Tag Archives: friends

family christmas party

23 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by in christmas, family, friends

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I was thrilled to be invited to a pre-Christmas family lunch by María Paz (on the right in photo), whom I’ve known since I first arrived in Sevilla over 26 years ago. I thought it was just going to be a casual thing with immediate family so imagine my surprise when I got to her place to find about 30 people spanning 4 generations gathered around various tables set up for the meal. This was supposed to be their usual Christmas Eve gathering, but some of the grandchildren were leaving the next morning for Madrid so they decided it move it up a day.

It was a potluck affair with everyone bringing something they’d prepared at home, with the star dish being María Paz’s famous partridge in chocolate. But really, all the food was wonderful, and there was so much of it. Plus plenty of wine, and desserts galore. I could barely move when it was finally time to move. In typical Spanish fashion, lunch finally finished around 8 pm, but this also included a lengthy sobremesa and everyone (one at a time to cheers and applause) opening their Secret Santa gift. It was total chaos most of the time and I totally loved it. Such a lovely way to start Christmas.  🙂

my second endoscopy

19 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by in cancer, hospitals, sevilla

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My first endoscopy was in March 2018 and this past Monday my oncologist decided to do another one to compare with the results from almost two years ago. I was shocked when I got a call yesterday saying that my endoscopy would be today! Was it so fast because someone had cancelled or because my situation was deemed so serious that a test was required ASAP? Anyhow, they’ve also taken samples for a biopsy, so now it’s wait and see again.

The last one seemed to go more smoothly than today’s. For some reason I was really gaggy and it was very unpleasant – I don’t remember this happening last time. The nurse said that next time I should ask for a stronger anaesthetic.

My friends Claudia and Paul met me at the hospital because it was recommended that I have someone with me in case I was groggy after the procedure. Mostly I was thirsty because I wasn’t allowed to have even a drop of water for six hours before the procedure. I also hadn’t eaten since about 8 pm yesterday, so after finishing up at the hospital at 5.00 pm, we ended up finding a tapas bar with an open-all-day kitchen. And now I am home again, planning on an early night.

Apparently nothing now will happen until mid-to-late January, which is when they expect the biopsy results back. So as long as nothing was perforated and I don’t die of sepsis in my sleep things should be fine… for now.

the return of claudia & paul

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in friends, sevilla, tapas

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I first met Claudia & Paul last November during their six-week visit to Sevilla, though we’d previously known each other on social media before that. And now they are back! This time for three months. Today we got together to catch up.

Met for lunch at the recently opened La Casa del Tigre and just as we were finishing my dear friend Esteban, owner of Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre stopped by and we shared another bottle of wine with him. Love that guy!

Also got a call during lunch from the hospital and – eep! – my endoscopia is happening tomorrow afternoon (!!!). Not sure how to feel about that. Hoping there was a cancellation and not that it was deemed so urgent that they got me in ASAP. More to follow on that.

Meanwhile, it was great spending the afternoon with Claudia & Paul and knowing that we have many more afternoons ahead to enjoy together. And it’s always lovely seeing my darling boy Esteban and getting a few hugs.

málaga getaway 2019

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in andalucia, christmas, getaways, Malaga, malaga getaway

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What a whirlwind visit that was! Arrived in Málaga at noon on Sunday and caught the 18.30 train home on Wednesday. As you can see, I packed a lot in between visiting with friends, doing some wine research for (I hope) another article and, of course, having some lovely food. Also got to see the Christmas lights, which were gorgeous as usual. And I did a LOT of walking – a total of 66,628 steps! I almost didn’t go because I’m a bit broke at the moment, which was also the reason I didn’t have my usual summer Málaga getaway. But with the oncology appointment looming (next Monday!) I decided that I would take a short break whether I could afford it or not. Sometimes you just gotta live.

Anyhow, so many photos to sift through! Lots are up on my Instagram accounts (sevillatapas and azahar) and you can click on this (or the image above) to see the BIG version of the collage.

dan & deb & paige & mark

10 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by in food & drink, friends

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Dan, Paige, Mark, Deb

I first met Dan & Deb when they visited Sevilla earlier this year, but had previously known them for ages on social media. This past weekend they were back in town with Deb’s brother Mark and his wife Paige. We did a little tour of Triana, finishing up on the rooftop of Alfarería 21. And D&D even surprised me with this lovely London bus Christmas ornament (with matching card) to remind me of my visits to London, where they live. Hope they come back soon!