today’s bleak

06 Friday Mar 2026

Posted by in health, knee saga, knees, sevilla

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Yeah, it looked like this today, which was bleak enough. But it was also a bleak day because, yep, another let down re: the Knee Saga. Last month I had the bright idea to ask my GP to make a new appointment with the traumatologist based on the new xrays I had done in November as the ones taken in August hadn’t been done correctly. Due to this and that the GP appt was postponed until today and, although I knew it was a long shot, I’m still disappointed it didn’t work out. I was told, without a hint of irony, that the records show I have been up for a three-month revision since August and so she cannot ask for a new one even though a new test had been done since then because it was for the same thing. Aaargh. I’m so tired. And it hurts.

 

she’s home

05 Thursday Mar 2026

Posted by in friends, sevilla

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My friend Reyes left for Dubai on Sunday February 22nd with plans to return home a week later. She and her husband Juan Carlos were travelling with friends going to see their daughter who has been working there. And well, we all know what happened. Since last weekend I’ve been on tenterhooks after Reyes described that first night of bombing and with the phone alarm going off at midnight and people not knowing what to expect. We’ve been in contact every day, sharing whatever information we had. Luckily my Substack pal Liam Collens, a food and culture writer who lives in Dubai, was also able to pass on some helpful info and advice. And then today I got the best whatsapp message ever… “We’ve just landed in Madrid!”

Soooooo relieved, of course. And I can’t wait to see Reyes again and give her the biggest of hugs. But I gotta say, wow, there’s been such a load of judgemental bullshit online (where else?) ranging from tut-tutting anyone who would travel to the middle east and “support” such regimes to schadenfreudeing about anyone caught up there because somehow they all “deserve it”. Wtf.

Obviously you can think what you like, and I have a few opinions (who me?) about some people I know who have either moved to or opened businesses there, but surely people must realise that not everyone there is a millionaire tax-dodger or insufferable lifestyle influencer, and that even if they are… do they deserve to die in this heinous illegal war? Does anybody? I am too disgusted by it all to say any more about it. I just want to say… Welcome Home Reyes! See you soon 🥰

bowland & bay

04 Wednesday Mar 2026

Posted by in sevilla, sherry, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours

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I met Katie & Paul back in 2023 when Katie (a twitter/insta pal) looked me up while they were in town and we spent a lovely sherry-filled afternoon together. Since then we have been doing twice-yearly Bowland & Bay Sevilla Getaways together and this week they were back for more.

Katie runs her adventure food company Bowland & Bay out of Lancashire UK  and offers fab foodie experiences both locally and abroad. I love that she also always brings me great groups of fun and inquisitive people from all walks of life. Also really nice to work with someone who shares the same values. Can’t wait to see them again, hopefully in October.

the alcázar revisited

03 Tuesday Mar 2026

Posted by in architecture, art, culture, sevilla, tourism

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After Peter’s Birthday Lunch on Sunday we went over to the Alcázar to see the Sorolla exhibit. I’d actually had tickets booked in February but they were cancelled due to storm conditions and had rebooked for last Thursday but then 🤧 , so Sunday was the last chance. And it was great. Looking back, I think the last time I had visited the Alcázar was shortly after lockdown in 2020 which is a shame because it’s just gorgeous and free for residents. Well I say free, which it is, but used to be we could skip the queues, flash our residency cards, and go in any time we felt like it. You know, like a resident. But for some time now we have been made to book a slot online. And okay we don’t have to pay but we have to plan ahead and then go and wait in the queue half an hour before the entrance time, just like a tourist. And then of course the place is swarming… kind of takes the enjoyment out of it. Anyhow, it was nice to be back for an hour or so after lunch, the exhibit was lovely, and we were even lucky with the weather. Also spotted some azahar buds on the trees! Won’t be long now.