This weekend we took the lovely young man off to university ..... all the way to Aberdeen .... a round trip of 720 miles!!! All I can say is "It's a long way!"
Mr B. finds it's ironic that 'he's gone to Scotland .... to study English!'
I've spent the last week getting his 'kit' together, and doing a fair bit of nagging to get him to pack.
As usual, it was all left till the last minute, but he got there in the end.
The university looks lovely ....
... but I'm not so sure about his halls of residence, which are basic to say the least, just like all the student residences I've ever seen!
But he's young - will he even notice the peeling paint and the grotty shower?
He couldn't wait for us to go ... so we quickly unloaded the car, and left him to it!!!
I hope he settles in, because there's no chance of nipping home for the odd weekend if he's homesick.
Later, as we circled the town centre, hopelessly lost, looking for our hotel, we had a chance to look at the beautiful architecture in Aberdeen.
Everything is built from a silver granite .... it's just stunning!
We eventually managed to find our hotel. I was very thankful I was here, and not in halls!
I think Tom's room would have fitted into our's four times over!
Over our meal, we reflected on this new stage of our lives .... we'll be on our own for the first time in nearly 25 years. It's going to take a bit of getting used to. To be fair to our young man, he has done his best to prepare us for this moment, as he has spent a lot of time away from home during the 'gap year'.
I won't miss the nagging about the untidy room, or the washing and ironing.
I won't have to guess if he'll be in for his tea.... but oh my goodness it already feels so empty!
We've also lost our 'dog sitter' ... he gave Inca a huge hug when he was leaving.
A real lump in your throat moment!
I don't think she realises he won't be back till Christmas.
Our daughter drove all the way from Newcastle this weekend, so that Inca wouldn't have to go into kennels. She's written her post about it here.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping the new series of Downton Abbey will distract me tonight!
P.S. The young man couldn't speak to me on the phone tonight because he "was just going out!!!"
I'm taking that as a good sign!
PPS All the photos of Aberdeen are taken from Google images, because in all the rush I'd forgotten to charge my camera battery. Aaargh, all that way and not a single photo to show for it!
Aberdeen??!! That IS a long way.
ReplyDeleteI so remember this moment.When we took Matt to Leeds Sarah didn't say a single word all the way back.Then one year later S left for Uni.She was in Manchester but didn't pop home!!I used to go at my half term to visit them and they had the odd weekend home.The worst thing for me was coming in from work and the house being empty.I missed hearing about the lives and loves of the sixth form.The house felt so empty.The phone wasn't ringing all the time or the doorbell going.But you do get used to it very quickly especially when you hear they are having a good time and are not homesick.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Downton Abbey.
Oh poor you, I bet that you are lonely tonight,
ReplyDeletebut isn't it great that he hasn't got time to talk and is going out
imagine if he was on the phone lonely and upset.
It is always harder for us Mums.
Glad that you had a nice stay even if it was a long way away!
It is 98 sleeps until Christmas day
son not long now!
x
hope he settles in well, Christmas isn't long Inca x
ReplyDeleteOK, darn you! I have tears welling up in my eyes from that photo of him hugging the dog! The look on Inca's face! Oh heavens, I'm SUCH A SAP! I worry more for the dog than the child! Aren't I awful? These tears make it hard to see what I'm typing! Like I said, "darn you!" 25 years...a long time that goes by SO fast, isn't it? And we're left to find our pre-child selves again - but WHO WAS THAT PERSON? It's funny how we all change as parents. The fun loving, happy go lucky beings are replaced with more serious beings that seem to forget how to cast fate to the wind! My nest isn't empty...but might as well be...as you say, mine is gone most of the time and the hubby and I have had plenty of time to try to find ourselves. Thank goodness, we're good friends and still like one another! Hugs, Annette
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your lovely boy is settling in at Uni. I bet you will miss him like mad! I hope you enjoyed watching Downton Abbey tonight - I did! x
ReplyDeleteThe photo of your son and the dog broke my heart. Doesn't this time when they go away come so quickly. When my son went away to school, I remembered thinking I didn't have enough time with him. Oh well, we wouldn't haven't any other way would we.
ReplyDeleteHow far!!!!!! Good grief! Yes, as others have said, you will soon get used to your own space and Christmas is just around the corner!
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best in getting use to the youngest member of the family being away. No sign of that happening in our house!
ReplyDeleteIt seems Inca was a bit spoilt this weekend while you were away. :) She is so gorgeous.
Have a good week,
Anne xx
Oh this is such a double edged feeling, these grown up children! I found the sight of the tidy room a shock every time I went up the stairs for the first few weeks! But there's a bit of me now (with one back from 3 years at uni and one yet to decide what he's doing!) that thinks that time 'post-kids' might be quite a treat! On the plus side - the fridge stays full for longer, the washing machine doesn't get so much use and you get to choose music and tv! x
ReplyDeleteHope he settles well and enjoys his time in Aberdeen. I am finding this time in our lives very difficult to adjust to! I think Hubby and I need a Gap year! xxxx
ReplyDeleteBless that is a long way for sure! I am sure he will be in his element.
ReplyDeleteThankfully I have a few years till my youngest leaves.
X x
Yes, it's a tough time when they're suddenly all gone but it won't be long before you have your lad back - all three of mine left but still never seem to be off the doorstep!
ReplyDeleteK xx
It all souds very exciting. I'm sure he's going to be fine ... and so will you be. It won't take long to get used to just the two of you and Inca at home and you'll soon revel in the peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is not far away either.
I love Downton Abbey. Can't wait till the new season starts here but I guess that won't be till next year for us
We have all this to come next year! So far my DD1 has looked at Nottingham, but nothing further north than that.
ReplyDeleteI had to smile when you wrote about driving around in circles...we did that in the summer and never did work out how to navigate the city.
We did find a beautiful and very friendly wool shop http://www.woolforewe.com/index.html and stayed at the Holiday outside the city (Aberdeen West) which was lovely!! Home your DS settles in and makes friends soon :o)
If all goes to plan I'll be packing our eldest off to Uni in 3 years time - it doesnt seem far off now.
ReplyDeleteHope your boy settles in - he sounds like he already has!
Sounds like he is settling in already. Good signs! That's such a lovely picture of Inca giving him a hug. It nearly brought a tear to my eye too!! That must mean it stirred up some hidden away memories of when each of our three left for uni. Hope school is going well. Ros
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he's settling in well, that's one less worry for you, especially with him being so far away. I'm sure Christmas will be here before you know it and Inca will get her dog sitter back.
ReplyDelete