Author: admin

  • Seville – Clara Campoamor Sculpture

    Seville – Clara Campoamor Sculpture

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

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    This rather beautiful sculpture caught my eye because of the books, and it’s a delightful piece of art because there’s so much going on. It’s designed as a tribute to Clara Campoamor, a Spanish politician and feminist. The thought was that the sculpture should show her in her formative years, with the influences that created her character.

    So, it’s a sculpture showing the importance of education, books, learning and the discovering the world. As a tribute to an individual, it’s a rather beautiful vision.

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    The sculpture is located at Plaza Pescadería in Seville.

  • Seville – Towelgate

    Seville – Towelgate

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

    I have some bad news. As I posted yesterday, Andrew has chosen some dreadful accommodation. He was keen to be near to Sarah, in case she needed help at any time, but he also wanted a thrifty option.

    Anyway, despite numerous promises, he still hasn’t got his towels. He’s livid.

    The situation is also now developing, as he has no toilet paper. I’m not sure what he’s done with it, but that is a thought best not dwelled on.

  • Seville – Metropol Parasol

    Seville – Metropol Parasol

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

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    The Metropol Parasol, or the Mushrooms of Seville, are one of the city’s new landmarks given their striking design and use of wood. The land which they are built on was formerly a market place which was in use until the 1970s. It was decided to build an underground car park at the site in the 1990s and then reconstruct the marketplace above it.

    After the engineers excitedly started work on their new project, they were doing some digging and banging about (and some setting out as Liam would probably say) and then they found a load of Roman remains. So, the engineers stopped and the politicians had a little think.

    The politicians decided that they’d better keep the Roman remains, so they decided on building a museum and something quite exciting on top. They planned to spend a few million on a new project and there were 65 entries submitted. This was all going marvellously.

    So, the engineers started again banging about and having lots of breaks. Then the engineers realised they didn’t know what they were doing, and the structure might fall down if they built it. This meant they called in some philosophers to resolve the problem, and 100 million euros later, they’ve created the current structure.

    They do get nearly one million visitors a year, but the time it will take to recover the 100 million euros they’ve spent might be considerable.

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    I had expected a few platforms to walk around, something like you might get in the monkey enclosure of a zoo. But, the structures were large and there were numerous areas to walk around, offering majestic and sweeping views of Seville.

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    Dylan and Leon would have liked this, they could have done some running around before their ice creams.

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    So, we start the walk.

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    The structure is clearly visible when on top and it’s made from laminated wood.

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    Some of the group towards the end of their walk.

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    Yes, it was too hot.

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    The view from underneath.

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    Overall, this was a really interesting experience and it’s best done when it’s not too hot. It opens until 23:00, which means that visitors can watch the sun set whilst walking around. There is a bar on the site, which has the most confusing voucher system arrangement that we in the end just didn’t bother with, and there’s lift access to the top. There’s an entrance charge of €3, which seemed very reasonable.

  • Seville – Buying Biscuits from Nuns

    Seville – Buying Biscuits from Nuns

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

    Sarah, who has been leading us around the city, has done an excellent job and she also suggested that we buy things from nuns. Gordon, who is very precise in what he wants to buy from nuns, was excited at this proposal.

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    Bevs rings the bell to summon a nun.

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    This is the menu selection available.

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    Sarah makes the purchase. Andrew at this point tried to take a very sneaky photo of the nun, and he was told off. Since he looked disappointed, I took a photo for him. Sarah asked the permission of the nun and no doubt has a beautiful photo. It was rather a pleasant little place and there are numerous of these operations throughout Spain, although the number is apparently decreasing.

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    Most importantly, the quality of the cookies was excellent, and I accidentally had three.

  • Seville – Clive Buys a Hat

    Seville – Clive Buys a Hat

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

    It’s hot here. And so Clive thought it’d be a good idea for him to acquire himself a hat.

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    Bev helping with the hat purchase. This mainly involved her plonking hats which didn’t fit onto Clive’s head, whilst Clive reminded everyone that he had a big head.

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    Sarah came over to help as the pressure got too much for Clive.

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    Bev went to shout at the man at the till to ask if he had any bigger hats. He didn’t, and privately I think he was relieved when Bev left.

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    We continued the hunt for a hat in a second shop. I liked this shop as it was very cold.

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    “What do you think of this?”

    I can’t actually remember if after all this Clive purchased a hat, but I don’t think he did….

  • Seville – La Escaloná

    Seville – La Escaloná

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

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    Sarah suggested to me that we go to La Escaloná for our evening meal, and I had a quick look at the menu and their web-site and I felt happy vibes about the place. So, although we had some other potential options, I thought this was a good choice and on we marched.

    The welcome seemed genuinely friendly and authentic, with the staff member being willing to make space for us. The service was always pro-active and helpful, and the main server tried his real best to make sure that we had an enjoyable experience. Indeed, he certainly added positively to our experience.

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    The interior of the restaurant, very comfortable and at a nice and pleasant temperature. I took this photo on the way out, it was much busier earlier on in the evening.

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    Look at Gordon’s large amount of food and compare to what Andrew has ordered…

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    Sarah, at the head of the table, and enjoying the experience.

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    Andrew, busy eating.

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    Bev wanted to photograph and inspect Gordon’s food, whereas he just wanted to start eating.

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    The cod was well presented and served as a generous portion size. The cod was just a little over-cooked, but the fish tasted of a good quality and it had a pleasant taste. The sauce could have been hotter in terms of the temperature, but it had a rich and enjoyable taste.

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    My patatas bravas, and these were really good. There was some spiciness to the sauce and the potatoes were well cooked and had the appropriate slightly firm texture. What was I think was an aioli added extra flavour, and they were very moreish.

    Another dish that had a real depth of flavour were the chicken strips with curry sauce that Sarah chose. I looked at them longingly until she offered me one, and she didn’t disappoint. The curry sauce was actually cooked into the coating of the chicken, rather than just being a sauce to dip them in, with the chicken being tender.

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    My ham croquettes, again they had a light texture with the ham adding a depth of taste. The exterior was crispy and the interior was fluffy with plenty of flavour.

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    The shots at the end of the meal which the restaurant provided. Whilst I was taking a photo Andrew tried to grab one of the shots, which caused much anger amongst everyone. I made him stop, and he was given his shot last as a punishment.

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    Gordon after his shot.

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    Andrew, savouring his shot.

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    We didn’t have any desserts, but they looked appetising and well presented.

    Overall, this was a really positive experience and the staff really did their best to offer a fun feel to the service. The food and drink was of a good quality and there was a depth of taste to most of the food items. The house wine I had was pleasant, and I liked how the staff member offered a sample of it before pouring.

    The bill came to under £20 each and I felt that represented perfectly good value for money. The restaurant environment was clean, although I apologise for the loud noise of our group. I’d certainly recommend the restaurant, whether just for a drink on their terrace or for a more substantial meal inside the restaurant. I would add also that the restaurant was beautifully air conditioned inside, which made me very happy….

  • Seville – Andrew’s Accommodation

    Seville – Andrew’s Accommodation

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity….]

    A quick interlude here with this photo of Andrew looking for towels and bedding…

    Sarah has booked some lovely accommodation, and actually so have most of us. Admittedly Bev and Clive are disappointed by the lack of swimming pools, but they’re over that now.

    Andrew has, as a travel newbie, booked a load of rubbish. He’s got accommodation which has no towels, no bedding, no comfort and he’s also forgotten to bring his adapter so he has little power left. His air conditioning is also weak.

    I’m hoping he provides some photos through the week….

  • Seville – Summary of Day One

    Seville – Summary of Day One

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity…. Apologies that the image referenced isn’t currently recoverable]

    Before I start on the various fascinating blog posts of the day, first it’s time for a quick summary.

    Clive had the most exciting day, catching the flight with only an hour to spare, after having given himself four hours at the airport with his original planning. He was the cause of much excitement, and indeed hilarity from Gordon it transpired, with his photo of his coach stuck in traffic. But, he made it, and that was the most important thing.

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    Here they are at the airport, with Bev shouting help…. As it happened, it was the other passengers who needed help, with someone complaining to Bev and Sarah about the noise they were making. Secretly I agree with that passenger, but I told Bev and Sarah that it’s only right that they were having fun and making noise.

    Gordon and Brian joined us at the bar early this evening, and they were lots of fun. They were argumentative, which is just how friends should be. Gordon is clearly in control though, or at least that’s what he told me.

    We went to a church, a bar, then the Metropol Parasol and then to a restaurant for our evening meal, more of which in later posts. It was a rather pleasant evening, and we’re all grateful for Sarah organising this trip.

    But, I’ve been asked about Andrew. Did he irritate everyone? Well, no, he was actually well behaved. Yes, he presented himself as a very British figure with his hat, but what’s wrong with that? It’s good to be different. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bev starts falling for Andrew at this rate. Wedding bells might well chime.

    Back to the disappointment of Bev and Clive though. They thought that there was a swimming pool at the hotel we’re staying at. I had no interest in this at all, I book a hotel for the room, not for the leisure facilities. Unless it has a bar, but that’s not really a leisure facility in the same sense.

    So we trek off and look for it. Bev and Clive find a hot tub, and then they went off together to a naked area. I didn’t follow them because I’m British and am very refined. Bev and Clive went around a corner and Bev screeched with laughter. What happened between those two will remain a secret between them. But you can read between the lines…. Bev, who has brought a range of sexy swimwear for Clive to look at her in, was disappointed and Clive wasn’t best pleased. Their hopes of late night swimming were dashed. I wasn’t bothered, I was just pleased that my room had running water again.

    I haven’t yet mentioned the quotes of the day, but there were some. The winning three were:

    “I can mix and match” – Gordon

    “Even the cash machines bow to Gordon” – Brian

    “Sarah will go the shop and buy you some cigarettes” – Bev

    The restaurant meal, which I’ll describe elsewhere, went well. There was lots of food and the prices worked out to be very reasonable. There was disappointment that Gordon and Andrew snubbed the restaurant by refusing to down their free shots, but the rest of us joined in with the excitement.

    There was also talk of Brexit, although I limited myself here, as I’m away and don’t want to think about the whole thing. There was also talk of the exciting new range of challenges that Liam and I are undertaking, including running an entire dinner party at Bev’s house. There was agreement that it was best Liam turned the gas on, and did the cooking, whilst I supervised. That will make for quite a few blog posts I feel…

    So, a very lovely time was had. The meal was lovely, the touristy bits we did were lovely and the temperature was, well, too bloody hot. Luckily I’ve had Bev to fan me, and she did this relatively well, although she got distracted easily.

  • Seville – They’re Off!

    Seville – They’re Off!

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity…. Unfortunately, the images for this post I haven’t yet been able to recover so I’ve put another image from the trip as the cover image instead]

    After all the excitement of this morning, they’re all now safely at the boarding gate and ready to fly! Happy flighting  🙂

    Here’s a quick photo of Andrew on the aircraft, smiling away!

  • Seville – Shock as Andrew Forgets to Buy Drinks for Sarah, Bev and Clive

    Seville – Shock as Andrew Forgets to Buy Drinks for Sarah, Bev and Clive

    [This is one of a series of posts about a group trip in 2018, which was rather designed for a specific audience at the time. However, I’ve reposted it to fix the broken image links and to ensure that the trip is preserved for posterity…. However, in this instance I can’t recover the image for this post, so I’ve posted another image of the group from this trip instead]

    In the last blog post I mentioned that Andrew had agreed to buy a round of drinks. Unfortunately, it appears that there was some confusion and Andrew remembered at the bar only to buy his own drink, forgetting everyone else. I do apologise for misleading people into thinking he had bought drinks for everyone.

    Anyway, their flight is ready to take off in an hour or so, and then the fun begins!