It's not an accommodation cock-up, it's just the hassles of paperwork to do with buying and selling. I'm going to halt payments on my existing mortgage to free up cash so I can survive in a B&B for a week or two. Basically comes down to 2 weeks of paperwork required to be done in one week, which ain't gonna happen.

But since you ask, as I'm going to Wales I could write to my MP about the lack of NHS dentists.

LOL

Do you mean Michael Hutchence (not being an anal-retentive, just checking) of INXS fame?

That was certainly different. An MP died of a similar misadventure a few years ago as I recall, can't remember his name. It's amazing what lengths some people will go to get their kicks.

I should imagine that circumstances dictate the nature of the interview process. Alot of students, myself included, are "interviewed" on the telephone which I actually prefer because of being able to have notes and a discussion guide in front of me.

What a good idea. When you slow it down, do your respondents end up sounding like Barry White?

succulent - it just makes your mouth water

To be honest, I was working on the assumption that being first years none would give a damn anyway! But thank you for the advice - you can lead a horse to water......

Hi Tina. I haven't started my Phd yet. However, I did do a very large dissertation last year (40,000 words). Whilst it's very much horses for courses, what worked for me when writing up was to pack up a kit bag of things I need for the day, my papers and my laptop and go to the library. Having gone to the hassle of setting everything out in the library, not being able to leave my laptop unattended, and not having WiFi to access the internet, the result was that I was forced to sit and work. I got through a heck of alot of work using that approach.

The downside is that you can go for hours without talking to anyone and after a few days it becomes monotonous. I just haven't found a better strategy yet though.

If I was an undergrad I'd be pretty naffed off about it. On saying that, I'll be doing some teaching myself so I'd better watch out. Fortunately, I'm quite enthusiastic about it at the moment and will do the best I reasonably can for them.

That sounds like a great idea Pea. I'll speak to them. Thanks alot!

It's very complicated but the gist of it is that I'm waiting on paperwork from someone which is delayed, and that person has no obligations to me whatsoever. So it's out of my hands.

I could, but it gets painful on the knees after awhile.

I think I'll ask the accommodation people and ask my supervisor what the options are. It may be that I can bunk down with a fellow student in the department. Any other ideas?

I could sleep in the car. Use the campus swimming pool every morning and get showered there.

I do have a sleeping bag. I might look for a comfortable doorway.