Category Archives: sevilla

II festival de la ensaladilla y el montadito

27 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in academia sevillana gastronomy turismo, gastronomy, sevilla

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festival ensaladilla montadito 24 (1)

I’ve become one of those old ladies who takes the bus for just two stops, but on the other hand I’m glad that I’m relatively well-connected from my house with public transport as it makes stuff like this possible (and saves on taxi fare! a bus ride is just 35 cents). Popped in to the first afternoon session of the second Festival de la Ensaladilla y el Montadito hosted by the Academia Sevilliana de Gastronomía y Turismo (of which I am a pround member) and Sevilla City Office. Some changes from last year’s event included awnings put up along the grounds and lots more tables, including low ones with chairs (!!!). After I had dutifully taken pics of all the participant’s stalls I was shown to a table and chairs magically appeared out of nowhere, which was quite a relief by then. From there Peter played waiter and brought food and drinks over from the stands. We only managed to try two of each but it was nice to get out and sit next to the river, also nice to see a lot of familiar faces.

Unfortunately I totally forgot to take photos of the grounds, which looked very pretty this year, so I swiped one from the Academia’s social media. But I did manage to get one of the riverside from out table and also the Torre del Oro across from the bus stop on the way home (see below).

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cuttlefish and prawn ensaladilla (no potatoes!)
solomillo al whisky montadito
serranito montadito
classic potato ensaladilla with tuna

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new kipling

26 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in retail therapy, sevilla

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kipling 24

Still in “back to school” mode… my every-day Kipling bag (the dark purple one) is about 8 years old now, possibly older, and is looking a bit worse for wear. Then while I was laptop shopping at El Corte Inglés last week I spotted this one and decided the ol’ credit card was already taking a beating so what the heck. The colour doesn’t show up well in this pic, it’s more of a deep raspberry red and it’s perfect. Aside from being cute, Kiplings are also lightweight, full of clever pockets and compartments and – my favourite thing – are machine washable. It wasn’t until I got it home that I realised it’s the same model as Peter’s (!!!) but his is two-toned (moss green with a black strap and contrast zippers) so we won’t totally look like bag twins when we’re out and about together. And now I am putting that card away! Lean times ahead…

fish plates!

25 Wednesday Sep 2024

Posted by in restaurants, sevilla, tapas bars

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fish plates

After Monday’s GP visit we decided to stop for a quick Beer O’clock at Los Claveles, a very popular traditional bar that just happened to be half-way between the health centre and the bus stop home. After scoring a table in front of the large open windows we decided to stay for lunch, since it was actually lunchtime by then and I hadn’t updated their review on Sevilla Tapas since 2015 (!).

Anyhow, the tables were all set up with these pretty fish plates and when I asked our waiter where they came from he said he had bought them at a little shop in Marbella. Dang. But later on, after paying I went up to the bar and cheekily asked if I could buy a couple of the plates… then was totally surprised when the owner told his son “just give them to her!”. Score! I mean I was happy to pay for them, but it was a lovely gesture on their part.

This reminded me of many bar owners I know who “lose” their glasses, plates, cutlery on a daily basis because of assholes who want a “souvenir”. One bar I know lost two dozen monogrammed sherry glasses on one night when a bunch of drunken tourists decided to take them home and got away before the staff noticed. I also know a michelin starred place that had to change their fabulous cutlery because clients were making off with sets of them. Wtf guys… JUST ASK. Often the bar is happy to let you have the item(s) at cost price, and sometimes, yes, as a free souvenir. But just taking them… well, that’s stealing isn’t it. Show a bit of respect.

sled was right!

24 Tuesday Sep 2024

Posted by in health, knee saga, knees, sevilla

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torn meniscus

Back in mid-August when I suddenly couldn’t walk anymore without using crutches Kate @sledpress said it sounded like a torn meniscus and… guess what? She was right. Well, there are a few other things thrown into the mess, but this seems to be the biggie. And it was the reason that yesterday my GP pushed for another traumatologist appt ASAP. Of course I’m happy that this is finally being taken seriously, but it’s kind of a year late as my right knee was clearly the one with serious issues as far back as summer 2023. Instead I got the first MRI done on the left knee Sept 2023 (booked the previous June) and – until now – have been told that the right knee pain was because I am old and fat. Remember when I went to emergency last October and then had that disastrous appointment with the dismissive traumatologist? Anyhow, now I wait again. Meanwhile, can’t work, can’t walk… though I’m still getting out for a daily hobble and I’m also keeping up with my chair workouts.

If any of you understand DOCTOR here is the translated report of last week’s MRI…

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my angels

23 Monday Sep 2024

Posted by in food & drink, friends, health, sevilla, tapas tours

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my angels

A massive shout out to my angels… friends Fiona, Sharon and Peter who have stepped up to help out lately. It started off this past summer when I realised (once again) that I was getting way too many tour requests than I could handle. This always happens, to be honest. And often Peter helps out, because he loves doing the tours and it’s some extra work for him. But it wasn’t enough. So I talked to Fiona and Sharon to see if they were looking for some extra freelance work. I’ve known Fiona forever and met Sharon at an olive oil event last year and so I knew that we shared the same philosophy when it came to food tours, and that I could trust them with passing on my clients to them.

BUT THEN… when it became clear I wouldn’t be able to do the tours I’d already booked for Sept/Oct – and Peter was already doing as many as possible – these two lovely ladies stepped up and have totally helped me out. I mean, I know it’s not my fault that I CAN’T WALK, but it was also killing me that I would have to cancel these tours. And now, thanks to the three of them, nothing has had to be cancelled and I am so grateful for that. Now I can relax about this at least, knowing my clients are in excellent hands. Thanks so much guys!