No animals were harmed in the making of Julians's birthday mouse/printer picture!

His little furry face! Happy belated wishes Julian!! And hope you are healing quickly Nic & Pete. Much sympathy goes out to you both from all my work colleagues too who gathered round my flatscreen when I let out a yelp seeing your injuries!

Have been hitting the internet hard today as Clive & I are planning a trip for my birthday/our 5th anniversary which is around the same time-(One of those mysterious dates!). The plan is for Amsterdam, as stayed in Paris this time last year (for Will's birthday!). So any tips from you seasoned travellers very much appreciated & no jokes about the redlight district or sampling any special cake in coffee shops-no comment.Very keen to check out the Van Gogh & Vermeer exhibits especially after reading Tracey Chevalier's ''Girl with a Pearl Earring' a couple of yrs ago. It sould be the flower festival when we go and also a bit warmer than the siberian weather front we've had in Blighty this week. Hot water bottles at the ready.

I love the pictures J & P are taking of their localities. Gives us hope struggling to work in the snow here. Oxford's spires actually looks pretty special in the winter sunshine. We walked up the river to town last weekend & the college boat teams were out in force for their training on the Isis, racing each other from Donnigton Bridge to the 'Head of the River'. Wonder if any future olympians were there? Oxford's tourist numbers are starting to pick up & but they do look frozen though as they get lost round the town, braving the arctic chill as they take the historical open top bus tours around the city.

Shame we don't get a national day off with Charlie & Cam's forthcoming nuptials..mad eh?The papers (well the tabloids) are still full of it here as if anyone cares anymore (in or outsude the UK) but I think that would grease the wheels somewhat ...what? I remeber the last time he got married we lived in Rutland Terrace, Aldershot Dad had a 'tache, Mum made a fab Union Jack Flag cake & Will was tiny!

love Gem xxxx (4 kisses are the new 2 kisses!)