about this place - the showers are free. Still ain’t having one though. Very proud to still be wearing the clothes I came in two days ago. I’ll have a nice hot bath at home. Probably.

The site is lovely. Nice golden brick buildings. Lots of flowers and plants. Big birdhouse (dovecote) with loads of little windows. Doves on each window. Kite-flying field for Emma. Yesterday we saw a deer running through it. Loads of rabbits running about. Lovely river walk.

There’s a little summerhouse that’s always open - even in the middle of the night -  with a computer in it. Free to use. I’m sat at it now! Broadband I presume. And a bookcase with loads of crappy novels - if you’re into that kind of thing. A box of games and toys for kids. All the leaflets of local attractions and places to visit. Magazines. A few comfy chairs.

Everything’s spotless. But mostly it’s really really peaceful. Because it’s nowhere near the sea or family fun park or anything, there’s no children running around. I like children but I like that there aren’t any!

And the staff are really friendly. We asked about what time we have to be out tomorrow. They said stay as long as we like. Most places we’ve been too so far charge a fiver or something if you want to stay past 11 or whatever kicking out time is.

They have a website but it really doesn’t do it justice at all. As soon as I get my university dates, we’ll be booking to come back. Emma’s happy because it’s only an hour away

We’re off to Oxford now. Hopefully, I’ll find somewhere that does nice coffee and Emma will find breakfast!

Yesterday was my last day at work. Five years with rethink.

I woke up with a really bad headache today but I feel really relaxed. It’s like a fresh start.

I’ve enrolled with Coventry Uni and looked at all the internet stuff. It’s fab. There’s online support for all kinds of things like maths, academic writing and harvard referencing. And you can drop in to the various departments any time for one-to-one support. There’s an online message system and chat room. Other stuff. Lots of groups to join.

I’m looking forward to Monday at 11.

But for now, it’s off to Adderbury, near Banbury. A couple of days away in the caravan. A good book. Laptop. Hot chocolate. Rain outside. It’s suprisingly fun whatever the weather

Today was  Emma’s birthday. She was/is 29. I wrapped all of her presents in wallpaper. Free samples. And wrote a little rhyming clue on a card attached to each. She guessed some. Not others.

We went to see the penguins for a birthday treat. It was what she wanted. We had champagne. She had a big red balloon. The cats came along in their party hats. Her favourite presents were a pencil, a small aeroplane and a little toy classic car.

Some of this blog entry is true. Some of it is pure fabrication.