Covid-19 has robbed me of freshers' week people watching | BBC Radio Solent's Alun Newman

Lots of different emotions bounce around – ranging from relief and tears of joy (not that you don’t love them but you also treasure your own sanity), then at the other end of the emotional spectrum there’s nerves, sadness and a sense of loss.

The challenge of Covid-19 has not diminished the appetite to go – it seems that numbers for university attendance are generally up, even if this means that some of your uni life will be spent looking at a screen rather than visiting the lecture hall or auditorium.

Connected with this yearly migration is one of my favourite pastimes. At this time of year, visiting the world’s largest flat-pack store and watching (sometimes listening) to parents walking their children around to get supplies for their life in halls of residence is great fun.

On so many occasions you’d have, for example, a 19-year-old, about six-foot three, with a beard being carted around by two parents pushing a trolley full of supplies.

Generally mum is irritated and dad is detached.

On one occasion, I heard a mum request that her son get a bin. He came back with a tiny paper basket-style bin. His mum was furious and exclaimed that he needed a bin for his dirty washing and it wasn’t going to fit in that!

The lad replied that he didn't expect to have much dirty washing. Genius.

Both parties were on a steep learning curve. Both parties seemed correct. On another occasion a mother and daughter were arguing (for everyone to hear) as the mum was insisting that she buy a cutlery and utensils holder for the draining board. The daughter was having none of it.

Husband moved in to calm the situation by advising that it ‘may be’ an unnecessary item.

The mum tore a strip off saying: ‘What on earth will she put her washed cutlery in then?!’

It was fantastic – so funny. It made for a great afternoon of people watching – parents' expectations and fears all bolted together in one easy-to-view experience.

Sadly with the influx of mask wearing and limited numbers visiting stores, this wonderful moment has been taken from me.

This annual family migration from one land to another can no longer be the spectator sport that benefited me so richly every year.

However, what I would say is that if you’re lucky enough to have a child going to university (and it’s not for everyone, as my mum used to say, primarily to me and my brother) then good luck.

I hope you don’t rush in too quickly to paint their room when they’ve gone.

Some friends of ours turned the newly vacated room from teenage their knuckle-dragger’s domain to beautifully smelling and decorated spare in the same week their son left.

He came back unexpectedly because he forgot some stuff and saw it. By all accounts he was very emotional.

He said it felt like they were pleased he’d gone. Nonsense, silly lad.

Give it at least two weeks before you start the project.

One overall new benefit could be that at least you know they won’t be out partying every night in clubs and

bars.

No, no.

All that will be done in their accommodation - safely distanced from all the hundreds of other students in the same building (you're right, I’m only jealous).

I’LL STICK TO CHEESE AND MARMITE, THANKS

This week Nigella Lawson, the TV chef, tweeted about one of her favourite, easy, pasta dishes (every recipe is called ‘easy’ but this one really is).

It was cooked spaghetti and Marmite. That’s it. Maybe some grated cheese if you really want to go crazy.I’m sure it’s great but I’m not going down that road.It did get me thinking about those strange combinations that offend those around you but work for the creator.On an entry level, I always liked cheese and Marmite sarnies and my son will eat a mountain of cheese and jam. Crank it up a notch and my wife would happily eat a garlic sandwich.My daughter will dip a chicken nugget in a milkshake.We threw the doors open on the radio show and got some classics.How about marmalade and pickled onion sandwiches? Or crispy bacon and marmalade?If none of that floats your boat, a lovely lady came on the show. She enjoys a nice hearty beef casserole with dumplings.On the dumplings – a generous dollop of raspberry conserve.At the beginning of this, Nigella seemed crazy. Now she seems like the most normal one of the bunch. It’s our differences that make us all so special.As long as none of this special stuff is served to me at lunch.