Tag Archives: friends

houseguest prep

27 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in cats, friends, home

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One of the good things about having someone come to stay in your home is that it gives you a push to CLEAN THE PLACE UP. I mean, Casa Az is generally tidy and basic cleaning is done on a regular basis, but this week is all about getting some extra spring cleaning stuff done before leaving for London on Friday.

As both Peter and I will be gone for a few days the lovely Ania has offered to come and stay with the cats. She’s actually really looking forward to it. As Ania travels so much she can’t have cats of her own – and she LOVES cats. So this will give not only give her a Gato Getaway, but also a chance to stay in the centre of town for a change. It’s win-win for everybody, including the cats.

Right, got to wash the balcony windows now…

ania sevillana

22 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in friends, sevilla, sherry, spain, tapas

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I met the lovely Ania @ania_marchlik a few years ago in Las Teresas, and so it seemed fitting that while we were out celebrating her 10th Anniversary of living in Sevilla that we would end up there. Though we started off the day’s celebrations revisiting another spot with fond memories for both of us – the Corral de Conde – a “patio de vecinos” where Ania and her friend María once hosted a Peirogy Party in the fabulous courtyeard there. Then we stopped off at another of Ania’s favourite places, Taberna Quitapenas, before heading for a sumptuous lunch across the street at La Quinta.

Before and After (no more wine… oh hey! cava!)

It was after lunch that we found ourselves at Las Teresas, sitting at the very spot where we first met. We had a nice chat with Rafael, enjoyed some of his perfectly sliced jamón and then, as so often happens, we ended up at The Office (AKA La Azotea) for a Penúltima.

TUG-O-JAMÓN – yep, kinda drunk at this point

Ania has gone from acquaintance to work colleague (she is also part of my fab We Love Tapas team) to cherished friend. I can always count on her honesty and discretion and, besides that, we always have so much fun together. So happy we met.

LA PENÚLTIMA!

sherry saturday

11 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in birthdays, food & drink, friends, gastronomy, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours

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Yep… ANOTHER Sherry Saturday! But unlike last Saturday, this time I was actually working. Back in December 2015 I spent a lovely Christmas Day afternoon with Becky, Scott and family at La Azotea. Since then Becky and I have kept in touch via social media (check her Instagram – @havepaprika) and a few months ago Scott got in touch about booking a Sherry & Tapas Tour for himself and buddy Richard, who would be celebrating his big 5-OH. And today was the day.

Although I love all my tours I have to say that the Sherry & Tapas tour is both my most challenging and possibly most gratifying. On the other hand, I’m not sure I could do them every day because I am always a bit exhausted afterwards… a LOT of talking goes on. But today was fabulous. The boys not only ate and drank very well, they also learned a lot about sherry, so they can now show off to their friends back in London.  😉

Great day guys – thank you!

mary & david

06 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in food & drink, friends, gastronomy, london, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours, travel, trips

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mary-davidIt was great catching up with Mary & David from London Walks yesterday. I first met them when they visited Sevilla two years ago, and this time I got to take them out on a proper Sevilla Tapas Tour. Happily they were up for anything, so we were able to squeeze into one of my fave places that I can’t usually go to on my tours, as it’s too small and crowded for most people’s idea of comfort. If I have time I hope to go out on one of their London walking tours when I am there next month.

sherry saturday

04 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in birthdays, food & drink, friends, getaways, sherry

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sherry-saturday-1By happy coincidence this Saturday’s sherry cata at the Consejo Regulador in Jerez happened to be on the same day as a combination birthday-farewell party for our friend Momoko, who has been living in Jerez for the past three years. Now that her book research is done she has to return home to Japan, but we are all hoping she will be back in Jerez – her true home – before long. sherry-saturday-2Momoko was taken totally by surprise and spent much of the time at her party – at the fabulous Bodegas Faustina González – with happy tears in her eyes. I’m glad I had a chance to see her before she leaves next week. And as always it was great catching up with Jerez friends, and also meeting some new ones.