Back to the beach

We got back to Sydney and our beach home on Wednesday night after a short skip and a hop through Dubai.

We had a great time back home during our six week sojourn. The two weddings we went back for were great fun and were blessed with great weather. The rest of the six weeks was a blur visiting friends and family across the country and although it was enjoyable it won't be something I repeat! Next time we head home it will be a much more relaxed affair.

Back at the beach we have settled straight back into our routine. Catherine and I both returned to work on the Thursday and I can safely say it helped to "reset" our body clocks. I slept for a good nine hours on both Thursday and Friday!

It was brilliant to get back to work at Gap on Thursday. I felt a little like a minor royal (probably Eugenie) and it was fun to get stuck in.

Catherine enjoyed going back to work as it meant she wasn't rushing all over seeing everyone and got to do yoga at the days end.

As I type this Catherine is being flung around above another mans head. She is really excited about getting back to Acro and acting like a big kid (in age if not size ;))

Naturally it was tough leaving England, but we were both keen to get back to our life here after rushing about for six weeks. The lifestyle here is relaxed to say the least. Even when working we both know at the end of the day we can go for a run, swim or do yoga in a beach setting. Yes we could do all these in England, but not only is the weather better, but the people are friendlier (than London at least). So before anyone says anything, yes we miss home, but only for the friends and family we leave behind. I'd trade London for the beach life any day. It may not be perfect, but the balance is much more positive here than the city back home.

Well I better scoot. I'm off to watch the Lions begin their tour of the Southern Hemisphere. Good times.

Tom :)


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Tick tock

We have less than two weeks until we return to England for a six week holiday.

Taking a holiday from a "working holiday" may be seen by some as indulgent. But we have several good reasons for this trip home. Firstly two weddings, secondly several new born babies and thirdly to see family and friends.

We sent our schedule out to all our family and friends recently in order to make the most of our time home. A few people "took the Michael", probably because I am about as organised as a barrel of snakes. The email was my suggestion (I think!), but an idea that Catherine loves. She loves to have a plan, to know what is going on, and on this trip it is essential. When we go home and people say "are you free on the 28th?", I will be referring them to the aforementioned email with a look of disdain and incredulity.

Whilst in England I have a few carpentry projects that I hope to complete for family and friends. All being well this will mean that I can gather a bit more experience and hone my skills.

I recently finished the project above for a friend. It was good to use some of my joinery skills as it is not an area that I would say I'm an expert in. However I am proficient enough to know what to do. Add that to my desire for perfection and I am pleased with the results. I learnt a great deal from this job and now have a greater understanding of working with different materials, using different techniques and taking my time to get things right.

One thing I will be collecting from home is my GSharp chisel sharpener. I managed to forget to pack it with the tools I shipped out and have been loathed to buy a new inferior alternative. If you are a DIYer or tradesmen I strongly recommend checking it out. Just visit www.chiselsharpener.co.uk for video tutorials by Gervase Evans the inventor and a great friend of mine. Whether you are in Australia or Antarctica* he can ship it to you. *You may want to check before ordering to the Antarctic ;)

Among some of the things I have missed (a little) whilst we've been in Sydney, is cycling. When we get back I am fully expecting spring to be in bloom (please!), so that Catherine and I can hit the trails and do some long mountain bike rides to a country pub or two. There's something natural and enlivening about travelling under your own steam. The same could be said of running to work, but to do it regularly requires more dedication and motivation than I possess. Cycling is by far the easiest way to get around. Especially when the buses are as reliable and true as a politician here in Sydney.

Until next time,

Tom :)


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Home time

We have only four weeks until we return to England for a six week holiday.

Taking a holiday from a "working holiday" may be seen by some as indulgent. But we have several good reasons for this trip home. Firstly two weddings, secondly several new born babies and thirdly to see family and friends.

We sent our schedule out to all our family and friends recently in order to make the most of our time home. A few people "took the Michael", probably because I am about as organised as a barrel of snakes. The email was my suggestion (I think!), but an idea that Catherine loves. She loves to have a plan, to know what is going on, and on this trip it is essential. When we go home and people say "are you free on the 28th?", I will be referring them to the aforementioned email with a look of disdain and incredulity.

Whilst in England I have a few carpentry projects that I hope to complete for family and friends. All being well this will mean that I can gather a bit more experience and hone my skills.

I recently finished the project above for a friend. It was good to use some of my joinery skills as it is not an area that I would say I'm an expert in. However I am proficient enough to know what to do. Add that to my desire for perfection and I am pleased with the results. I learnt a great deal from this job and now have a greater understanding of working with different materials, using different techniques and taking my time to get things right.

One thing I will be collecting from home is my GSharp chisel sharpener. I managed to forget to pack it with the tools I shipped out and have been loathed to buy a new inferior alternative. If you are a DIYer or tradesmen I strongly recommend checking it out. Just visit www.chiselsharpener.co.uk for video tutorials by Gervase Evans the inventor and a great friend of mine. Whether you are in Australia or Antarctica* he can ship it to you. *You may want to check before ordering to the Antarctic ;)

Among some of the things I have missed (a little) whilst we've been in Sydney, is cycling. When we get back I am fully expecting spring to be in bloom (please!), so that Catherine and I can hit the trails and do some long mountain bike rides to a country pub or two. There's something natural and enlivening about travelling under your own steam. The same could be said of running to work, but to do it regularly requires more dedication and motivation than I possess. Cycling is by far the easiest way to get around. Especially when the buses are as reliable and true as a politician here in Sydney.

Until next time,

Tom :)


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The beauty of writing

I have been writing with routine irregularity since I was at school. Using it as an escape, a way of unfurling demented thought and a sound board for my questioning mind.

In my early writing days I was concerned with the big issues of life as a teenager. Adventure, lust, heroism and self flagellation. Certainly a dizzying mix for any adult to write about, which is probably why it came so easy as a teenager.

Naturally I progressed as I grew older into more serious penmanship. Lust, adventure, love and self flagellation. (Heroism had been put to one side as tiresome.) Again I used pen and paper as a drug user utilises their vice, a means of escape, without questions.

Throughout the years I harboured pompous dreams of writing a novel. I knew it would be a best seller and so naturally I brooded over it for several years ;)

Now that I have grown (I dare not say grown up) I use writing as a release. I have a hectic, daydreaming mind that can accomplish very little without writing. Writing is my plumbers "sucker", unblocking the mess of thoughts, worries and dreams from the U-bend of my brain. Once free I can think much clearer and actually be quite organised!

Whether its scribbling about how I feel, writing for my book or tapping out lines for my blog it all helps. It also allows me to be more creative, to work on the book that I've always wanted to write, but always been prevented from completing.

I recently took an online test for ADHD and scored off the scale (not in a good way). However I am too laid back to get it checked properly. Instead by writing, running, doing yoga and cooking for my little one I am able to control my brain through positive action.

When I first started writing a diary (in which I manage to write a few times a week) I thought it would be stupid. I didn't think I would have anything to say. But the complete opposite has come true. I am able to see what I have achieved and focus on what I need to do next. I can clear my brain for free thinking and some fairly poetic and inspired philosophising. I'm not trying to save the world here, just my own sanity. But by expressing my hopes and worries in a written form, it enables me to look beyond and decide what action I need to take. Lets face it, we all talk a good game (none more so than I), but until we put thought into action we achieve very little.

So get writing people! You don't need to share it with anyone. You can write or type. Create a blog online and make it private, so only you can see it. That way you can use your mobile phone to update whatever you like, whenever you like. (Thanks Andrew for this suggestion.) Or if like me you like writing then get yourself a notebook and a comfortable pen and get rid of those thoughts. You'll thank yourself for taking action and stop dwelling in your daydreams.

Until the next time,

Tom :)

The tiling job

Apologies for not posting this earlier, but I was incredibly busy yesterday being productive. It doesn't happen often, so I made the most of it.



Here is one picture of the tiling job. It's not actually completed here as in my uber productive exuberance yesterday I forgot to take a photo! However I shall produce one next week. (To be honest you are not missing out. Just imagine that all the grout is there!)

I have a had a few days off work which has been fun, but as I type this I'm heading back to Gap. Hopefully we will be moderately busy, which will make time somehow speed up, this bringing me ever closer to the weekend and a trip to the beach on Sunday.

I have a separate, semi-profound blog post to come. As I've started up my book writing again I wanted to share some thoughts about it and the benefits of writing.

For all of those at home in England I'm sending you sunshine and smiles. Fortunately I have a surplus of both at the moment. So keep warm and keep smiling.

Tom :)




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Handyman business

These last two weeks I have completed a myriad of handyman jobs. Perhaps myriad makes it sound more impressive than it actually is, but "a few" doesn't quite cut it.

I've still been assisting customers at Gap, inspiring new fashion trends with every garment I suggest they should buy ;) But in between shifts I have helped my friend Jamie with his new house.

I say "new", but I am sure Jamie won't mind me saying that it is anything but that. I'm not sure of the exact age (my knowledge of Australian building isn't there yet), but I would take a stab at 100 years old. Fortunately the bits that are that old were built to last. It's actually the newer additions that have been built with a lacklustre approach. As a result I have had a little work to do!

Most recently this has included the removal and replacement of the bath panel and its retiling. I have a few photos of the water damage from the ill fitting shower screen (thrilling stuff) and the new bath panel replacement. I now have all the necessary tools to retile this weekend, so I shall post the finished product early next week.

I think the most interesting thing with this small project has been how quickly I have learnt new skills. I know that tiling isn't rocket science (no offence tilers), but doing a great job requires a lot of patience and a willingness to learn like a child. So it's thanks to Catherine and my copy of Readers Digest DIY that I am now able to tile as well as carry out my chippie duties. I have also found that my planning and thinking skills have been improved to at least a level of 15 (out of 100). I soon hope to receive a certificate ;)

Next week Catherine stars full time at the law firm in Double Bay. So be sure to drop her a line and wish her well. I think she's secretly missing her friends at home.

Have a great weekend campers!

Tom :)




Frame before



New frame


Bath panel on!


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Gidday!

This post is not about my finger. But since it had a fight with a mallet where it lost, got broken and its nail fell off a lot has happened. Mainly we moved to Sydney and a new and different life! However during that time Mr. Nail has slowly been recovering and with a lot of sunshine he is now (almost) surpassing his former glory!

Back to business! I thought I'd tap out a short update on Bronte life. There's not much excitement at the moment, so you won't be too jealous I promise.

Next week is Catherine's last week waitressing before she becomes a full time lawyer (again!) She is really looking forward to getting back to the office (read without sarcasm) as she is diving into her new role with relish for law again. On a personal note I am happy to see her happy with work and having a better balance here in Sydney.

I am continuing to work full time at Gap giving unfortunate people advice on clothes. As yet I've had no complaints, but that may be due to me wearing Anthony's name badge. I have been doing some carpentry jobs, helping my friend Jamie to get his house renovated. I've really enjoyed getting back "on the tools". Hopefully I am going to start full time carpentry work in the next two weeks with a friend of Jamie's. Above all else I am here to learn (and have a good time) so that if we do come back I will be ready to jump into any carpentry going!

Other than that we are trying to enjoy the weather and beach as much as possible and do fun things with friends. We won't know whether we are staying longer until after our trip home to England, so we are making sure we enjoy ourselves.

We now have a rough schedule for April & May, so I'll post that on the next post.

Catherine and I have been trialling various yoga classes since we got here. Most studios give you a two week unlimited pass for $20, so we've been "doing the rounds" so to speak.

After our most recent trial we joined up with Power Living yoga at Bondi Junction because it has loads of classes and is convenient for both of us to get to straight from work. For $90 we have unlimited classes, so I am fully expecting my foot to be almost behind my head by the end of February!

To dispel any myths that some of you may have about "yoga", it is not namby pamby. This stuff is either hot yoga or very warm at the least. It's the kind of yoga whereby you sweat getting into and holding poses and frequently feel like you will fall over. Ah sorry, that may just be me. But nevertheless it is HARD.

The other side is the meditative one. There's not a lot of it, but it helps to focus the mind. Mostly you are focussing on what you are doing and not worrying about work etc.

"HIPPY!" You may cry. But having been involved in fitness training since I was 16 I can safely say that meditation is a part of all exercise. When I run I focus on my breathing, I try and relax, I am mindful of my strides, how I lift my knees and how I place my feet. I admit I've been doing this for a few years, so I focus on it more than most. But if you go for a run you will quite easily focus on that activity, that moment in time, just on you. That is a form of meditation. The same can be applied to weight training, acrobatics or plate spinning. There's a form of meditation in all. For me I find it in carpentry, writing, running and yoga. When I'm not doing those things regularly I can get grumpy all too easily (ask Catherine) and depressed for no reason.

So when you next have time to yourself, whether its walking, running, carpentry or puppy juggling just focus on that moment, that practice and you will have your meditation.

Until next time that is all from Yogi Tom.

:-)


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