Category Archives: friends

noor

31 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by in food & drink, friends, sevilla

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noor

So remember when I did that interview for Bon Viveur Magazine and, when they asked me which restaurant in Spain I especially wanted to visit, I said NOOR! I mean, there are actually so many but Noor has been on my radar for ages and the main interest for me is that the menu is based on Andalusian food history and culture, which then chef Paco Morales puts his own personal twist on… and two michelin stars later he is still going strong.

And so… imagine my surprise when the other day my pal Xavier (who is returning to Sevilla this week with his wife Nina and their friends Wade and Virginia) sent me an email inviting me to join them at Noor on Friday. I mean OMG. I’ve been organising their Andalusian adventure for them, and this included a day trip from Sevilla to Córdoba to eat at Noor. I never dreamed I’d be going there with them! But Xavier said he had read the article and that prompted him to invite me. How amazing is that? Stay tuned…

celebrating dan

21 Friday Jan 2022

Posted by in friends, life stuff, love

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dan

[photo by Deb]

Today I “attended” my first virtual funeral. The lovely Dan Jamón died just before Christmas and then I found out about this service that was going to be streamed live and his wife Deb invited me. I really didn’t know what to expect, but planned to be there with a glass of sherry in hand to be a part of this celebration of Dan’s live. And it really was beautiful. Friends talking about Dan, their memories and anecdotes, with lots of music thrown in (I didn’t know Dan was also a musician!) and old photos and videos shown on a big screen. I knew it wasn’t going to be your typical funeral service when the minister started off by quoting Prince…

Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called life
Electric word life, it means forever
And that’s a mighty long time

From there on I heard all those lovely stories about Dan (who is mostly known as Norm, whaat?) and although tears had been gently falling down my cheeks this whole time I totally lost it when suddenly they played Angel by Jimi Hendrix while we all sat and listened. No photos or videos, just this song. A song that had meant so much to me when I was, like, 16? What a trigger. I sobbed and sobbed, wishing I’d got to know this wonderful man more, a guy who was actually “too young” to have known this song, or at least to the point of having it played at his funeral. Who was this guy?

As Deb, Dan’s wife and the love of his life, had promised… it was pretty emotional. And I felt so grateful to be included in this beautiful service. It’s left me in a tangle of emotions, and I look forward to welcoming Deb back one day so we can raise a glass to Dan in their favourite city in the world.

omg I’m 65!

07 Friday Jan 2022

Posted by in birthdays, casa azahar, change, friends, home

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bday cava

I had big ideas for this milestone birthday. My first thought was to take myself somewhere, like I did on my 60th. In fact I thought about taking the same trip, which was to Barcelona by train (because I certainly didn’t fancy getting on a plane). But then omicron came, the “numbers” suddenly went up all over Spain, and so a trip anywhere became out of the question. Then I thought… maybe a small party? I toyed with that idea, wondering how and where to do it outside, and with whom.

But as the day drew closer I realised I still hadn’t made any plans so in the end I decided to just go with, well, whatever came up. At first this felt a bit sad, because I was really hoping to do something special and memorable and all that. But you know what? It was fine. A lovely (6 hour!) lunch today out in good company, with delicious food and plenty of wonderful wine. With more birthday celebrations (sort of) planned for the weekend. My new hashtag on Instagram is #puentedemicumple. Will do a recap on Monday!

he’s baaaacckkk!

30 Thursday Dec 2021

Posted by in casa azahar, change, friends, home

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he back

No doubt you all remember this guy. And you also may remember that after about a dozen years or so of being flatmates Peter moved out and got his own place in 1997. So I have had just over four years of living on my own, which I have LOVED, and which I especially appreciated during lockdown. But needs must after almost two years of no income and, since I was cut off from all government aid in June 2020, well, living alone is a luxury I haven’t actually been able to afford for quite some time.

As for Peter, who is now living on his UK pension, he will also save on monthly expenses, and get to live in a bigger and nicer place – WITH CATS – in a neighbourhood that he prefers to where he is now.

Now we just have to see if we can still live together! At least he’s the devil I know.  😉