Tag Archives: summer

cooling down

26 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in casa azahar, sevilla, summer, weather

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What a difference a week makes. We’ve gone from 45ºC to temps between 32-35ºC and with a lovely breeze too. I know I said I didn’t care what I spent on AC this summer – I was going to be comfortable in my home! – but I have to admit when the July bill came in it was a shocker. August will probably be similar, if not more, but from now on… just sitting here at my desk with the balcony doors open and my fan on and it’s perfect. Pic taken while hobbling home (that’s my street!). Every day I am so happy to still living in my favourite barrio. 💙

prepping for the HEAT

12 Monday May 2025

Posted by in casa azahar, home, seasons, sevilla, spain, summer

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I can’t live without electric fans. If I had my way (and if they weren’t so ugly) I’d have ceiling fans in every room. Last year I splashed out on this new Rowenta, intending it to replace the old faithful one I’d had for about twenty years, in the end held together by by twist ties and luck, until that luck finally ran out. Originally destined for my bedroom (and I did try it there) it was better suited for the living room, mostly because it didn’t have a timer and I don’t always want or need it going all night. Also it’s more attractive and I see it all day there (unlike in my bedroom).

Out of the two other identical bedroom fans bought years ago, Peter’s had begun sounding like a turbo jet engine, which he dealt with last summer by sleeping on his good ear. So this year he has inherited mine (which is totally fine, so far) and I’ve got this new one. Silent AF! With a timer. It also oscillates all over the damn place, not a feature I’m interested in, so side-to-side mode for me. But you know, with all these electronic features I expect it to conk out long before my old faithful one did, or even before the newer Rowenta (which just has a quaint three-speed dial, nada más).

Now waiting for handyman Luis to come over to do the annual filter cleaning on the AC unit. And then, fingers crossed, all is set for the summer HEAT.

staycation 2024

27 Thursday Jun 2024

Posted by in health, holidays, home

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staycation 24

Am considering not doing any tapas tours in July (August is already booked off – way too hot!). I can’t actually afford to do this but as I’m also not going on holiday my (somewhat warped) logic is that the money I’m not spending on a holiday I also can’t afford might help pay for a two-month staycation.

Well almost two months. I have a couple of tours booked early July, but I’ve been thinking… what if I had (almost) two months to just focus on other things? I’ve been dithering about The Next Step(s) ever since I realised I needed to diversify and not just rely on the tapas tours for income, but it feels like I’ve been pivoting so long I’m really just going around in circles. So maybe a reboot would help?

I’ve never been a “go on holidays” type of person anyhow, short getaways are more my style. Mostly due to finances but also because I don’t really enjoy being away from home for a long time. I love where I live and enjoy my day to day life. But I’ve also never had an extended period of time to just… BE (well other than when sick with cancer and during covid lockdown, which don’t really count).

I mean, I’d still keep up with my websites, visit tapas bars, and visit all you guys here. I just think it would be nice to feel like I didn’t have to do something, or be somewhere, on a schedule. Feeling more relaxed just thinking about it. What are you doing this summer?