Category Archives: friends

family christmas party

23 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by in christmas, family, friends

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I was thrilled to be invited to a pre-Christmas family lunch by María Paz (on the right in photo), whom I’ve known since I first arrived in Sevilla over 26 years ago. I thought it was just going to be a casual thing with immediate family so imagine my surprise when I got to her place to find about 30 people spanning 4 generations gathered around various tables set up for the meal. This was supposed to be their usual Christmas Eve gathering, but some of the grandchildren were leaving the next morning for Madrid so they decided it move it up a day.

It was a potluck affair with everyone bringing something they’d prepared at home, with the star dish being María Paz’s famous partridge in chocolate. But really, all the food was wonderful, and there was so much of it. Plus plenty of wine, and desserts galore. I could barely move when it was finally time to move. In typical Spanish fashion, lunch finally finished around 8 pm, but this also included a lengthy sobremesa and everyone (one at a time to cheers and applause) opening their Secret Santa gift. It was total chaos most of the time and I totally loved it. Such a lovely way to start Christmas.  🙂

the return of claudia & paul

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in friends, sevilla, tapas

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I first met Claudia & Paul last November during their six-week visit to Sevilla, though we’d previously known each other on social media before that. And now they are back! This time for three months. Today we got together to catch up.

Met for lunch at the recently opened La Casa del Tigre and just as we were finishing my dear friend Esteban, owner of Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre stopped by and we shared another bottle of wine with him. Love that guy!

Also got a call during lunch from the hospital and – eep! – my endoscopia is happening tomorrow afternoon (!!!). Not sure how to feel about that. Hoping there was a cancellation and not that it was deemed so urgent that they got me in ASAP. More to follow on that.

Meanwhile, it was great spending the afternoon with Claudia & Paul and knowing that we have many more afternoons ahead to enjoy together. And it’s always lovely seeing my darling boy Esteban and getting a few hugs.

dan & deb & paige & mark

10 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by in food & drink, friends

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Dan, Paige, Mark, Deb

I first met Dan & Deb when they visited Sevilla earlier this year, but had previously known them for ages on social media. This past weekend they were back in town with Deb’s brother Mark and his wife Paige. We did a little tour of Triana, finishing up on the rooftop of Alfarería 21. And D&D even surprised me with this lovely London bus Christmas ornament (with matching card) to remind me of my visits to London, where they live. Hope they come back soon!

a full day!

04 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in food & drink, friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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What a great day! FINALLY found a date in the calendar that worked out for both me and Pilar to “jamonear”. This time we met up in the centre and went to Bodeguita Romero for lunch. Afterwards I took the Pilars (mother & daughter) over to meet Esteban at Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre and we had a lovely visit there. I even got an invitation to Christmas dinner from another mutual friend, Jota (bonus!).

Then it was time to go home and sober rest up because I had made a date with Lucy to go and visit another brand new bar in the evening – Tapas Research! La Casa del Tigre is a joint venture between four friends, one of whom (Emilio) I’ve known since he was a little boy and his mother ran Bar Campanario across the street from my first home in Sevilla. So it was a long but very happy day. Oh, and La Casa del Tigre is fabulous, so if you are in Sevilla be sure to go.

surprise visit from tomoko!

29 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in friends, sevilla

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So just like a couple of weeks ago when Gabriella surprised me by texting me from the runway in Bilbao that she was on her way to have lunch in Sevilla with friends and inviting me to join them, Tomoko texted on the train from Jerez that she would soon be in Sevilla, on her way to Lisbon for a few days, and asked if we could meet up. And my plans for the day suddenly changed.

First we had a fab lunch at newly opened Maccheroni & Co in Plaza Alfalfa (have been wanting to check it out) and then we came back to my place so Tomoko could visit her favourite boy, Loki. Then another surprise (!) when Morcilla came prancing into the room, jumped up on the back of my chair and let Tomoko give her a snibble. I couldn’t believe it. Afterwards we went to see the LIGHTS ON for this year’s Christmas lights and then she was gone. Hoping we can meet up again when she is on her way home.