not sure how to rotate it but here is me with my friends Matt and Hannah in the woods. I volunteer in a little building in these woods that is the home of the Centre for Contemporary Art in the Natural World.It's Tilly and I on Dartmoor. Aw.
Andrew and I--- I have that happy sheen to my smile that says pure "half term break"
Elizabeth and I in Oxford getting ready to prepare a feast.
Oh, it's a tiring life for a young bearded collie- I think this was Saturday morning...

I realized Andrew and I should change our blog names--- to Stephe-Daw and Andlish perhaps... or Stepha-middleof and Andrew Knowhere...

Anyway, continuing to love the country life- and enjoying a mild Autumn indeed. I had an awesome half term break (LOVE the English holiday system for teachers- we all need our breaks!) and found the kids much more chilled out after a week away from me. Work is continuing to be mostly really fun... my how teenagers make me laugh. It sounds cliched but was I really like that once? I did really like high school the first time round and definitely enjoy being back in that kind of environment- never a dull moment. I just spend way less time applying and re-applying make-up these days. And have no idea what music is cool. I also never took basic level classes and realize how basic some of the kids need lessons to be- quite staggering sometimes how low ability they are. But of course we also have our brainiacs- some grade 9 girl actually figured out in only a few minutes the answer to my riddle 'what word in the English language starts and ends in 'he''. It took her about 5 minutes. I sound wise because I know the answers to such things but I owe such wisdom entirely to helpful internet sites.

ANYWAY- PHOTOS! That was meant to be the point of this entry! (after typing this, I added them in and they turned up above my entry- as you know)

October 19

Hello folks--- I don't know why blogspot is underlining this...
Hmmm... oh, I escaped the underline. I'm awesome.
Well, autumn greetings from our caravan are long overdue. There is almost too much to say to know where to begin. I will focus on today.
I woke up and read some of "Tescopoly"- still hacking through it but definitely learning from it. It made me appreciate the authenticity of the "co-op" super markets and their humble beginnings. I'm glad Dawlish has a co-op. It is probably one of the only shops in town that accepts debit cards- which is a bonus.
Then we all had breakfast- happy with Tilly's all-natural "holistic pet food" which seems much preferable to the junk making up so many mainstream brands. I made a green tea latte from green tea that Aunt Judy gave me in the summer- I never tire of the novelty of frothed milk.
Tilly and I then went for a long walk on some near-by footpaths... even when getting to the paths via our road we probably saw all of two cars. I picked some one of the last big juicy blackberries... good for crumble or for hiking fuel.
Now I await a visit from two good friends with whom we are visiting the "Centre for Art in the Natural World". Currently, the site features massive canvasses of photos that are hung in the trees. It's a nice walk for Tilly and quite the unique space. Later, we'll go out to dinner in town (10 min bike ride away) at "Paradise Palace"- an excellent vegan-friendly Indian joint.

Adios amigos! Stay tuned!xxx
Although this picture doesn't do it justice, Tilly's hair is growing back into an adorable and cuddle-friendly shag.

This was taken when we first got to the city. I was just so happy to be in sunshine.
Sangria and trashy magazine- classy pre-dinner combo.
Before Spain, I had a girls night. Unfortunately, I won't see my dear Hannah (at left) til September. Realizing that turned that giant grin into a sad sad frown.
Before the bar there was a clothing swap at my flat.
And before the swap, there was pancake making... and it was good.

Munching on mango in Parc Guell- a giant rambling park in the North of the city.
Andrew in front of some cheery wall art.
I just liked the way this looked- neat lighting.
Oooh such exciting foods at the big market- twinned with Borough Market in London! We generally got lunch stuff here for picnics.

Gaudis famous masterpiece... it does look pretty cool (we also saw his first architectural exploit- lamposts in a square).

Looking into one of my favourite squares
The oldest church in Barcelona- nicely off the tourist track.
Of course we had to hit up the beach- the topless beach.
From bed, to balcony...

Andrew relaxing in the garden at breakfast- Fruit and Fibre and yummy soy milk from a local shop served us well.

Back from the continent!

We just got back from a quick getaway to Barcelona- a getaway in celebration that our marriage is almost officially one year old! The weather was amazing- 32 degrees-ish and NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY for 3 days (maybe this is more exciting for someone living in England- but I was amazed). Our hostel was so perfect for us- outside of the city in a really authentically Catalan neighbourhood (no tourists, apart from the handful at the hostel- and lots of local kids playing on the streets)- the quietest hostel I've ever stayed in- seriously woke up to sounds of birds.. and only birds. And there was a garden and our own big balcony... it just was the ideal setting. Barcelona as a city was lovely. I loved the many little gothic streets for pedestrians only, the little boutiques, the numerous courtyards that we would just stumble upon that were usually full of public art or old fountains, and some damn fine vegan food as well.
Now I have a week left in dear ol' Exeter til I cross the Atlantic for a summer in my old hood of London Ontario... and lots of visiting Toronto as well of course! Hillside! Woot woot!
Now, time to post Barcelona photos to make everyone jealous--- mostly people who live here under the present drizzle and chill.
xxxx

Woe is me, I forget how to rotate pictures. Sorry for any neck-strain caused!

Loving the butterscotch brownies and peanut butter apple bars- ready to blow some bake sale minds.
The bake sale inspired us to make our own cake just for kicks- lime coconut goodness with dried papaya.
Andrew's very minty cupcakes- which vow to take over the world.
Tom and Chris- Green soc. presidents- lean green baking machines
Lime and coconut- a tangy combo with mojitos (and this picture also showcases my subtle cake glaze and sprinkles which is actually the reason I'm posting it).

Dartmoor hiking- why its great to go to uni. in the country!

There aren't enough shots of the two of us in our collection so... us. On the bus home.
What a view, what an apple...
Emma and Steph- lovely photography, Tom.
Tom gives his choice of route thumbs up.

Some serious Pooh Sticks action

Me and my boys, clothing swap action (yep, that's a pinata head... I still have it- anyone interested?)














The Isle of Wight- so pretty- great day to explore it. Me at Chess (no kidding...) and me rocking the nautical look at Isle of Wight. There aren't a lot of pictures with Andrew on our camera but I can report he still looks very Andrewesque with ever longer hair (see top left)

Rainy Day Woman

Blogging again! SML (me) has enjoyed a rainy day inside cooking a couple of lovely spicy dishes, listening to music, finding homes for the great clothes she snagged from last night's SWAP party here at flat 3, and being grateful that episode 2 of the Wooden Spoon was finally found. It will make it to the world after all. Are you ready for the cooking prowess of my male friends? Cause they're pretty hardcore... Andrew is working hard promoting renewable at the Devon County show- no rest for that keener greener.

I'm going to try to post some photos of recent times. Last weekend, we went down to the South Coast town of Lymington to visit family friends and had hiking and hitchhiking adventures on the Isle of Wight. Then we went to the Royal Albert Hall like the high class kids we are and saw the opening night of the two night run of Tim Rice's "Chess" revival. This may not mean a lot to most of you but it was a night of lifetime for me. Tim even introduced it in person.

Then the week rolled along to our swap last night, wherein folks swapped books, clothes, movies, clothes, kitchen nic nacs, and more clothes! I'm all ready for sunshine and thankful my girl friends have such stylin fashion sense.

Other recent fun times have included Taboo Showdown part two with Jan and Andrew, a big hike on Dartmoor, a potluck "Speak society" breakfast for me, and a noodle party.
Tomorrow we get to go see the little "middle-of-nowhere" dwelling that will likely be our home next year- I'm excited! Details to come...

Love to you all- I'm coming back to Canuckland June 28th so I'll see you in no time!
Stephxoxoxo

Belgium

Belles of the ball
















The famous peeing statue in Brussels- long story involving legend of boy peeing on a fire that threatened to destroy the city... He has many costumes and the city is mighty proud of him.












Sorry to make you tilt your head- but Brussels has wicket wall art.
Oma and Numan and me

Like Superman, Stephanie's powers come from the Yellow Sun.













Andrew says...
I have never seen a stick man penis before, nor a stick man stream of pee. It's hilarious that they give you the cut away version of the toilet in the second picture so you can be sure the see the penis and pee, even though it might be hidden if the toilet was allowed to block it. It makes sense. If they didn't show that, the sign might be saying, "Don't pee, only poo," or "No men can use this toilet."














Ha ha! Shove it. This needs to be sold in English speaking countries.
















1989. The first Turtles movie comes out, and the Berlin wall falls. The two events collide here.

Whirling Dervishes

Whirling Dirvishes- twirl around for about an hour lost in spiritual wonderment... then a photo of Rumi's kitchen entrance, Osman (my Turkish trip organizer)'s sister and grandma, and a couple of shots of Berlin wall graffiti and graffiti from near the wall. A chunk of it is full of street art- quite stunning.

Stephanie's Birthday Ribbon and European Tour

Mom and I celebrating my big 2-6.. then beautiful Durham, then a spice market in Istanbul (a stall at the market, to be exact) and one of oh so many beautiful mosques in Turkey- right behind it is a very modern bridge- world's second longest... interesting contrast. The traffic on the bridge is so bad that most folks take the boat from the European to Asian side of Istanbul- as we did one night for dinner!