The Long Goodbye

Rachel Dent, 16 September 2019

This weekend, like so many parents across the country and of course our own Year 14, I experienced the drop off at university. Mrs Cresswell shared with me a tweet from Jo Whiley, which I think set the scene perfectly:

Our journey was one of the furthest to Queen’s Belfast with departure scheduled for 6am on Friday morning. So, picture the scene on Thursday afternoon when, after two hours of searching, we finally found my handbag and crucially wallet, under the sea of boxes in the hall. Then the squeals of anguish as the garage informed us that the brakes on the car were not fit for purpose. Scroll forward five hours as husband frantically replaces brakes whilst mother and daughter try to squeeze eight boxes into the alternative vehicle – a Fiat 500. Midnight: main car sorted.

Six o’clock in the morning came and went – we had all overslept. Once up, we relentlessly pack and then re-pack until we finally leave in post-temper silence. Order restored until 12 noon when we realise we have 45 minutes to catch the only ferry that day with the sat nav reporting major delays on the A55 and an ETA of 1 hour 30 minutes after the ferry would have departed.

Now witness frantic drive across the B roads of north Wales to arrive with four minutes to spare. Three further hours of silence and sea sickness tablets follow. Arrive Dublin – sleep. Awake on time and drive in sentimental, quiet but calm mood to Belfast. There now follows one hour of brutal physical workout as various boxes, pans, tins, books, bedding and clothes are placed in a room equipped for 50 percent less stuff.

Finally, there are the hugs and the tears and then of course the repeat 12-hour journey back home. However, I have to admit it was lovely when I got the text this morning (after Freshers’ Ball) with the words ‘All’s fine!’ followed by a very smiley emoji.

All my best to all our girls and parents who have this adventure to come – it is definitely worth it!

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