I had been waiting for it all summer. Freshers Week had finally arrived and I simply couldn’t wait to get back and see all my friends, some of whom I hadn’t seen for three months!

We had bought our tickets for Freshers Week as soon as they had come out; being third years we now knew the tricks of the trade and refused to queue up in the cold.

On Saturday I packed up my life, a fact that I found rather scary – most of my life fitted into the back of a Range Rover… As I walked into my bare room I felt a sense of excitement, although I felt a bit sorry for the Freshers. I was a veteran at this but I remember saying bye to my mum for the first time and being left in this strange room all by myself in a flat with people I had never met before. This time for me was different, I knew my flatmates and my girlies and I had already got a week of fun planned. Starting tonight!

I hadn’t even unpacked all my clothes (sorry Mum…) and I was getting ready to hit Engine Shed. It was fantastic to see all my friends again and we all had a fabulous first night back.

Sunday was host to Icebreaker at Engine Shed. We weren’t Freshers but we were out again. Maybe Gaga was performing and Emma and I managed to grab our picture with her.

On Monday Stevie Starr from Britain’s Got Talent was swallowing live goldfish, padlocks and rings on stage at Engine Shed. This is something that wasn’t helping my hangover. We were then transported back to the 1990s when B*Witched performed on stage. It’s amazing how many words I could remember….sad but true!

By this point in the week my body was flagging from late nights and maybe the alcohol. In fact that is a lie, I was feeling the effects by Sunday but shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone!

Tuesday I managed to get up and hand leaflets out on the bridge for LoveLincoln.co.uk. It was good to meet some new freshers and see some old faces that I hadn’t had time to catch up with yet. Yoyo’s was the destination for lunch and I have to admit it helped my tired body. After handing out leaflets all day Ritzy’s was the club of choice, we didn’t have tickets but luckily we got there early enough so that we weren’t queuing too long. After a few drinks and dancing for a while the week’s events caught up with me, and as there were far too many people I went home at around 2am.

Max and OB were DJing at Engine Shed on the Wednesday, an event that many girls were looking forward to. However the fire alarm went off and we ended up outside…..twice.

Zane Lowe graced Engine Shed with his presence on Thursday….amazing….enough said.

We admitted defeat on Friday and opted for a nice quiet meal at Ask on the Brayford. The other choice was the Roller Disco and we all know what happened last time…

Saturday we were back in Engine Shed and feeling (slightly) revitalised after a brief rest. We danced away to Radio 1 DJ Greg James. His Twitter feed had told us that Ellie Goulding, his girlfriend, was also there, something we were very excited about.

Sunday = bed.

That was my official Freshers Week and my final one as a student. If I had one piece of advice for freshers it would be to enjoy every minute of your time at university as it flies past. So that’s me, head down for my final year, but I won’t let you down: I’ll still be out and about so keep checking back.

Now where is my golf glove?…Pub golf for a friend’s 21st tonight

My mum Julie, Saskia, me and family friend Ray

The day had finally arrived, the one I’d been looking forward to for weeks – Bikefest here we come! I had been praying for sunshine but I woke up to find rain…

We weren’t going to let it dampen our spirits so went about our business as usual ,hoping the weather was going to clear up. Our prayers were answered and by the time we were ready to set off the sun was shining!

We rode to Lincoln and parked up. The Brayford waterfront was filled with bikes and stands including Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, motorcycle dealers and a live band as a musical backdrop. It was lovely to see that people had braved the weather for an event that so many people had put so much effort into. 

A wide array of people were there from Lincoln locals to sports bike riders, Harley boys and people there to soak up the friendly atmosphere.  Lincoln Bikefest was a brilliant excuse to get out on the bikes with friends, family and meet others with the same interests as you. 

After a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee in the Odeon and speaking with the staff from Italia Ducati (http://www.italiamotoltd.co.uk/ ) the weather turned. We got our helmets and gloves back on and began the soggy ride home, leaving the dedicated stall holders to continue minding their stalls.

Fingers crossed the weather will be a bit nicer next year!

Brayford sunset, by Carly

Woke up feeling like death. A bad night’s sleep coupled with exams looming and the end of university in sight made me unbearable. As my mum would say: “There’s only so long you can run on false energy.”

Despite the proximity of the weekend I decided I needed a rest. I rooted around in my box of business cards and leaflets (come on: you all have one) and found the leaflet for Shanti in town.

Time: 10:30am

Me: “Can you fit me in for a back massage today? Pretty please?”

Shanti: “Yes of course we can.”

Result: Cue lots of shuffling around to make myself presentable to head into town.

Off I tootled to my appointment. After my massage I asked for a pedicure and they managed to fit me in. All I can say is that now I’m walking on air and feeling a lot better. I’m just about to head off for something to eat with the boyfriend and then maybe take advantage of the weather by sitting on a bench overlooking the Brayford. Exams and stress seem so far away.

Thank you Lincoln

Carly grabs a piece of the action

Despite our aches and pains from the Roller Disco we put on our heels and headed out on Saturday to see the Wideboys at Engine Shed. After some confusion as to what they were called – Emma: “Oh yeh, the Wiseguys are playing….” – we started the night at a neighbour’s flat. Happy fake Birthday Hannah Cobbe! The mouldy birthday cake was the highlight for me  – oh sorry I mean the food colouring….

Off to Engine Shed we went to embark on a night of dancing like fools and having a giggle – I doubt it could have been any better! We were right at the front and I gave one of the Wideboys a peck on the cheek and my Hawaiian garland, which he promptly gave away! The Wideboys were amazing – they played longer than they had planned and were on top form. We were treated to a night of old school tunes mixed in with the new. I am definitely a fan!

Walking home I was boasting that my feet didn’t hurt after dancing all night. However, when I woke up with feet that felt like they were broken I realised I was wrong!

I have until Wednesday night to regain my energy…

On Friday the dance floor of Engine Shed was transformed into a skate rink. We had all donned our leg warmers and 80s style attire ready for an unusual night . I mean, what more could you want when you have your friends, old school music and a skating rink instead of a dance floor…?

Your correspondent pictured right in denim shorts, looking worried

I personally wish I had accepted the offer of knee pads and elbow pads….

I fell over on numerous occasions: once straight over a friend’s head and second time around I was minding my own business and heading towards the side when I collided with a fully grown man who knocked me straight to the floor. At the time – NOT. FUNNY. To look back on – HILARIOUS.

Would I do it again? OH YES! It was one of the best nights I have ever had in Engine Shed and it made a nice change to do something a bit different. We spent the whole night skating round giggling our heads off. The morning after we all felt the effects… I think Emma Rowett’s quote summed the night up perfectly:

“It was the best but the worst idea we’ve had all year…”

Join the Facebook Group Superfunk Roller Disco Lincoln to see when it will be returning.

Toga Night!

Friday lunchtime saw me heading off to Pizza Express for a margherita pizza and a catch up with a friend. That’s one of the things I love about Lincoln, the fact you can always find little retreats of relaxation and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Tonight was also the night of the LoveLincoln party – the launch of the VIP card. I’ve got mine and so have most of my friends… I must say the LoveLincoln cocktails were amazing! And Rosie, the cheeky devil, managed to win the Birdy’s boutique gift bag…. jealous…

I don’t know if it was the influence of the LoveLincoln cocktails or just the good mood I was in after the party but I ended up in Ritzy. It was a brilliant night and I’m glad I went out (at the time – Saturday morning was a different feeling entirely). The student floor of Ritzy was packed and it was good to see some faces I haven’t seen in a while.

My flatmate Candi was having her 21^st birthday party on Saturday. Theme = Greek gods and goddesses…

With the green stamp from Ritzy still on my arm, (I DID have a shower but it wouldn’t come off – if anyone knows how to get it off do let me know!) I began to wrap myself in a bed sheet and put ivy around my head that my boyfriend had brought me from a bush. I have to admit it’s not the easiest thing to do and I spent the entire night being poked by a safety pin in my leg and worrying that I was going to be left standing in Engine Shed in my bra and pants…. Luckily for me (and everyone else there) it didn’t happen and I returned home after a trip to McDonalds at 3am.

Sunday already…. 4play at Scream anyone?! A few of my friends were going but I couldn’t quite force myself. A trip to Nandos for much needed nutrition and a night of lolling around on the sofa watching Harry Potter was what I had planned.

Had forgotten it was a Bank Holiday so Monday was spent catching up on work – my May deadlines are getting ever so close.

Planning my adventures for next week….Hmmm….anyone got anything exciting planned?

What do you get when you mix a 21^st birthday party, fake tan, an iPod and eight girls who just love to giggle?

Answer: A VERY good night!

In case you couldn’t tell from the picture we are meant to be Snow White and the seven dwarfs – although without Snow White I think we could have passed as gnomes… or just strangely dressed pirates with rosy cheeks..!

The night started out like any other of our Wednesdays. Our flat filled with the smell of fake tan and hairspray and the music got louder and louder the later it got. This week was an achievement – we were actually on time…we tend to aim for a time and all of us know that it will in fact be about an hour and a half later. We were planning on pre-drinking at Glasshouse or Mezz but ended up going straight to Engine where we all took part in some ridiculously cheesy dancing…

One of my favourite parts about going out? Talking about it the next day. Those little flashbacks you get as you are in lectures or walking through town – apparently I created a new dance move last night….

Same time next week girls? Although one request….we don’t wear the same outfits!

Despite studying hard for my degree at the University of Lincoln I still find time to head out in and around the city. You are more than likely to find me in dancing in Engine Shed, eating in Lloyds and watching films at the Odeon…..

This is the place where you will find information on: what I have been doing, where I have been and what I think of it. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

Tonight I shall be heading out to Engine Shed…..in fancy dress…I won’t ruin the surprise by telling you what as – But do check back next week and I will get some pictures for you to look and laugh at!

Carly