All those years ago when I went to university I had to be able to carry everything myself. I caught the ferry to Liverpool from Douglas in the Isle of Man, walked to James Street  underground station, tube to Rock Ferry, change to catch train to Chester and change again for the Holyhead train stopping at Bangor. I remember that on the first occasion I also had to change at Llandudno Junction. It was a bit of a trek and that first time I did it I had a rucksack filled with LPs on my back,a guitar, a record player and a suitcase.

Arriving at Bangor train station it was fortunate that there was a minibus taking people to their halls of residences. Phew. At Neuadd John Morris Jones I seemed to be the only person who had made his own way there. Everyone else had turned up in a Volvo estate with ma and pa. I can tell you it made me feel quite superior.

Nowadays it is a different generation of Davies’ going to University. Kid2 has just finished her second year at Durham. I went to pick her up in the Jeep. It’s a good job the car is a big one. With five seats flat in the back two rows we still filled the boot. Took us an hour the two of us to load up. I’m not complaining. It’s what dads are there for. Girls have different needs to boys don’t they? Eh?

Just thought you’d appreciate the pics of all the stuff. I thought I’ve leave enough room to just see out through the rear view mirror but it didn’t work out like that. The last photo is of the pile of rubbish in the back alley outside the house. Most of the properties in the street will have been rented out to students. Nothing changes.

The contents of the Jeep filling up our front room.

Note the token carton of milk.

Kid2 is off abroad now for her year out. In one sense it makes no difference whether she is in Durham or anywhere else in the world. Facebook and Google Hangouts keeps us in touch. I dropped her off at East Midlands Airport this morning. No hanging about! She will be back in three weeks for a flying visit and then off again to start work proper in Toledo. Don’t mind telling you I’m proud of her.

One other final note. During the week she accidentally spilt water on her Chromebook. It is now kaput. £200 later the new one was up and running in seconds. You know it makes sense…