ashthomas.net

It’s coming up to my 28th birthday and I realised that this little blog has been in existance for almost 6 years. Granted the last entry was in 2008, but I still feel rather proud that my little corner of the web is still alive.

Bearing that in mind, I have decided to bring this thing back to life, to create a renaissance of the blog in my life. I’m not sure just yet what exactly I will be using it for – so many sites say everything I think about (I’m such a lemming) but surely there is a purpose for this place.

I’m sure my readers have departed long ago and now share their stories on facebook, twitter or some other social networking platform! But I will write.

Oh yes, I will write.

Hello readers (if there is anyone still out there)!

So it’s been 5 months since i last updated you but not loads to report really.

Russ came back after a really successful sabbatical and he achieved everything he wanted which was great. He is now in the process of doing some more research on his Grandad and planning a trip for all the decendants next year which should be excellent.

* WPG2 Plugin Not Validated *Mum came over and stayed in May while Russ was away and we spend some time just relaxing and driving around the countryside. The weather was pretty good and we got to see a few hostorical places like Penshurst Palace and the house where The Bloomsbury Sect stayed when they left London during the war.

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Six weeks later, Mum came back again and we went to Jersey and we stayed at a great little hotel overlooking the harbour. Russ finally met Mum and vise versa although thanks to Skype is wasn’t like they didn’t know who each other were! Mum and i went out for a couple of extra days and took the boat over to France were we got incredibly lost and missed the boat.. luckily there was another just 30 an hour away… all highly entertaining.

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July and August were fairly quiet except for the Triathlon which was pretty intense. It was 750metre swim in the Thames, 20km cycle and 5 km run. Not easy but i am totally keen to do it next year! 

The summer was NON EXISTANT. September was my birthday and russ treated me to a gorgeous dinner and then we went to a day spa in the Cotswolds for the weekend. Really gorgeous and I felt totally pampered.

Another Caister weekender at the end of September – I feel like a real old hand at it now. People are even recognising me which is hilarious!

Jayno and i met Merle in Amsterdam and we stayed at Marjet’s place right in the centre. The weather was ok but we were all content in getting a bit high but just generally catching up with each other. It was really good seeing Merle after so long!

That brings me to the title – Geronimo moved offices! All very exciting and into some super swish new office called The Qube. It’s all glass and has some cool Paul Smith-esque artworks going on. Very cool!

And that brings us fairly up to date – i’ve uploaded some pics of the last couple of months so you can see what we’ve been up to.

Hope you’re all well

xx

Does anyone else marvel at just how quick the years go these days? I remember a time when it took forever to get to the next christmas or birthday, but now it’s like they are here before you know it.

So, life is going well. Russ is on his sabbatical in China and having an amazing time. I’m slightly jealous I’m not doing it with him though. It;s funny when you become part of someone’s life so much that you feel left out when they are doing something so amazing. Everyone he talks to seems to help him a little bit further down the road and he is just meeting the most interesting people. I’m hoping he becomes a bit famous from the travels.. but i guess we’ll see!

Check out his blog at www.russinchina.blogspot.com

But before he went away, Russ and I went to Tenerife for 12 days which was really great. Tenerife is a bit of a package deal holiday destination for the Brits and can be ever so slightly chavtastic so I was a little bit skeptical about it all. I was however, pleasantly surprised.

Yes there were still chavtastic people there. Oh so white brits burnt to a crisp drinnking warm lager in Irish pubs and signing kareoke till the sun went down. And yes, there were even restaurants claiming ” No Spanish Food Served Here” on boards out the front as if that was there USP! I mean seriously! It was a bit wrong.

So we gave ourselves two days for some relaxing on the beach and then decided that we needed to actually see this island. So we hired a little car for a week and literally drove ALL over the island. And it’s pretty spectacular. The island is volcanic so while there was crystal clear blue skies down on beach level, we got to a certain point towards the volcano and began to notice the mini climates that the island had. One minute we were basking in delightful sunshine and the next it was greezing cold and cloudly to the point were you could barely see your hand in front of your face!

We found some amazing little fishing villages and ate at some pretty wonderful places too. One in particular was a gorgeous little place run by two brits at Los Gigantes. Russ and i sat on the terrace watching the sun go down. It was lovely.

But the holiday seems so long ago now. Work is manic but I’m still enjoying it. I’ve had hint of a new business project that i’m interested in but it’s all very early days at the moment.

Anyway, just an update from my end.

Hope you are all going well.

I have put some new pics up too.

xxx

I’m starting to sound like a record when i apologise for not having updated this thing.. the gap between entries is at an all time new record – November!! Gosh!

So what’s happened since then?

Home was amazing, it was by far the hardest time to come back to London, especially as it got colder and colder. Work was mental busy and we also had Russ’s 30th. His party was a superhero party in town and was a good night. I did have to remain partially sober to ensure the birthday boy got home safely, but as i am still leanring the directions to our place it was a pretty interesting (and expensive) taxi ride home!

For his birthday I took Russ to Rome for a long weekend which was great. Rome was amazing albeit a bit cold. The skies were blue and clear except on the last day so we couldn’t have asked for anything more really. Russ got a bit ill with a cold which was a tad bit disappointing but we still mananged to go and see all the sites.

As i said, the lead up to christmas was very hectic at work, we actually had to get 2 freelancers in as well as a new appointment for an event manager (which, just  between us, put my noise out a little bit).

Christmas was lovelyl, we had an easy morning and then round to Russ’s parents for lunch with his brother and Nan. Kayno came round after she finished work and on Boxing Day we hit the sales which were surprisingly not too bad.

New Years Eve was incredibly low key with a home cooked dinner and watching Take That on the tellie. A good bottle of champagne later and we were off to bed! LAME!!

I spent the first week of January up in Birmingham for a couple of conferences we organised for the NHS which were pretty good. I had to work with a horrendous freelancer who has permentantly scared me but i will not subject you to the horrors. 

So that’s kind of it.. I have given myself a ridiculous target and entered myself in the London Triathlon in August… 2 months to actually get fit and 3 and a bit months to train.. shivvers!!

OK, so i am going to try and be much much better at this now that facebook has died down a bit!

Hope you’re all still out there reading.

xox

It sure is in Sydney. Pretty sure it’s not the same in England!!

So, as I am sure you have noticed, its been 2 months since my last post. I guess a little part of me thinks that with facebook and stuff, this site is becoming a bit redundant. But I will continue to post, if for my sake only!!

I have been here in Sydney for a week and a bit now. Heading back to London on Friday. I have had Dave Lyon’s wedding which was amazing and beautiful. The fourteen year old ash was a little heart broken, but he’s chosen a great girl and as we all know, Joey was far better off without Dawson anyway!!

Last week was pretty busy with catch ups and now that Mum is living in Collaroy it’s a bit tricky to get to the city. However, I have managed and think i had a good week. The weekend just been was Caryn and Max’s wedding which was fabulous. Ceremony was at The Garrison church in the Rocks. Followed by reception at The Quay which was pretty damn stunning. An after party in the intercontinental had us all singing away and the luckily for us, we were actually staying there, so a lift ride away to bed. Needless to say, yesterday I was a bit hazy but took myself down to Jodi Walkoms for some great grub and a swim. Then all the girls came down and we went to Northies like old times and while the area we were in was great, i don’t really miss the Sunday night at Northies any more!!

So this week is a bit more low key. A few days on the beach and reading the book which is just what the doctor ordered. The time always goes so fast so obviously i haven’t been able to catch up with everyone which is always a shame.. I don’t think i will be back until next year!

What else is news? Work was so hectic in the lead up to the holiday, and I have left Russ in the lurch a bit as he has had to look after the 10 events we have had over these two weeks – oops!! But apparently they are all going well and i have no doubt tat he is coping without me!

It’s Russ’s birthday soon, so we are planning a fancy dress themed party which i think will be really good. And then i have a mystery trip booked for him as his present! Can not wait.
And then Christmas is just around the corner. Coming up to my three years in London! Can you believe it… I sure as hell can’t.

Anyway, I will put some pics up shortly.

Hope you are all out there well and happy.

Over and out
x

It’s official. I now live with a BOY!!!!

I moved into Russ’s flat on the weekend and it’s weird.. weird because a) i don’t live with jayno any more and after 2 and a half years this is a massive readjustment. Jayno and I know how each other lives so well now and so it’s going to a bit strange for both of us i think. And b) I’m not as close to central London that i am used to also.

HOWEVER, it’s kinda fun. I feel a bit displaced at the moment, mainly because my stuff is still in boxes in the spare room . Hopefully the trip to IKEA this weekend will rectify this! We need lots more storage as i have accumulated a whole heap of stuff since moving here. I had to be a bit ruthless and chuck out a few things and some clothes, but the thing about that is that I now feel the need to go shopping and replace the things i chucked out! Oops!

Also, Dad was in town last week which was great. He was here for four days and it coincided nicely with Tom and Carolyn being in town too so there was a bit of a family gathering on Wednesday night at Max and Caryn’s. Russ passed the Dad test with flying colours and they got on almost a little too much for my liking!!

Jayne and I went to Barcelona the weekend after my birthday which was awesome. Pics to come shortly. As we had both been to Barcelona we really just wanted to see the things we missed and chill out. So Saturday we sat on the beach – it was 32 degrees! – and went swimming in the surprisingly warm waters. We got massages byu these crazy Filipino people, who clearly it was illegal because they kept dropping to the floor under the beach chairs when cops drove passed. Hilarious!!

So we ate and slept and drank. Went to a great place for dinner. The line for it was 1 hour long but worth it. Met a nice couple to chat to so it made the time go much more quickly. As did the little man that sold us cheap beers….

Sunday we went to the Park Guell which was absolutly stunning and potentially one of my favourite places so far. A nice stroll through the park atp the piazza to find a man playing the trumpet and old songs like Ke- Sera and that song from Breakfast at Tiffany’s eschoed across the park. It was beautiful.

Then onto Sagrada Familia which was amazing. The church is still no where near finished but it looks pretty cool!!

Then we found an amazing tapas bar and sat there for quite some time ordering everything we could. I think we ate about 9 or 10 dishes and beer and it came to a grand total of about £24!!! Hah! I love the pound!

Anyways, that’s me for the moment!!

I will put pictures up today or tomorrow

xoxoxo