Category Archives: trips

summertime dreaming

07 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in sevilla, spain, summer, travel, trips

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I think it was while I was watching Rick Stein’s latest programme on Spain that I first got the idea of taking a train trip across the top of the country. And talking with Ricardo yesterday brought it all back as he is from Galicia and our conversation had turned to travel. So I asked Ricardo for some ideas of where to stop and it turned out that we will have to dedicate at least a few hours to this topic once my plans firm up a little.

The first concern will be money, of course. But if Peter continues working as much as he has been then he should be able to take some time off and come travelling, and we both should be able to keep the house going in August without working fulltime. But my main concern is the cats. I reckon this trip will take at least ten days, and there is no way I can leave Azar – even with a cat sitter checking in – for that long. So I will start looking for someone (Jessica, are you reading this?) who might want to come and stay here while we’re gone. Of course the beginning of August isn’t the best time to visit Sevilla, but I’m sure someone wouldn’t mind free accommodation in exchange for cat sitting.

Next, how to go? I was thinking by train because, well, I like trains. But Ricardo said that taking buses between stop-offs might be easier (and cheaper) as there are more bus routes. So this would mean flying Sevilla-Santiago and later flying home from San Sebastian. Another option is to find a friend with a car who also fancies this summer adventure…

And so, it’s all up in the air and depending on many, many things, but it’s very exciting to think about. I’ve never had a summer holiday like this before.

Have you got any summer travel plans?

cádiz 2012

04 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by in birthdays, friends, holidays, photos, spain, travel, trips

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Yesterday’s day trip to Cádiz was wonderful! First time we’ve had blue skies, which made a huge difference. We arrived at 11.30 in the morning, went straight for some “elevensies”, then strolled around the old centre and visited the market. After that a bit of tapearing, a drink on the beach, walk along the seaside – and suddenly it was time to go home! Got back around 8pm to three very hungry and pissed off kittehs and then relaxed with a film and a snack. A really nice day!

Cádiz 2012 photo album

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another cádiz birthday

01 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in birthdays, spain, travel, trips

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That photo was taken in March 2005 when I took Peter to Cádiz for his birthday – I can’t believe it was that long ago! Then in November 2008 we went again when our friend Craig came to visit. But we haven’t been back since. And so as tomorrow is Peter’s birthday we thought it would be a good idea to go back to Cádiz. The only question is whether to splash out and spend Friday night there too, or just go for a day trip on Saturday. Still deciding…

firenze

28 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Florence, friends, travel, trips, work

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Looks like I’m going to Florence!!!

My friend Nicky, who I met during the trip to London for the SimonSeeks meeting (she was the Florence expert), has been telling me for ages that I am welcome to come and stay at their holiday rental apartment in low season when they don’t have so many bookings. And it turns out that RyanAir has a direct flight Sevilla-Pisa, and from there you just catch a train from the airport to Florence. It also turns out that my friend Pablo would love to come with me, which is great because I didn’t really fancy going on my own, even though Nicky and her husband Luca will be there. So if all goes well I should be in Florence the last week of February.

I’m still waiting to hear when my next PET scan will be, which of course could change everthing. But fingers crossed that I get another clean scan and also a few more tapas tours to help pay my way.

I’ve never been to Italy before – people often say that Florence is the Italian Sevilla. Very very excited!

málaga memories

08 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in birthdays, christmas, food & drink, friends, holidays, Malaga, photos, spain, tapas, travel, trips

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Yesterday morning I went through my Málaga pics and had a lovely time reliving those memories. Peter and I left very early on Monday morning and arrived in Málaga with the whole day ahead of us. After setting up the apartment (we bring our own sheets, towels, kitchen stuff, etc) we went out to explore the city. First thing on the agenda was something I had never done during previous trips to Málaga – a trip up to the Parador Gibralfaro to enjoy a drink on their “balcony of Málaga” terrace, which turned out to be a perfect start to our mini-break. Afterwards we walked down the mountain (we’d taken a taxi up) and after a stroll around town had a fab lunch outdoors at La Cosmopolita. Later we checked out the new port area that was finally open to the public and went back to the apartment to rest up … we had dinner plans with food blogger Sarah and her husband at La Moraga, which ended up being a lovely evening.

Next morning we went to the Picasso Museum and saw both the permanent exhibition and the Alberto Giocometti retrospective and then headed off to the Atarazanas Market. After that – another first. We stopped in at the oldest bar in Málaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia, for a glass of sherry. It’s a rather bizarre place, full of both locals and tourists sampling sherries from the various stacked casks along with steamed mussels and grilled prawns. We just had a quick drink and headed out to find a place for lunch. After trying a fish joint and getting burnt rosada (sent back – cheque please!) we went to one of our favourites, Dos Gatos, and got some perfectly grilled rosada along with some terrific presa. Then another walk before heading home. Later that evening, after watching a spectacular sunset from the balcony (last photo in the slide show) we went to check out the Christmas lights, which is something Málaga does big time. Then home again for a light snack and a dvd before hitting the hay.

Third and last day in town we took a walk along the port before checking out the Eugenio Chicano exhibit at the Municipal Museum. Then there was just time for a stroll around the centre and a final lunch at La Reserva del Pastor before collecting our stuff from the apartment and catching the train home.

One of the best birthday presents ever. Thanks Peter!

(if you refresh the page you’ll see the pics more or less in chronological order)