Proportions of flour: Yes, that is what I do - and, yes, I believe that the spelt gives a deeper flavour.
As I said I don't use a machine. What I do to prove the yeast is mix about 100g of the warm water with 1tsp of sugar, then add the yeast (I use Allinson's Easy Bake, sent from UK, or Pakmaya instant, Lotus, Big C etc.). Leave it for about 5 minutes until it froths up (obviously, if it doesn't froth up it's no good) then add it, with the rest of the water, to the mix.