triana sunset

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Have pretty much been “off work” this month. By this I mean no tours, but as usual I keep busy working on other things. No money coming in though, so I’ve been having a staycation and enjoying some nice lazy days. Even getting some reading done! And I take a walk every day, either morning/midday or in the evening. Much cooler in the evenings, and I get to see scenes like this. How’s your summer going?

plaza de españa

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After my hospital visit the other day I walked home past the spectacular Plaza de España and was reminded of the first time I saw it, back in the autumn of 1993. Most people make a point of visiting what was once the Spanish pavillion for the 1929 Expo, and have probably seen photos of it. But I was just out for a walk and had no idea what to expect, so you can imagine when I turned a corner, looked to my left and went …. OMG.

I’ve always been glad that it happened that way, taken by surprise. And it still takes my breath away.

alexandra del bene

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I first met Alexandra del Bene in March 2011 (wow, so long ago!) while out on a walk when I spotted her painting the shutters of a bar and I stopped to talk to her. Since then she has not only become THE urban artist in demand by local bars, shops and restaurants who don’t want their shutters tagged and defaced by graffiti bandits, she has become a successful artist with exhibits here and abroad, as well as becoming a published author with her book 6 Años Pintando Sevilla. And since that fateful day she has also become my friend!  🙂

So the other day, just like the first time we met, I was walking past a bar and saw her hard at work. But this time inside. I had seen some previews of her latest challenge on Instagram, but omg, in person it was just stunning. And it’s not even finished yet. Alexandra was hired to paint a fresco ceiling in the abacería section of El Rinconcillo, originally founded in 1670 (in the same family since 1870). So I went inside for a chat and helped with a couple of things (so now I can officially say I assisted in this amazing work 😉 ). The bar reopens next Friday, August 23rd, and I’m going to be there.

first of her name…

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Morcilla, first of her name, queen of her realm, destroyer of soft furnishings, nimble of paw, frisky of nature, cuteness personified. Also, a very silly girl 😉

I know we’re not supposed to have favourites (children, pets, etc) but we always do. Before it was Azar, and now it is this little monkey. Morcilla is six and a half and still looks – and acts – like a kitten. And she’s hilarious. Loves to play and has me wrapped around her cute little paw. I cannot resist or deny her anything. Could you?