Taste of London:

Today Nicole and I went to Taste of London in Regents Park. It was AWESOME!! If you don't know - Nicole and I love good food. This was an event that we new we could not miss. It was an area the size of 2 football fields that was packed full of the best restaurants in the city. We sampled every kind of cheese known to man, tasted everything from smoothies to flavored waters, had chili fried squid, chicken tikka on naan, lentil and foie gras terrine, and Chilean seabass wrapped in spinach. We also got to see Gordon Ramsey who host Hell's Kitchen in the States and The F Word here in the UK. He looked much younger in person. I must say that this was the coolest event that I have ever been to. Each tent was set up like a restaurant or destination. There was also live music and singing. It was a great way to spend 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon in June. We had one of the best days that we have had here in London.

A night in Frankfurt, Germany...

When we arrived at the airport in Barcelona, we knew something was wrong as there was a mile long line at the Lufthansa check in counter. So after waiting 1 1/2 hours to get to the counter, we learned that our flight was going to be nearly 3 hours late, meaning that we would miss our connection in Frankfurt to London. The ticket agent did not even give us a paper ticket as she did not know what flight we could get on to London. She was not helpful and rather rude. So, we go hang out in the Barcelona airport for 3 hours (eating, shopping, and talking to some American ladies who live in Germany) before boarding a flight to Frankfurt. Long story short, we were not able to get on the last flight to London once we landed in Frankfurt. So they gave us hotel passes and said that we could get a nice meal on the airline and that we would have free hotel transportation, etc. They told us that we could pick up our bags at baggage claim and have a restful night before the flight the next day. After waiting 2 hours for our bags, getting no help from the Lufthansa staff, being yelled at by the Hotel we were to stay at on the phone, missing our Hotel transportation, getting tons of Franfurt stamps in our passports, and tears - a ticket agent rebooked us in the Sheraton Airport, Frankfurt, gave us nearly £100 worth of food vouchers, and off we went to the hotel. So we got a night in Frankfurt that we had not counted on. We just arrived home today. Those of you who are worried about what we did with Bleeker - no worries we added an extra day with his boarding as soon as we found out there was a delay in Barcelona to not chance anything. Anyway - we doubt that we will fly Lufthansa anytime soon. This image is just a reflection of our lovely experience in the last 24 hours.

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Barcelona:

We spent the last 4 days in Barcelona, Spain for Nicole's 30th birthday. We had the best time ever and we would go back tomorrow without thinking about it if we could. Although we would fly direct - never go through Frankfurt, Germany - long story that will be told later.

Everything from our hotel, to the food, to the weather, to the architecture was amazing!! It was at least 80 degrees and sunny all 4 days that we were there. Not just sunny, but not a cloud in the sky which is why Nicole and I both were burnt on our shoulders and faces. This is a huge deal since we live in the land of rain and clouds and we have been wearing jackets and sweaters through last week!

What to talk about first. Nicole had a great birthday, or at least she told me that it was her favorite. We started the day by heading down the Las Ramblas to take in the sights. There are paintors, performers, flowers, an amazing city market and even animal stalls down the Las Ramblas to look at. We went down to the Olympic Port and took a boat tour of the harbor which was great! Afterwards, we were starving and headed to eat tapas by the water. After we rested a bit we went through the Bario Gotic (old section of town dating back from the 1200's) and strolled around the winding streets, shopping, eating and touring. For dinner we went to this amazing place called Hostal El Pintor to eat for dinner that we had found in the Bario Gotic earlier that day. We had the best meal since we have been in Europe at that place. If you are going to Barcelona - you must go there for a special treat, especially for the seafood paella! Of course, the fresh cod with honey, pine nuts and raisins (who would have thought that combination of ingredients would be good together) was amazing too, along with the fois gras...oh the list could go on!

On Sunday we headed out to see the Gaudi buildings (Casa Batllo and La Padrera) and tour his famous La Sagrada Familia church that has yet to be finished. We started off with Casa Batllo which is Gaudi's most famous completed project. Nicole and I were amazed at the details and the colors. Was this place made to look like a reptile, fish, masks, who knows?? But it works and it is awesome. We then headed to La Pedrera and toured an apartment from the early 1900's, the Gaudi museun and the rooftop - which was ACE as they would say here in the UK. The rooftop looked liked we were on another planet or movie set. In the distance you could see all of Barcelona and the Mediteranian. We could also see the Sagrada Familia which is where we headed next. I wish that there were words to express the sights from this project that has yet to be finished in over 100 years. When and if the cathedral is finished, it will be amazing. It was great getting to see how the construction workers are trying to build new parts of the cathedral while having preserve the parts that are so old. That night ended with us sitting ouside in a cafe eating tons of tapas.

Monday came and we were not excited about leaving. We stopped by our favorite city market on the Las Ramblas for some fruit and sandwiches to take to the airport, went by some shops that we wanted a second look at, bought some art, and soaked in the last bit of sun we could. We then packed up and headed to the airport, which is where the drama begins on our journey back home.. Fun Fun.

Net Net.. Barcelona is great!! Nicole and I would love to come back and do a Spanish tour coming back to Barcelona and then tackle Madrid, Sevilla, and one of the islands like Ibiza!

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Puddles and Pidley:

This past weekend Nicole, Bleeker and I went to visit Brian & Christine in Pidley. We went to escape from the city and had a great time relaxing. It is always great visiting the Paynters as they are the closest thing to family that we have here in the UK. We always sit around, eat tons of food (Christine is an excellent cook and her Rhubbard Crumble this time was Nicole's favorite) , drinks loads of tea (Loose leaf PG Tips - milk in the china cup first), usually take a walk through the country, and walk around in the garden. This was the first time that we took Bleeker up for a visit. We were nervous about how he would react with their dog Jake and how he would be in their home - but he did great!! It rained most of the weekend, but we still had a great time. They let us borrow some rain gear for a walk through a meadow this morning as we did not come prepare. To be honest - it was quite refreshing and we didn't get too wet. As you can tell from the photos, Bleeker got soaked and had to be carried the second half of the trip. We really needed a relaxing weekend as the stress level for Nicole and I at work has been extreme. We now feel ready for the week to come. Enjoy the images...

Brad

Devon:

Nicole, Bleeker and I just got back from visiting the Rawlins in Devon. We had such a great time. The Rawlins are the family that my mom, dad, and I stayed with in Bath while we were on the Cambridge Programme with Lee. They are such wonderful people and I was so happy that they got to meet Nicole and Bleeker. The Rawlins were so great and kind to us, and treated us just like family. The are great host and we truly enjoyed every minute at their house. They even gave us an American style BBQ! We hated to leave and come back to London yesterday afternoon. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we hope to plan another visit out that way towards the end of summer to meet up with their eldest son Martin and his wife Maddy.

We had always heard that Devon was Amazing, but words just can't do it justice. If you love little villages, seaside towns, organic foods, and the great outdoors - you must go to Devon. We went on many hikes, visited little villages, went to an amazing little flour mill for lunch, and we went to the sea. I wish that you all could have seen Bleeker running up and down the beach and jumping into the water. It was so great seeing him with freedom. They also took us to the Home of Sir Walter Raliegh who Raleigh, North Carolina was named for. I could go on and on for days, but the weekend was AMAZING!!

Bleeker Loves Peanut Butter:

Bleeker loves Peanut Butter. He has every since he was a puppy. When we have finished a jar of Paenut Butter we give the jar to Bleeker and he plays with it for hours. He Loves it!! What he can't understand is why he can smell the Peanut Butter, but can't get any. He eventually gets tired of it and moves on to something else. Please note that Bleeker loves JIF Reduced Fat Peanut Butter-as do we :-). Did we mention that we can't get it here in the UK?

Have a great rest of your weekend!!

Brad

Saturday with Suz...

This past Saturday Nicole and I met up with one of our good friends Suzanne Price. We know Suzanne from church and she was one of the first people that I met when we joined the church. Suzanne works for a PR Agency right behind our apartment, so sometime she pops by to say hello on her way home. We met her at Borough Market for lunch and then headed to the Tate Modern to see a display of white boxes. I know what your thinking - why the heck would you go see white boxes? The artist said that when you look at a box, you wonder what is in it, so she made a whole village of boxes. She filled random size boxes with white resin and the rest is history. Hey - it was free and a fun afternoon!! Anyway, we are thankful for our friend Suz and loved spending the afternoon with her!

Brad

Bleeker:

So - I just realized that I have not put any post with Bleeker lately. For those of you who want to know - he is doing great and has adjusted to the UK with full force. Nicole and I are so happy to have him here with us! He just is the best dog ever!!

Nicole took this picture of him while we were packing for Prague on Thursday night. He wanted to go as well! While we are away he stays with his dog walker who also has a dog. Bleeker has a great time and is normally worn out when we return!

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Prague for Easter:

Nicole and I went to Prague for Easter!! We had the best time. Besides meeting up with the Stones (See below) we toured this most amazing city and walked our legs off. For those of you who have not been - Prague is amazing! Jeff and Anna Laughlin told us when we moved to the UK, that we must go to Prague - and now we know why. The architecture alone will have you a trance as well as the general mood and temperament of the city. During Easter they set up Easter Markets all over town selling their famous painted eggs, local crafts, and amazing food that we couldn't pronounce but we sure could eat! The people were so nice and helpful. They might not know English, but they can play a mean game of charades. Nicole and I were lost on the tram and this older lady helped us by demonstrating that we needed to go back under the river. When I say demonstrated, I mean "full on" theatrical act. We loved it!! We also loved the shopping in Prague. Some of the stores were the same that we have on our high streets here in the UK, but they were so clean and orderly. How many H&M's or Zara's have you been to that have everything hung in its section and on its original hanger - come on?? It was great! We also found that a vacation in Prague is a great value. It is not cheap - as it once was - but what you get is good for your buck. We also enjoyed a local restaurant in the Jewish Quarter called Svejk - Jon and Emily, you must go if you haven't - we had dinner for 110 Kr each, which is about 2 pound 50 pence. We had Pork Lion, pickled cabbage, and potato dumplings with horseradish - it was really good!! I could go on and on - but I will let the pictures speak for themselves. We had a great time. We are at home for the next 3 weeks and then we are off to Devon, Cambridge, and Barcelona in May. Let the good times roll!

Brad

Time with the Stones:

While we were in Prague, we had the great pleasure of meeting up with Jon, Emily, and Lillian Stone. Jon and Emily, with their two daughters Eloise and Lillian, are missionaries in Prague. They were kind enough to spend Saturday afternoon with us and we had an amazing time. Nicole and I think that it was the highlight of our trip. Emily and I have known each other for years and it was so great seeing her as a mother with a mission. I have also known Jon since Lee and am so proud to see how God is working in his life! Nicole and I sat with them in awe as they were explaining their goals and what the next phase of their life is devoted to. We had the best time - I do hope that they think so as well! We had a great lunch and then walked through old town Prague to the old Jewish Quarter to have some of the best ice cream that I have ever had. They even took us to the subway station and taught us how to use the public transportation network. We loved our time with them and hope that we can spend more time with them in the future. Jon and Emily - We owe you!! Also - next time we want to meet Eloise!!

To all of you out there who read this blog. Jon and Emily have an enormous opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of the people in Prague. If you would like to support them - which we will be as well - please send your contributions to the follow address below.

Church of God World Missions
2490 Keith Street, NW
Cleveland TN, 37312

Designated To:
Jonathan and Emily Stone
Project # 790-1037-001