Neve was recently given her first ever necklace by a friend who travelled across the city with two little ones to bring me some things to help with Neve's teething pain. While this was not meant as an adornment I love how it looks against Neve's skin and the way the sunlight is caught in its beads. Neve was in a slight mood and the sun was shining onto the balcony so I took off her clothes. Why is it that children are usually cheered up by stripping off? Knowing winter is approaching it was lovely to watch her strong naked back coloured by sunlight. It is interesting how jewellery can (and has a long history of) making people feel stronger. I imagined her a miniature medicine woman, the elements at her command. I want to teach her to harness all the power she can possess while feeling fine in the unpredictable, uncontrollable flow of life.

Making the most of this perfect time on Heybeliada when the crowds have gone and the sunshine, though rarer, belongs to those who are about to struggle through the winter here, we went to meet friends for a picnic in Değirmenburnu Park. Once or twice a week I spend time with friends in the park cafe and get to feel what it would be like to raise my children with the capable helping hands of a community of women. Neve is passed around freeing me to drink one cup of tea after another.

After we had eaten far too much the women began to make a supply of sigara böreği. This is a popular fried snack of white cheese and parsley wrapped in thin layers of pastry and fried to a crisp. Anton loves to cook and was fascinated by the speed of the women spreading, folding, wrapping, dipping and sealing. He got completely engrossed in the task of making his first böreği. By the time it was done we all had just enough room in our bellies to test the batch. Many hands made light work and I was lifted by an afternoon of seeing my children smiling in the arms of others.

One of the great things about living in Turkey is the abundance of fruit and vegetables. Being used to buying a couple of peppers presented in cellophane in the UK, I am still pinching myself at being able to fill a carrier bag for less money. All summer I eat bowls of cherries and apricots. Wednesday is market day on Heybeliada and early in the morning, and even the night before, the stall holders arrive on boats laden with produce. Here are just a few photos of our trip to the market today. I didn't manage to spend long taking pictures because Anton was anxious to get away from any potential cheek pinchers but the vegetables are beautiful anyway.