Tag Archives: travel

summertime dreaming

07 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in sevilla, spain, summer, travel, trips

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I think it was while I was watching Rick Stein’s latest programme on Spain that I first got the idea of taking a train trip across the top of the country. And talking with Ricardo yesterday brought it all back as he is from Galicia and our conversation had turned to travel. So I asked Ricardo for some ideas of where to stop and it turned out that we will have to dedicate at least a few hours to this topic once my plans firm up a little.

The first concern will be money, of course. But if Peter continues working as much as he has been then he should be able to take some time off and come travelling, and we both should be able to keep the house going in August without working fulltime. But my main concern is the cats. I reckon this trip will take at least ten days, and there is no way I can leave Azar – even with a cat sitter checking in – for that long. So I will start looking for someone (Jessica, are you reading this?) who might want to come and stay here while we’re gone. Of course the beginning of August isn’t the best time to visit Sevilla, but I’m sure someone wouldn’t mind free accommodation in exchange for cat sitting.

Next, how to go? I was thinking by train because, well, I like trains. But Ricardo said that taking buses between stop-offs might be easier (and cheaper) as there are more bus routes. So this would mean flying Sevilla-Santiago and later flying home from San Sebastian. Another option is to find a friend with a car who also fancies this summer adventure…

And so, it’s all up in the air and depending on many, many things, but it’s very exciting to think about. I’ve never had a summer holiday like this before.

Have you got any summer travel plans?

firenze

28 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Florence, friends, travel, trips, work

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Looks like I’m going to Florence!!!

My friend Nicky, who I met during the trip to London for the SimonSeeks meeting (she was the Florence expert), has been telling me for ages that I am welcome to come and stay at their holiday rental apartment in low season when they don’t have so many bookings. And it turns out that RyanAir has a direct flight Sevilla-Pisa, and from there you just catch a train from the airport to Florence. It also turns out that my friend Pablo would love to come with me, which is great because I didn’t really fancy going on my own, even though Nicky and her husband Luca will be there. So if all goes well I should be in Florence the last week of February.

I’m still waiting to hear when my next PET scan will be, which of course could change everthing. But fingers crossed that I get another clean scan and also a few more tapas tours to help pay my way.

I’ve never been to Italy before – people often say that Florence is the Italian Sevilla. Very very excited!

málaga memories

08 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in birthdays, christmas, food & drink, friends, holidays, Malaga, photos, spain, tapas, travel, trips

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Yesterday morning I went through my Málaga pics and had a lovely time reliving those memories. Peter and I left very early on Monday morning and arrived in Málaga with the whole day ahead of us. After setting up the apartment (we bring our own sheets, towels, kitchen stuff, etc) we went out to explore the city. First thing on the agenda was something I had never done during previous trips to Málaga – a trip up to the Parador Gibralfaro to enjoy a drink on their “balcony of Málaga” terrace, which turned out to be a perfect start to our mini-break. Afterwards we walked down the mountain (we’d taken a taxi up) and after a stroll around town had a fab lunch outdoors at La Cosmopolita. Later we checked out the new port area that was finally open to the public and went back to the apartment to rest up … we had dinner plans with food blogger Sarah and her husband at La Moraga, which ended up being a lovely evening.

Next morning we went to the Picasso Museum and saw both the permanent exhibition and the Alberto Giocometti retrospective and then headed off to the Atarazanas Market. After that – another first. We stopped in at the oldest bar in Málaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia, for a glass of sherry. It’s a rather bizarre place, full of both locals and tourists sampling sherries from the various stacked casks along with steamed mussels and grilled prawns. We just had a quick drink and headed out to find a place for lunch. After trying a fish joint and getting burnt rosada (sent back – cheque please!) we went to one of our favourites, Dos Gatos, and got some perfectly grilled rosada along with some terrific presa. Then another walk before heading home. Later that evening, after watching a spectacular sunset from the balcony (last photo in the slide show) we went to check out the Christmas lights, which is something Málaga does big time. Then home again for a light snack and a dvd before hitting the hay.

Third and last day in town we took a walk along the port before checking out the Eugenio Chicano exhibit at the Municipal Museum. Then there was just time for a stroll around the centre and a final lunch at La Reserva del Pastor before collecting our stuff from the apartment and catching the train home.

One of the best birthday presents ever. Thanks Peter!

(if you refresh the page you’ll see the pics more or less in chronological order)

tickets to ride!

30 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, art, cats, christmas, holidays, Malaga, tapas, travel, trips

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Got the word from Manolo last night – the apartment in Málaga will be available next week! Yay!

So this morning Peter and I went out and bought our train tickets. The plan is to leave early Monday morning and come back on Wednesday afternoon. Which means leaving the cats on their own for two nights (!!!). But after checking with two vets about Azar’s “condition” (which is basically old age) I’ve decided to not worry over much, because this trip feels much-needed. And also much-wanted as I really do want to celebrate my 55th birthday in style. Plus Peter has been working very hard the past couple months and this will be a bit of a reward for him as I think he loves Málaga as much as I do.

While there I want to see two art exhibits, both retrospectives. One of Alberto Giacometti at the Picasso Museum, and the other of Eugenio Chicano at the Museo del Patrimonio Municipal. The first one was actually on when I was in Málaga last October but I didn’t have time to see it, so I’m glad I have this chance as I’ve heard it’s wonderful.

Otherwise I guess we’ll be doing the usual. Well, other than dipping my toes in the Mediterranean – bit chilly for that, I think. But we’ll do a lot of walking and seeing what’s new. I’ve been told the shops and restaurants in the newly redeveloped port are now open. I also want to go up to the Parador Gibralfaro and have a drink on their terraza with spectacular views of the port and city, which is something I’ve not yet done there. And of course just being there at Christmas time is wonderful in itself.

By total coincidence a woman from Israel who took one of my Sevilla Tapas Tours last April, Sarah Melamed (she writes the Foodbridge blog), is also going to be in Málaga while I’m there, so I’m sure we’ll get together for a meal one day. And I may also meet up with some other Twitter friends who live nearby. After all, it’ll be Birthday Week! So stay tuned…

55

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, birthdays, cancer, cats, change, travel, trips

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Wow, seems like it was only five years ago I was making plans for my 50th birthday! In fact, I started thinking about it months before and ended up being treated to a trip to Barcelona.

But it only occurred to me the other day that – eep! – I’m about to turn 55. Which is pretty amazing. When I think about all that has happened since my 50th, especially the whole cancer thing, I feel so lucky to still be around and want to do something extra special this year. So, what should I do to celebrate?

I’ve been invited to Florence in February, which may or may not happen depending on my next PET scan, but I would like to do something on the actual day, January 7th, or at least nearer to it.

If I can get the use of Manolo’s apartment in Málaga I think that would be my first choice. There are two art exhibits on right now that I’d love to see, and of course I adore Málaga at Christmas time. If I go early next week then the lights will still be on. Peter is busy working on a translation job that would actually pay for this trip, so that means he’ll be coming with me 😉 . It also means leaving the cats alone. For… how long? I wouldn’t worry about leaving them overnight, but ideally I’d like to stay two nights and I’m not sure about Azar. The vet doesn’t think anything would happen to him in that time as he’d only miss one day of his treatment, so maybe?

If not Málaga then the other option is to take a couple of day trips next week while Peter is still off work for the holidays. Perhaps Cádiz and Córdoba? We’ll see. Getting kinda excited…