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Category Archives: friends

sunday song – pat in sevilla

17 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by azahar in cancer, friends, hope, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours, video

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cancer, friends, hope, pat in sevilla, sunday song


Not exactly a song this Sunday, though we do have music in this video thanks to my fabulous friend Juan Tarquini (who put the whole thing together for me). Four years ago today my dear friend Pat Steer died. I met her on a cancer forum back in 2008 after we’d both been diagnosed with stage 4 variations of colon/rectal/liver, etc. And she became not just a friend but my sister and my hero, the no-nonsense voice of reason, the one I knew would never bullshit me, the one who loved me too.

Just before Pat died she expressed sadness in her final blog post about (amongst other things) not having ever been able to come on one of my tapas tours, so I obliged by going all around town to some of my favourite places and (badly) filming a typical tapeo with her included.

Juan did his best with the mess of clips I left with him, and Pat said it took her at least four times to get through it, because she kept breaking down in tears. But finally she watched it all and loved it. And I still love her and always will. Four years ago today I lost her, and I still miss her so very much. Strong thoughts, my darling. xx

wet combing rocks!

14 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by azahar in cats, friends, home, social media, travel

≈ 5 Comments

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cats, facebook, home, internet

wet combing

So that’s about half of Morcilla up there, after her first wet combing last night. And OMG she loved it. Then I tried it on the other two this morning (and Morcilla again) with mixed results. Loki and Morcilla swooned with pleasure, Luna was clearly just putting up with it. But afterwards all three of them were not only shed of excess fur, the rest of their fur was sleek and clean (ie, not dusty) and everyone was happy.

This all came about when fellow cat lover Nancy Li asked me on Facebook the other day if I’d ever wet-combed the cats, saying that hers loved it, especially on hot days. So I finally gave it a go and I think we are all hooked on this now. I met Nancy I don’t know how many years ago on the Slow Travel forum, and also met her in person when she and her husband visited Sevilla. We’ve been FB pals ever since. Once again, the power of the internet and social media, bringing people together and – bonus! – helping with your cat grooming needs.

elba

08 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by azahar in food & drink, friends, instagram, sevilla, social media, spain

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friends, instagram, sevilla, tapas, twitter

elba

I’ve been following Elba on both Twitter and Instagram for ages. She is not only as obsessive about posting fab food pics as I am, but a lot of her photos are taken in Sevilla and Málaga. So a few days ago I left a comment under one of her Sevilla food pics that we should meet for a tapita one of these days, and she agreed that this would be a great idea.

Then, when I was walking home from the Sherry On Top event on Wednesday evening, Peter and I decided to stop into Tradevo Centro for a penúltima. On the way in I spotted a spectacular looking fish dish and asked the people sitting at the table if they would mind if I took a photo of it (yeah, I know…). And one of the women said “Are you Azahar???” and we both went a bit crazy then, laughing and hugging like old friends. Of course, it was Elba. And it turns out we are actually neighbours! So plans are now afoot to do some serious Tapas Research together. LOVE social media…

malaga getaway june 2016

25 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by azahar in friends, Malaga, malaga getaway, travel, trips, twitter friends

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Andalucia, Malaga, malaga getaway, travel, trips

afternoon sunThe June 2016 Málaga Getaway wasn’t all tearing around town, as I also got to enjoy some lovely chillax time at Casa de los Principes. I especially loved the mornings there and also when the late afternoon sun came through the windows. But well, okay, most of the time I was tearing around. Had a biz meeting Friday morning and then on Friday evening and Saturday lunchtime I met up with other friends I hadn’t seen yet. Checked out two new eating establishments: Aire Gastrobar (meh) and Brunchit Organic (good). Also, there was a fair bit of walking, though I didn’t make it out to Pedregalejos this time. I almost ended up staying over the weekend, but then decided to come home, thinking that perhaps I’d pop back down for another short stay late-July. And maybe even fit in the two day-trips with Victor that we’d originally planned to do. We shall see..

malaga getawaqyHow’s you summer going?

restaurante amador

24 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by azahar in food & drink, friends, gastronomy, holidays, Malaga, malaga getaway, travel

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Andalucia, Malaga, malaga getaway, restaurante amador, travel

amador (2)

It was almost two years ago that my pal Antonio Carrasco, who I met while he was working at La Azotea in Sevilla, told me he was moving to Málaga to start a new job at Restaurante Amador, which belongs to the the splendid hotel Villa Guadalupe. And he said once he was settled in I HAD to come and see him at the restaurant. And I said – hey great! – because of course I am ALWAYS in Málaga so of course we’d be seeing each other again very soon. Ahem…

amador (1)So this visit I was determined to finally visit the restaurant and, as Victor had already been up to see the place, and had also met Antonio, we decided to make a date and go together. You see, part of the reason I hadn’t gone earlier is that Villa Guadalupe is located up on a mountain way the heck out of the centre of town, so you do need a car to get there. But let me tell you right now… it’s worth it.

I mean, obviously it’s a “special occasion” type of place, though the prices aren’t prohibitive. The food, the wines, the view… all make for a superb night out. Antonio had come up with a personalised tasting menu for us, including some smaller versions of dishes on the regular menu and one spectacular special of the day. I’ll be writing a proper review over on Azahar Tapas soon, but I think you get the idea from the photos.

amador (3)

Here are Victor and Antonio – bless Antonio’s heart that he got in a bottle of Botani just for me as it’s not on their wine list. He also recommended a couple of other wines to pair with certain dishes, which were simply perfect. It was a fabulous evening and the only “downer” was that I had had my heart set on getting down to the beach to see the bonfires of San Juan, but after the Antequera Adventure ealier that day, and this amazing meal at Amador, there was simply no energy left. Instead we watched the midnight fireworks from our privileged viewing spot overlooking the city and harbour and enjoyed a nightcap before heading home. Thank you Antonio! xx

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