Gillian Powell

I am now Gill Berryman, happily married to Justin and we have two fabulous boys, Oliver 5 1/2 and Tom who is 10 months old. We recently lost our horse Apple who we miss alot and we have Ozi our rescue labrador who is wonderful and Tweezle our cat, various fish (too many to name).

I am fortunate enough to be at home with Tom all day, Oli is now at school (he does not know why as he knows everything, has been there, done it and got the t shirt etc.) Justin runs his own business so I am quite often running around for him, but mostly chilling out with Tom - we walk Ozi alot as we live in beautiful countryside.

Before I had Oli, i was working for British Telecom as an Account Manager on blue chip clients, eg Johnson and Johnson and other, it was pretty hectic and I spent alot of time in London and the states. After 9/11 my hubby andI decided that I was better off out of the hustle and bustle. I had been based at Canary Wharf Tower for about three years and also managed the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square for another coms company. Too many bomb threats so I dumped the suits and sports car and shipped out to the country, jeans, jodphurs and jumpers and a very smelly dirty 4 x 4. It's perfect!

-The last 20 years:
UUUUUUUUUUUUhhhmmmm.... Finished matric, went back to Zambia to live with my dad and then came over to the UK. I cannot even remember the jobs I did for the first couple of years, studied Marketing and then tried to get a serious job. Spent most my time in sales as the money was better and I could afford to keep a horse that way - but I hated the job. fortunate enough to travel a bit through work - even better is was fully expensed.

Met Justin 8 1/2 years ago in jods with rain soaked hair and running make up drinking beer in a pub - never looked back. We have a good life with two beautiful boys, good business etc. so we feel quite blessed. We do not get back to Cape Town very often, but are planning another trip soon. We get over to Zambia quite a bit, it is my fav' place in the whole world.

-Shining moments from school:
Lots of laughs, I remember, some cringing moments... Apple pie-ing beds,scaring younger boarders with sheets on our heads (Trish, Emma and I) and escaping Mrs Cameron by a fraction of a second. Endless staring at Duran Duran pictures with Lynda Heesom - God how sad were we. By the way Lynda I now prefer Simon Le Bon so you can marry John Taylor ha ha ha ha. Midnight feasts - Fiona brought brandy in a shampoo bottle and it was not washed out. YUCK. Mrs Watson constantly shouting at me. Spending far too many nights in the corridor outside Keogh's office (and then funnily enough outside Plampin's office door).

Does anyone remember Louise Cotton putting that cigarette in the skeletons mouth in Keoghs office. Just think of all that second hand smoke we were subjected to? I can still smell her to this day. Dreadful food, really dreadful. Great views of Table mountain. Very few bad memories but always laughing and getting up to mischief, Numzi, PK, Emma, Trish.

-Less than shining:
Only when we got caught. The look of disgust on Mrs Watson's face. I did go back years later and I saw Mrs Watson - she was so pleased to see me she hugged me. One second later she was lecturing me on our year being the worst ever, we were so naughty etc etc.... Leaving.. It was time to grow up.

-Still talking to school friends?
I have stayed in touch with Trish (not very often though) Fiona, Maria Giorgi (Padula) from Zambia. Sam lives quite close to me but have not managed to make contact yet.

-Did St Cyps prepare me for life?
I guess a bit.

-Stand out teachers?
Mrs Thorburn - she was the least dull

Laughing at Mrs Saddler's toes, the woman was a saint - she was so patient with us.

-Life lessons?
So many. Life is precious, so do not waste time. Count your lucky stars. Be grateful and thankful and happy.

-Greatest hope?
I would like to see a war free world, a world free from poverty and crime.

-Is your life as you envisaged it?
Twenty years ago I don't think I had any idea where I would be now. I wanted to be self sufficient have a good career where I travelled and had an interesting job and eventually get married etc. I did think I would return to work after having kids, but after Oli was born I realised I could not leave him. I went back to work for 3 weeks and cried all the way there and back each day.

-Achievements:
One hubby, two kids, own business and still sane. Happiness.

email: Justinberryman (at) aol (dot) com