Tags
Up early today to catch the train to Córdoba as I’ve been invited to the 100th anniversary celebrations at Bodega Toro Albalá. I have to go and pack now. More later!
toro albalá
27 Friday May 2022
Category Archives: trips
barcelona buddies
20 Friday May 2022
I’ll have a lot more to say about Barcelona later, because it was quite an amazing experience in so many ways and I am still processing everything. BUT… it would not have been anywhere near as happy for me if not for these two. I met Charlotte & Brian on one of my tapas tours last October and we really hit it off. So when I found out they have a second home in Barcelona and that they would be there early January, I planned to go there for my 65th birthday. But then… fucking Omicron happened, so I decided to stay put until hopefully things settled down. Then the Decanter commission came up and as luck would have it, Charlotte and Brian were going to be in Barcelona the same week I was planning to be there doing research – perfect timing!
Not only were they great company when we went out to the vineyards and out for dinner, Charlotte also kept me “company” on whatsapp during the week, and that really meant a lot. To be honest I had doubts about this trip, and not just Covid concerns. I hadn’t travelled anywhere (other than day trips) on my own since I went to Madrid in October 2019 and I was worried I might be hit by my old nemesis PANIC. Those of you who also suffer from panic attacks will know that even thinking about having an attack can bring one on, so just knowing Charlotte and Brian were there really eased my mind. Anyhow, more about Barcelona coming up next week. I’m so glad I went.
barcelona bound
17 Tuesday May 2022
By the time you read this I will be on the high-speed AVE train – in a silent car! – heading to Barcelona. It’s a 5.5 hour trip, which I did once before seven years ago. This time it’s for work, a new Decanter Magazine commission. Otherwise I’m not sure if I’d have had the nerve to travel so far for so long (5 days in total, including travelling) especially as Covid cases are skyrocketing in Sevilla after Semana Santa and Feria. Though this might actually be a good time to get out of town?
Anyhow, I have bought FFP2 masks to wear on public transport and I will be as careful as someone can be under the circumstances. It also looks like I’m going to catch a break with the weather though it will still be 36º or more when I get home again on Saturday. Ooof.
Stay tuned on my Instagrams for #barcelonagetaway updates.
@sevillatapas and @azahar
mask upgrade
03 Tuesday May 2022
I’ve mostly been relying on surgical masks (made locally) for day-to-day use because I tend to be either outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor situations. BUT… I have a work trip coming up to Barcelona which is both exciting and a bit terrifying. I mean, I haven’t been to BCN since 2014 when I took myself up there for a birthday treat. And I have to say that part of me is really looking forward to being there again, but another part of me is going OMG because, of course, Covid.
Just like the last trip I’ll be taking the AVE fast train direct from Sevilla to Barcelona, a 5.5 hour trip. Which really ends up mostly the same amount of time as flying there (it’s a really short flight). But if you take into account getting to and from the airport, having to arrive at the airport and hour or so ahead of time, and blah blah blah… just no. I really enjoyed the train ride last time. Got to watch a film, read a bit, hang out on social media, and visit the bar car. PLUS I could bring as much luggage as I wanted to.
Of course now the big question is about travelling safely, on a train for all that time. Happily we still have a mask mandate for all public transport, so everyone will have masks on. But it made me think that it was time for a mask upgrade. So I am looking at getting some FFP2/FFP3 KN95/N95 masks for my trip. Still working out what the differences are between them, but clearly they are more effective than surgical masks. Anyhow, wish me luck! My first MAJOR TRIP since March 2020.
córdoba getaway 2022
04 Friday Feb 2022
Tags
So the plan was that we would all meet up in Córdoba, poke around a bit, and then head for lunch at NOOR. After a walk to the centre from the train station we made the obligatory stop at Bar Santos for a slice of their famous monster tortilla, then spent some time in the Mezquita. After that we split up because I wanted to see Plaza Corredura, which was more or less on the way to the restaurant. And some 15,000 steps later I was at NOOR. More on that later, but for now here are a few shots of Córdoba.
casa azahar 