Christmas - not quite the same in the Summer!

23 hours of travel later we arrived at Nat's dad’s house in Pietermaritzburg (close to Durban). My shower felt like heaven, Nat called me twice to come to the front porch for tea, but I just couldn't get out!

The view from their house is stunning- you can see Pietermaritzburg and the rolling green hills. Everyone in South Africa has pools and trampolines! So far it's not too different from America except for the Taxis!

 

Nats warned me back in London that there'd be crazy taxis/public transport - which had no rime or reason. They just pick up and drop off when you flag them. Today, on Christmas day, when Just took us for a drive we passed a few and the description was right on...there were loads of people piled into the car, all drinking, dancing and partying. Did I mention it was 1pm? At the petrol station one of the taxi buses was parked mostly full with the other passengers dancing next to the van. Wow. Merry Christmas...

We tried to go to the Piggly Wiggly Market (nope it's not the same as the Alabama grocery store!) but it was closed. Next Justin took us to see a gorgeous waterfall…

and then tried to take the fun way home through the bush. Again I feel like I'm in Bama- as we hot the land rover stuck in the mud on our way up the hill!

To which little Julia (Nats 7yr old step sis) asked 'Great. Stuck in the mud on Christmas. What are we going to do about all the presents??' never fear Just reversed the whole way back and we were home in time for a delic Christmas lunch and presents with the Wills family.

Merry Christmas!!! xxx

South Africa - Here I come!!!

Today is the day- the day Nat and I have been counting down towards
since, well it's been so long I'm not really sure! The alarm went off
at 530am and it was time to head to Heathrow for the first of our many
flights (LHR-Abu Dhabi, AD-Jo'burg, Jb-Durban, phew exhausted
already). We saved a lot of money by connecting on Etihad. So far so
good - We ended up with our own row of 4 seats with pillows, blankets,
nice headphones, tvs & loads of movies, plus a little goodie flight
bag which will def be my new camera/iPod case! Nat would like to add -
that yes, our seats are really cool! We are happy campers. I was esp.
when we got the menu and found out we are getting a traditional
Christmas turkey lunch!

I was a bit nervous about today because I've never flown so far with
so many connections, 17 days worth of stuff including presents -all on
Christmas eve. Thankfully last nite I lightened my load a bit and am
feeling quite good about the trip. I know so much about South Africa
already because of work and friends and cannot wait to see all these
amazing places I've heard so much about!!! One moe sleep, as the South
Africans would say, and I'll be in SA!!!

Ash is off to RWANDA!!! Please help!!

Dear friends,

As usual I’m off on another amazing adventure, only this time I’m giving something back! In just a few short months, (February 2010) myself and 19 others from Turner Broadcasting, will set off to build a school in Rwanda. I cannot express how excited I am to have this opportunity, and my only fear is that I’ll fall in love with the kids and never want to come back.

The children currently attend school in a run down shack, which floods when it rains. Each year Turner chooses a charity to support and sends a team out for a week to help the community build a school. Last year they went to Mali, and the volunteers came back full of respect for the people they met and a new found appreciative for their blessings back home. It’s an incredible opportunity to make a difference, which will in turn affect so many others for decades to come. These children are the future, and with a better education and learning environment we can help make all the difference in the world.

Please help me – help these kids. I need to raise £1,000 for the project but I hope to surpass this goal!!! So show some love and pretty please donate what you can.

** If you are in America this is about $1,600. Don’t worry, you can still help me raise the money by donating on the site! Please note- be sure to convert what you donate: i.e. if you want to donate $25, this is £16.

Details on donating:
JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now ;) http://www.justgiving.co.uk/ashleyhg

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Lots of love!
Ashley

Xoxo

Parents First Visit & their first time to England & Ireland!

My parents came over to visit for the first time! 12 days in London including a few days in Ireland. It was a non-stop week of touristy excursions, I felt a bit like I was on holiday too.

  They saw London on their own during the days then I’d meet up with them after work. On Sunday when they arrived we took a day trip to Portsmouth- on the south coast of England.

     They had no time for jet lag- we jumped straight on the train.  

Portsmouth was really nice; we saw all the touristy Historic Docklands, took a harbor cruise then ate dinner by the marina and shops. 

Later in the week we went to Richmond to walk along the river and have dinner, then on Wednesday I took a half-day to go to Hampton Court Palace.

   I fell in love with Hampton Court- the Palace was gorgeous and so well kept. They had actors playing the King, Queen and other people in the house. They also had free audio guides and there was just loads to see!

   

 

On Saturday morning we flew to Cork, Ireland and after sorting out the rental car were on our way to Bantry. When Dad saw the rental was not only right side driver – for Ireland’s left side driving- but also a stick he flipped!  Dad- almost all cars over here are manual!  The first few minutes, or day, of his driving on the other side was interesting to say the least.  Thankfully we were fully insured and those extra few scratches he added were fine.  

We arrived safely in Bantry (on the South West coast), after figuring out the Irish driving system, round-abouts and road signs.  We went straight to dinner by Bantry Bay then made our way to our B&B at the top of the hill. It was a gorgeous day and we had no time to waste so after a quick check in we set off to explore Sheep’s Head.  The tourist office was really helpful and told me we manage Sheep’s head in a few hours then hit up Mizen Head tomorrow on our way to Kinsale.  I had no idea we’d see as much of Ireland as we did in less than 3 days. 
Sunday morning after our yummy breakfast we drove to the tip of Mizen Head- the Southern most point of Southwest Ireland.  It was suppose to be beautiful with a light house and sea views but the weather wasn’t cooperating with us, the closer we got to the tip the foggier it was.  Of course when we left and started heading east again it was suddenly sunnier and sunnier.  Oh well- either way we were there, even if we literally didn’t see anything!  There was an old anchor that had been salvaged and labeled with a plaque describing how the ship sunk off the coast of Mizen Head because it was so foggy it ran into the cliffs…not surprised.  Our end destination was Kinsale but we stopped along the way at anything that looked worth a quick look.  Skull, and their farmers market, where I found a nice sized zucchini baby which brought me back to my childhood days, we stopped at a small marina, a beautiful old church set up on a hill and lots of other cute little places. 

When we finally arrived in Kinsale I was taken back, all of the coastal towns are quaint little places, but Kinsale is the place to be! Turned out we accidentally booked our B&B in Garrettstown outside Kinsale, but to our delight it was on the ocean with unbelievable views!  After settling in we walked on the beach then I got to try my hand at driving. I must admit, I who dislikes all things car related really enjoyed it! It was fun driving the little Colt we hired and zipping along the costal roads!  We drove up to Old Head Kinsale and hiked to the top to see the views and watch the dolphins swim by.  If we had more time I could have spent hours there just sitting on the cliffs. There was a lighthouse on the tip with the golf course, but we couldn’t go in because it was private.  For dinner we heading into Kinsale and after a quick wander we realized thing shut down early on a Sunday night around here so we better make a move. I had delicious fish and we were able to stare at the sailboat marina from the restaurant!  Ah, I forgot, it was also Father’s day, so when we got back to the B&B we went to the bar for a drink with Dad. Even Mom tried the Murphy’s Irish Cider.  

Monday- Last day! After breakfast overlooking the ocean we headed into see more of Kinsale.  It’s a lively little town with loads of tourist in the streets.  We started in the Desmond Castle, which didn’t take long because there wasn’t much to see, except the wine history then shopped around for a few gifts in town before heading to the Charles Fort.  The fort was really interesting and we arrived just in time for a guided tour! After learning all about the start shaped fort and its history we jumped back in the car to find the Blarney Castle!  A bit turned around in Cork we finally got to Blarney and headed straight to the castle.  Turns out there is loads to see, you really need ½ a day but we only had a couple hours so we toured the castle, kissed the Blarney Stone and saw what we could of the grounds before we left for the airport.  Sadly we missed the rock area, lake walk, forest hike, and Blarney House (which was closed for renovations anyway).  I guess I’ll have to stop there again someday! All in all Ireland was beautiful with countless places in adorable towns to see, and just a quick flight from London.  

  

Thankful...

This year I'm thankful for more than ever, I’m thankful that/for…

I have a job. And a good one!
I’m healthy
family & friends- new & old
I live in my favorite city! London
my long hair & straight teeth :)
I’m happier than ever
I walk to work
I found an awesome flat & new London friends
being awake to all my blessings
my new church HTB
funny conversations with my grams
I’m young and single (& a girl!) in the big city
friends who call or visit
Facebook which keeps me ridiculously connected
how can I forget my Fav gadget- I'm even using it now to log all this before I forget! My iPhone!!

Most of all I'm thankful for all the amazing opportunities life’s thrown at me & that I was brave enough to run with them!

Cheers to all- American or not. Have an amazing day & don't forget to be thankful for your blessings.

LOL,
Ashter

Halloween 2008 London Style!

This year it came down to the LAST minute, I was pretty sad when I didn’t think I was going to end up dressing up or having Halloween plans. But never fear, my friend came through with two parties, and my boss just happened to have devil horns, light up red wings, and a wand laying around! I knew I had to get it together when a German guy was texting me “come on Ashley, if the German is dressing up the AMERICAN girl has to!”






























Next thing I knew I’d rushed around picking up costume supplies and taken the tube to Oval (South London). Party #1 was great, lots of good food, cute decorations and crazy costumes. After a bit we hopped on the tube and headed north, time for party #2. This one was way far North, probably the farthest north I’ve been actually. The tube ride there was quite interesting, we sat with a few Gladiators who had to use their swords to cover their…since their skirts weren’t really cutting it. Turns out there are a couple Kentish Town tubes…one west one regular and we of course were at the wrong one! We hopped in a cab because a fake cop and little devil really shouldn’t be roaming around lost too far in the cold.

It turned out to be a great evening; and according to a friend, we went farther in one night than she’s been in London in a year!

Lovin' London- at home in Bayswater

Half way through my 8th week in London and still loving every second of it! Since I last wrote I’ve done nothing but work and play…and loads of both!!

When I last wrote I was in the midst of the awful flat hunt. I am happy to report that I not only found a place but I’ve lived here almost a month already! I love my new abode. Unlike what I’m use to (tiny apartments in NYC or my lovely loft in TN) I actually live in a house (flat)! It’s 3 stories, 5 bedrooms, and I know my NYC friends will be jealous because we have a washing machine and a garden!! They come standard here (washers, not gardens, we are lucky to have such a big garden), but in NYC it’s like striking gold to find a place with one! So I’m still a bit elated when it comes to having a washer, I take nothing for granted these days. Especially not sunny mornings when I’m walking to work through Hyde Park, God that’s the best!

*Pics of the new flat, flatmates preparing for our big holiday party, and our garden!


Walking to and from work is one of my favorite things, and I’m so glad I found a home within walking distance! I figured out last week that it doesn’t even really save me any money, but it doesn’t matter because that 40 minutes of fresh air before and after work makes all the difference during the crazy busy work week.

The flat is in Bayswater, close to Notting Hill, 3 minutes to Hyde Park, 2 minutes from two different tube stops, there are numerous grocery stores within a few blocks, and just about any variety of food you could desire.

Back to the 5 bedrooms part…yes that translates into I have 4 flatmates! I live with a British bloke, American guy, Aussie girl & an American girl. It’s a nice mix and everyone has such busy schedules that we sometimes go days without even seeing each other. So that’s it! I’m waiting on the rest of my belongings to be shipped from Tennessee then I’ll be completely at home. Its kind of nice only having a few suitcases worth of stuff, it makes you realize how much extra junk you accumulate over the years.


*Most of my new flatmates... 1st Pic-Lauren and Shannon. 2nd Pic- New bf Kaitlin and flatmate James. I'll have to get a pic of Mike!

One last thing, I’m sorry my American friends…I don’t know if I’ll ever come back. I’ve felt completely at home here since the second I landed, and it’s only growing on me…