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[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….]

The morning after the night before proved to be a challenging one for some members of the group, particularly Andrew. He looked like something resembling the living dead, with a dazed and confused look in his eyes. The expected visit of cultural highlights in the morning was rather postponed as the group went to look for coffee to make themselves feel better.

I’d add that Andrew should feel particularly pleased that I have decided not to use the photos of him from the previous night on this blog. It was a decision that took me a little while to make, but I didn’t want to sully this publication and risk it being marked by Google as for adults only. Needless to say, Andrew was very near to the Daily Mail purchasing the photos for their article “gardener disgraces Britain”.

The plan for the day was that Bev, Andrew and Sarah were getting the bus to the airport and then returning home. That plan worked out pretty well, marred only by the one hour delay that they faced at the airport. They had a lovely lunch of a Burger King and they then sat feeling ill waiting for the aircraft. Clive and I really didn’t envy them.

Andrew was obsessively worried about whether he might be over the alcohol limit 19 hours after he finished drinking. So he asked the police officer (by police officer, I mean the armed officers at Stansted Airport who are more focused on national security) to tell him whether it was safe to drive. I’m not sure that the police are particularly well equipped to decide such things in that manner, but Andrew was very safe and he, and the others, got back safely.

Also, as mentioned, Andrew hasn’t pro-actively sent me £1 for the power adapter of mine that he left in Seville. The group is still livid about that, and some very rude words were used about him by Bev. Our priority though was making sure that Andrew wasn’t sick everywhere, which would have marred the entire morning if I’m being honest.

Clive and I struggled for some time to get over Andrew, Sarah and Bev no longer being here. We spent a good minute or two getting over it, and then we realised how quiet it was, and we quite liked that. So we went to McDonald’s before returning to the hotel.

Clive was very brave and went to his hotel’s rooftop terrace for some sunbathing, in their rather exclusive area, the details of which I won’t post about here.  However, as Gordon mentioned on-line, he hopes that Clive remembered to put his sun-cream absolutely everywhere.

The remaining two of us then went to some bars and found a rather nice Italian for our evening meal, which I’ll post details of separately at some point. I’m unfortunately getting just a little behind with posting about all these visits, but I shall endeavour to catch up later today.

We were pleased to find that there’s a craft beer trail leaflet, so we went to a couple of pubs on that list before a relatively early return to the hotels of just after midnight. Clive and I have one more day here before he returns home and I go on my onward journey to Madrid.

There weren’t many quotes of the day unfortunately, just the two from Bev, and both are a little out of context here…

“I can only just remember that parrot, it’s all a blur” – Bev

“Has Andrew got enough blood left for that?” – Bev

[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 decided that she’d kindly host a mini party on the terrace of her accommodation. We thought that this sounded a marvellous idea before our evening meal, and we got a little collection of food and drinks together.

Andrew helping set things up.

Bev decided that she wanted to rearrange the entire balcony. I just sat down and let her get on with it.

This church is located next door to the property that Sarah was staying in and so we had this view of the tower and its bells from the terrace.

Here’s Sarah, enjoying Andrew’s company.

Bev, enjoying one of her many drinks.

[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….]

There were seven of us on this trip a couple of days ago, but now with Bev, Andrew and Sarah all getting their flight home, it’s down to just Clive and me. Which means one thing, it’s going to get a whole lot more responsible and refined around here. Well, I say that, but I know what Clive is currently getting up to, so I’m not sure refined is quite the right word. But, it’s appropriate for me at least.

So, to make sure that they left, we escorted Andrew, Bev and Sarah to the coach station so that they could get their bus to the airport.

The two petals.

The procedure was all rather painless, and the coach pulled up a few minutes after we arrived. It’s a frequent service to the airport, and I’m pleased to report that they got there safely. Their flight is delayed for an hour, but at least they’re there and ready to fly home.

[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….]

The whole group was absolutely fuming at Andrew earlier today. I entrusted him with my spare adapter plug for his time in Seville, since he’s lost his. I excitedly wait to collect it this morning and he then reveals that he has left it in his apartment, on the towel.

He’s also left his USB wire, although I had no interest in that as it wasn’t mine. I pretended that as it only cost £1 that I didn’t mind about losing it. But, I’m actually very angry indeed. Liam suggested that I send him a Paypal invoice, but I suspect he’ll pro-actively send me the £1 without needing to invoice him.

[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….]

Another day over, and it has taken me a little while to write this since day three actually ended at 4am after a comprehensive testing of the bars of Seville. So much for a refined Hike Norfolk trip to Seville, although to be fair, we also packed in quite a lot of culture today (well, yesterday now).

Our plan for the day was to get to Alcázar of Seville for before 09:30 as it’s a popular site and we wanted to get a good place in the queue. So, Bev and Clive get an early Starbucks drink and we go to our meeting point. And guess who’s late? Yes, Andrew. I wanted to leave without him, but there was a discussion and it was decided that we’d give him another thirty seconds and then leave without him.

At that point, he comes trundling along, looking rather hungover. He then needs a drink, so we stop at Starbucks. Whilst there he orders hot food, so we’re lefting waiting, knowing that our place in the queue is getting further and further back. We debated not telling him how irritated we were, but then Sarah went in to deal with the situation. Andrew didn’t say sorry.

We then joined the queue for Alcázar of Seville, and we were there around an hour before we got in. This was partly due to a major problem with the ticketing system delaying them, but I’ll write about that in another post. But, the whole visit was fascinating, such beautiful gardens and so much history. This was a glorious building, and it’s certainly possible to spend all day there (I know it’s possible to spend all day at any museum, but I mean that the time could be justified here).

We visited a few more cultural sites before heading off to lunch. The place we sat down at seemed OK for a drink and a snack, but a quick check of their reviews scared us, particularly the one about maggots in the orange juice. So, after moving their tables about, we left.

Our eventual lunch location was rather pleasurable, quiet (bar Sarah and Bev) and my chicken caesar salad was particularly good. With phones charged (well, mine and Sarah’s), we power on off to the Museum of Fine Arts. What a glorious treat that was, I could have spent many hours in there. Indeed, I did spend many hours in there.

After we realised we had two different points of where to meet before departing, we went to Sarah’s balcony for some drinks. The wine went down well, and Andrew treated everyone to two bottles of wine (between us, not each). Bev said that orange wine made her dangerous, so Andrew bought her some. He’s a naughty sod… Regarding Andrew buying the wine, we did hint a lot about it, so it wasn’t pro-active, but it was still generous. Bev drank too much….

Then, already in a happy mood, we went off to our pre-booked evening meal. The reviews had been a bit mixed, but we liked the environment and decided that we would risk it. Bev found a parrot that she really liked, and spent more time talking to that then she did to us.

Four of us had paella and it was perfectly acceptable, although we had to listen to Bev shouting “Hola” at the bird numerous times. By numerous, I mean around 350. I’m pleased to report that the bird is still alive, although is being treated for nervous exhaustion.

Then we thought we’d try some bars. Now, unfortunately there’s a bit of a “what happened in Seville stays in Seville”, but it’s only fair to report that one member of our party managed to fall off his chair. He then sat on the floor for nearly an hour. I can’t reveal Andrew’s name though, so the exact person will have to remain anonymous.

After numerous shots and drinks, whilst watching Bev, Clive and Sarah dancing (I don’t do dancing), we proceeded to walk home. We got a bit split up, but everyone got home safely after a rather lovely evening.

I’ve had to shorten this somewhat so that I can catch up on other posts. But, the quotes of the day:

“Andrew, are you going to ask me if you want to go out with me?” – Sarah

“There’s a Liam sized bath in Sarah’s apartment” – Clive

“I was doing my French oral” – Bev (Andrew laughed at this point, he has a dirty mind)

“I think Andrew has spiked my drinks” – Bev

“I’m drunk” – Andrew

“I’m very drunk” – Andrew

[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….]

Well, that was another interesting day….. It’s 02.00 and I’m selflessly staying up late to write up the details of what happened.

So, we met this morning to get tickets to visit Iglesia del Salvador and also Seville Cathedral. Andrew, who didn’t have a towel, over-slept, but fortunately he made the start point just in time.

We go into Iglesia del Salvador and discovered that Gordon, Brian and Sarah weren’t there. Andrew tells us not to wait for them, so we bought our tickets and went inside. I’ll post about Iglesia del Salvador elsewhere, but it is a beautiful building.

We proceeded to buy some cookies from a nun, and then went to Casa de Pilatos, a fascinating property dating back to the Roman times. Gordon, Bev and I were ashamed to note that we didn’t realise Clive decided not to go in, we only realised when nearly two hours later he met us outside. We’re not the most observant people… But it led to a lot of “is Clive here?” jokes…

We thought that before we went to Seville Cathedral that we should go and get some lunch. So Sarah and I find this lovely little restaurant and we’re busy going inside, primarily because we want a picture of the cow that they have inside. However, Andrew stomps his foot and wants to go to somewhere around the corner.

Sarah and I debate the matter, and we agree that to shut Andrew up we’ll go and look at the dump he’s found. We go there, look at it, and we go back to where we were going anywhere.

I’ll write elsewhere about the meal there, and also about the delights of Seville Cathedral. I got to the top of the tower, and I will say, it’s too bloody hot in Seville. But it was a marvellous experience.

Gordon, Brian and I decided that we needed to go back. My phone battery was down to 15% and I clearly can’t walk about without battery charge, I wouldn’t be able to survive such torture. However, Bev, Andrew, Sarah and Clive battled on in the heat.

After a little sleep for me, and no sleep for Bev, Clive, Andrew and Sarah, we then go out for a river walk. We have a meal in a rather lovely restaurant, which transpired to be very cheap, before going to a few bars. Gordon had a very manly drink, indeed so manly it was quite clearly the essence of man.

Andrew, staying up way later than his usual bedtime, managed to recast his image and is now a man of action, virility and fun. He’s done very well indeed. But we were genuinely all sad to see that Gordon and Brian were leaving us, as they’re getting a train tomorrow at lunch-time. The week wouldn’t have been the same without them, and we hope to see them both again soon.

So, that in short, is the report of the day…. Lots of fun, lots of history, lots of drinking and lots of food. But, I want to leave today with some quotes of the day:

“I’m feeling overcome” – Gordon

“You leave my little pinkie out of this” – Gordon

“The toilet paper disintegrated” – Andrew

“I’m going to show you a little something Sarah” – Andrew

“This is where it gets bigger Sarah” – Andrew

“I nearly text you last night Sarah as I was by the cathedral, and it was so beautiful” – Andrew

“It doesn’t fit right up” – Clive

“Have you mounted your bat yet?” – Julian

“This isn’t unlike my bathroom” – Gordon

“You can’t let Gordon outstage you Clive” – Bev

[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’m pleased to say that there has been an update on Andrew’s accommodation. He still has no towels and limited bedding, but he has been pro-active with the toilet paper situation.

At first he feared that he had used all the toilet paper up. However, he found some more. So, in absence of a towel, he used the toilet paper to dry all of his, er, body. Unfortunately, it disintegrated. This made Andrew displeased.

However, not so displeased that he didn’t try and prevent publication on this blog….