AJK and SML take on continental Europe- again.

The following photos are a few snapshots of our recent 2nd Anniversary trip to Paris and Rome. It was awesome- fun in the sun indeed. We just loved Rome- such a beautiful and friendly city and shockingly affordable for great Italian food. THere are A LOT more photos in the Paris/Rome collection but I have a feeling all blog readers will have a chance to see them in person.xx

The view from the fantastic veggie restaurant where we toasted our anniversary as the setting sun made the street ever more romantic.
On the train... I slept for 10 hours and then went to the cafe car for an espresso in the morning while we went through the countryside- ideal...
From before our trip- but I wanted to share.
Our hostel room was great- balcony out to the left...
Parisian baguette by the river (we bought a sweet chestnut spread which was great with it)
Me at the Spanish steps
Cappucino alla soia--- mmmm
Yes, its the coloseum- amazingly preserved
Lots of beautiful arches in this city
As a fountain fan, I loved the Trevi Fountain... but I also liked the smaller Turtle Fountain nearby- v. peaceful- but not as photogenic.

Me attacking Andrew for his soy gilato- loving the hazelnut...

The Best There is at What They Do

Car Trouble

Dave and I had some car trouble. We were stopped in the lanes trying to let a garbage truck past, but I took us too far into the ditch and a small tree got under the bumper. Then the truck couldn't get through (didn't have what it took to make the tough decision) and when I backed up to get to a wider passing place, my bumper was ripped off by the tree. The tree had also damaged my front left wheel's fore mud flap (or whatever that is) so it was touching the tire. We had to tae the car into the shop. Fortunately, we were near home (and the shop), when it happened. The shop I go to is awesome and for 20 pounds they fixed the wheel's mud flap, reattached and reinforced the bumper, and finished the work within one hour, leaving us time to visit both the Eden Project and Tintagel on that day, as we had planned.

Dave Plays with Tilly

Dave and Tilly liked each other.

During Dave Knox's visit...

Sorry about the head tilting you're doing but Dave took this and I love it-- not that I look very loving in the photo- but look past me and check out those fields
Dawlish from a distance
Roots Union. You may not know them now- but you will.
Beer Fest in local village! Fun times in the sun shine.
Again, head tilt required but another Dave Knox photo extrodinaire... Tilly had run ahead after a pheasant.

Waffles

Easter

Mom is here for Easter- I get two weeks off- times are good. We've gone for some wicked long walks because it is gloriously sunny and spring-like. We also, as you can see, celebrated my (March 10) birthday. Other highlights of mom-April-visit 2009 include discovering that Sainsbury's hotcross buns are vegan, drinking lots of vegan homemade chai lattes, taking a happy Tilly to the beach, and generally seeing nice students in town rather than the ones that I am enjoying a break FROM. Happy Easter one and all.xxx


Hmm... what else did my generous mother get me for my birthday?
Hiking ladies
Hiking is awesome...
Tilly definitely thinks so- bounding bearded collie coming through

Tilly played out in our sunny garden all day today and is now exhausted- but seriously happy.Birthday gathering at Herbies veggie restaurant
post-birthday gathering at New Horizons-- I was ill in this picture- much like I am right now- but cheap Mediterranean food and friends (not that my friends are cheap- or Mediterranean- hehe)- still made me smile.
Over looking Lower Dawlish Water- not to be confused with our cluster of houses in Higher Dawlish Water.
THIS WEATHER IS AMAZING!! Garden party, anyone?

Missing everyone

A Christmassy couple
A very cute dog (the pony-tail keeps hair out of her eyes- it's not a purely aesthetic thing)
At a party a few nights ago- we were all dressed as "inspirational people"
Me at grad- That Andrew Knox sure can take a good grad photo.

Blogging into 2009

Hello one and all (or one of two- mothers who read this)
Sorry the blog has been a bit neglected lately... Mom, I can send you photos and Louise, you have facebook- but nevertheless I thought I should give it a little love.
This winter is a mild one over here- though everyone moans and groans when temperatures get anywhere near freezing... and we had a welcome dry patch after Christmas that allowed our world to become a little less muddy. We're still loving our countryside caravan existence- views of green valleys and cows staring at us from just beyond our garden.
Andrew has been working really hard- trying to ensure that DARE doesn't fall victim to the credit crunch... and I've been able to work a little less hard since students this term seem to realize that, with exams looming, lessons might actually have a point and be worth taking seriously. I really enjoy the students and staff and the social side of work is a real plus for me. Unfortunately, I had to miss out on that today as I'm home with a nasty cold/chest infection.
Tilly has overcome an ear infection with flying colours and gets shaggier by the day. Brushing her is a daily ritual but one that she doesn't mind too much. In our grooming, it feels like we've cut and brushed out enough hair to build a second dog yet it seems to make to difference to the thickness of her coat. I guess it will be a help to her in Canadian winters to come.
Thanks to the wonders of the internet (through which I was able to watch biography channel online in my ill state and indulge my inner documentary nerd) I feel in touch with folks back home but I still miss you all (again, I am probably addressing 2 people right now). I wish I could live in this exact place but have all my friends and family in one country... I'm destined to always feel spread across the Atlantic- but there are worse fates.
Happy 2009.
xoxo