26 Friday Nov 2021
First time seeing these two lovelies since before you-know-what. Anne and Paul are temporary neighbours this week, visiting from Jerez and staying just down the street from me. Today we met up for lunch at Castizo and had a lovely time catching up. Hoping for a trip to Jerez soon so we can do it again over there!
20 Monday Sep 2021
So this made my Saturday. I was already planning to meet up with my Instagram pal Paul, who is back in town for a week. Then I got a surprise text message from the fabulous Victor saying “SURPRISE! Guess who’s in town??” So in the end Paul, Peter, Victor and I all met up for a lovely lunch.
Last time I saw Victor was on March 11, 2020 when he gave me what was to be my last hug for a year and a half. Of course we’ve stayed in touch, but I haven’t been able to get down to Málaga and he hasn’t made it up here. But now he is back to work on his tours that pass through Sevilla. Normally he only has an hour or so to spare while his clients have lunch on their own, but this time we had a whole three hours! And it was great. If things work out then I hope to be in Málaga for a few days over Christmas, a tradition of mine that has been put on hold the past couple of years.
Peter, Victor & Paul
March 11 2020
17 Friday Sep 2021
Posted in friends, hope, life stuff
Tags
Julio, Reyes & Pepe
Further to Monday’s “judge not lest ye be judged” post… I am thrilled to tell you that this one is nothing like it! And since it’s not often something like what happened the other day happens to me I thought I’d share. This actually took place on Monday while I was at Casa Morales organising the final touches for my first Sevilla Sherry Tasting of the year. I went there with Peter to try out a couple of pairings and Reyes was there, so she joined us. Then Pepe, the owner of La Fresquita, stopped by to say hello, and Julio Revilla also stopped by but also ended up joining us.
I first met Julio many years ago at an event where we ended up sitting together at the same table, so we got to know each other a bit. At the time he was the president of the Concorcio del Jabugo but these days he has returned to “simply” producing some of the best jamón and other Ibérico de Bellota products in the world, Sierra Mayor, which includes a Guiness record breaking jamón that sold for 12,000 euros. But I digress.
08 Wednesday Sep 2021
Posted in birthdays, friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars
Spent a fab afternoon yesterday celebrating my friend Tania‘s birthday. We started off at Casa Moreno for a quick cold beer (and also to introduce Tania to one of my favourite places) then went to Casa Morales for a proper birthday lunch. Much wine and many tapas later we made our way to Bodeguita Romero for La Penúltima and instead of birthday cake Tania opted for a hot toasted pringá (that’s my girl!). Then closer to home we stopped at Bodega La Hermandad (our new “local” we both love it) for another penúltima, this time lovely chilled cava. Had a great time.
27 Tuesday Jul 2021
Posted in coronavirus, covid, friends, health & happiness, musings
Tags
Who me angry?? Whatever gave you that idea? 🙂
I had something happen today that puts my mind somewhat at rest. For now. It doesn’t actually keep reality at bay, but it’s a much needed stopgap. Some breathing space. And it might be my last chance so I hope I don’t fuck it up.
Meanwhile I had to cancel a work trip to Valencia this week. I’d been commissioned by Decanter to do another of my travel articles for them, but with Covid cases spiking like crazy the past couple of weeks, including lots of breakthrough cases, I decided to stay put. Sure, things probably aren’t much worse in Valencia than in Sevilla, but at least here I am mostly in my own home. Five days away would mean being out and about all day long, meeting with lots of different people, eating out for every meal, staying at hotels, not to mention five hours each way on a train. And well, just… no.
casa azahar 