"What's crackalakin?"

Thought it was time to blow the cobwebs off of this old thing again...

You see, in the last three weeks - my life's been flipped, turned upside down - I no longer live in the ravingly sexual hotbed of East Preston in sleepy Sussex, but now some 150 miles up and away in the rather nice city of Gloucester - home of cheese, rugby and funny farmers accents. I'm a "big boy" now, at university and totally independant. Shit.

It's been a whirlwind 21 days. From unpacking on the first day, to now - there are far, far, far too many things that have happened to mention. Largely good, not so many bad, but numerous ugly ones, but less about the rugby women (controversial.....)

Once here, it was daunting. You could cut the tension in our hall with the proverbial knife. Everyone was absolutely shitting it. Who was going to say the first word? How am I going to introduce myself? They say first impressions are vital. Luckily for me, the people in my hall, or flat as I now call it, are absolutely top people - easy to talk to and up for a laugh, what more could I ask for? I apologise I've not cooked for you yet in three weeks, but as I keep saying, it's for your own safety!

On the subject of cooking, and how I'm coping? Thank god for pasta, ready meals, toast and a frying pan. I'm getting by, let's leave it at that - I know that when something's burnt, it's more than likely to be cooked. I'm looking at spending a day in the kitchen trying a few things out from the cookbook I brought with me. Can fire engine's ladders reach the third floor?

Not having a car was something I wasn't looking forward to when coming here, however I must say that the bus is a bloody good invention. Frustrating at times when catching it at 7.55 in the morning for a 9am lecture some 10 miles away, travelling at a snail's pace and having absolute nutters as drivers, one lady driver (nuff said?) who seems insistent on taking out every tree in Gloucestershire whilst also being on a one-woman crusade against litterers is particularly entertaining.

The work's starting to gain momentum now, it's largely reading though the difficulty level doesn't seem all bad on the business side of things. The sport development half of the course is highly enjoyable, practical lectures combined with discussion and other things make it something worth getting up for in the morning, having had a heavy night the night before. The opportunities here seem absolutely brilliant too - am currently in the process of starting my FA Level 2 Coaching Badge and also possibly working for Cheltenham Town FC and maybe even Arsenal as well!! Watch this space...

Socially. Well, what can I say? It's very good indeed. OK, the main clubs are in Cheltenham, but Moda and Blush are absolutely excellent when rammed full of stoooooodents. Top music, cheap booze and numerous hilarious incidents, too many to mention already. Then there's the SU bar about 15 yards from our halls' front door, again, cheap drink, quiz machines and everything make for an easy and convenient evening.

The invention of new dance moves, the infamous game of boomerang, Pro Evo sessions going on late into the night and so on - three weeks have gone so, so quickly.

Roll on the next three, and the weeks after that!

PS >>> Swing Low, Sweet Chariot! Get in there England and the rugger! Now for Lewis Hamilton to wrap up the Formula 1 tomorrow and it'll be a great weekend for English sport.