Gwil's Falcon, Rosie & Rip, Michael & The Griffiths Family.

Gwilym and Emily were engaged in Paris last year so started this year with two French Themed Engagement Parties – a morning tea for the extended families, and an afternoon tea with friends, both in our garden which Gwilym had designed and done a lot of much needed work on. In April they moved from home to the same building they’d lived in in 2005 at St Leonards with lovely views north and what they call the ‘Eiffel Tower’ aka Channel 9’s TV Tower. Gwil walks to his new job with a commercial Landscape Architecture firm, called Arterra designing Golf Courses, Resorts, Residential Estates and Public Spaces. He’s loving the change from running his own business in residential landscape and is enjoying the challenge of designing larger scale public landscapes. Em left FBi Radio (94.5FM) in October after almost 3 years, and has started as Marketing Manager for Mixed Industry Offices in Rushcutters Bay (they do music events such as Splendour in the Grass, and run the online Arts Community site 'Noise') – much nicer than Redfern. Em still does an on-air segment on FBi so she hasn’t left completely. Gwilym bought a Classic XP Falcon this year which is now in competition with Emily for his attention. The '65 Falcon was purchased from a 91 year old man who had owned the car since new, so Gwilym is the second owner! He swears he is not becoming like his father, but reports suggest otherwise!!! Emily and Gwilym are hoping to buy a house in the new year and are looking at moving into the city or inner west areas. Gwil and Em did manage, between Em’s job change, two weeks in Thailand visiting Bangkok, Railay, Phi Phi and Phuket. Lots of snorkeling, beach time and an elephant ride too.

Ripley & Rosie - Mum and Dad continue to surprise and amaze us with their joy in their family and joy in life in general, they have their ups and downs healthwise but are always positive and it’s a pleasure to see them and to help in what ever way we can. They keep up with all their Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren either in person or on the Internet, Rosie being very competent with the Webcam and chatting to Abigail and Matilda when the Great Grandgirls were still in London.
The biggest excitement in the family this year was when my Nephew Michael Rodd rode ‘Efficient’ in the Melbourne Cup and WON!! Michael WON the Melbourne Cup… Everybody in Australia stops for the running of the Melbourne Cup, even Parliament stops to watch the race and put a couple of dollars in a Sweep or at the TAB… they have to quadruple the staff at the TAB’s all over Australia because 90% of those betting only do it once a year. ☺ Nothing is as exciting or as big as this in Australia, this is BIG!! … So do you get the gist of the excitement in the family for weeks after the event ☺ It was and still is huge!

Once again this Newsletter has been hard to keep in check, it just sort of grows and grows, I guess I should call it my 2007 Diary ☺