21 Friday Feb 2020
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The other night I was walking home after a Sevilla Tapas Tour and, as it was a soft warm spring-like evening, I wasn’t surprised to see José Pérez’s windows open. So I stopped to chat and introduced him to my three guests. And, as ever, he was happy to pose for a photo or two. He actually quite likes people saying hello (and he speaks English) and he also sells his artwork from his livingroom. So if you are interested, just let him know!
20 Thursday Feb 2020
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Wow, first Official Sandal Weather day keeps breaking records. Last year it was on February 28th, and previously the earliest date on Casa Az record was March 9th 2015. Ah well, the planet may be dying, but my toes are happy. Realised today that I need new sandals this year, and a proper pedi, but for now this will do. 🙂
17 Monday Feb 2020
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It’s heeeeere! And as usual I could smell the azahar before I saw it, on my evening walk (hence poor quality pic as it was already dark). And as always I suddenly felt extra happy to be alive. The next 2-3 weeks are going to be heavenly.
14 Friday Feb 2020
Posted in food & drink, friends, gastronomy
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So after yesterday’s hospital experience, followed by a lovely long walk with Paz, and then a snack and a glass of wine at Eslava, I got home and put the PJs on, ready to flop for the rest of the evening. But then I got a whatsapp message from my gorgeous friend José Pizarro @jose_pizarro… there were no words, just a photo of THOSE papas aliñá at Bodeguita Romero. And I was like WHAAAAAT?? Yep, José was in town.
He was on a flying visit with friends from the UK who are in the process of turning their Norfolk pub into a Spanish tapas bar, and José was helping them get some inspiration. They had already been to visit the Ibérico pigs, and to a sherry bodega, and for one day only they were in Sevilla. OMG.
I mean seriously OMG.
After the pig of day I’d just had (basically saved last minute by having Paz keep me company at the hospital) I was ready to crawl into bed again. But suddenly José was in town! With friends! And he wanted me to come and meet them! What can I tell you? He totally made my day.
José with Simone, Ivor & Stuart
So I met them mid-tapeo and we had a lovely time drinking, eating, laughing, hugging… all that good stuff. We finished up on the rooftop of the EME Hotel (which seemed like a good idea at the time, another drink?, hell yeah!). And then just like that they were gone, like a dream. Honestly, what were the odds that one of the people I love most would show up on one of my shittiest days and make everything better? Well, it happened, and I have photo evidence. 😉 Gracias José! ❤
12 Wednesday Feb 2020
Posted in cancer, health & happiness, hospitals
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So for the second time in two weeks I am going through the hideous colonoscopy prep, which is usually something people only have to endure once every few years. My last colonoscopy was two years ago but recent findings (looking for leaks!) have led to me having another one sooner than usual. Unfortunately that barium xray a couple of weeks ago also required this same prep so here I am again. But with a difference.
Previous tests were either in the morning or at midday, so the “clear liquids only” day was the day before the procedure, starting the dread EVACUANTE the evening before, dividing the 16 doses (10 in the evening, 6 the next morning). This time my appointment is at 4 pm, so I have to start the liquid diet after lunch today and then GET UP AT 7 AM AND TAKE ALL 16 DOSES before 11 o’clock. I dunno… have never managed to get more than 10 down in a row, and am always – literally – gagging on the last two. Six more (one every 15 minutes) means an extra hour and a half of this liquid hell. Uffff….
The “good” news is that (well, so my onc says) they aren’t checking for cancer this time, even though all my test reports since November (CT, ultrasound, endoscopy, barium xray) mention a suspicious area of inflammation and state that they cannot completely rule out neoplastic pathology. Whatevs. More news as it happens…
casa azahar 