Hello Family!

Well Hello darling family! After seeing the wonderful messages on the grapevine I thought I'd better get in on the action. I'm now 7 months into my new job as a member of the student services team for the Open University in Oxford.I don't miss my old job at HMV at all. I know get weekends off and a decent Christmas holiday which meant a I could on a proper visit to the IOW (priceless). OK maybe I miss the HMV staff discount. I now work in a fantastic building in Boars Hill called Foxcombe Hall, which is just outside Oxford. You get a great view of the famous spires from the tower (yes we have a tower!). The building was built in the 1880s by a reverend of Trinity College. Then it was bought by the 8th Earl of Berkeley. Earl Berkeley (who had been written out of his fathers will and the fantastic Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire-a punishment for his reckless playboy lifestyle) set out to build his own castle. He added a tower, a west wing as well the great banqueting hall (where I work). The hall is decorated with a huge fireplace, oak panels and stainglassed windows depicting his ancestors. They used to use it for grand dances during the 1920s. He financed the work with income from property he owned around Berkeley Square in London! Alright for some eh? Then the OU bought it!
I have a work email address (g.e.merrowsmith@open.ac.uk) and one for more fun stuff (gems_merrowsmith@yahoo.co.uk) as well as the obligatory mobile (07977 914734). I gave Grandma my old phone along with the SIM card as I got upgraded last month so she has my old number. Will has an email address at work (wmsmith@borderstores.com)but I'm not sure of his home email address yet.
Grandma, did you get my Electronic birthday card? I sent it to your wight email address. I not I'll resend it.
Ruth, I've recorded the first 7 or 8 episodes of the latest series of ER for you as I promised I would last summer when we visited you and Unc. To what address should I post the tape?
Really looking forward to October and seeing everyone.Everyone I know is soooo jealous of us. Wow Rick Stein's and Raymond Blanc's all in one year...fantastic! Love to you all and consider me a fellow blogger..Gem xxx hey fellow cousins are you out there??