I am back in Shrewsbury and free from the horror of my student house. Though the physical effects will reduce in time, the psychological damage will probably stay with me for life writes student blogger James Ashford.

Nevertheless it is safe to say that, save for some unimaginable evil, I will never have to return to that abhorrent place again. However, without the ever present risk of suddenly contracting an exotic disease, life is less exciting. It is a lack of excitement where being back home falls down.

There are probably a few students worrying about how to fill the hours since returning home. Some of the keener ones may have found themselves a ‘job’. For the less conscientious amongst us, sitting around for days on end in your underpants, gradually growing a beard, whilst attempting to support your slowing metabolism on a diet of cheese and meringue, is the more obvious option. Eventually though, it’ll get to the point where something has to be done.

Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of entertaining a few young Europeans in this vibrant county, so I know the best places to go for a day of raw entertainment. The retail parks pack a pretty perfect punch when trying to give the ‘wow’ factor. Boasting an impressive range of shops, from diamonds at Argos to exotic animals in Pets at Home, there’s something for everyone. After a shopping trip, you can relax over coffee at a quirky independent cafe called Starbucks.

If you fancy a beach break, you can get the train over to Aberdovey (Aberdyfi), a beauty spot on the nearby(ish) Welsh coast. Temperatures have been known to soar to heights of up to 12 degrees, and that’s Celsius. In Fahrenheit, were talking a whopping 53.6 degrees.

Unfortunately, the last time I went to Aberdovey, I almost lost a close friend who was buried up to neck height in the cold, wet sand. Everyone was laughing and taking pictures until he suddenly started to drift out of consciousness. Running down the beach to fetch the RNLI who had to dig him out whilst the tide lapped around his nostrils is enough to put a chap off British beaches for life.

In all honesty, Shrewsbury and the surrounding areas are wonderful. Places like Attingham Park and Carding Mill Valley are a great way of filling your lungs with fresh air. There’s the odd special place in town, such as The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse or Drapers Hall that show off what we can do.

Shrewsbury is the birth place of Charles Darwin. It’s where John Peel, Wilfred Owen and Michael Palin got their education. There would be no Private Eye if it wasn’t for Shrewsbury school boys. Joe Hart, who is casually keeping England in Euro 2012, is a Salopian.

Shrewsbury is home, and while we’re allowed to joke about it, if anyone else did, I know I’d stand up for it in a heartbeat.

Now I've just got to find ways to spend my summer back home here.